The Mission Trip Just Keeps Getting Better!

Donna with children from the Point of Hope
Development Center during the ACF Sponsors Day!

 "Wow!! This has been quite an experience! And each day keeps getting better!
After meeting all of the children Sunday when they arrived at camp, it didn't take long for them to steal my heart. They have such loving, giving hearts - they are very unselfish - always looking out for one another and their needs!  Even the team members - they think of us first - giving us items that are meant for them and serving us in any way they can by something as kind as clearing our dishes off the table to splitting a bite-size candy in half to share with us - God has given me an opportunity to learn some valuable lessons from these kids!  This evening Noemi gave me a gift - her craft that she just finished making - signing it on the back: "Noemi Love". It will certainly be hung on my frig when I go home. :)  I have received so many hugs and realize that God's Love isn't confined within boundaries - it is universal - and at this camp it is shared constantly - no words needed :) We have a unique way of communicating with each other! God has a way of making everything possible! I am very blessed to be here in this place at this time." - Donna VonHolten"

 

The team enjoying their first Romanian meal

 

School Kits Have Arrived!

4 of the nearly 80 boxes of school supplies
to be sent to the Point of Hope Development
Center in Tarneveni, Romania

Today the school kits donated by many of our loyal supporters arrived on a large Fed Ex truck at the ACF Mission's office in Princeton, Illinois. These boxes of school supplies along with many shoes, boots, socks, blankets, and other humanitarian aid will be loaded onto a 40 foot shipping container in early August. The aid is being sent to Fundatia Buckner where staff and volunteers will distribute all of the aid to the needy children and families in which God has entrusted to our care.

The aid collected during the 2015 Project Respond aid drive helps ACF reach our mission of reaching, teaching and transforming the lives of vulnerable children in Romania. Because of our generous supporters we will meet the needs of the teachers in Romania who need these vital school supplies to be able to properly educate the children in their classrooms.

The kits are customized to meet the exact needs of the teachers at the Point of Hope Development Center. Each kit includes: large pack of construction paper, water colors, filler paper, 8 piece marker set, colored pencils, 2 pocket folders, erasers, glue stick, highlighter, dry erase marker, pens of 3 different colors, metric ruler, and scissors. The actual retail cost of all these supplies is over $20. Even at sale prices the value of the kit exceeds $18. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!

You can learn more about Project Respond here and see last year's results here and here.

Reflections from the Heart!

"Today was full of memories that I'll carry with me forever.  Its an amazing feeling to make great friendships in such a short amount of time.  At the beginning of the day I was just learning some of the names of these kids and by the end of the day we were glued to each other's sides.  Its really heartwarming to have people you just met and can't even speak the same language as, showing you such unconditional love." - Julie Edlefson
 


"Today was overall a wonderful day and I built some strong relationships.  One boy in particular I bonded really well with and I had a hard time saying goodnight to him. It amazed me how easy it was to connect with the kids even when I couldn't speak their language.  It really shows how God can do wonderful things." - Kaitlyn Danley

God can do, is doing and will continue to do amazing things through the people He send to Romania to minister to the children He has entrusted to our care. Over the next 6 days the team will be proclaiming Gods love through the activities they have planned for these 40 children and young adults.

Please keep this team in your prayers as they reflect God's love by using their hands and feet as God commanded them to do. Another Child Foundation is blessed to have these 15 people representing us and Jesus! 

A Happy Return!

"So Happy to return to the Point of Hope Development Center today! Our morning began with play time! A sponsor day to meet the children attending the school was so fun! I went upstairs to play with a group of older kids, 3 girls instantly meet me with hugs and kisses.  A beautiful girl named Othelia would not let go of me.  She had a smile that lit up the room.  Then went and found Kaitlyn's sponsored child, Angel.  Was great to see how much he has grown since we met him.  (Also saw little Dennis!) After that, a home visit with a kindergarten student and her family.  Had a few minutes to play with her and meet her brother and beautiful baby sister. So sad to see the poverty.  Not sure where the father was, and her brother suffered from epilepsy.  My heart broke for this family. 
      As we left that home,  I found Rita! She is the cleaning lady at the school and reminds me of my Grandma.  I gave her a haircut the last time I was here, and had never had such a happy customer! When she was coming down the road, I flew into her arms and we hugged and cried and giggled!
     A very special stop came next and there is no way to expect what was coming.  We visited a girl to deliver a gift sent by her sponsors, Dave & Kathy Ramp.  This little girl had been hit by a car a few months back, and was paralyzed.  She can't really see and can't talk.  But today, her parents had her standing up and she was trying to walk!  God is so good. As we were leaving the neighborhood, Othelia was there and I got more hugs and kisses! Then after we left, Jim tells us that this was the same family he had visited on his last trip here with Dennis Huston & Kevin Sack.  God sure does know how to work things, don't He?! 
     Now we are at camp preparing for 40 children who are all orphans, and I do not know how I am going to leave here.  These kids are going to get my heart and I can't wait to see what this week will bring.  And this setting in the mountains is unbelievable!  Thank you God for warming my heart today! So grateful to experience this with my daughter again. And AMEN."  - Tricia Danley , East Moline, IL

