Built on the Rock

Thirteen years ago I meant a young 16 year old orphan child at Camp Lapusna in Central Romania while working in a Summer camp sponsored by Buckner Orphan Care International.  I had no idea at that time that God would call me into a lifelong ministry of working with at-risk and orphaned children.  Nicusor, was a shy, rather small for his age, teenager that had spent most of his life either in abusive family situations or in an institutional orphanage.  Years of neglect had left him far behind other 16 year old boys.  I remember him playing and interacting with the other children at camp as if he was a much younger child.  During the week-long camp we developed a wonderful relationship that culminated in him finding a rock on which he inscribed his name and the number 16.  Nicusor is a common name in Romania, so there were a number of boys with the same name.  He wrote 16 (his age) on it and gave it to me in hopes that I would remember him.  I have kept that little rock on our dresser as a reminder of "Nicusor 16"and a reminder to pray for him often.

Thirteen years later, through social media, Nicusor and I reconnected.  He found out that I would be back in Romania this week so he made a special effort to be waiting at the airport in Bucharest when we landed there on Friday.  What a joy it was to see his smiling face greeting me as we arrived in Romania.  He "brought me up-to-date" on all that has transpired in his life over the past 13 years.  He's had some awesome experiences working in a television studio in Austria and has become an talented visual artist.  He has also had some low times struggling with the shortcomings left from a life filled with the neglect of living in the world of an institutional orphanage and the struggle of living alone in a very poor area of the world.  Our time together was a beautiful confirmation  that God had allowed a relationship that has spanned thousands of miles and over a decade of time to "make a difference" in this boys life.  To be able to hear him say how grateful he is that I have come back to Romania to minister once again was an incredible confirmation of the ministry God has entrusted me with. Thank you, Lord for bringing me back to Romania with Another Child Foundation to reach more "Nicusors."   I will keep picking up that rock and praying for "Nicusor 16"  and thanking God for allowing our paths to cross twice now.  I encourage you to keep praying for the "Nicusors" in your life.  You never know when that "little rock" will show up again.  

Thank you, Lord for letting our lives cross...