Hope House

Families Needed
Our number-one prayer request is that God would raise up more Christian families to adopt the children in our foster program. While we’re incredibly thankful for our excellent foster parents, our desire is to see every Hope House child find a true forever family. We praise God that half of the 50 children in our care are on the road to adoption—an unprecedented number! Please join us in praying that the hearts of Romanian Christian families will be open to meet the needs of the precious children who are still waiting.

"Sarah"

“Sarah”
One of our Hope House foster children is 16-year-old “Sarah,” who grew up in an extremely abusive family. Rescued and removed from her family at the age of 9, she came to Hope House with numerous physical and emotional problems. God has been faithful to slowly heal her scarred heart, but she continues to deal with the painful memories of the past. Please pray that God will give the Hope House staff and her foster mother wisdom as they counsel Sarah. Pray for Sarah to know that Christ is the answer to her painful past.

Living Hope Center

Shining Opportunity
In a few months, two of the students in the Living Hope Center tutoring program will participate in the Romanian National Olympics in Math. The training is tough, but this is an exciting opportunity for these children. Pray for these students to have strength as they study for the competition. Please pray that God will bring encouragement to the students and their families through this amazing opportunity.

LHC students study diligently

“Danny”
“Danny”, 4 years old, is a student at the kindergarten in partnership with LHC. He suffers from speech problems, which leaves him unhappy and agitated. Finding it difficult to fit in with the other children, Danny often plays alone. Please pray that “Danny” will find confidence to learn and progress in his speech and other studies. Pray that his parents and teachers will know how to encourage him. Continue to pray for all the students in the kindergarten and tutoring program to learn, grow, and know Christ.

Romanian Trip

On January 31, Christian Feavel (director of Romania Reborn) will be traveling to Romania, where she will be visiting Hope House and the Living Hope Center. On February 2, she will also be meeting with pastors and other organizational leaders to share about ACCEDE, a coalition of Romanian Christians working with abandoned children. It is our prayer to see Romanian Christians catch the vision for helping orphans and children at risk. Please pray that God will bring the people to the meeting He wishes to be there, and that their hearts will hear the need and respond as the Lord leads them. Pray for Christian to be able to encourage the Hope House and Living Hope Center staff during her visit. Please also pray for safe travel and good health throughout her trip.

Christian with a Hope House child

As most American kids head back to school this week, we at Romania Reborn are preparing a shipment of backpacks and school supplies for needy students in Romania. In mid-September, the Living Hope Center tutoring ministry will open its doors to over 40 young students. Because these children come from backgrounds of poverty, it is difficult for them to afford the school supplies they need. Part of LHC’s ministry involves providing each student with a backpack, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other needed supplies.

A local backpack drive has already provided nearly half of the needed backpacks and supplies. This week, we are buying the remainder of the needed supplies and shipping them to Romania. You can still help with this project by giving a gift today. Gifts will help us buy the backpacks and supplies and pay the cost to ship them to Romania. You can give through our online giving page; simply designate your gift as a special project and fill in the field with the word “backpacks.” As always, gifts are tax-deductible.

For a closer look at the tutoring ministry, watch our 6-minute video below. Thank you!

Me and "Felicity"

God uses each trip to Romania to remind me that He is still working in the lives of the staff and children of our ministries. I already know this truth, but seeing it firsthand makes it all the more real. Sometimes He works quietly, and sometimes miraculously, but He is always at work. Our part is to PRAY!

God has heard and answered so many of our prayers over the years! Prayer is powerful, so please continue to lift up the children, staff, and ministry of Hope House and Living Hope Center in the coming months. We know God will continue to bless and answer those prayers.

It was a pleasure to share my experiences with you in the last few weeks, and I hope you enjoyed catching a glimpse of the Romania I love so much. God bless you all, and thank you for joining me on my trip to Romania. La revedere!

Florin and Miriam

It was a beautiful ceremony! Florin and Miriam exchanged vows amid a celebration of music, poems, and heartfelt admonition from friends and spiritual mentors. It was easy to join in their celebration when we saw the quiet joy that radiated from their faces. Pray for Florin and Miriam as they start their journey together, that God would use them in mighty ways to encourage and strengthen the Balesti church and the work at Living Hope Center.

Adi Dreana and others pray and ask God's blessing on this new marriage.

The children decorate crosses during craft time.

Artwork drawn by hand to illustrate the death and resurrection of Christ.

The children learned that Christ is their best Friend, He is very powerful and they can trust Him, and that He died for their sins and they need to believe in Him for salvation. This powerful gospel message was not only heard by the children, but the parents who came to observe. In spite of the intense heat, the children enjoyed every single moment. Whether it was singing songs, doing crafts, or playing games, they did everything with enthusiasm.

