Olympia

Olympia is one of the 4 sisters who arrived to Casa Alba the week before Christmas. I talked about them in 2 updates I think so far. Anyhow, she's the oldest and probably having the toughest time adjusting to her new life. She's 8 years old. That means she lived with her mom for 8 years, didn't go to school for 8 years, didn't have running water or clean clothes for 8 years, didn't interact with townspeople (as a Gypsy she's an outcast) for 8 years.
Her hair is almost shaved, was like that when she arrived. So looking like a boy isn't helping her adjustment either. They stuck her in school right away. In my opinion, that was a bad idea.
Oh, and she doesn't know any letters or numbers. How is school for her? Horrible would be my guess. Just being a gypsy in school here brings on enough abuse, really it does. On top of that she doesn't know letters or numbers. Then, she looks like a boy. I am sure that her classmates either spend their time making fun of her or staying far away. The teachers, from what I know of the school system here, are extremely strict and perfection is a must. Do you know that kids here don't learn how to print? They learn cursive from kindergarten. A pre-schooler who colors outside of the lines earns a parent-teacher conference to "discuss the problem."
It's ridiculous. I don't think she's doing very well, Olympia. On Wednesday she wasn't allowed to come to her group time with Kari and I (when we do the Bible stories and puppet shows, songs etc...) So I went upstairs to find out why. In trying to discuss with lady who was in charge of Olympia's room that day (4 kids to a room) she said "Her homework isn't done! She doesn't know anything! We've been sitting here since 4pm and I have to do everything for her because she doesn't know letters, she doesn't know numbers!" On a side note, Romanian homework is unlike any USA homework I've had to do. Kids go to school for 4 hours a day usually and then they almost always have 4 hours of homework afterwards...from 1st grade on it's like this.
Olympia's face was so downcast. I just wanted to grab her and run away.
So I thought to myself, I'm teaching pre-school right now with Caleb and his 2 friends. Why not start tutoring Olympia? I can teach her letters and numbers, I can do her homework with her.
The director of Casa Alba will get back in 2 weeks and I will be bringing this idea to her them.
I just can't stand to see Olympia's face look like that again, it's not her fault...

Caleb the Horse

I was making applesauce right after breakfast and he asked for an apple slice. Next thing I know Caleb's yelling "Look Mommy! I put my PJ's down!"
He only wanted them halfway down and held them like that and that plus the apple turned him into "Caleb the Horse." Eating the apple and holding the PJ's at half mast he galloped around our apartment for about a half hour like that. Don't worry there were plenty of horse noises as well. It was hilarious. How the apple and PJ's half unzipped sparked that idea - you got me. He's got a pretty cool imagination!
Horses are everywhere in Marghita. They're usually attached to a rickety little wagon and we probably see about 5 everyday. On market days triple that number.

When a Gypsy Dies

The gypsy mom I shared with you all about in the last update died. The one with the four little girls, the poorest gypsy family in Marghita etc... Remember? No one's sure of the actual day or circumstances just that she died. So what happens when the lowest of the low dies in Romania? No one cares, that's what happens. The people of Marghita will probably realize in a few months that they haven't seen 'her' face in and amongst their dumpsters in awhile.

You know if the Mayor of this town had gotten hit by a car and was in a coma in the Oradea hospital everyone would hear about it. All the money available would be used for his care and if he did die, it would be on the front page of the paper and elaborate religious funeral arrangements would be made. But for Mariko, this woman, even trying to get a priest or pastor to come and officiate the funeral will probably take quite a bit of money. Gypsies are nothing here, worth nothing...and this woman was considered the lowest of the low of the gypsies in Marghita. Thankfully God had brought people into her life so that funeral arrangements could be made...mainly through the foundation I'm with. I spoke with one of my bosses this morning, Florin, and he will take care of it. I think though of how the respect she will be given at her funeral would have been so better spent while she was alive.

I read this devotional this morning about how we daydream too much. Why not go and do instead of daydreaming about it. I admit that there was much I daydreamed about in regards to this woman and her girls, yet never went and did. Did she know Jesus before she died? I have no idea and it hurts to admit that.

Gypsy funerals can be quite dramatic. I've only been to one and apparently that was more subdued than usual. I can only describe it as wailing. I'm not sure of it's purpose always but it is protocol in a way I think. And the girls, the precious 4 little ones. Caleb and I spent Saturday morning playing with the younger three at the hospital. I asked for your prayers for these girls last month and if you remember I was so discouraged that the Dad was unwilling to consider foster homes or adoption etc... for them. Well, yesterday our social worker was notified that the Dad wants to discuss options for the eldest, the 5 year old. I don't believe the other children can go into our foundation b/c they are under 2. Romanian law states no child under 2 can go to an orphanage. So, we'll see. But that is a huge praise and change in heart from when I first shared this situation!

Not that God doesn't have awesome plans for the other 3 girls, but there is something different about that 5 year old. You can sense it as soon as you are near her or see her smile from down the street. God has special plans for her...I am committed to His work with her. If she comes to Casa Alba then she'll be learning about Jesus, going to school etc... I don't think I would ever say an orphanage could be an "incredible" change for a child but in this case I would say yes.

Caleb's Corner

In the middle of putting away laundry in the bedroom this morning I peeked into the living room to see what Caleb was up to. This picture is what I saw. I just started laughing, especially with his feet propped up on the table. I asked him what he was doing and with a big smile he said "I'm working on my paper Mom!"

Daily Life in Romania?

Maybe you don't care to know more details than what my monthly updates provide. And, don't worry, this blog is not replacing those. But there are more days than not where I have to share more. Caleb does something crazy or I have a huge praise from ministry that I just can't wait to tell everyone about! Or, something happens during the day on a walk through town that opens up more of how life is in Romania.
Regardless, I want to share more.