It feels good that we are part of rescuing seven children from Popesti. But, there are so many more who should be given a chance for a better life. We continue to make plans for Craciun to travel to Denver to have plastic surgery on Nov 8 performed by FACE the Challenge. Lidia Micula, director of Casa Alba, will escort Craciun. Of course, all of this depends on his Romanian passport being completed and a visa from the US embassy. Lidia should no problem with the US visa. She has been to the US before and has many good reasons to come back. Pray we can get all of this done in the next few weeks.

 Zoli will be back in Romania October 7. He continues to experience a great visit with Michelle and Jim Bruner in Germany . It would be tragic for him to have to return to Popesti orphanage. We are looking into various options for him. He is 18 and has to finish high school. Michelle writes that Zoli has learned to cook while in Germany .

 We have not left on our mini-vacation, yet. The little car we drive needed some extensive repair work. It is supposed to be done this afternoon. If it is ready, we may leave Marghita tomorrow. I do not think we will go to Hungary . Our plan is to go Lars’ and Barbro’s retreat house up in the Transylvanian mountains. It is restful there and we can have a few days of restoration.

 The leaves are turning in town now. Mornings and evenings are crisp with warm sunny days. Just like in Colorado . However, the colors of the leaves are more like New England .

 We have a happy problem with our English classes. Too many children want to take them. We meet in a small room in Popesti. It is really too small for more that a dozen children. We really enjoy their enthusiastic responses. We plan to start a class here in Marghita for transit house parents and the teens living with them.

 Currently, the most exciting news is the beginning of construction for the new volunteer house. The ground breaking ceremony was today. This a large prefab house donated by a lady in Sweden . Our current volunteer house is slowly falling down and much too small for our large numbers of volunteers. We have a group of retired Swedish carpenters working here for two weeks. One Swedish young couple will stay here for the whole year to supervise the construction projects. For sixteen years, FCE volunteers have willingly accepted life in our old and crowded volunteer houses. It is great to see this dream coming true.

 Each day, we wake up curious about what is before us in the day…frustrations, excitement and challenges. It is really a privilege to be here and to be involved with abandoned children. I know a part of our hearts will always remain here.

 Blessings,