Playing a game of trust while blindfolded.

Dozens of children singing about God's love!

Pray that God will continue to shine His light here in Targu Jiu through the Living Hope Center and Samariteanul, as they reach new children this summer and in the coming school year. May each child and parent understand their need for Christ and believe in Him!

The value of touch and skin-to-skin contact with babies cannot be overrated. When a child has been abandoned, abused, or neglected, purposeful touch can bring life-changing healing to both body and spirit. My mother recently received her license in massage therapy with special training in therapeutic infant massage. Before this trip began, we prayed that she would have an opportunity to not only massage the children, but train a few people who could continue to massage the children after she left.

Janet Feavel teaching infant massage to new parents.

God definitely answered our prayers! Several children in placement or adoptive families are suffering from developmental delays because their birth mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. My mom was able to train the new parents in the beneficial massage, as well as train Corina, who can share this technique with other families.

Healing hands of love!

The doors also opened for us to spend time at the local Children’s Hospital where In Brate, a wonderful foundation, works with the abandoned babies. The staff of In Brate work daily to bring love and touch to the babies left alone in the hospital. Mom was able to massage many of these children, and show some of the staff the techniques. One little boy became entranced by the feel of having his head massaged, then he promptly fell into a deep sleep. We praise God for strong hands that can reach out to children with God’s love and healing in such a practical, but amazing way!

"Nina" learns to walk with a little help.

"Lucy" and "Felicity" (sisters) enjoy playing outside.

"Luke" takes an afternoon nap.

"Marcus" loves to laugh!

Swinging brings a smile to "Natalie's" face.

“Nina” loves to practice walking, “Lucy” is just a sweetheart, “Felicity” will repeat anything you say to her about five times, “Luke” loves to be held, “Marcus” is full of fun and mischief, and “Natalie” is a gentle soul. Each one of these children has been rescued from abandonment or abusive situations, and found love and care with the Hope House staff. However, we continue to pray that Christian, adoptive families will be found for each of these children. This week, several families who are considering adoption have come to visit. Pray that God would guide Corina, the staff, and these families as they seek the best for each of these precious children.

"Barry" is happy to smile for the camera!

My mother and I joined Corina and Ana-Maria, the Hope House psychologist, on a few visits to check in with children who had found a new home through the Hope House ministry. Within seconds of being in these homes, you knew God had worked a miracle. Although my mother Janet couldn’t understand a word of the Romanian being spoken during the visits, she stated that she could see the love and joy in the eyes of the new families as they spoke of their children. This kind of deep love can’t help but change a child’s life!

"Daniel" enjoys a moment in Corina's arms.

All the children pictured here were abandoned or severely neglected at birth. Thankfully, they were rescued at an early age and spared years of hopelessness, as well as the emotional and physical effects that accompany abandonment. If you have been praying and giving to help the children at Hope House, or are considering doing so, I hope these smiles remind you that “It is worth it all!”

*Learn how to get involved in supporting the adoption efforts at Hope House through our “Family Support Team” by visiting our Family Support Team page.

"Jessica" is surrounded by love in her new home.

"Bonnie" loves to spend time with Mama.

The mountains outside of Pietroasa

My mother and I, along with Corina Caba (director of Hope House), had the privilege to join Don’s team on Monday for a day of work and fellowship. When rain kept the team from starting work on a community park, we spent several hours cleaning and labeling 500 trash cans to be distributed to each home in the village (see below). Donated by Don’s foundation, these cans are the first step to keeping the community clean and welcoming. Even though it was a bit dirty, a joyful time was had by all!

Cleaning trash cans in Pietroasa

Labeling trash cans

The afternoon saw over 70 village children gathered on the renovated soccer field for t-shirt painting, songs, Bible story, and games. Even though it was chaotic at times, we all prayed that these children and the many adults watching, would be touched by the story of David and Jonathan and their deep friendship. Please pray that everyone who hears the teaching this week would desire to know and trust in the true Friend – Jesus Christ. Pray that work done by Adi, Don, and his team would not only bring outward change to the people of Pietroasa, but an inward change of heart toward Christ, which would be a light to the rest of Romania.

Painting t-shirts in VBS

Teaching about friendship at VBS

A little one enjoys playing with balloons at VBS

My mom and I, along with Corina and her children, are heading up to the mountains in just a few minutes. We will be joining Don Lothrop, a Romania Reborn board member, and his team to participate in service projects and a vacation Bible school in the village of Pietroasa. Pray that the Lord will use us and the other team as we work and minister in this village. When I once again have internet, I will share our mountain trip with you.

Below is a view of Oradea from the hilltop where Hope House is located. More pictures coming soon…..

View of Oradea, Romania from Hope House