Building Blocks being Assembled in Romania

Each day is very different from the day before when you are on a mission trip. When relationships are born (or grow) the days have a tendency to be much more impactful for the trip participants as well as the children. This post from Candy Lind shares the transformation of the heart when people dare to serve on a mission trip like this. Another Child Foundation is blessed to be part of these transformational experiences.

Candy creating a pyramid of cups!

In my Sunday School class back home we are studying the 10 Building Blocks of a Solid Family by Jim Burns, and I am seeing just how very important those same concepts apply to these children that we are working with this week.  They long for physical touch.  It is not uncommon for a child, little or big, to walk up to one of us for a great, big hug.  They want to be played with.  It's a challenge for some of us adults (Ryan completely excluded) to let go and be a kid, but once we do, we have made another connection.  They want boundaries.  Some will see just how far the limits are.  Once these limits are established, the kids understand.  Quality time is important.  Each child wants to know that she / he is important.  Although language is a bit of a barrier, there are ways to get past, many times with the help of one of our wonderful translators.

Josie playing Rocket Wars!!!

In addition to trying to make an impact on these children, I know that others have greatly impacted me.  After speaking with one of our young, bold translators, I have learned to refocus my life.  There are things that are not so important, and there are things that are of great importance.  Sharing my faith in Jesus Christ needs to be of utmost importance.  When my life gets back to the normal routine of things, I want people to be sure where I stand, which is firmly on the rock of Jesus. Candy Lind

God Doesn't Create Junk!

Today was the first day of the 4 day VBS the team has prepared for the 40 children God has entrusted to us this week. Below are the experiences, thoughts, and prayers of Andrea.

The Lord blessed us with a beautiful sunny and cool morning to start out the day. After breakfast, the VBS fun began!  We divided the kids into 3 groups led by crew leaders: Ryan, Diane and myself. Our fearless, soccer playing leader Tina began the program with an introduction, and then we watched a skit (performed by Katy and Diane), and enjoyed some opening music.  David shared a Bible story from Genesis 1, where the focus was on our amazing, awesome, Creator, God. Along with translators and 3 Buckner interns, each group experienced a craft station, (led by Candy and Josie), a music station, (led by Laura), and a game station (led by Brett).  Elizabeth was continually capturing the "Kodak" moments and Tim seemed to just always be wherever needed with plenty of smiles and kids surrounding him. The morning activities brought a wonderful opportunity to see the unique characteristics that God has placed in all of us.  The afternoon and evening were filled with rocket wars, dancing, games, tie dying shirts and LOTS of laughs!!!!  What a privilege it is to be a part of God's work in the lives of these orphaned children.  Today, my prayer for all of the children is simple: that they would truly believe that God created them, and that they would understand that they have great value because God does not create junk!   Andrea Jamison

Today the team was challenged to step more out of their comfort zones and really seek to find out what these children came to camp for. This type of action takes a lot of courage because sometimes the answers they receive to those questions can be a bit scary. Sometimes we forget the mask these children put on to hide from their past. So, I ask you all to pray for the team to fearlessly search the hearts of these children and the wisdom to provide comfort and healing to their fragile souls.

To see other blog posts from the ACF summer mission trips click here.

Pictures Galore!!

Here is a bunch of pictures fro the first 2 days of the Another Child Foundation mission trip. I am sorry that we cannot post pictures of the children we are helping due to restrictions from the Romanian government to protect the children's identity.

Tina and some friends at the Point of Hope in Tarneveni, Romania

Ladies of the Roma

Brett feeling good on the bus ride!

Some beautiful Romanian scenery

Getting a tour of the camp

Our lunch hall for the next 6 days

Romania is beautiful! These flowers welcomed us!

The worship center at camp

Some more beautiful Romanian views

Katy resting after  long trip

The team sorting the activity supplies

The Kepner's prepping the balls

Diane putting some final touches on the decorating

Here come the 40 kids

Our awesome translators

More awesomeness!

Laura & Candy describing the get to know you games to Markus!

The team is presented to the kid

Demonstrating a game for the children

Katy and Josie chillin'

Tina hanging with the guys on the soccer field!

The opening skit of VBS by Diane and Katy

David presenting the Gospel message of God being our Creator!

I hope you enjoyed this picture post!

Day 1 at VBS

Here are the thoughts of Ryan Kepner on the first day of  camp. Sunday is always the hardest day as the team and kids get to know and trust each other. So far this camp is getting off to the same great start. Another Child Foundation is glad to see that God is surely alive!

