livada blog

Happy Birthday Laura & Janos!

2012-01-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Laura!

This last week we've celebrated two birthdays in Ana Nadia group home. Laura's birthday was first, on the 17th of January. She turned 18 and she is a sweet young lady. Because she turned 18 she had a big party and she invited many of the ex-employes from the group home and also some of her friends.

Her wish was to buy clothes for her birthday and she did bought some nice once, including those that she is wearing in these pictures.

Happy Birthday Janos!

Janos, Laura’s brother was borne on the 22th of January. He turned the age of 17. Janos is a wonderful teenager, a leader and example for all the kids from the group home. He is handsome young boy always ready to help everyone. He received some nice gifts for his birthday which he deserved indeed.

Thank you all who helped us made a wonderful day for both of them birthdays. We are thankful for you! Please join us in prayer, just like you always do, for both Janos and Laura. Janos needs prayer most of all for his health, for his back pain. We pray for Laura’s future and to have always people around her to guide and help her.
Thank you! Enjoy the pictures!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

2012-01-11T01:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the 10^th of January was a happy day for Daniel Simon. It was his birthday and he turned the age of 15. We went to be part of his celebration together with his brother Sergiu, who lives in Ana Nadia group home and Madalin, his older brother who lives in foster care in Sarmasu. Daniel was very happy to spend couple hours with both of his brothers.

Sergiu, Daniel & Madalin

We thank God for everything He has done in Daniel’s life and we are very thankful for his good behavior and his interest for school. Please join us in prayer for him to have a good year in school and to be able to find a part time job in the summer.

Thank you for your prayers!

Merry Christmas from the LOC Orphan Outreach Clubs!

2012-01-03T09:00:00.001-08:00

This past fall and winter we were blessed to be able to have the opportunity to have clubs (evangelistic ministry programs) and see every group of children currently in the care of the State once a week. This was a huge answer to prayer as we were not always allowed so much freedom to share by the authorities. We were so thankful for this opportunity as the impact that we could have on their lives has been even bigger this year! We currently work with approximately 300 orphan children and teens between the ages of 4 and 22 every week.

Christmas has come and gone, but because it is known as the season of generosity, we want to say a special thank you to all of you who were generous with us and made all of our LOC Orphan Outreach clubs possible this winter. We are especially thankful that at Christmas we were so blessed to be able to celebrate with over 300 precious orphans the birth of Jesus. With the gracious help of some very generous donors, we were able to ensure that each and every child received a personal gift this Christmas, and all of them were very happy and thankful that somebody thought of them too this Christmas.

So, thank you, Amy Seale and Tiffany Taylor from the organization Orphan Outreach, Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child, and the Franklin Family for helping to make it possible to put a smile on these children's faces on this special holiday. Also thank you to all of our LOC Orphan Outreach club sponsors for making possible every weekly club, for your continuous prayers, and for your investment in this ministry. We are really grateful for you!!

Once again THANK YOU for praying, giving and sharing of your life for this ministry and making all of these things possible. Thank you for helping to bring joy to every child and for making each of them feel so special and loved this Christmas!

May your year be filled with many heavenly blessings !

LOC Kids Celebrating Christmas in Romania!

2011-12-26T21:44:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of the sponsors for making Christmas merry and bright for all the LOC kids! They had a blast with Bex, Mira, and group home staff. All of the kids are PUMPED UP about getting to go to the Black Sea again in the summer. Bex said that it was the best Christmas in a long time and that the kids were very thankful, mature, and enthusiastic. Thanks for keeping them in your prayers and making their lives so full.

Decorating the Christmas tree!

2011-12-19T02:30:00.000-08:00

Like I said in the last post on the blog, this last week we were making with the kids the decorations for the Christmas tree. On Saturday, both Ana Nadia and Rebeca group homes decorate the Christmas tree.

Despite the fact that in the morning it was raining and in the afternoon was sunny and no snow, the kids had a great time together decorating the tree and also the house. At Rebeca they used red and gold colors for the tree this year and at Ana Nadia they used the traditional green and red. Both Christmas tree look wonderful and they are so different.

Ana Nadia house

Ana Nadia tree

Rebeca house

Rebeca tree

We are sending the warmest Christmas wishes to you and your family. May God shower his choicest blessings on you and your family this Christmas!

Enjoy the pictures!

Getting ready for Christmas!

2011-12-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

There are less than two weeks until Christmas. This year we’ve thought of doing something different for Christmas. The kids grow up and we have to adapt things to fit their age. This Monday we started creating the decorations that will use to decorate the tree on Saturday.

Every day we are doing different decorations. The kids love it and they are very involved. I will attach some pictures so you all can see what a big help are the kids this year. Later this month, beside other activities, we will go visit the nursing home and bring a smile to the faces of the senior citizens living there.

We want this year for the kids not only to know but to understand the real meaning of Christmas and to be grateful for the most precious gift we all received on that special day when Jesus was born. Please keep our kids in your prayers! Thank you!

