This week we worked at the orphanage in Zau de Campie. As we pulled up to the orphanage on the first day, I felt like I was in a movie. Some of the things that happen there seem like they could come right out of “Annie”.
The orphanage is actually a castle, which sits on a hill above the city. It can be seen for miles around. It looks good on the outside, but it could use a little work on the inside. It functions for housing 45 kids. Kelly compared the castle to the children, saying that they look good on the outside, but they could use some help in the inside. It is heartrending to hear their stories. In the orphanage, there are five children, all brothers and sisters, who were dropped off at the orphanage by their parents at Christmastime. It is hard to imagine a time that is supposed to be so joyful turn out to be so painful for these children.
We have had an emotional week. Starting out with complete chaos. The kids were running wild and not sitting still to listen to the story or do the craft. The translators were having quite a time keeping them in line. The older girls were also a hard group. They did not want to participate in the activities. We became increasingly more frustrated with the language barrier and being unable to communicate with them.
Today was a party day with the children, and that was the major turning point in our relationships with them. We played with them the whole day, and then we had a party for all the children whose birthdays are in July. I think that the quality time we spent with them is greater than any words we could have spoken to them. When they saw we really do care about them and do not have other motives they warmed up to us.
One of the highlights was yesterday when two of the little girls were doing LeAllison’s and my hair. They would put it up and when we turned around to show them how they looked they would just sit there and laugh.
We have been blessed and encouraged by the faithfulness of God in strengthening us. We take joy in the small reactions: the hugs and kisses, the fighting over who is going to hold your hand, their wanting to talk with us and teach us Romanian, and the abundance of smiles and laughter.
