This blog was originally posted by my teammate Melissa Gibson (I’ve edited some). These kids are incredible, enjoy!
 
My team is living in a small village called Arcalia, Romania. The village is made up of Romanians and Gypsies. We have no running water, no heat, but we are so grateful for God’s provisions.  A very loving family generously let us take over their house while they’re staying with their in-laws just so we’d have a place to live while serving in this village. Gabby and her husband Naylo and 3 children radiate God’s generous love.
 
The streets and Gabby’s yard are always full of the neighborhood kids. These kids have so much love to give, but don’t often receive a lot – from their families.  Few have both parents raising them, but most have single parents at best. Mostly their caretakers are alcoholic Fathers, Mothers who have left, grandmothers, or single parents who don’t invest in them. So its no wonder to see the kids hang out at our house because they receive love and attention from Gabby that they don’t often get elsewhere. She’s become the mom they don’t have and their spiritual mom that they desperately need.
 
These kids have nothing. They are so poor and yet are so full of life and love.
 
God has loved me so much through these kids this last week so I wanted to introduce you to them.
 
Alex (1), Silvo, Rouel, Alex, Gabriella, Gabby. Everyone’s name is either Alex and Gabriel.

I felt like I was in a scene from the Little Rascals – just hanging out with the kids all day.
 
 
Isabella and her sister Luchiana. 
They parents don’t care about them so their grandmother is raising them. 
 
 
 Roxanna, Gabriella, Gabby and Silvo. They LOVE taking pictures.
 
 
Darius and Alex
 
 
Luchiana and Roxanna
Roxanna is one of the boys and always plays soccer with them. She’s had to put on a thick skin to get through her 10 years because her mom left her and her dad is a drunk. 
 
 
Silvo and Lawrencia
 
 

 
The kids and the castle
 
Gabriella
 
 
 Isabella
 
 
 Gabby with the kids in her yard after we did a kids program.