Kaitlyn & Angel Bosa

 

 

A Very Bitter Sweet Day!

Jim and friends 3 years ago!

"A Very Bitter Sweet Day:  Traveled to Point of Hope Development Center to be with the children.  I remember approx.. 3 years ago being here in December visiting with the children and taking photos of them.  They would call out 'Posa' and want their picture taken and after taking the photo they would run to the back of the camera to see them and their friend's pictures.  It made me sad that I would take these pictures home to East Moline, IL and have printed out and they had a fleeting second to view their Pictures.  This time I was prepared and purchased a portable photo printer and with donations from Dennis and Marcia Huston and Christ United Methodist Church Wesleyan's Group to purchase photo paper , I was able to give pictures to the 100 students and teachers and helpers at the Point of Hope School - a big thanks to all.
  

Jim and the rest of the team in 2015!

   Also at my last visit we visited a home of one of the students at Point of Hope.  This family had 2 children going to school there and at that time had 7 in the family with one on the way.  The home was spotless with everything in its place.  A tower of blankets almost reaching the ceiling folded perfect.  This turned out to be the same home of a child who had been sponsored by some of our fellow church family, Dave and Kathy Ramp.  This little girl had been hit by a vehicle and is now paralyzed and blind.  We were asked to deliver a gift to their child.  I was too sad when I discovered that their child and the home I had visited the three years previous was one and the same.  As Tricia & Kaitlyn Danley & myself walked up to the home, the father recognized me which made me feel great but very sad for the tragedy in his family's life.  He had a great smile and the family was all there, all surrounding him.  He was very proud of the improvements his little girl was making, some walking with helping hands to steady her.  Continued prayers for the family on recovery of their precious little girl."    - Jim Power,  East Moline, IL

My Second Time to Romania!

"Today I have re-toured Brasov and the Peles Castle, which is great, they are both places worth experiencing twice, but I'm really excited about tomorrow. Last year I felt that we didn't get enough time in Tarnaveni and this time we will get to spend almost a whole day. We met very few children who attend The Point of Hope last year, but this time we will get to take pictures and play games with all of them. I have faith that God's going to bring glory to himself in ways I would have never expected and I can't wait. After tomorrow's visit at Point of Hope is over, we will leave Tarnaveni to begin a week at Camp Harghita where we will be reunited with some of the orphan
kids we met last year, as well as meet some new kids this year. We have an AWESOME V.B.S. and other camp activities planed for the camp kids and even though I know for a fact that there will be plenty of things that just won't go just the way I thought it should, I know that God is in control and will work in amazing and unexpected ways and I'm so super excited to see what he has in store for the us these next few days. - Katy Anderson"

 

 

 

An Amazing First Day!

"We're in Romania! Long airplane rides, long bus rides, very little sleep, you can only imagine the amount of jet lag going on here.  Today we toured at the Peles Castle and the Black Church, and then we traveled... a LOT.  After we travel, we will be working at the Point of Hope which is the school in Tarnaveni.  There, we will help with the pre-school through 7th grade, and then we will get to meet the kids who we sponsor and give them gifts.  I am super excited to meet a little boy names Denis! He is five years old and he is so adorable!  I am looking forward to creating a bond with him and making this sponsorship a more personal one.  I believe these mission trips are all about relationships.  I hope and pray that each and every one of our team members and children gets out of this trip what I did last year and more! Please be praying for all of us to make life-long friendships with each other!  Thank you for all of the prayers up until now as well! See you all in a little while! - Josie Lind" 

 

 

A Journey of Women, sisters in Christ

Yesterday was our final day working with the ladies, above was our group picture we took at the end of our session. It was very difficult to say good bye to them.