A very special day at Ludus Baby Hospital

2011-11-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

Last week it was a very special day at the Baby Hospital in Ludus. On the 14^th of November, Remus turned the age of 2 and on the 16^th of November, Emma turned the age of 3. Until now we knew that Emma is already 4 years old because that was the information we received from the nurses. Well, that was false information because she just turned 3.

We thought of doing a special day for their birthdays even though many of the kids were sick and we only had one room available, so we celebrate Remus and Emma’s birthdays.

Emma, Remus, Pia & Andra

For his birthday Remus got a very nice shirt and some jeans (he is wearing them in these pictures), and also a very colorful book about animals. You should have seen the smile on his face when he was able to hold his cake and blow the candles. He was so precious and happy! We were very impressed because Remus is still fed by bottle but that day he ate his cake with a spoon.

Happy Birthday Remus!

Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma also received for her birthday a very nice book with animals so she can learn their names; besides that she received the sweet dress and shirt that she is wearing. Emma was a little scared when she had to hold her cake because she was afraid of the candles, but after we took the candles she was very happy. It was her first time to eat by herself with a spoon. She was very cheerful! All the toddlers had a wonderful time and they all ate cake.

Emma

Even the nurses started taking pictures to Emma and Remus being impressed that someone remembered their birthdays and how cute were they dressed. It was a perfect day for them and also for us being able to make them happy! From now on, with the Lord’s help, we want to celebrate all kids’ birthdays and bring a smile on their sweet faces.

Please don’t forget to join us in prayer for them for a healthy growth and blessed future. Also pray for us to be able to open an Adoption Center for a better future for these precious babies!

Lacramioara

Janos

Georgiana

Tiberiu

Stefan

Tania, Pia's sister

Raul

Lacramioara

Lucian

New born baby, unknown name

Andra

Remus

Thank you!

Special “Thanks”on a special day!

2011-11-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

Special “Thanks” to…

BJ White, Stephanie Ferguson , Judith Perseo , Carlyle Aguren, Emily Mondy , Natalie Williams , Donna Miller, Michelle Wells, Kaye Downey, Rhonda Minter, Kara Durbin, Shannon Wilson, Martin Hoffmaster, Elizabeth Bond, Paul Koski, Rachael Deer, Mike Grazioli and Terry Kopfer.

Thank you all for helping our kids face another fall and cold winter with the new clothes that you all have brought them. They are grateful for your effort.

May the Lord pour His choicest blessing upon you! Thank you for being a blessing in our kids lives!

Wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Help Livada DECK THE HALLS This Christmas Season At YOUR Party!

2011-11-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Livada,
Please consider helping Livada Orphan Care DECK THE HALLS of YOUR upcoming Christmas parties at your office, church, neighborhood, social group, or home.

We have small packets of 50 sponsorship cards that we would like to mail you for free. At your Christmas party, please place the sponsorship cards on the tree and/or around the room. At some point during the party, please make a one minute announcement that says: If you have not noticed, we have some extra guests at the party this year. They are the kids from Livada Orphan Care in Romania. Please take one of these kids home with you for the holidays and consider sponsoring them with a one time gift for Christmas OR ongoing. All of the information is on the sponsorship card." Then thank them for their attention, say a prayer or raise a toast to Christmas. They can give online via their smartphone, online at home, or send in a check to Livada. Again, all the information needed is on the card.

Please view this YouTube video for a recap of this and to see how it works live!

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of orphans and at-risk Gypsy kids in Romania.

Happy Holidays!
Bruce

CLICK HERE---> DECK THE HALLS one minute YouTube VIDEO CLIP!

Happy Birthday Kati and Geza!

2011-10-25T02:22:00.000-07:00

Again we are celebrating! This time in the honor of Kati and Geza.

They were both born on the same day, on the 24^th of October and both turned 17. Kati and Geza had a great party yesterday together with their “sisters and brothers” from Rebeca house and some other guests.

Kati wished for nothing else but books for her birthday, but she received some nice clothes and other stuffs too. Geza received what he wished for, an MP3Player and also an 8GB memory stick.

Thank you all who played such an important part in bringing a smile on both Kati and Geza’s face. Thank you for thinking of them in these important moments of their lives.

Please pray for Kati and Geza that they will grow in faith and in relationship with our faithful Father! Pray that they will learn to trust God in times of sorrow.

Thank you for your prayers and love for both Kati and Geza!

Happy Birthday, Stefan!

2011-10-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

La multi ani, Stefan!

Stefan turned the age of 13 on the 14^th of October. We’ve celebrated his birthday on Friday together with the kids from Rebecca house and some of his friends from Ana Nadia house.

His desire for his birthday was to get an MP3player. Besides that he get a gameboy from a good friend, Marty Hoffmaster, from USA. Thank you! He is very thankful for his gifts!

Please join us in prayer for Stefan. Pray that he will grow in faith in the Lord and for desire to have a closer relationship with our Father in heaven. Also, pray that he will do much better in school and in soccer.

We appreciate your prayers and love for Stefan!

