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Other entries in Romania

Trials and tribulations

So I have been here a few days, which I have to admit for some reason feel like longer.  I think one of the main things about adjusting to a new place, is trying to fit in… everyone is going about their routine, and you kinda feel a bit left out.  I know these things take time, but still you do feel at times a little bored, and I guess those times of boredom can make an hour seem like a day and a day seem like an eternity.  There were have been times the past few days when I have felt a little lost… or with perhaps too much time on my hands.  But oh well to be honest, this is probably one of the reasons why I felt indifferent before I came here.  I knew not to expect too much, that way you feel less disappointed.  And I know for a fact, that as glamorous as charity work sounds, it can be a bit of a bore, and there are times when you just don’t know what to do.

So there is this one young lad here, Boy C, who has had a bit of a sad story, I guess all of them have a sad story, but whilst I am relating the story of this boy, I will focus on him.  Not too sure about his father, but his mother lived on a rubbish tip, and so did they.  No ideas for how long they lived there for, but probably all the kids lives.  Their mother recently passed away, and so they have been taken on at the orphanage.  The young boy, seems to be quiet a handful here, but for some reason has taken a liking to me.  He has been talking with me quiet a bit, as do all the children.  I have had no ideas what he has been saying, but the other day he was chatting to me, when Joe over heard.  She told me a little later, that he has been calling me his dad!!  I was a little taken by this.  For a child to call me his dad!

I guess the thing is if you show the children a little love they respond in like… well that is my theory.  This is not the first time this has happened.  Whilst I was in Sri Lanka, I remember there was this one boy that I had the opportunity to interact with.  He had lost his mother, sisters in the tsunami and civil war.  One day we had the opportunity to spend time with the school at which this boy went too.  Whilst conducting our activities he was misbehaving, and the girls were finding it difficult to look after him, so they called me over, to look after him.  I took him and played with him for a bit, and after a while I tried to let him go with all the other boys to play cricket.  He would not let go of me, and so I thought there was no harm in keeping him with me.  So I spent the rest of the time playing with this boy, or doing activities with him around me.  After a while he started to call me Anna (Older brother) and when it came to dinnertime, he would not even eat without me.

The love that we share with children, I guess are but an expression of Gods love for us.  I try and use God as the example, to love all of them, irrespective of how difficult etc they are.  I was asked by Boy A today to help him shave a little, he wanted to do lines on his face.  I did not even think and got up and helped him out, only a little later, I thought to myself, this boy has Aids.  If his blood touches me I could potentially get infected.  But then I remind myself, ultimately is this not God/Holy work I am doing.  If I am doing this with a genuine heart, what harm can befall me? And any harm that is to befall me is what’s due to me anyways.  I must love/serve as if I was serving God himself.

I had the opportunity to go swimming with Robert today, Joe son.  He is around my age, and had a similar mindset to myself.  He inspires me in the sense, that he has decided to dedicate his whole life to serve this holy mission out here.  After swimming, we went for a pizza at a local café/restaurant.  We had a fantastic conversation about sharing gods love with these children though the means of service.  One thing I realized when I was sitting with Robert was that how much I needed this quick break… anything in excess I guess I bad for you.  Even doing service work/charity work…what ever you want to call it.  Every now and then you do need a break.  Some time out, or away… just to have a break, to get a breather.  Imagine doing some exercise… every now and then you need a breather… this is exactly how I felt.

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