This is what we saw when we looked out the window in the morning before we started. They were all lined up, eager to come fellowship with us. It was very heart warming to see the excitement in their faces. Also a reflective moment where I thought about how many opportunities we have to go to a "women's Bible-study" yet so often we choose not to for a multitude of  reasons.

All the ladies enjoyed doing their crafts and it did not matter how simple they were. The best craft for me to see them do were the picture coasters. There was a buzz in the room as they excitedly looked for their children.  How often do we even print pictures anymore?  They had pure joy on their faces.

Lastly, the women were given bags of rice and a few other dry good items for their family.

How heartbreaking to see as the women left with their bags the children and others running to see what they had gotten.  As the women were leaving the Point of Hope that day myself, Kim Bradford and Jill Trick stood outside the door to tell them bye. Almost everyone of them said thank you, gave us hugs and kisses and wanted "posa" with us. It was then that I realized we had connected with these women, they knew we cared. Each and everyone one of us had been on a journey, an individual journey but most importantly a journey together as Sisters in Christ.

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...

The Intern Adventures: Volume 2

Buna Ziua!

We are all still alive and well. Things at the Point of Hope are progressing wonderfully. English lessons are definitely the highlight of our day. The relationships we have formed with our English class are continuously growing stronger. To see their faces on a daily basis brings unexplainable joy to our lives. They are always eager to learn more and treat us with respect even through the language barrier.

All the kids are professionals when it comes to discussing colors, numbers, letters, seasons and weather in ENGLISH! When we run into the kids outside of school, they always make it a mission to run up to us and show off their English talents. We were literally biking in to town the other day and we heard “KATALINA, BAILEY, VICTORIA, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10” in English. (Some kids can’t say Kaitlin, so they all call her “Katalina” instead.) Aside from us teaching them English, they are in return teaching us some Romanian vocabulary.

Two weeks ago the Houston team was here. We assisted with their vacation bible school plans. It was fun to see the kids interact with the Houston team and the activities they brought with them. It was the end of the school year for the students, so we celebrated with a bunch of fun surprises. The fun started with an awesome luau with the help of our volunteers, and it ended with a cake for the staff and kids to celebrate a great year. 

This week we had the privilege to plan a vacation bible school with the youngest two groups at the Point of Hope. It was a change of pace for us since we have been interacting mostly with the older groups. The little ones are so active and have a mind of their own in their own unique way. We loved getting to know them.

God is truly using this ministry to move hearts and change the lives of the Roma people in Tarnaveni and we are blessed to be a part of it.

-Kaitlin Raineri (Peru, IL)

-Victoria Vidrine (Lafayette, LA)

-Bailey Hebert (Lafayette, LA)

VBS at Point of Hope and Ladies Ministry

We have just finished our morning VBS with the preschoolers and are now prepping for the the older kids to arrive for an afternoon VBS.  The team is doing a great job with all the children.  They are prepared for an awesome afternoon with the community kids.  A special shout out to Bailey Hebert, she's done a tremendous job organizing the VBS times!

It has been beautiful to see the ladies ministry progressing.  Four years ago we had our first time of ministry with the community outreach dinner.  I can remember seeing very apprehensive faces as the parents arrived.  This morning I saw bright shining faces, anxious to be here for a time of ministry for the ladies.  The ladies seemed to really enjoy being together, working on craft projects, hearing an inspirational message from Lisa Comeaux, sharing in recreation games, and having their nails done.  Thank you, Lord for building the community here with these ladies.  Our prayer is that this same sense of community will spread throughout this neighborhood as we continue working with the entire family here in Tarneveni.

Worship in any Language

We have begun our journey here in Romania. Yesterday we attended service at the gypsy church, which is located near the Point of Hope. Most of us were apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. As we arrived everyone was very welcoming with many giving us their seats. As the service began you could see from their expressions the love they have for Christ. We also got to share a word and sing. As the service progressed you could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. As I sat there and looked around, not understanding what was being said, I realized that I didn't really need a translator. When we are worshiping our Lord and Savior it doesn't matter what language is being spoken because there is Worship in any Language.