Happy Birthday, Anna! :)

2011-09-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

"I hope you like my hair!"

Sunday, 25^th of September was Anna’s birthday. She turned 16. We’ve celebrate her birthday on Monday, together with the kids that live in the same house with her, Vio Gaga, our director, and some other guests.

Anna is a funny young lady who loves to smile (you can see that in the pictures too). She couldn’t decide yet what she wants for her birthday, so she saved the money for later; which is a wise decision.

Please join us in prayer for Anna. Pray that she will continue to focus at school, maintain self control at home, and learn to trust God.

Thank you for your prayers and love for Anna!

Happy birthday, boys!!!

2011-09-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

La multi ani, Daniel!

We’ve celebrated Daniel’s birthday on the 7^th of September, together with the kids from Ana Nadia group home. Daniel turned 15. He didn’t want a big party for his birthday, so we just spent some time with him, served a cake and had fun. His desire for his birthday was to get a bicycle that he can use to go to his soccer game training. We thank God for allowing us fulfill his wish.

Please pray for Daniel as he started the first year of high school, for wisdom and desire to study. Pray that he’ll become a mature and responsible young man!

La multi ani, Bela!

Bela will turn 16 on the 17^th of September, but we already celebrate his birthday yesterday. Together with the kids from Rebeca group home and some guests, Bela had a wonderful birthday party.

For his birthday, Bela received a CD-player that he wished for so long.

Please pray for Bela also, for a new year of school that just started. Next year he’ll start high school, so he will need to study hard this year so he can choose a good one to attend.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Vacation is over; School starts again!

2011-09-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

Monday, on the 12^th of September, was the first day of school in Romania. On Sunday, all of our kids together with the house moms prepared their nicest clothes and get ready for school. Of course, as is the case with most kids, they were sorry to see the summer and vacation come to an end, but at the same time they are happy to be reunited with their classmates, friends, and teachers again.

Ana Nadia group home

Rebeca group home

Some of the kids were a little more nervous than the others because they switched schools this year, and they have to face new system, have to make new friends, and have to get used to the new teachers.

Sergiu, Fanel, Dita, and Stefan were moved to the school in a village called Nazna which is the town next to their houses in Sancrai. Ibi, Laura, Krisztina, and Anna go to Nazna as well, and they were excited to have more kids from the houses going to their school with them this year!

The kids from Nazna school

Marga also switched schools, and she was moved to a better school with higher academic demands as the school she went to before did not challenge her or help her to grow and learn at her full potential. She is now going to school together with Emese and Bela.

Marga, Bela & Emese

Daniel Kalanyos , Geza Musta, Kati Rostas, and Kati Darvas finished middle school last year, and they are starting high school this fall. Geza and Daniel will both be attending high schools in town that no one else from the Foundation currently attends.

Daniel Kalanyos

Geza

Kati Rostas and Kati Darvas will attend the same high school that Zsofi has gone to for the last few years. Keep in mind that Zsofi and Marian will finish high school at the end of this year of school. Please pray for both of them as they will face a big, difficult test at the end of the year for potential college placement.

Kati Darvas, Kati Rostas & Zsofi

Please join us in prayer for all the kids of Livada as they start a new year of school. Pray that the changes that were made will help them and encourage them in their educations and in the future. Please don’t forget about our boys from the apartment and their mentor and the boys in foster care and their foster parents as you pray for our children.

Kids from Omega private school

Thank you all for your servant’s heart! May the Lord bless us all!

We are thankful for the backpacks!

2011-09-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

Like every year, the Lord blessed us again with backpacks for school for all the kids in Livada’s care.

The kids were all very excited about their new backpacks, and we are all so very thankful for them and the blessing that it was to receive them right before school starts.

We pray for blessings for Sally Roberts and the members of her church, who sacrificed so graciously for our kids to be able to start a new year of school with new backpacks; and Mr. and Mrs. Lance Wagers, from Dallas, Texas, who sent very nice backpacks for the kids as well.

Thank you all for your generous gift, love and care for our kids!

Happy Birthday, Marga!

2011-09-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

La multi ani, Marga!

We were excited to be able to celebrate Marga’s birthday together with the kids from Casa Ana-Nadia and some guests, on August 30. This year Marga turned 13, and she has truly become a beautiful teenager. For her birthday she wanted an MP3 player because she loves music!

She had a great celebration and enjoyed the time she was able to spend with Cristina Kovacs, her former psychologist; Codruta Macarie, former house mom from Ana Nadia group home; and two friends from the state group homes in Sancrai.

Daniela, Cristina Kovacs & Vlad, Marga, Ibi & Laura

Marga, Codruta Matea & little Bianca

Marga & her friends from the State Grouphomes

Thank you all who played such an important part in making Marga so happy for her birthday by making her wish come true. She loved her MP3 player, and she had a great time at her birthday party!!!

Marga and her siblings

Please pray for Marga as school starts soon, and she will be starting seventh grade in a new school. Pray for her to make good friends, to make wise decisions and to have the desire to study and to work hard. Pray that she will continue to better understand God’s purpose for her life and for her future.

