Such hard things were witnessed today. We went to the house of Simona, Ramona and Superman (that’s really his name). Outside of the house was their father, raving mad or raving drunk, I am not sure what. He was upset because he couldn’t walk and none of his kids had come home with any money. He was throwing food at them and swinging this stick at them violently. They laughed at him for the most part but Ramona started crying after being there for a while. It was too much for her and I guess from what Therese said, she has been abused the most. We went inside their house—I mean, their room where the family lives and it was so dirty. Mud on the floor, two beds up against dirt-stained, corroded and molding walls. No insulation, water or electricity. The mom was screaming at her youngest son, a five year old, who was outside, walking by himself, completely soaked from the rain when we arrived. I can imagine the nightmare that it must have been and still is to grow up there.
The parents themselves seem to have endured an extremely hard life. They are desperate and therefore have become almost like animals in their fight for survival, taking out their frustrations on their children. It was so hard to see. It is so hard to know that this is happening in so many families and there is so little that I can physically do to change the situations. I am so thankful to have met the parents of the girls and to understand more where they are coming from. I was SO happy to see them all in church today. Even Felicia who stole my money was there. We had some talks about it and she apologized. I just hope she really learned something out of the situation.
Oti, from the Alpha group was also in church and that was great to see. He is connecting today with some guys from the Christian group home where he stayed for a few years. They are mostly guys from our church and just the kind of people he needs to be around right now. Praise God for that. And he is also meeting with someone about a possible job today. God is good and answering our prayers. Please continue to fight in prayer for these dear ones-- for Simona, Ramona, Felicia and Oti. May evil no longer rule in their life, but may they find new life in knowing Jesus.
You can also pray for Ionut, the five year old brother of Ramona and Simona. I’m not sure why the child protection services have not taken him away from his parents. Pray that we will have wisdom in looking into the situation further and that this little boy will be protected and cared for as long as he is at home. Thank you for joining with me, in praying for the healing of Constanta.
2 comments:
that's so sad leah....that the parents are so consumed with their fight for survival that they have lost all of that natural nuturing feeling that comes with being a parent....i love you leah and so does amy! she wanted me to say hey and that if she knew how to work a computer, she'd leave comments on here too!!! haha!
Hey! Well, what do you know? I'm Romanian.
I find it nice that you are (or were) here in Romania, helping kids. We're not in the same city, but, nevertheless, I find your enthusiasm a rare thing among strangers that come to visit,... or stay.
I remember I met some American students, volunteers, when I was in the 7th grade - they taught us some "native American English", to say it so.
Anyway, I don't know how it is out there, in Oregon, but here, (in Bucharest) Romania, I see poor kids everyday I get out of the house. It was worse, it's getting better... but who knows, I bet not all kids that were here yesterday and aren't anymore today have found a better life...
Perhaps this long time experience will make a greater and greater difference, for you as well as for the children here.
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