Otniel Orphanage

My time at Otniel Orphanage has ended, and I'm so very sad to say goodbye. I learned so much just being there with dear friends and sweet kids. I've been wanting to post something new for a long time, but I couldn't find the words fit for a simple blog post. What the Lord teaches deep in my heart is often so hard for me to describe. In the coming weeks, hopefully I'll be able to unpack a lot of the Spiritual side of things that I've learned and wrestled with while I've been here.

I went to Otniel wanting to serve. I wanted to "help." However, God had different plans. He taught me, through those kids, what it really meant to serve, to work hard, and to be joyful in all things. Within those pink and blue painted walls, it was not an "orphanage" that needed some American girl to come "save the day." It was a family, in need of God's new graces for each day, just like everyone else. Most of the kids there are around 14-15 years old, with a few younger and older. Many have been there for 10 years together. I saw some of the pictures from when they first came to the house. All of them have grown and matured into much healthier and happier children than they were so long ago. Praise the Lord for renewed life!

Days started with breakfast (bread with butter, cucumbers, and cheese.. or cereal with milk fresh from the cow that morning), then a "nugget" from Scripture, a few songs, and then chore time. Chores were of course the least favorite, but they were completed with minimal complaining. ;) One of the main spiritual lessons I've learned so far in Romania is that God desires humble obedience over grand sacrifice, and He sees us when we do the seemingly "small" things. He delights in us when we joyfully wash dishes, sweep floors, and milk cows. ("Whether you eat or drink, do it ALL for the glory of the Lord..") After chores, if it wasn't a school day, it was time to play, watch a movie, or swim! I swam twice in their huge underground concrete pool.. Once on purpose, and once thanks to some "help" from the kids. ;) It was cold, deep, and occasionally you found yourself swimming next to a friendly "broască" (frog)! He would then kindly be asked to exit the pool (a.k.a.. captured and thrown into the field). :)

I became very close with a little boy named Darius, who graduated kindergarten AND turned six while I was there. I was so happy to celebrate him! He has only been at Otniel for a few months, and is the sweetest little toot ever. Naturally he ended up
in most of my pictures from the orphanage. :) You could hardly find me without him!



Darius wasn't the only new friend I made. There were several more that I loved to laugh and try to speak Romanian with. One 14-year-old boy that has been at Otniel a long time, gave me a very sweet gift as I was pulling out of Otniel for the last time. He ran up to my window and in Romanian said, "Don't forget me." Then, with a smile, he handed me his "WWJD" bracelet that he received as a prize for perfect attendance at their church group. This is just a small example of the generosity and joyfulness I saw in these precious ones! Of course I will never forget him, or any of the kids at Otniel.

Now, it's time for beddy-bye. ;) Tomorrow is an early morning and a long day of travel. Goodnight, world!

One Week. Part B.

I have now been in Romania for one week. It seems so strange, to be back here again. It's been a great week of rest and spending time with my parents, and now I'm ready to go to the orphanage. I just wanted to write a little about the past seven days, at least for my own sake. I know by the end of my time here I'll be struggling to remember everything that I've experienced and learned during these first few weeks!

At first, being in Romania again was bittersweet. I was so happy to be here, but at the same time it made me miss a lot of old friends and teammates that used to travel with us. It was strange to reminisce about memories from years past, but not have the same friends here to laugh with. It was my first reality check: this is going to be different. Not bad, just different. :)



The first few days we spent roaming around Timisoara, exploring downtown, and visiting the mall. Everywhere we go is either on foot, by taxi, or by bus. The taxis are fun to take, because that means we get to speak a little Romanian. Well, TRY to anyway.. :) We are learning more a little bit every day, thanks to my parents' sweet Romanian Profesoara Emma at Areopogus!



Mom & Dad have been meeting with her several times a week since they moved here, and she has graciously allowed me to come sit in and participate in the classes with them. I absolutely LOVE going. Emma, while sometimes intimidating, is such a good teacher and I've so loved learning to speak and understand a little more of the language. Areopogus is about a twenty minute walk from my parents' apartment. Since I have been here it has been pretty hot, but the Lord sent rain to us, and it has cooled off a LOT! Mom and I even put on sweaters today.


