Count Your Many Blessings

Thanksgiving Day is here and our colleague, Glen Adkins, is shown slicing the bird. Hungarians do not celebrate this holiday so we hunt madly through the stores and markets for supplies for the traditional foods and gather with American friends to celebrate. This year when we give thanks we will list in gratitude our prayer supporters who faithfully lift up the Roma and the ministries among them. We will remember all the volunteers who have given of their time, effort, and finances to serve along side us. We will give thanks for the financial gifts given to our projects and especially to the CBF Global Missions Offering. The offering enables to serve and live among the Roma and for that we are very grateful. Thank you!

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"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you', that would suffice." Meister Eckhart

Gypsy Smith November 09 Class

Gypsy Smith Graduation

The ending of this session of the Gypsy Smith Leadership Training was a celebration. Sorin, pictured here holding his diploma, had completed the required 12 weeks of training. We celebrated the moment with a recognition ceremony in the Thursday night prayer service at the Providence Church. Prayers were said for Sorin as he returns to his village to pastor his flock and preach the Good News to his fellow Romany. Please pray for Sorin and the Roma leaders.

Ruth Staff Appreciation Day 5 - Books & Pens

"God Bless You" Clista and I tried to say this to as many of the Ruth Center staff and teachers that we could. We felt their employment at Project Ruth was sacrificial and such a blessing to the students and their families of the Ferentari neighborhood. Today the teachers received the booklets with pages the students had designed themselves with pictures, poems, and words of gratitude. Each staff person received a bundle of pens and pencils that said, "You are appreciated very much" And the truth is - they are!!

Ruth Staff Appreciation Day 4 - Apples & GSS

It's an American cultural thing to bring your teacher an apple - I have no idea how that got started - but I can say that it is not a Romanian tradition. However, Romanians, enjoy eating fruit. So today each staff person got an apple that said, "You're the Light of God's Eye" (apple of God's eye just didn't translate right). The apples were big, shiny, and juicy. They were thoroughly enjoyed.

The Gypsy Smith School (Christian Leadership Training for Adults) students were surprised at break time with a tea of their own, along with the Ruth School staff in the Ruth Center building. (Ruth School has its own building and the Center has one attached to the Providence Church with offices and rooms to stay). Mona, one of the staff, explained what dip was and how to dip vegetables/chips. She also explained the 'pigs in a blanket'. In the beginning they held back but once the first brave man stepped forward and tasted the strange looking things, they eagerly gathered around the bar, not stopping until everything was gone. (Made clean-up easier) Seeing them enjoy the special attention made all the hustle bustle of getting it ready on time and the numerous trips up and down the stairs (classroom on the 2nd floor, kitchen in the basement) worth it. Please say a prayer for these Roma men, studying this week so they can be better leaders of their congregations throughout Romania.

Ruth Staff Appreciation Day 3 - Baskets!

"You are special and so are your teachers. We want them to know how much we appreciate what they do." Now imagine the room of school children shouting and clapping their hands in agreement. That's what this morning was like as we presented each of the teachers with baskets of supplies. The students were happy to give their teachers encouragement. (The teachers don't know the students are secretly working on booklets to be presented to them at the end of the week. Some of the 8th grade artwork is awesome!) All staff received a candy bar that said, "We think you're sweet". Lots of hugs and smiles today...

Ruth Staff Appreciation Day 2 - Food!

"All of this for us?" That was the question we heard over and over as the teachers of the Ruth School laid eyes on the table filled with food for their Appreciation Tea. The director, Tita, gave them permission to stay longer so they could graze on the delicious treats prepared just for them. They laughed, talked, munched, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves through the break time. Clista and I were worn out from the early morning hectic running around to make sure everything was ready when the bell rang. It was worth it as Tita, through the English teacher, told us how special they all felt. So much had been done for the school as a whole and for the students but this was a first for the staff. The bell rang again and the teachers made their ways back to the classrooms with full bellies and smiling faces. Thank you for praying for this project. We have 3 more days to go!