Our Romanian Trip

May 2008

One of the most memorable events during our trip was being able to share in the celebration of

Rev. Richard Love’s fortieth anniversary of becoming a priest.

This milestone was acknowledged by the Minister of the Church in Olteni, during their Sunday service.  Congratulations Richard, keep up the good work.

John White did his usual thing of taking photos, as requested by the children, (with the permission on the directors). John then spent most evenings printing the photos to distribute to the children in the morning.

 

Every time we visit the orphanage there is a new character who stands out from the rest.  This year it was Zoltan.  Zoltan’s story is a sad one that ends happily.  

 

Zoltan was raised in a violent home.  Both parents drank heavily and he bears a scar on his neck where his mother accidentally spilled boiling water on him.  His father eventually killed his mother in front of him and his siblings.  

 

Before coming to the orphanage in Olteni, Zoltan had been in four other institutions.  He ran away from all of them and had to be hunted down and taken back.

 

Zoltan has now been at Olteni for just over a year.  He has never run away even though the gates are not locked.

 

When he first arrived at Olteni he was violent but has now learned that there is love in the world and the children here show that.  Zoltan has settled in well and displays the love and care that he never experienced as a child.

 

The giving of coloured pictures and the sharing of sweets is now the norm for Zoltan.

Denice found the children happy and caring for one another.  In her opinion, the whole orphanage/special school oozed love.  

 

Much of the atmosphere is accredited to the directors; Vince and Zoltan.  They have cared for the children in their charge and the children respond accordingly.

 

The good work continues with many plans for the future.

 

Finally a few more pictures for our trip.

John printed in excess of five hundred pictures during the holiday and explained that “when the children receive a photo they respond as if they have won the lottery”.