Thank you Interns!

2011-08-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today was a very sad day in Targu Mures, Romania, as our summer interns departed for home. There really are not enough kind words to be written to adequately sum up our gratitude to the group of eight young adults that came together this summer to help put on seven weeks of camps to over 500 at-risk of abandonment and orphan children from all over Mures County. We have been so blessed over the years to have great interns, and this year was no exception! One of the interns came from England, and the other seven came from all over the US, but God united the group in an amazing way!

This summer, Andrew, Austin, Heather, Jen, Julia, Justin, Rebekah, and Samantha were absolutely extraordinary. The amount of work and details that go into each day of camp can sometimes seem overwhelming, but their commitment and devotion to helping, and their willingness to take on all of the “extra tasks” helped us to have one of our smoothest summers yet! Each and every one of the interns had a continual willingness to serve, a deep love for the children, positive attitudes, and tons of energy. We were so blessed by the group that God hand-picked to be here this summer, and we are so thankful that we had the opportunity to serve alongside of these eight fun-loving, and selfless group of young adults.

Thank you, Andrew, Austin, Heather, Jen, Julia, Justin, Rebekah, and Sam, for your dedication and love of the kids, for your spiritual maturity and example, and for your friendship to the kids and the staff alike. Your impact this summer will leave all of us forever changed, and we are so thankful for each and every one of you. We eagerly await the day that God brings you all back into our lives again.

Please pray for all of the interns as they adjust to being home after God used them in such mighty ways this summer. The transition back into “normal life” is often very difficult, so we appreciate your prayers for them as they endure this difficult period of transition. Also, please pray for the staff and kids of Livada and all throughout Mures County that were so deeply touched and impacted and are now suffering the loss and departure of a group of dear friends. Please pray that God will bless the interns for their enormous sacrifices to be here this summer, and that God will continue the work that He began in so many lives throughout the summer and the ministry of Livada and the interns!

Week 7: Wedgwood Team

2011-08-17T00:08:00.000-07:00

The seven weeks of camps are over, and we thank God for protecting us from major incidents and for allowing us to help bring a smile to so many faces.

The last, but certainly not the least, team from this summer, who delighted us with their presence, was the Wedgwood team. Thirteen people from Texas, lead by Erin LaMourie, spent a wonderful week in Romania together with the teens from the Sancrai, Sincai, Santana and Petelea state group homes. They also loved the time they spent at the Baby Hospital, being able to love the little ones and to pray for their futures.

Besides a busy week of camp, they had the opportunity to meet and to spend time building and deepening relationships with the Livada kids. Several of the members from the Wedgwood team have been to Romania before, and they were all so excited to see how much the Livada kids have grown and matured.

The last week of camp was a little bit different because we had a group of teenagers. We have found that older kids often have very different interests then younger kids which is who we ministered to for the majority of the summer.

At the beginning of the week, the kids weren’t very cooperative, but by the end of the week they become very excited and enthusiastic, and they really enjoyed being at camp. As was the case each week, the kids had the opportunity to hear God’s word and to learn about the eternal security that He offers each one of them. We pray that the seed that was planted in their hearts will bear fruit and that they will allow God to do an awesome work in their lives.

The afternoon program was with the gipsy children from Ogra who love having fun and are always very cooperative. The summer of 2011 was the first time that these gipsy kids experienced camp in their lives, and they loved it!

Camps are over, and many people have come and gone, but one thing is for sure: the Lord was our guide, our light and our way. He used each one of you this summer to spread His word and promise. Thank you all: teams, interns, and Romanian summer staff, for being His hands this summer and for being willing to choose to spend your vacation helping with Livada’s camps. Also, thank you all who kept us in your prayers throughout the summer. Your reward will be in heaven!

Thank you, Wedgwood, for the dedication, love and care that you offered to so many kids. We appreciate the hard work and enthusiasm that you showed. We will miss you and look forward for your next visit!

THANK YOU LORD for giving us this summer and the opportunity to spread your joy and love with these precious kids. Thank you for being in control of every single detail and for providing everything that was needed to be able to successfully run these camps. And lastly, thank YOU for giving us an unforgettable summer!

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16)

Thank You Jeff, Jenny, and Jack!

2011-08-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

The McDonnell Family

All of you who have visited Romania in the past two years, sponsored children, or read the blog have had the opportunity to interact with the McDonell family on some level. Jeff and Jenny have been an important part of our staff in Romania for the past two years, and their main focus was to minister to the twenty-one kids in the Livada group homes. They were able to do this by offering Bible studies for a group of the boys and a group of the girls from the houses, by doing devotions at night with the kids, and by modeling a strong, Christian family for the kids to learn from. They also helped host teams, organize a leadership Bible study for a group of LOC staff members, communicate with sponsors in the States, plan and organize parties for different events and holidays, and by truly focusing on building relationships with kids. Their efforts to invest in the kids lives will forever be remembered and appreciated by the kids and staff of Livada.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Please pray for Jeff, Jenny and Jack as they transition back into life in America after serving faithfully in Romania for the past two years. Pray that God gives them rest, encouragement, and strength as they face this huge change. Pray for those of us who remain in Romania as we have said goodbye to fellow colleagues and also good friends. Pray for God to continue to raise up those who He chooses to come and serve in Romania as we move forward. Pray for the kids whose lives have been impacted by their relationships with the McDonnells that they too will be able to adjust as they feel their absence here in Romania.

