Spring arrived a few weeks ago. The white of the snow, which lasted until March, has given way to the lush green of the Romanian-Moldavian countryside. All the hardships that the harsh winter brought, with its extreme temperatures, mud and difficulties getting around, are now only a distant memory. From the photos we’re getting from Rebricea now, it looks like a different place. Temperatures have risen so quickly that it’s even “too hot” now! The oddities of the continental climate! Obviously the good weather makes life a bit easier for the inhabitants of the farm: the super Stroi family with our young guests.
Almost six months have passed since that December day when they arrived, and the time has literally flown by! Of course, school hasn’t finished yet and almost all of our students still have to make up for lost time, but they can spend more time playing and having fun outdoors. We’re really encouraged by their great health. Growth is even more obvious in the younger ones (Patricia and Ionela), but the others are also in great shape.
Luigi still needs to fully integrate into his new life, but we’ve noticed signs of improvement in his behaviour. Nicu is keeping him busy with small tasks on the farm, which is somehow working to channel his almost inexhaustible energy into constructive, useful things.
He loves helping Nicu with the bees, obviously with all the safety measures needed for beekeeking in place. The appointments with the psychologist continue, not only for Luigi, but for all the other five siblings too. Child protection is trying to dig into their memories to understand the impact that their past has had on their young lives, all the time spent in misery and degradation in their house in Pădureni. The legal process also continues, but apart from bringing the kids to court at every summons of the judge, we can’t know anything.
They probably want to fully understand the progress in their behaviour, and the peacefulness of their lives on the farm. On our part, we continue to pray that they can stay with us forever, but God’s will be done!
Meanwhile, “Ora Felice”, the distribution of food in Pădureni and the preparations for the third Bethesda Summer Camp continue, with the Camp to be held at the end of June in a village in the Carpathian Mountains a few hours from the farm. We’re grateful to God for these intense six months we’ve been through, for His control and for the victories He gave us in situations where our faith was really tested. We thank once again all those who work for this mission, members and volunteers, contributing little or much, for all the prayers, encouragement, advice and donations. God bless you. Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Orazio Gentile [Translation by Renée Schalks]