August 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

Summer was way too short and fall is already showing its ugly head. This summer has been quite busy for us. In July, we moved into a bigger apartment to get Elena’s bedroom out of the kitchen. It was quite a strain on our nerves again. Where is a friend’s pick-up truck when you need one? haha. God is good as always as we moved and settled in quickly. We are back in Petrosani and loving it. God blessed us with an amazing two bedroom apartment at half the rent of the one bedroom apartment in Deva. The only downside is that this apartment does not have an elevator so the six flights of stairs and two toddlers are giving me a workout!

Answered Prayer: In my last newsletter I mentioned a girl named Alina. She was faced with the choice of returning to her abusive father or being transferred to a government-run facility. She is one of the girls that we ministered to in Betania. Thank you all for your prayers over her situation. God did an amazing work by placing her into a local Christian family center! Praise You JESUS! She celebrated her 15th birthday there surrounded by love and her new "family".

Update on our Placement Baby, Elena: Elena Rebeca is now 15 months old. We took her to her family doctor for a check-up this last week and everything went fabulous. The doctor says that she is a healthy girl. Praise God! She had to get a vaccine while we were there and all the doctors were touched when she said (in sign-language)"thank you" to the nurses. I am incredibly proud to be her placement mom. God has had his hand on this little one from conception. God rescued her from abortion, alcohol abuse, abandonment, and infection. Thank you everyone for supporting me and now my family as we minister to these children of our FATHER!

The "Lone Ranger": Please keep Andrei in prayer. Ever since I began caring for our placement baby, Andrei has had to do almost everything by himself. I am no longer available to consistently visit Betania for various reasons surrounding our two little girls. He is daily working with Child Protection, paying bills, translating, shopping, and ministering to the people in his path. He is doing an amazing job, but I see the exhaustion in his eyes every once in awhile. Please pray for his strength and health during these stressful times.

On that note: Andrei and I have always been very aware and sensitive about being willing to shift our ministry as God leads us. You have all gone through the occasional "rollercoaster" ride with us. We are also very sensitive about the issue of missionaries staying too long in the field, due to comfort in their surroundings or the fear of returning and starting from square one. When the Family Center fell through and we found ourselves in a one room apartment, we began praying and slowly accepting the fact that this might be our time to end our Romanian ministry and move back to the States.

When I first moved to Romania, I never imagined that I would adopt a child. God has worked on our selfish hearts and has gifted us with the ability to love this child as our own. We have talked to Child Protections and they say Elena’s adoption will be finished this December. Once our little girls came into our lives, our calling changed (as it does with every mother and father). God is now calling us to raise our daughter Aryana and our gift Elena. I feel strongly that the children in our care should not be victims of "outside ministry." We need to focus on our calling at home. We are asking for you to pray with us about returning to the States permanently.

Our heart: Our heart continues to be with the children of Betania. Please pray with us about how we can continue to minister to Betania when we move back to the States.

Our heart continues to be with the "Family Centers" we work with weekly. Please pray for their encouragement and strength in ministry. We are also seeking wisdom on how we can continue to support them and encourage them after we leave. One thing that I have learned being on the mission field is how important it is to not "leave and forget" because missionaries feel "left and forgot" frequently. Andrei and I are passionate about being called to Romania whether residing in-country or out.

Betania Update: We had the blessing of visiting Betania with the entire family this last week. The children loved seeing Aryana and Elena. We received the news that they will be receiving five more little kids. We are so excited to welcome them when they arrive! I will be talking to the administrator next week about their needs for these new children. Keep an ear out for clothing ages 3-6. I am not sure if we need them yet. Pictures to come of the new arrivals!!!

We are also hoping to start a pen-pal program with the children in Betania to other Christian children in the States. I will be translating incoming and outgoing letters. We are really excited to give these children Christian friends through letters from children their own age. Please keep this endeavor in prayer.

Thank you all for your continued love and support!

With much gratitude,
Andrei and Kelle

Prayer Requests:

1. For wisdom and guidance in ministry.
2. Elena’s adoption process
3. Pray for Elena’s Birth mother, she is drinking again. We pray that she does not continue to prostitute herself and get pregnant again.
4. For the local Church in Petrosani: healing, unity, and strength.
5. For our ministry’s Programs: Poor and Needy, Betania Outreach, Family Program, and Short Term Mission Assistance. Pray that they would flourish and glorify God in every aspect.
6. For the funds to come in for these programs.
7. For fruitful fellowship and personal spiritual growth for Andrei and Kelle.