Romania, Romerica . . . these names are interchangeable when used in reference to our current location. After our stint in the Caribbean, Europe has held quite the change. We have hot water (perfect for tea!), cozy beds and a nearby town with a movie theatre. Incidentally, this movie theatre is also the place where we meet for church on Sunday mornings. It is attached to a mall. With an H&M . . . see? Welcome to Romerica.
Team Relentless in Oradea, throwing fist pumps
Church at the Lotus Mall
Ministry occurs a few miles outside of the town of Oradea in Village 2 of the Caminul Felix organization. This is from their mission statement:
“The suffering among the rejected children is our calling. We believe that their only hope for full life is to be given a new, real family, with a mother and a father, and with the security and caring love a family can provide. The environment they can be given at the Felix Family Village is this. And it transforms their lives.”
Caminul Felix Family Villages, Village 2
Central field and playground in Village 2
I remember reading about their mission when I was still in Haiti. We had just received the information about our next month of ministry, and my heart was beating in excitement as I read about the model of love at Felix Family Villages. Kids who are orphaned or abandoned are not sent to multiple foster families. They are given a real family. One family. And this family usually provides support throughout their lives.
This ministry is the epitome of what my heart longs to do. Find the hurting children. Fill needs . . . but not with only food, clothing and shelter. Share the love of Christ. Give a warm, comfy bed. Provide a family for life. Wrap them up in big, kind hugs. Keep colored pencils on hand. You know, all of the good stuff . . . it’s there, and I absolutely love it.
Sweet Ana and Stefi, two of my favorite new friends
Although our main form of ministry is construction for transitional homes (where kids can live between adolescence and independent adulthood), we also get to visit the families each week. My team has been to the “Cypress House” a few times, and this home holds one of the youngest families in the village.
Transitional homes at Village 2
Habitat for Humanity . . . in Romania!
Each house has a name and a sign outside for identification. LOVE me some Cypress House.
The precious Takacs family, Adriana and Zoli with their children
What blew me away with this house is the fact that it is just so . . . normal. With 10-12 kids, I was expecting chaos. Instead, I found helpers who were tutoring and cooking while the parents were taking pictures and showing the kids how to garden. The mom, Adriana, is pregnant with her second biological child, and she just has the sweetest spirit. I watched as she patiently resolved sibling conflict and coaxed Darius, a shy toddler, into playing with us.
Janelle, ballooner extraordinaire
Darius. This one instantly stole my heart.
Darius also really loved the balloons. He refused to release any of them for any reason.
The word “orphanage” has always given me an image of sad faces and a room with multiple beds and zero personality. Instead, I came to Caminul Felix and found colorful families and Christ-centered love. Yes, they are different than your average nuclear families in the States. The kids have various background stories including abuse and neglect. They have the scars that show past pain, but joy radiates from this village.
Miha, spunky and bright
When I asked Adriana if she had always wanted to serve through adoption, she just laughed and shook her head. She and her husband, Zoli, married in 2008 and felt God’s calling to Caminul Felix shortly after. Neither of them particularly wanted to be the parents of ten children at one time, but they had the faith to follow the Lord’s plan. Zoli lost his father at an early age. He says that he now understands the pain that he endured as a child, because who can better love the orphans than someone who was left without a father?
Powerful stuff.
Throughout this month, I have been reminded time and time again of the power and provision of our sweet savior.
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
Seeing the way he intricately weaved these precious parents and children together through adoption is one of the most beautiful images I have witnessed. The picture of “family” as it has always been painted in my mind has evolved, and I am grateful for the renewed perspective.
