Making A Difference

This is one of the precious little girls that I met while serving at the Point of Hope Development Center this summer. She is super sweet and full of smiles. In the picture below you can see her in her classroom, which is where she has the opportunity to grow mentally, socially and spiritually.

Now in this picture, you can see her outside of the Point of Hope. I took it right after she had ran in to my arms for a hug. Can you see any differences from the picture above? She is still all smiles, but life is different for her outside of the center. For many Gypsy families in this area meals are not guaranteed, personal hygiene is hard to come by due to the lack of running water, and clothing is not a necessity. Life is hard here.

I'm so incredibly glad that the Point of Hope Development Center is there to step in and help fulfill her needs. Another Child Foundation and all who support their work are making a difference in her life. They're making a difference in the lives of a hundred other precious children and are working to increase that number, so that these children will be given the opportunity to grow mentally, socially and spiritually. Doesn't every child deserve that chance? I sure think so!

Would you like to help ACF continue to make a difference in the lives of these children?

Please consider donating to the 2012 ACF Golf Marathon Campaign.

Click the link above to learn more about the campaign and how you can help.

I will never be the same...

Taylor & I, ACF Summer Interns, standing in front of the Point of Hope Development Center

Let me start this post by introducing myself. 

My name is Jessica. It's good to meet you! I'm glad you've chosen to visit here today! 

A little bit more about myself- I am 24 years old and I teach Kindergarten in the Houston area. I was blessed to be able to travel to Romania with Another Child Foundation this summer and spend a month loving on everyone I met. I will be sharing my experiences with you here on the ACF blog every now and again. I hope you enjoy my stories and that they encourage you!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Point of Hope Development Center resides in the Gypsy community of Tarnaveni. It's an area that's usually pretty lively because of all of the people hanging out on the "main" street. Some of them are coming, others going, but to where I don't know. There are people who take up a shaded piece of the sidewalk as their sitting post, while others carry buckets to and from the water well. Children hang out of the first floor windows on a condemned apartment building across the way and women scrub their household rugs on the side of the road. Occasionally, a horse drawn cart or bike and rider pass by, but children with ill fitting clothes and dirty faces are always roaming around.

I had always imagined that water wells were needed in really rural areas, but seeing the water well in this community sandwiched between a convenient store and a concrete apartment building blew my mind. Honestly, the conditions in which these people live blew my mind. I can't even imagine how difficult snowy winters are with very little to no electricity. The amazing thing is that the Gypsy people are strong and resourceful. They can take things that we were cleaning out of the Point of Hope to prepare the next room for construction and make use of it.

The Point of Hope is indeed just that for this community- a point of hope; a light shining in the darkness. Not only are the people who work there reaching out to the kids, but also to their parents. Teachers and staff support the children and have high expectations for them. They also encourage the parents and offer them assistance as well. I have travelled a good deal and have been on many mission trips around the world, but one of the big questions I always have is, "Why isn't anyone helping families stay families?" Finally, I have found an organization that is in the business of supporting families and helping them stay together. Yes, life is rough for all in Tarnaveni, but there is hope! God is using those at the center to bless all who enter it's gates and beyond. I was blessed to be a part of what He is doing there for just a few short weeks, but I will forever be changed.

I returned to the States from Romania just over three weeks ago. I returned to my "normal" life, but nothing will ever be the same. Most everything reminds me of the people I met or the things we did while I was there. The children's smiles are burned in to my memory and the sound of them calling my name from across the street rings in my ears. I miss them all and pray for them daily. I feel called to live differently- to be Kingdom focused. The things of this world will all fall away eventually, but the love of God will remain. I want to be a glimpse of the Kingdom that's coming. 

I tell you about what I experienced to show you that going out of your comfort zone to serve others in Jesus' name can have an everlasting impact on your life and of course, on the lives of those that you come in contact with. I believe that everyone should go on at least one international mission trip in their lifetime. Don't worry that you won't be able to do this or that because God will stand in the gap for you, as he has done for me, and equip you. I am not a public speaker and yet I taught many Bible lessons to large groups while I was in Romania. God can overcome anything, even my silly fears and feelings of inadequacy. He will do the same for you! Your eyes will be open to things that will blow your mind, things that are unexplainable and unimaginable, but you will return changed for the better! 

Isn't that worth taking a trip out of your comfort zone for?

Have you ever been on a mission trip?

Have you ever thought about going on one?

If not, you should! You will never be the same!

If you have any questions about mission trips, feel free to leave them in the comments section.