I helped out with another short camp this week! It was only 3 days, and was for children in a village an hour away from Chisinau. It was the first camp that I ever participated in that Moldovans coordinated, and they did a great job. We set up camp at this really pretty park, and had music, skits, games, crafts and lunch. The highlight of the week was meeting a 13 year old boy who was in my group. His name is Igor, one of the many Igors that I have grown to love in Moldova. He is a very small boy for his age, and has a physical disability. His legs are bent and turned in, and he is has trouble walking. He is able to get around really well considering his problem. He is a very sweet boy who smiles a lot. He reached out to me the first day, and would joke around with me by saying "Ingrid" and looking away like he didn't say anything. I sat next to him, and we played thumb wars, the hand slapping games, and "Double Double". He would put his head on my shoulder and hug me. He was so sweet and bright!
I continued teaching English, Computer, and life skills this week. The girls are picking up English really quickly! I went on a walk with two of the girls for about 30-40 minutes, and we talked the whole time with the English and Romanian that we both knew! It was pretty amazing that we could do that! They all have their own email addresses now, and are very excited.
Natalia moved in last night! She is the girl who was severely burned as a baby, and is deformed. She seems to be adjusting really well. The girls said that they were up really late talking with her! They seem to get along great. Please pray that things will continue to go well with the girls. She actually knows quite a bit of English, and we have had some great conversations!
Two of the girls are at a summer camp, and will be back Monday. Please pray for a safe return.
I have been having a lot of fun this week, because a girl from America has been here with me. Her name is Brooke and she lived in Moldova this past winter. We hit it off right away, and its nice to have another Ameican to vent to. Also, I have been really blessed by spending time with another girl, Irina. She is from Moldova, but lived in the states for a year. She has a job waiting for her in America, but she is having visa issues. Please pray that she is able to come back to America.
The elections happened this week, and the communists lost!!! Praise God!!! Please pray that their won't be any discprepency about the results, and that their won't be any protests.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Prayer Requests
These are just a few items to keep in prayer this week:
Tomorrow I am helping with with a day camp in a village that my host family organizes. I have no idea what to expect, I don't know how many kids we will have, or what group I'm in. I'm just showing up! Please pray that I'm able to serve well, and that the camp goes great. It is just for 3 days from 10-2pm.
Please pray that we can cover a lot with the girls this week. It is hard get them all together at once to have our lessons, but I'm going to just teach with whoever is here. This weekend just Marina was in the grace house, the others were at camp or at home. We had a lot of fun together, regardless of not talking much. We went to a pool yesterday, and today we did some English and computer. She helped me make some cards with English phrases and vocab words to put around the house. We also went to church together, and made dinner together.
On thursday, another girl is going to come and check out what is going on at the grace house, and see if she wants this to be her home.
Also, Natalia should be moving in soon, so please pray for a smooth transition for her.
Thank you for your prayers! I only have 4 weeks left and I want to make the most of my time while we are here.
Tomorrow I am helping with with a day camp in a village that my host family organizes. I have no idea what to expect, I don't know how many kids we will have, or what group I'm in. I'm just showing up! Please pray that I'm able to serve well, and that the camp goes great. It is just for 3 days from 10-2pm.
Please pray that we can cover a lot with the girls this week. It is hard get them all together at once to have our lessons, but I'm going to just teach with whoever is here. This weekend just Marina was in the grace house, the others were at camp or at home. We had a lot of fun together, regardless of not talking much. We went to a pool yesterday, and today we did some English and computer. She helped me make some cards with English phrases and vocab words to put around the house. We also went to church together, and made dinner together.
On thursday, another girl is going to come and check out what is going on at the grace house, and see if she wants this to be her home.
Also, Natalia should be moving in soon, so please pray for a smooth transition for her.
Thank you for your prayers! I only have 4 weeks left and I want to make the most of my time while we are here.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
What's going on!
English lessons, Computer lessons, and life skills are underway! I have a lot of faith in the girls when it comes to learning English. It is something that they really seem to enjoy, and they know quite a bit already! Our youngest girl, Jazgul( or her Moldovan name, Eugenia)can understand a lot, a lot, a lot! I can totally see her translating in the next couple years!
Food has been a challenge for the girls. They are not used to having so much food in the house all the time. They would eat their food so quickly and feel the need to eat all of the food prepared. They have trouble grasping the idea of leftovers. It is hard for them to believe that the food will be there tomorrow. Each girl shared with me a story about a time where they did not have food for an extended time. It was a wake up call for me, because the girls seem so normal, sweet, and fun. It is easy to forget they have hard very hard lives. There is a lot more going on psychological than I would have guessed. We talked about eating smaller portions, and slowing down. We also talked about nutrition during our life skills lesson, what foods have different vitamins, how much of each food group they should eat, how much water they should drink etc. They had no idea that you are supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day, or that watermelon has very little vitamins. They are making an effort in this area, but it will take some time. Most of them are having some health issues too, and have gone to the doctor this week. Issues with headaches, upset stomachs, colds etc. I don't think their stomachs are used to eating so much, and so many different types of foods.