Kati Rostas, Jenny & Krisztina

Emil, Jeff, David, Dan, Dragos, Traian & Istvan

Noemi, Jenny, Rebecca & Gabi

Thank you, McDonnell family, for your investment in Romania and for your impact on so many lives. We miss you, and we look forward to the day that your family will be back to visit us again!

The Livada Family

Week 6: Jupiter Team

2011-08-04T01:53:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to believe that six weeks of camp are already done. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were beginning the preparations for our seven weeks of camps. Another week of enthusiasm and excitement is over.

Together with the team from Jupiter, Florida, the kids from Reghin, and the Sarmas and Zau state group homes spent an amazing week talking about God’s security and learning about the security they can have from their fears from their past, their present, and their future. In order to be able to better remember His promises they learned memory verses, played specific games, and enjoyed team time where they prayed and had private discussions. In the afternoon, we also had mini camps with the kids from the Rozmarine Day Center.

The team enjoyed their time here in Romania, and they were such a big help for us. Isom Rigell, the team leader, had visited Romania a few times before. Back in 2006, he was a member of the team that helped to build one of Livada’s group homes and since then he has been back four summers in a row with teams of teenage kids from the school he teaches at, Jupiter Christian School.

We appreciate your hard work and dedication, Isom, and we pray that God blesses you for your service to the children of Romania.

Unfortunately, this week, one of our summer interns, Justin, returned home together with the McDonnell family, Jeff, Jenny, and Jack. We pray that the Lord will bless Justin for sacrificing his summer and choosing to spend it with the orphan and gipsy kids and to invest in their lives. You were such a big help and a blessing for Livada this summer just as you were in the past six years. We are sure that your effort will be rewarded in heaven!

Throughout the week the team had the opportunity to visit the gipsy village from Ogra and see the kids living conditions. They also were able to spend some time with Livada’s group homes and were amazed how much the Livada kids have grown and matured since their visit last summer.

Visiting Ludus Baby Hospital was one of the highlights of the week for the Jupiter team. The team held the babies, played with the toddlers, and most of the team left the baby hospital with broken hearts over the conditions the babies and toddlers are living in.

At the end of the week they visited the Salt Mine from Turda, and they were so impressed because they’ve never seen such a beautiful place. Even if it was a short visit, they loved it.

Thank you Jupiter team for your effort, for your energy and for being an example for our kids.

Thank you ALL for being such a blessing in these kids lives!

Week 5: Evergreen Team

2011-08-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

Evergreen team & Summer staff

If in the 3^rd week of camp we had the smallest team from the whole summer with only two people, this week we had the biggest team with 29 people. The evergreen team came all the way from Oklahoma to spend a remarkable week with the teenagers from Apalina gipsy village. Eighty gipsy teenagers from Apalina had the chance to spend five amazing days experiencing Livada’s day camps.

Even though it was a hard and stressful week, the team had a great time and their willingness to help and make a difference in these kids lives made the HUGE week much more manageable. The teenagers, divided in eight teams by color, had a great time learning about the eternal security that God offers us, rotating through four stations: team time, memory verse, craft and games; and running like crazy to be the first team to make it to the top of the hill in Vetca during their camp-wide scavenger hunt.

We thank God for keeping the rain away and allowing us to spend the last day of camp in Vetca, our camp property, a village 45 minutes away from Targu Mures. It was amazing how at the end of this last day the team, together with the interns and Romanian staff, were able to lay their hands on each and every one of the teenagers while praying for them. We hope that God touched their hearts and will change their lives and that the fruit will last.

Throughout the week, the team got to see Ogra, the other gipsy village from Mures County where our Prevention of Abandonment team hosts weekly clubs for the children. There they had the chance to see where these kids actually live day by day and how they struggle to survive in this world.

Also, they visited Ludus Baby Hospital where they had a wonderful time holding the babies and praying for them and playing with the toddlers who always enjoy people going and spend some time with them. Just like every other week Rebekah, Heather and Jen, 3 of our interns, were a big help for the team at the Baby Hospital. Thank you girls for always being there at the right moment.

After a busy week of camp, the team finally had a relaxing time at the citadel from Sighisoara, where they went shopping for souvenirs. Saturday, the team was also able to spend some time in Apalina, the gypsy village, to see the kids they spent the week ministering to one more time before they left the country.

We pray that the Lord will bless each of you who gave all that you could to bring a smile to these kid’s faces. We pray that the Lord will continue the work that He has started in their lives this week at camp with you.

