August 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God! Psalms 100:2-3

I apologize for taking so long to update you on all the changes that have taken place during these past two months. In my heart I wanted to write you all much earlier to take advantage of your precious prayers, but I was bound by depression and a feeling of overwhelming confusion. I ask my God and all of you for forgiveness and pray that you join us in prayer over the future of the ministry here in Romania.

Report from the Battlefield: The two boys living with us have left the Family Center. It was a very emotional time for me and the beginning of my confusion. While Andrei was visiting with our daughter in the States, I was left alone in Petrosani with our precious Elena, Robi, and Marius. Things went "south" very quickly. With the absence of Andrei, the boys decided to make some very disrespectful and irresponsible decisions. These included stealing and lying. I did my best to handle these situations alone, but it broke my heart deeply. We had spent the last three months working with the boys, feeding them and loving them…it felt like such a betrayal.

From the beginning we urged the boys (young men) to take responsibility for their own lives. They had been taught by their past caregivers to live off of others and not to take any responsibility for their actions. Robi left back to his hometown when I confronted him about some of his decisions. And Marius left about a month later after he lied to Andrei and quit every job we found for him after just one week. It broke Andrei's heart to have to make the "tough love" decision to ask Marius to leave the Family Center. Please pray for Marius because out of both the boys he is the most reachable for Christ. He wrote us a very loving letter when he left and asked for our forgiveness. Since this time we have tried our best to keep in contact with him. We were very encouraged to see that since our tough decision he has found a job and has kept it so far. He needed to be put in a situation in which it was absolutely necessary for him to work. We are happy that he seems to be doing okay for now.

In May we were told that the funds for the new Family Center would be available. With this news, we sold our current house with a written agreement to let us stay in the house until August. We figured that three months would give us enough time to repair things in the new house and slowly move our things. I knew that moving would be a chore with two infants to take care of by myself.

To our surprise three months came and went without any funds coming for the Family Center. Two weeks ago we were kicked out of our house without any where to go. I was confused and depressed. What was happening?! God so clearly showed us that He would provide a new center; why was this happening?

We had to pack up our house in two days. It was a big job for just Andrei and me. I felt like crying with every box I packed. We were forced to sell all of our possessions. We felt helpless with two infants and nowhere to go.

By God's faithful provision we found an apartment in another city named Deva. It is on the 6th floor with an "ify" elevator. But we are "home" and thankful for every inch.

Turning over a New Leaf: During this time of confusion God showed Andrei that we needed to leave Petrosani and move somewhere else to start our Family Center. We began looking in bigger cities for houses that promised better opportunities for our Family Center kids. We looked at different counties in Romania, but God kept showing us that we needed to stay in the county of Hunedoara.

A huge reason for us needing to stay in Hunedoara is our ministry to the children of Betania. We have worked for three years with those children and we cannot abandon them. Also with Elena and the other four children we are interested in taking into placement it is important that we do not move out of the county. With all of these conditions God brought us to the city of Deva. Deva is about an hour away from Petrosani. It is the biggest city in the county and full of opportunities for our kids. We found an amazing house, but again we are still waiting for the funds to purchase it. God is in control of the future of our ministry, so we put it in His capable hands. For now we are happy in our little apartment and patiently waiting.

We need your prayers for finding a church in Deva. There is one church that we have been told about that is said to be a little legalistic but has a good heart. We are going to go visit the church this Sunday. Also we have noticed some other Americans in this city who were wearing blatantly Christian t-shirts. I was unable to talk to them (der!), but I hope we can find out where they are going to church. Pray that we meet up with them again.

Our Little Ray of Sunshine: Elena is already 4 months old! She is doing very well and is a very smiley baby. Her biological mother has not visited her since her one month birthday. We have heard reports that the mother has another boyfriend; please pray that God would keep her from conceiving another child only to abandon it like the other five.

PRAISE! My permanent residence was accepted and the card came into the local police office this week. We are now taking steps to get Elena in official placement. Please pray for the paperwork to go smoothly. We are also hoping that Elena's birth mother will also sign a document allowing us to take Elena to the states for Andrei's citizenship appointment. PRAY!

God your will be done, not mine! Now to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen!

With much Love and Gratitude.
Andrei, Kelle, Aryana and Elena

Praise Reports:

• We found a wonderful two car garage to rent! THANK YOU!
• Paperwork is started for Elena's placement!
• Babies are healthy and thriving!
• It's not snowing yet!!!!!! Whew!

Prayer Requests:

• Prayer for Elena's mother's salvation.
• Pray for Kelle to have patience with two infants. It has its moments ; )
• Pray for us to find people to babysit occasionally for us that we can trust.
• Pray for the placement of Elena into our family to go smoothly.
• Prayer for us to find a local church.