James 1
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
A good days work by all which seemed to be rewarding for everyone. Work continued at Casa Lumina on the plasterboarding and credit has to begiven to two ladies today. Firstly Isabella joined the crew at the orphanage. I believe she is about sixteen years old (forgive me Isabella if I've gotten that wrong) and really put herself into the work. She handled the work with true enthusiasm and has learned the art of skimming plasterboards. Apologies to her family if she returns and requests to become a plasterer by trade. I must also praise the wondeful artistry of Elaine. She is currently painting a mural of The Smurfs on one of the walls at Casa Lumina and the time and effort she is taking with this project is certainly showing fruit. Although these are animated characters they are really coming to life and every one of us working at Casa Lumina stay in awe of Elaine's skills.
The Holiday Club at Casa Lumina is going well too. The team have been concentrating on the theme of The Fruits of The Spirits and today they were looking at the fruit of peace. Craft work was the main activity and the children seemed to really take to this which in turn instilled a certain sense of peace. Shirley, Iris, David, Peter and Sarah have been ever presents so far and today were also joined by Mutley and Jane. All sparkled with joy at the end of the day and the children went home extremely happy if just alittle exhausted.
Mutley is proving to be quite a character. On first appearance he is the most unlikely of Christians. Shaven headed and burly he looks more at home on the doors of a nightclub rather than in the pews of a church but you couldn't get a more genuine and God fearing guy. He will do anything for anyone and has put his heart and soul into all he has been asked to do.
Unfortunately the evening became very emotional. After dinner we were all invited to attend an emergency prayer meeting. This meeting started with a prayer and then we were given details of the precarious financial state at Casa Lumina. I think most of us had heard snippets, but this evening Steve Cooper elaborated on the situation. Each young person at Casa Lumina is supported by their own personal assistant so at present there are 22 PAs at the orphanage. Romania, like most nations in Europe and many around the world, are gripped by financial problems. Indeed they call it "The Crisis". One of the ways that the government has decide to save money is to sack all the personal assistants. The PAs at Casa Lumina are funded by the mayor's office and the mayor is saying that he doesn't have the funds to support all the personal assistants. He wanted to try to keep on 10 staff but the government have outrightly said NO. For Cry in the Dark to pay for these personal assistants would mean finding an extra £4,000 a month which again in the current financial climate appears virtually impossible.
The future for Casa Lumina is now full of uncertainty and the scales are finely balanced. The options at the moment are firstly to close Casa Lumina completely with the orphans going back to state run institutions. Going back to these institutions means returning to the dark days where all the love and care these young people have just doesn't exist. In fact there is no guarantee that they will find their way back there and could be abandoned on the streets. As we have all grown to love these people that thought is unbareable. The second choice is to halve the current numbers with, again, the others going back to state run care which is still unpalatable. The last choice is to keep trying to raise the funds to pay the personal assistants but there is just no guarantees that an extra £4,000 per month can be found. Much talking is going on between the director of the orphanage and the mayor's office and Steve is communicating with other similar charities in Romania to find solutions. On Saturday the trustees of Cry in the Dark are holding an emergency meeting to thrash out a solution.
A good hour was spent praying to The Lord for answers and wisdom for those having to make such critical decisions. We know that it is impossible to understand the way in which God works but we also know that he reveals all in the fullness of time. In our prayers we acknowledged that God is in control and that his will will be for the benefit of these orphans in the long run. For those of you reading this blog I ask you too to pray for the orphans of Casa Lumina, the wisdom to be placed on those having to make such overwhelmingly difficult decisions but to also give them peace in their hearts knowing that those decisions will be the will of God. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is so hard to understand God's plans when times are difficult and stress befalls us. Fortunately Cry in the Dark has ridden many difficult times and keeps on going thanks to prayer and a tremendous faith in God. Times of trial breeds perseverence and perserverence builds character. Those who stand strong against the test with faith in God and a belief in Jesus Christ will receive the crown of life. Steve Cooper has certainly faced up to many trials and tribulations during his time running Cry in the Dark yet with amazing faith stands strong today.
How fantastic is that?
Why not catch up with Nathan Squire's latest Cry in the Dark photographs at http://www.facebook.com/groups/237913819581952/
Terry Norrington
http://www.cryinthedark.org/
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