The hardest part of the journey has begun...waiting in the airport.  The five from Lafayette have joined the five from Ft. Worth and are now waiting for our 3:00 flight to Amsterdam.  Please pray for no more delays and a safe flight.  We have already had a 30 minute delay, however they just called for boarding, so more posts once we get to the other side of the Atlantic...

Why I Support A Child Through ACF

Me and Cristi 2015

This is my fourth trip to Romania, and each year teaches me something new. I forget from year to year how satisfying the work we do at the Point of Hope is. I remember how much I love it and how fun it is, but it’s the satisfaction I have right now, that I tend to forget. It is a satisfaction that comes from seeing how much of a difference this program makes in the lives of these kids. And I’m not talking about the few weeks I am here each year; I’m talking about the program carried out by the dedicated staff at the Point of Hope year round. If you just look at one boy who I've gotten to know since my first visit to Romania in 2010, you would see the growth he has shown is amazing! I look at Cristi now and see the man he can be, which wouldn’t be possible without the Point of Hope. The children in this community grow up in a poverty we, as Americans, can’t fathom. And their society tells them that this poverty is all they deserve, so they believe it. They repeat what they know from watching their community and the passed down feelings of worthlessness and shame continues. Point of Hope comes in and tells them, “You are worthy!”, “You can accomplish anything!” and “You deserve more!” Then they equip them with tools and habits to accomplish more and show their society that they do not fit into the societal ideal of what a Roma is. This helps break the cycle of prejudice and will hopefully lead to them building a better life for themselves and their families. The Point of Hope staff are truly my heroes! I can’t sing their praises enough!

Amanda Cox

Houston, TX

Cristi in 2010

Crisit 2014

Does a Fall Mission Trip Interest You? It Should!

On October 7 of this year a team of 14 people from across the US will be taking part in the Another Child Foundation "Project Respond" mission trip to deliver humanitarian aid to the orphans and at-risk children of Romania.

Currently, the team has 10 members so 4 spots remain open. Does one of these spots have your name on it? We would love to have you prayerfully join us on this trip. ACF mission trips are specifically designed for the person who has not done a lot of mission travel. Our safe but highly hand-on mission trips will give you the chance to build relationships with children and people that will last a lifetime! Not only will you be a blessing to the children God has entrusted to our care but you will be blessed in ways in which you cannot even comprehend. The team will also be spending some time in the beautiful scenery of the fall foliage and historical sights of Romania. The Carpathian mountains will greet you with all of the beautiful fall colors that will take your breath away.

MISSION TRIP MEETINGS

 

The team will meet multiple times prior to leaving for Romania on October 7. ACF feels that team chemistry and proper preparation plays a key role in the effectiveness of the team. If you are interested in being part of this magnificent mission opportunity you can let us know by emailing us at: director@anotherchild.org. The next meeting has yet to be scheduled as we finalize the team. The expected date will be in early August.


           

Mission Trip Testimonies



"ACF takes teams of people from all walks of life, guided by one mission. God works miracles through those teams, and their lives are never the same."  -Teri Schlindwein

"ACF does not just run mission trips, but they have "set-up camp" in Romania through the Point of Hope Development Center. Rather than brief encounters, they are an ongoing presence making a difference in children's lives."   -Pastor Jeff Schlesinger

"I have traveled with ACF 3 times to Romania. Each year was different, but each had a life-changing effect on me. It was humbling to be the hands and feet of Jesus and see the need for love is heartbreaking. The trips are well organized and the accommodations were very comfortable, and I always felt safe. That is important when in a foreign country."   -Sue Maynard 

God Moves Beyond Language Barriers!

 Coming to a country where English is not the primary language can often be overwhelming. You wonder if you will be understood and if you will be able to get your message across. However a language barrier is nothing that God can’t overcome. Today while teaching a group of 5th through 7th grade boys, I witnessed this firsthand. We spoke to them about strength in God and why there is no fear for those who believe in God. When asked if they had heard of the story of David and Goliath, all of them enthusiastically raised their hands. This was a true joy! In addition to showing excitement for God’s word, it also showed the program had effectively taught them God’s work. Later in the lesson we read Deuteronomy 31:6 (“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”). They repeated the verse after me several times to help them memorize it. Each time they repeated the verse louder and more confidently. Then we tested them to see if they could recite the verse. With slight prompting, the boys all successfully recited the verse. Even though I did not understand the Romanian words used in the verse, seeing God work through them was an amazing display that God’s power and love know no language barrier!