Hello everyone, Sunday was our first full day at camp.  In the morning we were busy setting everything up, because the kids were getting here just after noon.  We welcomed the kids and they got settled in their rooms, and before I knew it the fun had begun.  My expectations I had in my mind of when the kids arrived, was no where close.  These kids blew me away with there excitement and eagerness to get to know us.  From the first ice breaker game to the last five minutes on the soccer field these kids just smiled and had fun.  As we move on this week, I'm excited to start the bible story and share the love of Jesus with them.  I just have a feeling that they will be teaching me just as much as we teach them.  These kids are just so wonderful, I can't wait for the rest of this week.  God is good.    Ryan

A quick update on Community Bible Church team

Hey everyone...I wanted to give you a quick update on the progress of the team from the Walnut Community Bible Church from Walnut, Illinois. After a rough start with some major confusion from the Delta/KLM people in Chicago the team did finally board our plane just a few hours later than expected. Not only did we have an issue getting boarding passes but the team heard of the commercial airliner shot down over Ukraine (Romania borders Ukraine). We pray for all of the family members of those lost. The team does not know many of those details but were somewhat concerned before we found out that we would not come close to flying over Ukranian airspace. The team arrive in the early evening on Friday and spent the night in Predeal, Romania at the Hotel Draculiu. Today the team enjoyed a nice European breakfast and headed north to Tarneveni, Romania where the Point of Hope Development Center is located. While the team is not doing a ministry activities at the Point of Hope we did want to show them the school and the homes where the children attend and live. After enjoying some Pizza Motors pizza it was back on the bus for another 3 hours. We arrived at camp and got settled into our rooms at 7:00 pm had dinner, toured the camp, and sorted all of the aid and other goodies we brought. Finally about 11:00 pm the team settled down for the night. Meanwhile the trip leader (me) finally got the chance to post something to this blog. Over the next 6 days you will be getting insights from each of the team members and we will also post some pictures for you to enjoy. However, since the children we are hosting. This week are part of the Children Protective Services of Romania their identities need to be protected. So any pictures posted on this blog will be of the team and camp only. You will have to wait until the team gets home to see the kids since we cannot post them online.

Please keep the team in your prayers. Pastor Nathan prayed for this team to have unusual patience and good humor. I have seen both of these prayers answered. They are doing great right now but jet lag takes a while to overcome. So, pray for good health, open hearts and the the Grace of God be with each of them and the kids coming to camp tomorrow. THANKS! Together WE ARE changing the world!!!

Tim Oloffson- ACF Director

Team # 4 Leaves on Thursday, July 17

I have been asked a few times how many trips I have made to Romania to serve the orphans and at-risk children that God has entrusted to Another Child Foundation. I do not know the exact answer to that question but it is probably over 20 times. However, I do know that each team ACF takes over is unique and the trip participants never really know the impact they actually will have on the people God places in front of us, or the impact the people God places in front of us will have on them! I believe mission trips like this are a catalyst for a person's faith walk. Many times the trip participants connect with our ministry in Romania on a very deep level. Other people are changed in ways that alter the way they view life and how God calls us to a life of obedience. Either way, lives are transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit. I have seen it time and time again and I look forward to seeing how this team of faithful people will change lives for the better!



So please keep this team (Tina, Katy, Elizabeth, Josie, Brett, David, Andrea, Candy, Laura, Diane, and Ryan) in your prayers! Pray that they will move hearts! Pray that they will be safe and healthy. Pray that they will be instruments of God's love to ALL the people they encounter. Also, pray for Another Child Foundation. Pray that ACF will continue to meet the financial needs that this ministry needs to be able to continually reach, teach, and transform the lives of the children God has entrusted to our care.

 

Team Picture Time!!

This team comes from all over the US, some knew each other coming in, some didn't.  However, they've all come together to serve God here in Romania.  It didn't take long for everyone to become friends and enjoy serving together.  Some lasting friendships were surely made!

Steph, Joe, Anthony, John, Jaycee
Jason, Bailey R., Rebecca, Alexis, Alyssa, Victoria, Bailey, Katelin, Allie

And, I must include the silly one, just so you have an idea of how fun this group is!!

Romania Changes Lives

A mission trip to Romania will change your life!  I've experienced this, as has anyone else who has been blessed with the chance to come here.  I was moved by Bailey Russell's words when she described the change she has experienced.  Read on to be blessed by this young woman's testimony!

Bailey with two girls from the community

Bailey says:
When I first came to Romania, I knew that this trip would make a difference in my life, but I never expected it to make this much of an impact. On the first day of VBS, we sorted out groups by age, and even though my group had no idea who I was, they acted as if they had known me for years. The amount of love these children have for the team is unbelievable, but the knowledge they hold of the Bible and their love for Jesus is even more incredible. Even though there is a language barrier, these children and adults in the community are still making an imprint on my life. Maria, a girl that walks with me every day, told one of the translators that she wished she was in my shoes- living in America and being "pretty", but Maria is the beautiful one. These children are some of the most beautiful people I have ever met, inside and out. These families might not even have electricity or running water in their home, but they are always smiling, loving on the team, and having fun.