Thank you interns for your love for these kids, for always being willing to do everything in the name of the Lord and for being such a big help this summer. Our staff wouldn’t be the same without you when you go home next week!

Thank you Evergreen for all your hard work! May God bless your servant’s hearts!

LOC Kid Sergiu Receives Christ!

2011-07-30T12:00:00.001-07:00

From Summer Intern Julia Wilkie's blog...

He loves you NO MATTER WHAT.

I can’t believe week 6 of camp is over! This summer is going by so fast! Just one more week of camp!! This week we were with the Orphans from Reghin and Sarmas group homes. It was such a special week for me because a lot of these kids are special needs. I had 3 kids with special needs on my team this week and I really connected with one. His name is Vali. He is 18 years old but has the mental age of probably an 8 year old. All week he followed close behind me with his fingers in his mouth, rocking back and forth and saying the only two English words he knew, “Goody, goody!” I found out quickly he loved my hair. Anytime I would turn my back he would have his face and mouth in my hair! It may have been pretty gross but I found it very humorous most of the time. We had to dress up one kid from our team as a Security Guard and of course Vali insisted it be him. So on his chest we labeled him as “Goody, Goody Security!” lol Friday we went to the zoo and all day long I had to run everywhere to keep up with Vali because he was so excited! He LOVED the animals! And yet almost got himself killed a few times trying to crawl over the fences to feed the animals! We took team pictures the last day, and right when the camera flashed Vali laid a big wet kiss right on my cheek! Caught perfectly on camera! But sadly I can’t post pictures of these kids on the internet, so anyone who wants to see will have to find me with my photo album when I get home. Vali was my highlight and laughter everyday this week. I sure am going to miss him!

Tuesday we had to say goodbye to Justin, Jeff, Jenny, and Jack who all went back to America. So it was a late night at the LOC houses. One of the boys, Sergiu, pulled me aside to talk for a little while. So as we sat on the grass underneath the stars, he began asking me about God. He told me, “I am only 14 years old, I am too young to understand how to be good. I make mistakes. In my heart I know I am not a good person and I am not good enough for Jesus to want to come into my heart. When Jesus comes into your heart you have to be perfect and I am not perfect.” I sat and talked with him forever about how there is not checklist on how good you have to be to be saved. You will make mistakes before you ask Jesus into your heart and you will make mistakes after you ask Jesus into your heart. No one is perfect. And that’s why we have Jesus. Because God knows we are not perfect, so he gave us a way to heaven through Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter if you are the worst person in the world or the nicest person in the world. Jesus wants to come into your heart either way. Its that easy. He loves you NO MATTER WHAT.

By the end of the night, I was holding Sergiu’s hand as he prayed in Romanian for Jesus to come into his heart!!! My eyes welled with tears as I prayed to myself for Sergiu and this wonderful moment I was able to share with him! I know that I had nothing to do with his Salvation. Many people before had planted the seeds, I was just blessed to be there to see the flower bloom! He was SO happy! He couldn’t quit hugging me and sharing his news with everyone! Praise God! I am so proud of Sergiu! I love all the LOC kids SOOO much! And am so thankful for Livadas work they have done in each of their lives!

Help Us Spread the JOY!

2011-07-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

What can you get for ten bucks these days?

PURE JOY!

Please consider sponsoring a Livada kid for $10 per month. DONATE NOW

We are looking for new sponsors to join sponsorship teams for the next year. Our orphan outreach and gypsy kids clubs need sponsors like YOU to help us minister to them weekly. It costs us $10 per kid per month to operate these life changing Christian outreach clubs for approximately 700 kids.

Thank you for helping us to spread such JOY!

Bruce & The Livada Orphan Care staff

P.S. Please note your online gift as "Child Sponsorship." DONATE NOW

GIVE
1. ONLINE via our website by clicking the following link:  DONATE NOW

2. CHECKS can be sent to:

        LIVADA ORPHAN CARE
        2001 W. PLANO PARKWAY
        SUITE 3430
        PLANO, TX 75075

3. CALLING or EMAILING Susi Reyes at the phone numbers/email below:

tel/fax: 972.941.4416
(direct line to Susi 972.941.4418)
susi@livada.org

Click here to email SUSI directly

Week 4: Victory Church Team

2011-07-20T01:53:00.000-07:00

For week 4 there were separate morning and afternoon programs where Livada’s kids participated along with two group homes, Tarnaveni and Balauseri in the mornings, and little Ogra gipsy kids participated in the afternoon.

Again, we had a wonderful team from USA, Victory Team, with twelve people who came all the way from Ohio to help make this week of camp possible. Their leaders were Pastor Mike Devantier, who is a youth pastor, and Kim Zaksek, who is our Livada Prayer Coordinator in USA. We were so happy to meet and spend some precious time with both of them. Thank you, Pastor Mike and Kim for all your hard work and for carrying each of us and our kids in your daily prayers.

The team had a very good time with our kids, volunteers, interns and staff. Their energy and willingness to help motivated the kids to be more involved and enjoy their week of camp. Thank you ALL for that!