Nathan Daubendiek
Hope Lutheran Church- Rochester, NY

The Intern Adventures: Volume 1

As I enter into the second week of my fourth trip to Romania, I can honestly say that each trip has been unique yet so incredibly fantastic. This year I have been so blessed to start my seven week stay with two wonderful ladies, Victoria and Kaitlin, working along side me. We began our trip in Praid, joining the teachers from the Point of Hope on their staff retreat before traveling to Tarnaveni. As wonderful as this little trip was, we were so excited to begin teaching English at the Point of Hope and see the children! Our first week was filled with a lot of laughter and flash cards, but was definitely a success! We are so blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful group of Romanians who pray and encourage us, as well as take us on wonderful adventures during our free time. We’ve been able to pour into the lives of little ones, and make priceless memories fellowshipping with fellow believers here in Tarnaveni. Our English class with 5th-8th graders is set for the next few weeks and on July 10 we will do evaluations to see how much these kids are able to absorb over the summer. Please keep us, as well as the kids in your prayers! As we begin our second week, we are joined by our first team led by Jessica Huettel! Please keep all of us in your prayers as they begin VBS and we continue to serve the community of Tarnaveni!

            

                     - Bailey Hebert 

(Follow my instagram for updates on our trip at @baileynicolehebert)

A very fun first day learning the alphabet!

 Wonderful afternoon bike rides!

Games with the after school program

A very focused class!

We had the wonderful opportunity to go pick fresh strawberries at a friend's home!

Our AMAZING Class!

Beautiful Tarnaveni

 Afternoon games

Sweet Vali!

Our Donors Have Done It!

In March we put out a request to our donors to prayerfully consider making a donation that would
help change the current library into a modernized media center. Fundatia Buckner President Dacian Moldovan made the request to ACF Executive Director Tim Oloffson early this year. Dacian saw a tremendous need to have the library transformed into something the children would be excited about going into a picking out a piece of media that will entertain and educate the children who attend the Point of Hope Development Center.

So, with the generosity of many of our donors we have reached our financial goal! All credit goes to our donors for many of the things that are happening in Romania. Another Child Foundation is just God's vessel for donors to invest their resources into the lives of children. What a blessing it is to be part of such a generous group of like-minded people.

These funds will be given to ACF Board member Jessica Huettel who will lead a mission team to Romania in June. This team will make the dream of a modern library come true! We have an awesome God that has moved many hearts to help these children. We pray that this media center is just the tip of the iceberg for the plans He has for His children in Romania.

Last Call for April 25 Do Something Beautiful event

 

The Do Something Beautiful event being held in Princeton, Illinois on Saturday, April 25 is about to happen! We still have spots open for the 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm sessions. We are hoping that you will join us on this path that God has laid out before us.  We need your personal involvement to provide the hope of a future for these children God has entrusted to our care.  Look down at your feet, are they Beautiful?  We think they are, and more importantly God thinks they are!!  With each and every step forward down this path, together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus for these children and their families and their community.  By working together, with God as our guide, we can take steps towards helping this Roma community that is hurting and struggling to overcome the hardships of their world.  Together, we can Do Something Beautiful.

 

This FREE event will provide you an opportunity to create a portion of the “Beautiful” mosaic that will be installed on the entire wall at the entrance of the Point of Hope School. This mosaic will serve as a constant reminder to these children that they are Beautiful in the eyes of God in so many ways, and that there are so many people that care so much for them. In addition to the large mosaic you will also be creating your own version of the large mosaic. This project is a beginner level project so EVERYONE can participate. The children at the Point of Hope School will be hosting an Art Fair during the same time as us. So, we are inviting our supporters to learn more about our mission and to join us as we build relationships with the children at Point of Hope by participating in this painting event.

 

 

If you wish to join us please send an email (director@anotherchild.org) letting us know of your desire. Also include which of the 3 sessions you would like to attend.

Meet Raluca Tuli from the Point of Hope!

Raluca Tuli at the Point of Hope

Raluca Tuli was born on May 24, 2010 in Targu Mures.  Her parents are legally married and she has one brother, Raul, who is 8. 

Raluca lives with her parents in a house built by them out of second hand construction materials they found on the site of the old chemical plant or they were able to buy from others. The home has two rooms and a hallway and both rooms are furbished. The mother is employed at a factory that makes electrical parts in a nearby town, while the father tries to find day jobs in construction.  The family’s income consists of the mother’s monthly paycheck of about $232 USD and the child support from the government which amounts up to $24 USD each month.

The parents are involved in Raluca’s education so they make sure that she comes to Point of Hope every day, unless she is sick. 

Raluca is a well behaved and slightly introvert child.  She chooses to play in small groups of 2 or 3.  However she is obedient, receptive and she shows much interest in the class activities.  She colors beautifully.  She enjoys coming to Point of Hope, which is why, based on what her mother said, she is the first one in the family to wake up in the morning, in order to make sure that she is not late for the van to pick her up.  This is her first year at Point of Hope.