This trip has definitely made me think about the way I live at home- the fact that I do have a family that can afford to feed me everyday, that gives me all the love and support I need and encourages me throughout life, and supplies me things that aren't a necessity. I couldn't be more thankful for the things I have, but I just wish I could provide these families with the things I am blessed with at home. Today, especially, is a hard day for myself because it is the last day of VBS, and the last day that I have to make an influence on the children's lives. I wish that my mission here wasn't almost over, but I cannot wait to make a difference in more lives throughout my life.

Wow, wasn't that just wonderful?!?   I've been very impressed with Bailey and the rest of the team as they've worked hard this week to make an impact in the lives of this community.  I've also enjoyed seeing their lives being impacted by the work as well.

Please be in prayer for the team as they finish their last day of VBS.  It is always hard to say goodbye to people who have changed your heart.  Pray that God gives them comfort and knowledge that their impact will last forever!

Revival in Romania!

Tonight we tried something new, we had a revival service with the Gypsy church.  The results were amazing!! Read about one team member's experience...

Jacee writes:

Today was such an amazing day here in Romania! Not only did we get to have some time with the Gypsy children in VBS, but we also were given the opportunity to attend a revival service which the church in the community hosted. At first it seemed we would not have a service due to inclement weather, but I was shown tonight that God truly does have a plan. We ended up all crammed into the churches make shift garage with at least two hundred Gypsy families. Although we lacked in space, we certainly had no shortage of love. As the service began I was moved by the way these people worship. Although they go through many hardships and could easily turn away from him, these people grasp Him and hold as tightly to Him as possible. I can still hear the shouts of "Alleluia" ringing in my ears. Towards the end of the service many Gypsy children and adults alike felt called to Christ and made their way through the crowd with tears in their eyes. As I saw these people broken for Christ, I couldn't help but tear up a few times. God truly is moving in these people and I am so glad that God has given me this opportunity to work with Another Child Foundation and the Gypsy people. I can't wait to see what tomorrow and the rest of the week brings!

Please be in prayer for this community, that the revival wouldn't last just tonight, but be ongoing and far reaching!!

Visiting the Gypsy Church

After many flights, and some unexpected delays, our team made it to Tarnaveni very early Sunday morning. They enjoyed a brief rest and then we attended the Gypsy Church in the community served by Point of Hope.  Two of our team members, Allie and Anthony Bruno, give you their impressions: 

Allie says,

Yesterday, my husband and I, along with 15 members of our missions team, attended the Gypsy church inside of the Point of Hope community. The passion flowed through the room, and I was amazed at the hearts these people have for Christ. While there is a language barrier, it was evident by their actions and emotions that their faith didn't need to be vocally understood to be felt and admired. I would love to see this kind of Christian reliance and devotion in our churches back home! Witnessing the love in this place will give your heart a whole new outlook on how you worship the Lord!

Anthony wrote, 

On sunday, my wife, Allie, and I, along with 15 other people went to a gypsy church for the first time. It was an experience that I will not soon forget. When we got there, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it would be hot, crowded, and in a language that I don't understand. However when we got there I began noticing things about the people I never would have guessed. The people were very enthusiastic, and it was apparent that they loved Jesus. However, it was church as I had never experienced before. Many people spoke, and many more sang. They had a testimony time, where someone could stand up and share if they wanted to. They sang songs and love to worship God. They are a people who are aware of their sin and are broken for it. They want to go out in their community and share Jesus and they are broken for their community. It was refreshing to see real brothers and sisters in Christ that are walking with Christ and have a thirst for knowledge of him. I am so thankful for the opportunity to go and worship with these people.

Please be in prayer for our team as we continue to work alongside this community and build their faith.  Also, stay tuned for more reflections from different team members!!

Illinois team picture

Hey everyone...here is a picture of the Illinois team right before they head to the airport. Please pray that as the 2 parts of the mission team (Illinois people & Louisiana people) come together  in Romania that they bond quickly. God has some great things planned for this team I am quite certain!!!

Jason, Steph, Katelin, Bailey, and Alyssa. Ready to go and serve!!!

The Next Team is Headed to Romania!!

By the time most of you read this post Another Child Foundation will be sending another team of 14 people to Romania for 11 days of service to the Point of Hope children and the community. 5 people from Illinois (Jason, Steph, Bailey, Alyssa, and Katelin), 8 from Lafayette, LA (John, Jacee, Victoria, Alexis, Rebekah, Bailey, Anthony, and Allie), and 1 more from Martin. TN (Joe) will be conducting a VBS for the children we serve, leading a men's Bible study, worship services, and other substantial evangelistic efforts.

Please keep this team in your prayers because many of the activities will be first time endeavors for Another Child Foundation mission trip participants and Fundatia Buckner.

We also want you to stay tunes as each of these mission trip participants will be posting their thoughts and reactions to the ministry going on during their trip.