Thursday, June 27, 2013

Joy Unspeakable

June 28th 2012 was a very special day for me! It was the day that our son became ours~ completely! One year has passed and I cannot believe it! Adoption has always been my dream since I was just a wee one myself; caring for my dolls! To see my son growing up, mischievous as ever, giving me that goofy smile and smothering me in kisses is such a blessing!

A good life is a blessing that many of us take for granted, especially here in the States. Many people do not have the benefits of a loving home, a stable home, or even just a home where they could be financially cared for. Everyone of us can make a difference in our own small way! It is our responsibility has humans to care for each other; to love each other. Adoption is one way that my husband and I could care. Project Hope for the Children is another outlet and passion for me!

What is yours? How do you make a difference~ care for others less fortunate?? If you find yourself drawing a blank at those questions, consider how you can change that! Whether it's adopting, fostering, sponsoring, contributing to a worthy cause, even working at Soup Kitchen or Salvation Army! (It'll break your heart to see the children and adults going through those food lines!) Make time in your schedules and your life to share what you have and show love to others!

You will be blessed in return as I am with my son! I love you, Andrew Michael Cummings! Mama

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Love from Lauren

This a guest post from a very dear friend of mine. I believe that if we had not gone through "Romania" together we would have dismissed each other as friends~ and what a tragedy that would be!

Hi, my name is Tigger! Well, only if you know of my friendship with dear Mona, would you understand my greeting.  See, when Mona and I worked together in the Oradea, Romania we were like Tigger and Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh.

She was well organized, for example, bringing over enough spices from back home to ensure she could make whatever recipe she fancied, and I was just elated to be there, taking it one day at a time.  However, like any good friendship, our original and repeated misunderstandings turned into a strong bond of which I passionately say is one of the most proud treasures in my life. We shared a time in our lives that can never be precisely repeated only cherished as a memory.

My memories vary from Mona's although some foundational similarities we shared.
I too volunteered to go to Oradea through the ministry, Children In The Son as an intern.  I too am forever changed by what I witnessed, felt, and lived through.  Oradea, in the last 10 plus years has surely developed beyond how I remember it. Bright green grass. Dark grey bumpy roads. Dusty unlevel sidewalks. Lots of pedestrians. Street beggars.  Greasy taxi drivers. Scary stray dogs.

Feeling so confused because I did not know the language, dangers, or who to trust at the outdoor market.  Those are the little specks in my memories to set the stage.

What I remember more clearly is how I felt while I was there. So close to God. So sensitive to His voice.  In-step with Him and doing what His heart was for; the orphaned, the abandoned.

Tell them I love them.  Tell them they are not forgotten. I know every hair on their head.   Even              though no one is there to pick them up and hold them when you cry, I am there. I hear you.

That is why I was sent to Oradea, Romania.  To tell the babies in our care and on the 6th floor of the Hospital De Copii that God loves them. 

The turnaround moment for Mona and I from estranged acquaintances to forever friends was our joint visit to the Hospital De Copii.  The babies were like statues in their steel cribs, bundled so tightly so they could not move. The air was stale as you can imagine being on the 6th floor, no air conditioning, and the windows were closed shut.  We began picking up the babies, quickly loosening their wrap, and sneaking over to the window, cracking it open, and taking turns of letting the babies feel the breeze on their faces. That visit and the one that followed are both easy and difficult for me to remember.   This is not a story; it is a memory with real faces.  (I had forgotten that)

I could write a book on all the disturbing things we saw but there was one thing we could actually do something about.  When I say 'we' I mean 'Rabbit.' So this is a little of how the conversation went:
"Mona, this is so sad. Their ears are full of wax, they are dirty, and haven't had a bath probably ever!"
"Let's go shopping then. Come back and do it ourselves" she replied.  And that is exactly what we did.

We returned with a bag full of baby shampoo and q-tips.  Unfortunately, the hospital did not have hot water so we had no choice but to bath them in a shallow sink of cold water.  We bathed probably 4-5 babies and went through a whole box of q-tips!  Each baby cried through the bath time but then we saw for the first time, smiles.  I know how yucky I feel if I haven't showered and then feel so much better once I do.  We were able to bring this good feeling to a place where I do not shy away from describing like hell on earth. 

Not everyone can go to Romania but we can connect with what Mona is doing.  Because I also have seen firsthand Mona's passion and desire to continue to reach out to the babies, my husband and I support the work she is doing.  There are so many not-for-profits doing good things.  However the difference with Mona's is it is directly affecting the babies.  They literally do not get held all day, so she sends Alina to pick them up and sing to them.  The nipples on the bottles they use are cut; the formula drops down their throat, so Mona makes arrangements for proper nipples to be used so all babies do not miss out on the developing stage of sucking a bottle.( When the hospital allows it.)  They literally sit in wet cloths all day, so she raises money to buy diapers, befriending the skeptical staff to ensure it gets used for the babies.

The children are as unforgettable as the friends I made.  Many of you know and may financially support, like we do, the work Alina is doing by way of Mona's ministry.  I can tell you in full confidence that Alina's character and purity of heart is a rare find.  She is so selfless, loves Jesus and sings beautifully to each baby as she cares for them like they were her own.  In a way they are. (This is so true!)

I am so grateful to participate in what Mona is doing. These babies truly are not forgotten because we back home not only remember them, or feel like we know them through Mona's visits, but do something about it.

And that makes Tigger not the only one!


Thank-you Tigger! That was beautiful! Love, Rabby


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Thankfulness

I tend to deal with money frequently~ our personal budget and bills, other people's finances, Project Hope's donations~ as a past bank cashier it's a good fit. With all of that said, I am always Thankful when the money comes in. I don't need to be rolling in money, but being able to pay the bills or take care of the needs is a great feeling! 

Today I have two reasons to be Thankful! The first is that the money I was waiting for help pay for my trip to Romania has arrived! And secondly, I have counted up the 2013 donations to date and found just how generous you have been. The ministry has taken in $4,558 so far! (We even had someone use our PayPal button and it worked!) We still have several thousand to go, but what a blessing to see people giving and caring for other human beings in need! And that should make us all Thankful....

Blessings today~Mona

Friday, June 7, 2013

On the Road Again!

Romania! That word always sends tingles down my spine and a quiver of happiness in my tummy! I love being in Romania, working with the babies, seeing old friends and walking the streets... I love how I'm so different there. I lose the stress and learn to trust more on God's strength.

 For those who know me I can seem overbearing and uptight, sometimes rigid and always scheduled, a bit stressed. There I am really none of those things. I love my job there! I have had many jobs over the years and some I have thoroughly enjoyed, but working with these tiny, helpless babies somehow completes me~ makes me feel purposeful. (Not to mention that the Latin culture makes you slow down!)

Over the years, my husband has gone with me, my best friend and my daughter, but never all together. And now I have the privilege of going with my whole family and introducing my son to this different world (and different Mama). I am so proud to have him meet my friends over there and to show him my work there. I hope one day that my children might have a mission that they are similarly passionate about and that they can honor the Lord with and help others in need!

As I pressed the computer buttons the other night and ordered four tickets, I felt trepidation and excitement! It seemed that circumstances made it the only way for this trip to happen, though all my other "ducks" were still not in a row, but I felt the need to trust and see what God would do so.... Once again, I need to relax and watch how everything unfolds and enjoy every minute doing what I love best with who I love best and just. be. blessed.:)