It was the first time in years that the LOC kids participated in camp with other kids in the care of the State, and we were thrilled at how they interacted, helped, and joined in with the other kids. The LOC kids, along with the other kids in State care, and the kids from Ogra has a blast at camp competing to win points for their teams, playing games, doing crafts, and most importantly, learning about the Eternal Security offered through a personal relationship with Christ.

The team also had the opportunity to visit the gypsy village in Ogra as well as the citadel in the city of Sighisoara. They also had the chance to visit Ludus Baby Hospital. Although it was a short visit to the hospital, the team was so touched by the baby’s stories, and they got very attached to the little babies and toddlers; they prayed and shed many tears for each child.

We would like to thank God for every heart that was touched by Him this week, whether it was a volunteer who did not know Christ before or an orphan or at-risk of abandonment gypsy child.

Thank you ALL, Victory Church Team, interns, Romanian summer staff, and all of you at home who are daily praying for our camps. Thank you for all your hard work, for being an example to our kids and for always showing so much love and patience. May the Lord bless you all and help you keep these memories alive in your hearts and always remember how important you are for these kids!

Week 3: First Baptist Athens team

2011-07-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

This week we had the smallest team of the summer with just two people from Athens, Texas, Cortney Curran and Terry Short. Even so, they had so much to offer, had so much energy, and everything went so well.

Besides a whole week of day camp with the big kids from the village in Ogra, they got to spend some time with the babies and toddlers from Ludus Baby Hospital; they had the chance to visit the village of Ogra, the gypsy community where the kids from camp come from; and they also visited the Salt Mine in Turda.

For Terry, this was his first visit and experience in Romania, and he really enjoyed it. However, for Cortney, this was not her first visit to Romania. She had already served in Romania several times in the past as an intern, and we were so thankful to have her back on a team this summer.

This week we had the big kids from the village of Ogra, a big community of gypsies, in camp. These kids experienced the camp spirit for the first time ever, and they loved it. At the beginning, the kids were very shy, did not know what to do, were very quiet, and they hardly even spoke. But as time passed, they got to know everybody and opened themselves up to us, and we all had a wonderful, exciting week! Even though we had three rainy and cold days, by Friday when we went to our camp property in the village of Vetca it was beautiful and sunny and the kids had so much fun playing water games, riding horses, doing our giant slip and slide, and many other fun things. Thank God for the sunshine and the great day that was had by all!

We know that God touched the hearts of each and every child and that He will change their lives according to His promise. Thank you all for being ready to serve the Lord and for your willingness to be an example to these children.

Thank you again Terry and Cortney as well as our interns and Romanian staff and translators who all had such an important part in this amazing week and who helped make it possible!

It is truly amazing how happy these kids were when they found SOAP in their little gift bags.

Week 2: Allen Bible Team

2011-07-08T05:13:00.000-07:00

During week 2 of camp we had a team from Texas. Actually Bruce Thomas, as well as STINTS Jeff and Jenny McDonnell, belong to the same church in Texas, where the team came from. It was great to be able to serve the Lord in Romania together. In the mornings, they worked with the little children, ages 7-14 years, from Sancrai, Sincai, and Miercurea Nirajului. All of these kids are in state care and live in foster care homes across Mures County. In the afternoon, the team led a mini-camp for gyspy kids, ages 4-6 years old, that attend a local day center after school each day. It was a wonderful opportunity to work with sweet young children who don't otherwise hear about the Lord.

Throughout the week the teams get to see the gyspy village of Ogra where our Prevention of Abandonment team host bi-monthly clubs for the children. These kids love seeing folks come to sing with them, dance, play silly games and worship the Lord together. At the end of the evening, the kids take the team on a tour to see their homes in the village. It is always an eye-opening experience to learn where the kids live day to day, yet how full their little lives are. Of course there is a lot of need, but the kids are so thankful to be with their families, regardless of the hardships they endure. We pray our ministry continues to help these families stay together, love the Lord and help themselves.

Playing at camp

One of the other fun experiences the teams enjoy is hanging our with our LOC kids. This week was a very rainy, cold week. Instead of heading to the local swimming pool with our kids, we stayed inside and played lots of board games, cards, Twister, and sang worship songs together as Geza played the guitar. It is sweet to see the relationships build over the course of the week, which for many will last for years to come. We truly enjoyed having the ABC team come to serve with Livada this summer. We are thankful for their humble hearts, readiness to help, and eagerness to love on all of the kids. Thank you ABC!

Week 1: Ebenezer Team

2011-07-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

Week 1 of camp was a wonderful way to kick off the summer. We had a team visiting from Georgia and they served as the hands and feet of the Lord, bringing the love of Christ to kids from the Apalina gypsy village. This team came last summer as well and worked with mostly the same children. It was neat to see the relationship between the American volunteers and the kids deepen.

While the team was here they spent time at the baby hospital, in the nearby gypsy villages and of course at day camp with the 60 children from Apalina. They also spent some time with the kids in Livada's full time care. The girls enjoyed a make-over night filled with make-up and nail poilsh. It was a special night for everyone.

