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About Me Ministry Contribution E-mail
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Talpos Today February 2009
Dear friends and family, Greetings from Romania! It has been so long since I have written you and I apologize for the silence. So much has happened since my last newsletter, I have so much news to share and pictures to show you that I decided to send out a two page newsletter, I’m pretty sure this is the first time I will be doing that. Let’s start with before Christmas. I was blessed with a visit from my oldest sister Cindy and a family friend, Jay. They came loaded with piles of things for the children and teens and also they were a huge help in getting the Christmas packs together. I’m not sure if I could have done it without them. They helped shop, carry, haul, lug, pack...:-). Also the kids had a blast spending time with them. There were tears from all as they said their goodbyes. Thanks Cindy and Jay for all your hard work. I am so glad that you were able to come.
The five youngest orphans also wanted to help in making some Christmas packs. They worked hard right along with Cindy, Jay and me. This is the second year that they were involved in making packs and they packed up the bags like old pro’s :-). They all have come from extreme poverty, so they understand what it’s like not to have something special for Christmas and they were thrilled to be part of making another child’s Christmas more special.
Thank you to all who sent in a donation for Christmas packs. A special thanks to Lebanon GMC and Union Friends Church. Your giving helped to make Christmas happier for hundreds of children. You can see the joy on the faces of each child as they received their packs and/or gifts that was purchased with your generous offerings.
Then came Christmas. As always it was a busy time, but thank the Lord for His help. The teens and I were able to sing at a Christmas concert in the nearby town of Salonta and we also sang several special songs for Christmas at the home church. This year the Kid’s Klub told the story of Jesus’ birth with a play and several songs and the kindergarteners also had a special program. There were many visitors at the church during the Holidays and we pray that their hearts were touched through the songs that we sang, poems that we said, or words that were spoken.
After Christmas of course is New Years. We had our watch night service and God really met with us in a special way as we prayed in the New Year. After the service, the youth group gathered for our annual New Year’s Eve party. Of course when young people get together you have to play some games and also initiate the new youth into our group with all the practical jokes :-). We had a great time and wonderful fellowship together. Many of us said we couldn’t remember when we had laughed so hard. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" Proverbs 17:22
After the New Year, thanks to the generosity of several people I was able to take a week off and visit Vienna, Austria. When I decided to take this short vacation I contacted my youngest sister Sandra to see if she could work it out to meet there. To make a long story short, she was able to get a few days off of work and we met in Vienna. It was a beautiful, historical (but very cold at this time of year) city, that I feel very blessed to have visited. I had a wonderful time with my sister and it was a nice relaxing break for me.
However, the last day in Vienna I began experience some severe back pain and by the time I got back into Romania I was hardly able to move. I’m sure many of you received the prayer request concerning my physical problem. I could hardly get out of bed for about a week and a half. I went to the doctor had an M.R.I. and slowly began to recover. Thank the Lord I am feeling much better, almost back to my normal self, but I am still currently under treatment for this ongoing problem. I want to thank you so much for your prayers and support. I have received so many e-mails with words of encouragement and it is wonderful to know that you are praying. It means so much to me. In the past month we have added two more children to our daily program at the orphanage: Florin and Cami. Florin had been part of our daily program a few years ago, but after deciding he didn’t wanted to be tied down to the rules he stopped attending. Florin was beginning to hang out with the wrong crowd and because Florin’s family is from the church and he had been part of our daily program, Bro. Iovan felt like he needed to sit down and have a talk with Florin and his family. After this discussion Florin asked if we would allow him to reenter our daily program. He had realized that it really wasn’t that bad at orphanage even though it's strict and he has rules to follow and that he has to study. We have allowed him to return on a trial basis and so far he has proven to be serious about wanting to change. We pray that God will continue to help this young man.
Cami is not officially an orphan and I really don’t want to go into many details, but Cami’s mother has abandoned her family and it has been very difficult for Cami’s father (who has some serious health issues) to care for her properly. The father doesn’t know how to cook, wash clothes or clean and so we felt it was the Christian thing to do to allow Cami to also join our daily program. She eats her meals at the orphanage, naps there, gets help with her homework and unlike the other daily program children, she comes on Saturdays to bath and Sunday mornings to get ready for church. She is a very bright child, who is eager to learn and she is adapting well. At first it was a little hard for her because she was used to running the streets and doing what she wanted, when she wanted, but she is getting used to the schedule at the orphanage. She is in the same class as Neli, so they help each other with their studies and were already good friends, now they are becoming best friends.
We had had some really cold weather during the month of January , but it didn't stop the orphans and I from having some fun. One evening 5 of the orphans stayed overnight at my house and we decided that before we went to bed it would be fun to go out and enjoy a quick walk around the village to take in the crisp winter air. I thought you might enjoy a few pictures from that evening.
I wanted to let you know that I will be in the states this summer for deputation. From May to August my plans are to be out visiting my supporters. My mother, Luella Sebo will again be responsible for scheduling my services. If you are interested in having me visit your church, please contact her at (570) 421-8258. Thank you again for your prayers and support for the work here. God is working in wonderful ways and I am thrilled to be here in Talpos doing His will. God bless you! In His Service,
Some would gather money
Author unknown
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