Behind the Smile

Behind every smile is a story.  A story that often involves a lot of hurt and sadness.  

This week I was reminded again of how all the smiles can be deceiving.  Yes, the most of the kids are happy with us most of the time. But there is so much more...and I am going to share a bit of what life is really like for them.  Out of respect for the kids, the photos will not match the story.

I am abandoned.  I have living parents but I do not live with them.  Often when I call them they tell me that they will take me home for vacation but then they do not come.  Is it any wonder that I have emotional/behavior problems?

I have parents that I live with, but I go to the special needs school.  Well, I didn't go for several months because I didn't have any shoes.  The education that I receive is well below my ability level and gives me a very bleak outlook for my future.

I am in the 4th grade and still do not know all the letters.  I have not had the one on one attention I need to learn.  I bully the other kids and even punch them, it helps me not feel so bad about myself.

My mom took me home for the summer and then left me on the street to beg.  The authorities found me and put me back in the orphanage.  My sister is still out on the street, she is older and I wonder if she is selling her body to survive.

I am an adult now and have a job.  On the outside my life looks good.  On the inside, it depends on the day.  I do not regulate my emotions very well and often I choose to believe the lies.  I turn hard and push everyone out of my life.  I know I don't deserve to be loved and sometimes I don't let anyone in.

How can we deal with this?  Sometimes we simply don't and we end up on our knees crying and begging God to change things.  But I was reminded that God needs us to rely on him if he wants to use us.  If we are truly following after God, life will not be easy and we will go through many trials.  Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

I am beginning to learn there is no better place to be than on my knees...

Easter Etc...

We had a change in our regular schedule because a dental team came.  The dentists and their families were hard workers and really blessed the kids!  We went with them to the orphanages in Bucuresti and had fun seeing kids we don't normally have the chance to see.

Face paint

Helping with the lamb crafts

The next week was spring break and we stayed in town to help with Steven, Haley, and Mariana's reading reward parties.  We had a lot of fun along with the kids!  We did an egg hunt, dyed eggs, played xbox games, made dinner and cookies, watched a movie, and hung out together.

Egg hunt (can you find the blue egg?)

Happy egg hunter

Got to love these kids!

Dying eggs

Here Ana is showing me her picture of us and Tyler from the dental team.  It was the first thing she did when she saw me, so sweet!

Mark and Florin boxing on the xbox, sore muscles ensued.

The traditional Easter Egg hunt with the graduates

The magnolia was blooming an egg!

We enjoyed the extra time we had to spend with our good friends Steven and Haley (and Talitha and Mariana).  Lets keep praying that the wonderful news of Easter comes alive and grows in these kids' hearts.

More Birthdays

We had the rest of the surprise birthday parties at the boys school.  It was fun to see their excitement for such a small celebration.  The kids enjoyed every part: the games, cupcakes, presents, and our presence.  The kids have also really grown attached to Tyler (intern)!

Getting turned around

Putting the candle on the cake

Trying to find Tyler

Success

Heads up 7 up

Cupcakes and presents

Gift bags

We also had our regular classes and I (Rebecca) made a book for reading class.

Looking at every letter

Tyler helping to sound out the word (in Romanian!)  Often time interns are more observers or need constant translating, but since Tyler learned some Romanian he could actually help the kids on his own.  He only has a few more days of his internship left, he will be missed!

Please remember to keep these kids and us in prayer.  The evil one wants nothing more than to destroy, and we see it in many ways.  In conflicts, in stubborn hearts, loosing focus of God and his will, the lack of justice, kids thinking they can never change, etc.  It is a battle and our precious kids are on the line and God is the only answer, the only hope.