I made the girls a chore chart, and they chose jobs for each to do this week, and they are slowly getting into it. It took them a while to start doing their jobs, and not other people's jobs, and vise versa. They are very good about keeping the house clean, and are excited to learn new recipes. I taught one girl how to make chicken parmesan this week. Unfortunately though, the girls are not used to tomato sauce and it upset some of their stomachs..
Marina, Olga, and Jazgul are all really worried about getting into the school, and getting a good tuition rate. Many have the orphan status, but this does not guarantee that it will be inexpensive. Doina did get a full ride scholarship to her school for cosmetology which is a miracle!!! Please pray for the girls to get into the colleges that they desire, and to get a good tuition price. That is their prayer request every night.
I have not taught English and computer at Beginning of Life for a week or so. Last time I went the girls said they didn't want to learn English anymore. Their social worker was frustrated with them. She explained to me that their decisions have no logic, but are based solely on their mood. It is a little discouraging, but I'm not taking it personally. I hope to continue to teach the staff at BOL, and help out with their camp, and Aids outreach. Hopefully, the girls will change their minds and want to learn. They have been through so much, and so much has been damaged psychologically and spiritually. I just want them to feel God's love in any small way that I can.
I met a really sweet girl who works for another organization that works with trafficking victims in Moldova. It is called Project Rescue, and the website is www.projectrescue.com. She invited me to come to one their Bible studies and talk about my involvement in ministries in Moldova. I hope to connect with this organization more.
I am going to Straseni tomorrow! I am excited to see some of the girls from the last couple of weeks. I am hoping the word got out there, and that the girls will come!
Food has been a challenge for the girls. They are not used to having so much food in the house all the time. They would eat their food so quickly and feel the need to eat all of the food prepared. They have trouble grasping the idea of leftovers. It is hard for them to believe that the food will be there tomorrow. Each girl shared with me a story about a time where they did not have food for an extended time. It was a wake up call for me, because the girls seem so normal, sweet, and fun. It is easy to forget they have hard very hard lives. There is a lot more going on psychological than I would have guessed. We talked about eating smaller portions, and slowing down. We also talked about nutrition during our life skills lesson, what foods have different vitamins, how much of each food group they should eat, how much water they should drink etc. They had no idea that you are supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day, or that watermelon has very little vitamins. They are making an effort in this area, but it will take some time. Most of them are having some health issues too, and have gone to the doctor this week. Issues with headaches, upset stomachs, colds etc. I don't think their stomachs are used to eating so much, and so many different types of foods.
I made the girls a chore chart, and they chose jobs for each to do this week, and they are slowly getting into it. It took them a while to start doing their jobs, and not other people's jobs, and vise versa. They are very good about keeping the house clean, and are excited to learn new recipes. I taught one girl how to make chicken parmesan this week. Unfortunately though, the girls are not used to tomato sauce and it upset some of their stomachs..
Marina, Olga, and Jazgul are all really worried about getting into the school, and getting a good tuition rate. Many have the orphan status, but this does not guarantee that it will be inexpensive. Doina did get a full ride scholarship to her school for cosmetology which is a miracle!!! Please pray for the girls to get into the colleges that they desire, and to get a good tuition price. That is their prayer request every night.
I have not taught English and computer at Beginning of Life for a week or so. Last time I went the girls said they didn't want to learn English anymore. Their social worker was frustrated with them. She explained to me that their decisions have no logic, but are based solely on their mood. It is a little discouraging, but I'm not taking it personally. I hope to continue to teach the staff at BOL, and help out with their camp, and Aids outreach. Hopefully, the girls will change their minds and want to learn. They have been through so much, and so much has been damaged psychologically and spiritually. I just want them to feel God's love in any small way that I can.
I met a really sweet girl who works for another organization that works with trafficking victims in Moldova. It is called Project Rescue, and the website is www.projectrescue.com. She invited me to come to one their Bible studies and talk about my involvement in ministries in Moldova. I hope to connect with this organization more.
I am going to Straseni tomorrow! I am excited to see some of the girls from the last couple of weeks. I am hoping the word got out there, and that the girls will come!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Another great week!
I spent another great week at the Straseni orphanage participating in camp. I was able to spend more time with the older girls, and build deeper relationships with them. The girls really want me to come back and see them while I'm in Moldova, and I am hoping to go sometime next week. One of the girls has ringworm, and I want to make sure she gets some medicine. While I am there I want to try to have a Bible study and maybe do a craft. I met two really sweet girls that both speak english, and they have been really fun to get to know!
We have been blessed to hire another lady to work with the Grace House girls. Her name is Lena and she is a psychologist. She will be living with the girls, and helping them get into to school, and counseling them. It is an answer to prayer to have her with us, because we needed to have someone there after I leave.
I am really hoping to start all the lessons I have been preparing for this week. Two amazing women put together some incredible lifeskills materials for me to use. I hope to cover nutrition, The 5th habit for highly effective teenagers (we have done the first 4 so far,) have a discussion about trafficking, and talk about values this week. Along with those life skills the girls are eager to learn English, and computer skills, and I want to start our Love Languages Bible study.