The sponsorship of a child through Another Child Foundation is surprisingly simple, and the effects your sponsorship will have on a child is dramatic. Supporting an at-risk child in one of our 2 programs enables our staff members to not only provide for their educational & physical needs, but will provide HOPE for the child as the staff mentors the child. By providing the LOVE of God to the child, the child’s self-esteem will soar as they develop into the person God has created them to be. Without the assistance of generous people these children will continue to live in the “darkness” they we born into. To learn more about Child Sponsorship CLICK HERE. 

Do Something Faithful!

How would you like to be part of a Prayer team that focuses on a part of the ACF ministry that is in
need or urgent and regular prayer. You can do that simply by signing up. The Do Something Faithful prayer warrior will be notified via email or text with the most urgent prayer requests. Interested?

 

SIGN UP HERE TO BE AN ACF PRAYER WARRIOR!

Do Something Beautiful!

This Spring, the children at the Point of Hope Development Center in Romania will be hosting an Art Fair.  We are inviting our donors, sponsors, and anyone else interested in learning more about our mission, to join us as we build relationships with the children at Point of Hope by participating in a painting event.  These events will provide an opportunity to create a portion of the “Beautiful” mosaic that will be installed on the entire wall at the entrance of the Point of Hope Development Center.  This mosaic will serve as a constant reminder to these children that they are Beautiful in the eyes of God in so many ways, and that there are so many people that care so much for them.

Keep checking the Another Child Foundation website for the most up-to date listings of an event in your area. We look forward to working with you and your Beautiful feet!

Currently, Do Something Beautiful events are being held in:

Princeton, IL
Illinois Quad Cities
Lafayette, LA
Avon, CT
Houston, TX
Rochester, NY

To take part in a local event let us know by clicking here!

Meet Madalina from the Point of Hope Center

Madalina is one of the younger children at the
Point of Hope Development Center

Madalina Radulescu was born on December 19, 2010 in Tarnaveni.  Her parents are legally married and she has an older brother, Gabriel (10). The family lives in a two room house granted to them by the local authorities, and they pay a monthly rent for it.  The rooms are furbished and they have electricity and gas, but no indoor plumbing. They get their water from a nearby well.  The parents are unemployed; they try to find seasonal work mostly in agriculture.  The family’s regular monthly income consists of a little over 24 USD which is basically child support from the government.

 

Madalina comes to Point of Hope every day, unless she is ill.  Even if her parents leave early in the morning to go to work, her uncle gets her ready for the day and makes sure that she comes to Point of Hope.  She loves to play and to talk, and she always wants to be the ‘boss’ when she plays with a group.  She has a hard time focusing during class activities and she is a little impatient.  She does enjoy story time very much and she is very good at complying when she is given a special/individual task.  She was able to adjust to preschool very fast and she loves it.  This is her first year at Point of Hope.

The sponsorship of a child through Another Child Foundation is surprisingly simple, and the effects your sponsorship will have on a child is dramatic. Supporting an at-risk child in one of our 2 programs enables our staff members to not only provide for their educational & physical needs, but will provide HOPE for the child as the staff mentors the child. By providing the LOVE of God to the child, the child’s self-esteem will soar as they develop into the person God has created them to be. Without the assistance of generous people these children will continue to live in the “darkness” they we born into. To learn more about Child Sponsorship CLICK HERE. 

Do Something BOLD!

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.               Acts 4:31

 

Do Something Bold! Go on a mission trip!  You can share (and receive) the love of Jesus Christ with orphans and at-risk kids this year, just like Kayla Vincent did. 

Whenever Kayla looks at the smiley face sticker on the back of her cell phone, she is reminded of the connection she made with Maria on her recent trip to Romania.  Whenever Maria noticed that Kayla was not smiling, she would grab Kayla’s cheeks and pull them up into a smile. Maria would declare, “You should always smile!”  That’s when the unforced smiles would form on both Kayla and Maria.  It was moments like that when Kayla realized the change the children were making in her.  As Maria and Kayla were saying their farewell’s, Maria placed the smiley face sticker on Kayla’s cell phone and got on the bus.  When Kayla looked up at Maria through the bus window she could see that Maria was not smiling.  Kayla pointed to the sticker on her phone, pulled either side of her own cheeks upward into a smile, and a smile effortlessly appeared on Maria’s face.  Kayla mouthed the words, “You should always smile.”  

Mission trips are transforming not only for the children served, but for those serving.  Do Something Bold!

 

Join our October Mission team!

 

The focus of this team will be the delivery of humanitarian aid and the distribution of shoes collected during the Project Respond throughout the United States this summer. ACF will give every team member a great overview of the entire ministry being done in Romania. ACF will also give each team member the honor of putting new shoes and socks onto the feet of an orphan or at-risk child. It is an honor and privilege to perform the Christ-like act.  The team will visit many different children families, and ministries throughout the Targu-Mures region of Romania. The team will also perform a Vacation Bible School to each group of children receiving aid.  Finally, the team will enjoy the natural beauty of Romania as the team gets the chance to do some first-rate sightseeing of the country's natural scenery and historical sights.