This week has been a whirlwind of team bonding, getting camp supplies together, continuing to prepare Casa Rene for the team that is coming in tomorrow, and loving on precious kids.
But first, let's meet the team! We finally took a group picture :)
Top row (left to right): Justin, Mary, Rachel, Hannah, Kerra, Chris, Becky
Bottom row: me, Rebekah, Anna, Heather, Courtney
Thank you for your prayers for us this summer, we are all getting along great and it is such a great group of leaders!
Last week I mentioned how we went to Ogra, the gypsy village. Below I am with Becky and this precious little girl who took such good care of her little brother!
There has also been some good downtime in which a few of us were able to take nice walks through the neighborhood we're living in...
Since camp has still not started we have had time to go simply hang out and love on the kids that we will be involved with in ministry this summer. Yesterday we went to Ludus Baby hospital, and though I went there three years ago, the hopelessness and helplessness these kids were drowning in seemed like a new experience for me. Toddlers my nephew's age, but cannot even walk, make eye contact, or say a word. Babies that simply lay in bed all day, and long for attention. I cannot even begin to explain it all. But it was at that moment, in the hospital, after having seen Ogra gypsy village last week and the poverty they live in, that I was faced with the question why. Why do these kids face such hard circumstances? This whole week has been a humbling experience for me as I worked through that question and many more. Yet I have been reminded that I have been called to "go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19), and that it is only by His grace that I can do so. "For my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). What a humbling reminder it is that though I cannot take each child home with me and offer them a "good" life, it is for God, and through God that I am here this summer to be his hands and feet, as a light in the darkness, and to share the hope of the world to these precious children.
We spent a couple hours outside with the babies simply loving on them...
Georgiana (above) was such an active and curious little girl!
Continue to pray for these kids, and for the kids we will have at camp this upcoming week!
Christina, I am truly taken back by the love you unselfishly share we those in the village. You are doing Christ's work on Earth. My prayers are with you, your team and the village residents. Much love, Stephanie Grzybowski
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