7 Teenage Boys + Kelsey + Caleb

Going food shopping with some of the transit boys this morning
(Caleb in middle : ))

That was 8am-1pm today! The foundation, FCE, that I serve under here in Marghita has a project they call "Transit Homes." Youth from the State Orphanage we work with are hand picked and come to live in the 3 Transit Homes that FCE runs. They are generally the youth who have the highest probability of being able to live on their own successfully in the future. They live in the Transit Homes with a Romanian family, who teaches them how to take care of themselves in every way possible. From hygiene to food, to chores and how a family runs - and how Jesus is a part of that all. These boys and girls stay in these homes from 2 to 4 years until FCE feels they are ready to move out on their own. When they do move out they then move to the "Final Help" project within FCE. So although they are 'on their own' they are still being emotionally, spiritually and financially supported by FCE.
We have 2 homes for boys and 1 home for girls. The parents of all 3 homes get little or no vacation time per year. As you can imagine, finding fill in families to take care of 7 teenagers is almost impossible. Well this year the families were kicked out for a month for a mandatory vacation/rest time : ). Some of us signed up to help with taking care of the boys while the parents are away. I was on for this morning and will be again Thursday morning with the Transit home that is right here in Marghita. I know those boys the best and Caleb really enjoys being with them as well. I helped them plan out their meals for the day, go shopping on a very tight budget ($3/boy for all 3 meals!) and prepare the food. I wasn't sure if it was going to be a stressful time or not this morning, I have to admit that. But, I am really pleased to say that Caleb and I both had GREAT time this morning with those boys. Thursday morning will be something to look forward to as well! I'm really excited.
Caleb is really confused at the moment why a piece of corn-on-the cob, that he found dried up on the floor, isn't able to be re-planted in the garden that we have. Poor little guy at 4 years old just doesn't get why something that looks like a seed can't be planted and grown! : )
I've tried explaining how if it's boiled it won't work...he's not so happy!