Romania - A special place in my heart

The first time I traveled overseas was in 1994. I flew to Romania with several Mission of Mercy Board members as they were looking at some land for a Mercy Center. I still have vivid memories of that trip. Romania was reeling in the aftermath of the Ceausescu regime. Every major TV network was airing specials about the plight of orphans, and thousands of Americans were coming into Romania to adopt children. That trip, perhaps more than anything else, shaped my future and gave me the passion I still have for the work that Mission of Mercy is engaged in.

Last week, over 13 years later, I was back in Romania. Much has changed. The country is part of the European Union and, while not prosperous, is certainly growing in that direction. While the financial situation has changed, it is still a country that desperately needs to hear about Christ. And, there are many children who haven't reaped the benefit of the growing economy. We will soon be completing the second building on that property I walked on many years before.

When we arrived, I just happened to mention that I had sponsored a girl there for many years. She had graduated in 2003. I wondered what had ever happened to her? When she was 16, she wrote us that her dream was to become a computer programmer. I was told that she worked not too far from the project and asked if I would like to meet her? Absolutely, I would. The next afternoon, I was introduced to Lavinia. She is now 23 years old; not much younger than my youngest daughter. She remembered that I had two daughters and a son, and asked how they were. She told me that she had graduated from University and was now working in a web development firm there in Pitesti. She is studying on the side to get her Master's in Computer Science. This was the little girl we sponsored, and exchanged letters and photos with. She thanked me several times for my sponsorship, and told me how much difference that made in her life. Who do you think was most blessed? Certainly not her. Meeting her was such an encouragement to me - and proof that sponsorship does make a difference. In fact, we will soon be revamping our web site, and there's a good possibility that part of that work will be done by Lavinia in Romania. That's sponsorship coming full circle!