Christmas fun!

This has been a week of parties!
The first was on Saturday at one of our orphanages near Bucharest, when the kids watched Christmas Cartoons and ate popcorn, biscuits and drank hot chocolate. It was a bit messy, but they all enjoyed the afternoon.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons we held parties at the other orphanage. We had many fun games like trying eat bread and honey from a string without using your hands, pass the parcel, make a snowman using a member of your team and toilet paper! Each party started with the H2H staff singing some Christmas Carols and ended with the kids decorating sugar cookies and eating as much frosting as they could!!

Christmas performances

Last week we kicked off the Christmas celebrations with not one but two performances in one day. The kids from the band performed at a school in Bucharest and at a museum not far from there.

After the performances on the way back to the orphanage we went into the city to see the Christmas lights. It was a bit chilly but lots of fun.

After the performances on the way back to the orphanage we went into the city to see the Christmas lights. It was a bit chilly but lots of fun.

Thanksgiving

As usual this month, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the Teamhouse with our graduates and this year a team form Buhler, Kansas. About 70 people were there including staff. Traditionally people eat turkey and this year was no exception, funnily enough it always seems like Christmas to me!!

fun times with staff

Every Saturday morning, we meet as a staff and have bible study together, as well as getting information about upcoming teams and events. This year we have been divided into smaller groups and each month one of the small groups has to organise a fun activity to do on one of the Saturdays instead of the bible study. Last week we all went to the monastery on the Island in Snagov, where the body Vlad Tepes is buried. They have now a bridge over to the Island. It was a lovely day although a little chilly. After touring the monastery, we sat next to the lake and ate lunch.

Ruthie's first birthday

On Saturday 15th October, we celebrated Ruthie’s first birthday at the teamhouse.
Alina and Robbie (her parents) invited several of their close friends, ie.many of our kids from the Transition houses and all the staff to join them in their celebrations. Robbie gave an emotional speech about how thankful he is for his wife and daughter, many friends and H2H family. We ate pizza and cake – Ruthie really enjoyed that part and was the entertainment of the day. She loves to dance to music and was so cute and joined in clapping and saying “bravo” whenever the music stopped.

A new school year

This month, we started our ministries again after the summer break.

This year, at one of the orphanages, in addition to 7 of the 10 kids who were receiving instrumental lessons and in the band last year, there are 4 new members, one on trumpet, one on percussion, one baritone saxophone and one on clarinet. There are also 3 general music classes and a new guitar class.

At the other orphanage as well as 4 general music classes, 4 of the older girls are learning the clarinet and one of the older boys is learning the keyboard. It is going to be a very busy but exciting year!!

A Wonderful Holiday in America

After the busy summer ministry, we were ready for a break and were invited to San Diego for a very special wedding. As we have made many good friends in different parts of America through teams and former H2H staff, Jen, Jenny and I decided to stay a little longer make a holiday of it. We started in New York and stayed there for 3 days visiting “The 2 Sarahs”. We just missed the hurricane by a couple of days – although there was an earthquake while we were there, but I didn’t actually feel anything!! It worked in our favour though, as a few hours after it happened we went to the Empire State Building and there was no queue!! We also visited various places in California such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco, as well as driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, staying at Monterey and Cambria on the way. We stayed with various H2H friends and had great fun, lots of new experiences and far too much to eat! Thank you to everyone for your wonderful hospitality. The Saturday before we came back to Romania, was the wedding. We arrived back from our travels to Ramona on the Wednesday and helped with the preparations. The day itself was lovely, amazing sunshine, delicious food and of course a very beautiful bride. Congratulations John Thomas Sorrels and Marinela. May God bless your new life together.