Are you still there?

Sorry things have been a bit dry over here on the ole blog. We have been cracking away working on language, holding babies, singing songs with the kids, having guitar class, and just enjoying as much time as possible with the kids. You know...missionary stuff. We made masks with the little guys a couple of weeks ago, for no other reason than sometimes its just fun to dress up! The other orphanage had people come in and throw a "halloween carnival" for them, so we decided the kids at the other orphanage should at least get the chance to dress up.

Boooo! I'm cute!

Its always neat to see the kids personality come out in creative projects. Some are diligent and pay close attention to detail and color. They choose specific patterns and have a clear vision. Some kids just start gluing, cutting, pasting, and coloring, and make alterations and changes as they go.  Others create as quickly as possible so they can wear their mask and begin with the fun!

We've spent some time at the baby hospital and my goodness, are they cute. We can't take photos, but trust me when I say they are adorable. Chubby, wrinkly, squishy, cuddly, and everything cute. Unfortunately they are sick. Please pray that they will all kick their colds and fevers and return to being healthy little angels.

We just finished up with an amazing team from Buhler, Kansas. Jen's parents were here on the team as well John and Joyce, a couple from their church, and Jeanette. The team helped prepare the Pipera house for winter. The cleaned the pool, pruned the rose bushes, raked leaves, and made repairs around the house. Most importantly, they helped prepare the most epic of thanksgiving meals. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes (mashed and cheesy), yams, salads, and pies were lined up as far as the eye could see! Which was needed since we had 80 sets of eyes peering down on the alp de'food. Graduates from the transition program came, as well as the whole staff, and some friends just to sweeten the pot. In the end, the dessert table looked like the closing scenes of a war movie; pie tins laid empty, crumbs covered the counter and floor, a splotches of filling took their last breath on the battle field (counter). The night was filled with laughter and good times.

We are still plugging away at language class and feel super blessed to have received and learned as much as we have so quickly. We speak with the elegance and intelligence of a  4 year old, but we could hold our own in a debate with a 4 year-old in a mock UN meeting. Please continue to pray for language acquisition!

In closing; a story from the Visa office. Thursday morning we trekked out to the city and met Costel (Romanian President of H2H) at the Visa office. All in all we were in the room for five and half hours. After a frantic run to the bank, a brief argument with some foreign students, making friends with the same foreign students, and an informal letter written by Costel swearing to bring in passports the next business day, we were finished and are now waiting to receive our 5 year visas!

We love and miss all of you and appreciate each and everyone of  your prayers! They make a difference...so don't stop!
Love, Peace, and Jesus
-s