The past few weeks in Romania have been so upbeat! As I prepare to come back to the states in 2 weeks, I am wrapping up exciting things that need to get done before I leave.

First of all I want to thank Christ's Church VBS again for raising $2,000 for a library here at the CTL office. Last week I spent my time going through the books that CTL already has. More than 3/4 of them are in English! So, In the past week we have purchased over a hundred books for the new library in Romanian! We are setting up a reading area with book shelves, a rug and hopefully a couch (I hope to paint the walls too - but we'll see)! We have bought a wide variety of books: cookbooks, bibles, books on relationships, books on crafts, encyclopedias and "How to" books...all in the children's native language. After we visit IKEA and a few more book stores we will be all set to open CTL's new library! If anyone is interested in donating just complete the secure donation form on this website (http://donate.childrentolove.com), or mail a check or money order to PO Box 9575, Bakersfield, CA 93389 with a note that the gift is for the library. We hope and pray that the Lord will continue to increase the tools we have to reach these children in as many ways as we can.

Next we hope to convince the producers of "Veggie Tales" to add Romanian sub-titles. They currently only have Spanish. We are also hoping to buy more Christian CD's in English. The music they listen to here is mostly English anyways, so they will love the music. This project has been keeping many of us busy and hopeful.

Last week Kristina and I went to Timisoara (tea-me-sh-war-uh) for "Cultural Training." I was surprised that the majority of the other Americans/Canadians spoke Romanian fluently and had been here for over a year, some for three! I hadn't expected to be that enlightened, but I was blown away. Through my time here I have had different emotions. Not sadness but being frustrated at not understanding the language or silly things like why people don't smile in public or pretend they didn't see you if they accidentally make eye-contact. These past four months I have been smiling at strangers and it took this training to realize in Bucharest - "That's Weird!" I learned that you always bring something to someone's house when you are invited over, but it is offensive to bring food. If you bring flowers they must be an odd number because an even number of flowers is only used for funerals! We learned about the Revolution and walked in the square where it began. We heard from a man who played a major part in it, whose life was threatened many times. We talked with an Orthodox priest and learned for 6 hours what they believe and why. We learned sitting certain ways is rude. But the biggest lesson that they taught us was to "Not bring Christ along with our culture!" American ways of doing things doesn't mean a more godly way most of the time. Bring Christ and that's it! Woo, we learned a lot!

As I say goodbye, I see so many possibilities for my friends and family to volunteer here. Each gift the Lord has given you can be utilized - from hairdressing to carpentry or feeding disabled children - the Lord can use you!! So if you are interested let me know!

Finally, Thank you all for your faithful prayers and encouraging e-mails! It has been inspiring and propelling. Keep your eyes on Him and your ears and heart open!!

Blessings,

Julie