One of the biggest blessings of working with the children from Apalina is the openness to share about the Lord. This week we had a great time playing messy games, telling stories, acting out skits, throwing the ball and building into the lives of the kids all in the desire to glorify the Lord and share His story.

We are so thankful for the Ebenezer team! Please pray with us that the kids who were ministered to would be able to see Christ and know Him as their Lord and Savior. Please pray that the families in Apalina would grow to know the Lord and that their hearts would soften to their loving God.

2011 Summer Interns

2011-07-08T03:42:00.000-07:00

Summer 2011 has offically begun and is in full swing. Our summer interns are fabulous this year. We have 8 outstanding college students who have come to serve the Lord from all over the US and the UK. Several of them have either been interns previously, or come on a visiting team. A few, though, are experiencing a Romanian LOC summer for the first time. It is incredible to watch how the Lord hand-picked all 8 of these individuals and to see them working together, supporting and encouraging one another and doing it all with humble attitudes. There are funny, love to laugh, and have a great time. Most of all, they love the kids!

Please keep Rebekah, Julia, Samantha, Jen, Austin, Justin, Andrew and Heather in your prayers as they pour their time, love, heart and soul into helping ensure that the experience each group of kids receive at camp is God centered, fun, and exciting. Please pray for health and strength each week. Please pray that they would begin each Monday refreshed and rejunivated for the next group of kids, Romanian volunteers and American team. Please pray for continued unity among the interns and harmony in their home. Please pray that as the group studies and reads through the book, Radical, that the lessons learned would stretch beyond the borders of Romania...that they would bring the ideas and actions back home with them. Please pray for widsom in seeking out the divine moments the Lord has planned through out the summer for them and the kids. Please pray for wise leadership as they help the summer staff run camp. Please pray for continued peace with the directors of CPS...that we will be able to continue to share the Gospel each week. Thank you for your love and support, especially of these 8 incredible individuals who are faitihfully serving hte Lord and living our the Great Commission.

Update-on-Romanian-Orphan-Camps-Approval

2011-06-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

Thumbs up from Ogra kids from Summer Camp 2010.

Thanks For Praying For Us

CPS approved "Plan B" for Summer Camps

A NOTE FROM REBECCA RASMUSSEN IN ROMANIA:

Dear Livada Partners,

As I am sure most of you have heard by now, we were confronted by some obstacles in regards to our summer camps with the orphan children in the care of the State. After trying all of our options to continue with camps as planned, we were faced with the reality that the camps could not go on as we had originally desired. After much thought, prayer, and consideration, we have come up with a "Plan B" option that will allow you to work with the State orphan kids under different conditions. Instead of having a day-long camp with those kids, our camps will start one hour earlier, and we will finish with them before lunch. We will then have a one hour lunch break, and a second group of at-risk of abandonment kids will come in for a shorter afternoon program. This means that we will be conducting two shorter camps with two different groups of kids rather than one longer program with one group of kids. CPS Mures County has approved this new plan.

The afternoon group of kids for two teams will be from a day center in town called the Rozmarin Day Center that we have partially supported throughout the years. There will be about 40 kids from the ages of 5-9 that will be attending those camps. For two other camps, we will be working with about 40 Gypsy kids from the village of Ogra between the ages of 6 to 9. We are so thankful for the teams flexibility as plans have changed, and we will keep you updated if any more changes come up. While this creates a great deal of work, we are optimistic and thankful that God is allowing us the opportunity to impact 80 kids that we would not have had the opportunity to minister to if we had done camp as originally planned. Again, thank you so much for your understanding and prayers as we revamp the majority of the plans we had already worked out!

Praying with you towards a fruitful summer,

Bex

Rebecca Rasumussen

Director of Group Homes and Orphan Outreach

PERFECT FATHER'S DAY GIFT 2011!

Please consider a donation to help a fatherless child in honor of your father!

Father's Day is JUNE 19th. You can DONATE NOW and a TRIBUTE CARD will be sent to your dad directly that will say:

Because you are such a special father,

a donation of has been made in your honor to

Livada Orphan Care

to help the fatherless in Romania.

To take advantage of this offer, we need to receive your order

by Monday June 15th.

Please note your online gift as "Father's Day Tribute" card and provide the name and address to which the card should be sent. Please email Susi Reyes at susi@livada.org or call 972.941.4416 with any questions about this offer.

URGE
PRAY?
Click this link for JUNE prayer list

GIVE?
1. ONLINE via our website by clicking the following link:  DONATE NOW

2. CHECKS can be sent to:

        LIVADA ORPHAN CARE
        2001 W. PLANO PARKWAY
        SUITE 3430
        PLANO, TX 75075

3. CALLING or EMAILING Susi Reyes at the phone numbers/email below:

tel/fax: 972.941.4416
(direct line to Susi 972.941.4418)
susi@livada.org

Click here to email SUSI directly

SHARE?

NT Livada Prayer Request

Pray for CPS to approve summer camps