Tearful Goodbyes

After three long, and sometimes frustrating weeks, we said goodbye to all our little children. Saying goodbye didn't seem real. I felt as though my professional self had taken control. However, I was sorely mistaken. As we drove away from Barlad towards the Capital of Bucharest, we passed through Tutova. I could vividly remember the excitement of the first night we arrived. Mihaela, our team leader, and told us all that if we hurried we could get a glimpse of the clinic. We all pressed our noses against the pitch black windows and searched for what was going to be our home for the next three weeks. The exuberance of finally arriving to do what we set out to do was tangible; it was electric. Now as we drove away, down that oh so familiar road, all my walls and coping mechanisms came crashing down. I was actually leaving. I would never see these children again. I would never hold them or comfort them. My tears came then; silently. It was so hard to have hope in that country where there is still so much corruption. My experiences in this country were definitely eye opening. My gratitude for the things I have has multiplied greatly. My love for others has expanded. I feel as though I have a better understanding of some things there.....and yet, I leave with so many more questions. There are still things in this world that I may never be able to fully comprehend, but for now I will have to settle for what I do.

*Pictures compliments of Tamera

The Painted Monasteries

While in Romania, at the end of a long and emotionally draining week, we would get the opportunity to take weekend excursions to various touristy areas. On the second to last weekend there, we went to the Moldavia area and visited some of the Painted Monasteries. They were absolutely incredible. It was a truly spiritual experience being able to walk on the grounds and see these vivid paintings depicting the life and teachings of Christ. How wonderful it is to be able to have a few common facts among different religions.

There was one particular monastery, the Varonet Monastery, that moved me. It was commisioned in 1488 and finished in 1547. It is a masterpiece. The western wall is completely covered in a fresco depicting the Last Judgment. They use a very rare blue stone for the blue paint. At the same time this fresco was being done at this monastery, the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel was being completed my Michelangelo. He also used the same rare stone crushed for his blue paint. These works of art are unbelievable! Words and even pictures do not do them justice.

Family Photo

While visiting Bran Castle we were asked to pose by this door.......doesn't it look like a cheesey family photo? Ah good times!

I Have Fallen in Love

Over the weekend some of our group went on an excursion to Transylvania. While away I had an 'aha' moment.
The first week I was here I struggled with whether I was making any difference at all or if it even mattered that I was here. However, having time away to think things over opened my eyes. I have realized how much I already love these children. They have totally wiggled a space into my heart. I know they need us. I know they need love. I know they are alone. They have such sweet spirits. These are some of Gods children. I have been so blessed in my life and I see their current struggles and understand that life will just get harder for them. Most of them will never know what it is like to truly belong to a family.
So even though I like to see instant results and it is hard to work blindly at something every day, I now know I am making a difference. I am one of MANY hands that are molding a better future for these children. I alone may not change the world but I can help by doing my part one piece at a time. Every little act of service is a step! It is a move towards progress and change. These children may not remember me or the roll I played in their lives but I will always remember them and the opportunity they gave me to love selflessly and to grow.

Fun in the Fresh Air

So today we were finally able to take the kids outside. They are really afraid of drafts here in Romania and try and keep us and the kids inside with the heater on and the windows closed. Blah! It gets really hot so when they said we could go play out side we all tripped over eacher with excitement. I think we were as excted as the kids. We went for walks, played on the swings, and ate fresh pears from the trees. Oh the day went so much faster with the sunshine! I really hope that the nice weather sticks around for a long time......

Alexandru

Oh the trouble! This sweet little boy is a twin and has a heart defect. His family still visits him occasionally. He has been so starved for attention that he has conditioned bad habits for himself. He throws horrible tantrum sometimes over a toy, or food and other times for no apparent reason. He will start banging his head on the floor or wall when really upset and it takes a lot to get him to stop. Like the other big kids in the Mobile infant unit, he is a bit of a playground bully. He steals toys from the other kids and then goes around whacking them on the head with it. They are usually nice hard toys like rattles or big blocks. This child keeps us running. He is probably the most emotionally draining. When he has a bad day we go back to the hotel completely drained. I am usually asleep by 8:30pm on those days.

Andreea

This precious child was a preemature infant of a 16 yr old mom. She was abandoned at birth. When she arrived to the clinic at 7 months of age and 7 lbs they had given her 3 months to live. She has an untreatable hole in her heart. She is now 3 yrs old! She has cereberal palsy, mental delay, and cannot see. She does however hear and loves to be tickled! She is a sweet baby. We are not sure what will happen to her. Once the children reach the age of 5 they are suppose to be out of the clinic. They will have to find a foster family and that is very hard to do with disabled children.

Daniel aka Chubs or Fatty

This little chunk is here for....wait what is he here for? I think he was here for malnutrition. It was most likely due to his family not being able to afford food because this kid could eat a horse! Um...as a matter of fact I am considering putting him in my carry-on luggage and bringing him home. I just love this fat baby! He is so happy and mellow. When the other kids steal his toy or hit him on the head with it he will just look and them and then crawl somewhere else and find a different toy. Nothing bothers him....well, except when the yogurt runs out. He loves his yogurt. Actually all the kids love yogurt hour. Every day at 11:00 am chaos occurs. The aids bring us the yogurt and the kids maul us. We serve all the children with the same spoon from the same bowl. I know! It was a big adjustment. It went against every infection control policy I have ever known...but when in Rome.... So, needless to say, 11:00 is the most hectic and most messy. There are usually several tantrums thrown by the kids when the yogurt runs out. Really I am pretty sure these kids could eat yogurt until they burst. As a matter of fact that could be why chubby cheeks is so solid. He gets a lot of yogurt.

Sammy

Sammy has been in the clinic since he was just a baby. He has mild down syndrome and had initial malnutrition. He is now 3 and still doen't walk. Jenni and I try to get him up and moving as much as possible. It is sometimes hard though because he is very content just sitting in the same place for hours. He is a very funny boy and will mimic you once he warms up to you. We love Sammy!

Sa

Mihaela

This adorable child has been in the clinic since infancy. She was here for malnutrition. She is obviously much better now. She is a doll and she knows it! She is sassy, sassy, sassy! Soon she is going to go to a foster family. She is lucky that there is one for her. Her curls melt my heart.

Ionella

This little one is so sweet and loves to cuddle. She is so happy and loves to smile even though it is so hard for her. Ionella had a cleft palate and lip. They do the surgeries in stages here due to various reasons. She has had her lip fixed but the scar tissue makes it difficult for them to smile. She crawles every where and though she cannot walk she will stand up and dive for you.

Here is a little video of some of the kiddos. Its not the best but it is a start!

Tutova

Today was our first day in the clinic. It was a real eye opener. There are approximately 24 children that are currently in the long-term failure to thrive clinic. These children are either too unwell to be with their families or they have been abandoned due to medical conditions. These children will never be adopted and most will never go back to their parents or into foster care.
Tutova is the poorest area in the country...as a matter of fact, it is the poorest area in the entire European Union. The Tutova hospital is one of two hospitals left with a long term care facility for malnourished and disabled children. There use to be 48 but the government shut them all down due to costs.
These children are happy and, thanks to this organization, are clothed and well fed. They are very active and totally wore me out! This is a nice bit of birth control;-) So far I am having a great experience.

Welcome to Romania!

Here I am in Romania. Jenni and I arrived safe and sound. There was very little excitement to our travel.....other than the entire plane full of beautiful Romanians.

Sadly, internet connection and pay phones are few and far between so up dates may be minimal. Sorry for that. The only thing that I can really say so far is that it isn't like any thing I have ever experienced. This country is so tired. It has been through a lot and it shows.