All of the girls are trying to get into school, and that is a major prayer request for them.
Also please pray for me and the girls to have a clear communication as possible. It can be very difficult, because of the language and cultural differences.
Thank you for your prayers!
We have been blessed to hire another lady to work with the Grace House girls. Her name is Lena and she is a psychologist. She will be living with the girls, and helping them get into to school, and counseling them. It is an answer to prayer to have her with us, because we needed to have someone there after I leave.
I am really hoping to start all the lessons I have been preparing for this week. Two amazing women put together some incredible lifeskills materials for me to use. I hope to cover nutrition, The 5th habit for highly effective teenagers (we have done the first 4 so far,) have a discussion about trafficking, and talk about values this week. Along with those life skills the girls are eager to learn English, and computer skills, and I want to start our Love Languages Bible study.
All of the girls are trying to get into school, and that is a major prayer request for them.
Also please pray for me and the girls to have a clear communication as possible. It can be very difficult, because of the language and cultural differences.
Thank you for your prayers!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I love the Grace House Girls!
I have been so busy the past two weeks with both weeks at camp! Falesti was amazing, and I was glad to see some of the same kids that I met 4 years ago. The kids at Falesti, are truly the sweetest kids I have ever met! This week was also great at Straseni and Internat #2! I got to see a lot of the same kids at Straseni too! We had about 200 kids show up for camp this year, and it was amazing! I had 30 girls in my Bible study!!!
This week 5 girls moved into the Grace house! They are incredibly sweet, excited, and fun. They have totally hit it off with each other! I love them so much already. We had some “Life Skills” time as we are doing “7 habits of effective teenagers.” They are really enjoying it, and are participating a lot. They are all very open and honest, and we have been able to have some really great conversations already. What I am most impressed with is their strong faith! When the team was here we were able to experience an important faith moment with one of the girls that was truly incredible. Each girl is very different, but amazing and beautiful in their own way.
They helped out a lot at camp this week, and it was neat to see them interact with other kids who were in the same situation they were in. They also came to a lot of our group meetings even though they couldn’t understand anything. I am so proud of them already! Natalia should be here within the next week, and then another girl Alina is considering the grace house. It looks like we will have 6-7 girls at the house now, and I think this will be a really positive thing. I think having 9 teenage girls in the house would be a little overwhelming.
This week I will be starting to teach English, Computer, Lifeskills, and Bible study. We have already had a couple funny moments with the girls. A sweet lady from my church brought me a huge box of oreos that had 160 cookies. I put them in the grace house for 2 days, and they were completely gone! I also went shopping with the girls, and had fun with them as they picked out jeans, but definitely saw that we need to talk about the difference between what we need and what we want.
I will also return to Straseni for maybe 1-2 days with the next team here. I am going to be teaching at BOL two days a week too. I am excited to get into a normal schedule, and hoping the time doesn’t go too fast!
Please pray for the girls: Marina, Olga, Lena, Eugenia, and Doina. Also please pray that they will accept Natalia, and that Alina will know if she wants to be in the Grace House or not.
Please pray that I have wisdom in leading these girls, and that our time together will be productive.
This week 5 girls moved into the Grace house! They are incredibly sweet, excited, and fun. They have totally hit it off with each other! I love them so much already. We had some “Life Skills” time as we are doing “7 habits of effective teenagers.” They are really enjoying it, and are participating a lot. They are all very open and honest, and we have been able to have some really great conversations already. What I am most impressed with is their strong faith! When the team was here we were able to experience an important faith moment with one of the girls that was truly incredible. Each girl is very different, but amazing and beautiful in their own way.
They helped out a lot at camp this week, and it was neat to see them interact with other kids who were in the same situation they were in. They also came to a lot of our group meetings even though they couldn’t understand anything. I am so proud of them already! Natalia should be here within the next week, and then another girl Alina is considering the grace house. It looks like we will have 6-7 girls at the house now, and I think this will be a really positive thing. I think having 9 teenage girls in the house would be a little overwhelming.
This week I will be starting to teach English, Computer, Lifeskills, and Bible study. We have already had a couple funny moments with the girls. A sweet lady from my church brought me a huge box of oreos that had 160 cookies. I put them in the grace house for 2 days, and they were completely gone! I also went shopping with the girls, and had fun with them as they picked out jeans, but definitely saw that we need to talk about the difference between what we need and what we want.
I will also return to Straseni for maybe 1-2 days with the next team here. I am going to be teaching at BOL two days a week too. I am excited to get into a normal schedule, and hoping the time doesn’t go too fast!
Please pray for the girls: Marina, Olga, Lena, Eugenia, and Doina. Also please pray that they will accept Natalia, and that Alina will know if she wants to be in the Grace House or not.
Please pray that I have wisdom in leading these girls, and that our time together will be productive.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Others Blogs
Hey this is a link that has access to both the Falesti blog and Straseni blog! http://blogs.rollinghillscommunity.org/moldova/
I am doing camp this week with orphans, and last week was at a camp!
I am doing camp this week with orphans, and last week was at a camp!
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