Learning to talk...

12:45 PM

We have just completed our first month of language lessons! We have learned SO much in 4 short weeks- we even just wrote three short essays for homework last night! It felt pretty good to be able to say so much already. Now if only everyone in Romania would speak slowly so I can eavesdrop better...
The best part of our new (yet still very limited) Romanian language acquisition, is that we are able to connect with the kids on a more personal level. Before, we always had to wait for another staff member to come translate for us. Now, we are finding it easier and easier to get the gist of what the kids are saying, and initiate basic conversation (usually understand their answers!) It's so exciting to be a bigger part of their lives.

This is my boy. I fell in love with him and his younger brother the moment I met them in 2007. He is the quiet type, he never gets in fights like some of the kids do, and he has always protected his younger brother. I have been praying for an opportunity to hang out with him and just let him know that I care about his life. God provided the perfect opportunity last week when all the kids we inside and he was sitting alone on a bench outside. I sat with him and we talked, in my broken Romanian, for an hour. Even though he was laughing at my linguistic mistakes, it was a joy and an honor to make him laugh. He is a kid who missed out on being a kid, so it is so special to see him have moments of childhood. It made me think about what day-to-day life is for these kids- what it would be like to have such heavy things on your heart at such a young age. Even though there are people here that love them, it doesn't take away their daily struggles or heartbreak. I am reminded daily how important is it to pray for them. When I see them laugh though, I think I get a small glimpse of how a parent loves their child, and how our Father loves us.
-Haley

p.s. some more pics...