We made the walk home in the rain, hurrying along under our umbrellas and enjoying the refreshing 60 degree gift from the Lord. :)

I talked a little bit about the church in my last post. Oh, the sweet church! I love it so! I wish I had more pictures. I'll try to take some more Sunday if I get a chance. Tuesday night we went to Bible study, which was entirely in Romanian of course. I could hardly understand a word, and my butt hurt really bad from the chairs haha, but I just love being there.


Sunday night after church (I know I'm not writing about days in order! bear with me!), some of the girls called and asked me to join them while they went to the Centru. Of course I said yes, and I was so blessed to spend an evening eating dinner and walking around Timisoara with them!

This past week, God has taught me so much through the books of Hebrews and Romans. I rarely have much time to just sit and reflect on.. anything! These past seven days have given me the opportunity to do that. He has taught me so much about Grace, and about how much I depend on myself for my "right standing" with Him. How funny, that I came to share with an Eastern Orthodox country that Christ has provided salvation as a free gift, and I am the one needing a lesson in grace. Christ is our High Priest, the One who has come and paid the final sacrifice to pay the price for my sinful heart. "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." -Hebrews 6:19.

In the coming week, it looks like I will finally get to start volunteering at one of the orphanages here in Timisoara! Lord willing, I will go on Monday. I seriously can hardly wait to serve the Lord by spending time with these kids. I have absolutely nothing to offer them but the incredible unconditional love that I have received, but I so want to share it with them!

I suppose that's all I have for now. For those that are praying, thank you so much! I know you are, because I can already see our Savior moving here. He is so sweet to us, to allow us to be a part of His Kingdom.

Until next time,
Hannah

Sunt aici! :)

The Flight

Traveling alone was quite the adventure. After saying goodbye to my amazing Aunt Donna & "Unk" at the airport, (whom I could not have gotten here without!) I went on my own for the first time into DFW airport. I was nervous, emotional, and pretty much ready to barf. Just kidding... but seriously. When we finally boarded the plane, I had a window seat next to a very nice woman from India. She was very friendly, and offered me her cookie from the airplane meal ;) I fell asleep & slept most of the flight to London! At one point, the turbulence was so bad that I woke up, only to hear several passengers ask the flight attendants if "everything is alright.." They assured us that it was only turbulence and that it was normal.. but I still prayed anyway. ;) I decided to "pull an Amy Carmichael" and sing a hymn to myself as we bumped and jolted around. It helped me feel better.. & I prayed that God would put me in a deep sleep so that I would not notice the scariness. He answered, and next time I woke up we were nearly to our destination. :)

Once we got to London, I found out I had missed my flight and would be put on the next plane to Budapest.. which was 6 hours later! At 8:30pm (London time) I boarded the plane and fell asleep, once again. :) I arrived in Budapest, Hungary around midnight where my parents, Liviu, and Daniel met me with sleepy smiles and lots of hugs. They had been waiting to pick me up ALL DAY! When we crossed the Hungarian/Romanian boarder, Liviu said, "Bine ati venit in Romania, Hannah." "Multsumesc!" I replied, and he laughed with surprise that I could understand him. Even though it was 3:30 in the morning, we still had a joyful and entertaining car ride. The sign of a believer, I think, is joy despite any circumstance, and that is exactly what Liviu and Daniel had along the way. By the time we got to Timisoara, the sun was coming up to greet us. As I laid in bed to finally get some horizontal sleep, the birds began to chirp outside the window. Next thing I knew.. it was 3 in the afternoon and I pulled my groggy self out of bed to get some eggs and sausage mom was cooking in the kitchen. :)






Saturday was spent walking around downtown Timisoara, eating dinner, and resting up for church the next morning! The church my parents attend is one that has been very close to my heart ever since I came to Timisoara three years ago. My favorite part of being here so far is going to the church, to try and understand the language and speak a little myself. :) (More on the language part later.. ) The happiest I am here is with these sweet people from the church. I'm so blessed to know them and call them my brothers & sisters!

I'll write more later, but now... it's time for bed. Noapte Buna, y'all. ;)