Not sure if it is 11, 12 or more times, as I have lost count of how many years/times Jill has traveled to Romania and other countries to serve. In a week Jill returns from another summer in Romania leading volunteer teams to Camp of the Good Shepherd, working at the Home of Hope, and performing a variety of key HHMI roles. The majority of those reading this message have first hand experience serving in Romania and know far better than I all that Jill does for the kids and care providers HHMI supports.
Along with her partner and colleague, Debbie Marshall, Jill spends tireless hours year round supporting HHMI's mission to embrace orphans, widows and families in desperate need with the love of Christ, easing their suffering and ultimately restoring their hope. Each year I gain more insight and understanding of the commitment Jill and the other volunteers have toward the HHMI mission. Every thought Jill puts toward the ministry has the best interest of the Romanian children and young adults in mind. Perseverance, lasting commitment, unwavering faith, relentless hard work and yes, hope, are but a few of the virtues Jill bears as she pours herself into her work and calling. Again, I expect this is nothing new to those reading this message.
Something you may not know is the great deal of thought and prayer Jill puts in to recruiting camp team members targeted to fill specific needs of the team and campers. It's by design and not by chance members are sought out and enlisted that leads to such incredible team results. Jill takes much personal responsibility and pride in the impact camp teams make in Romania as demonstrated by the allegiance she carries for the teams.
It's with clear vision, dedication, desire to provide sustainable service, AND love for the kids Jill moves in her HHMI work.
Jill ... All of those who know of, have witnessed, and have been fortunate enough to be part of your leadership of hope have truly been blessed. All the best in your up coming week of work in Romania and safe travels home.
With love and a world of admiration,
---Brian
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Things of Interest: A short list composed by Di and Heather
1. Chocolate Mudslide is not just a Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor. We've had so much rain that half the road is covered in what appears to be quicksand. Fortunately we can get out of camp via motor vehicle, we just can't go for our weekly walk to the store in the other direction. Sorry kids. Maybe ice cream will magically appear without your physical exertion.
2. Rain. More Rain. Torrential downpour. Patch of gray.
3. Inside games = stinky boys in close quarters.
4. One foggy drive up a switchbacking mountain road with no guardrails, dense fog, patches of snow, and scary tunnels.
5. Half of team receiving new hairstyles from Toma and Bobo. (A small bottle of conditioner should get the tangles out, Jill)
6. Bread. Bread. Bread. More bread than you could ever imagine.
7. Dogs barking at anyone and everyone outside the camp's gates, including the occasional horse-drawn wagon.
8. Hourly snack-breaks.
9. Discovering that there is an apparent dilemma when the water table rises above the level of your well/spring. Yellow water is freaky to drink. So we don't. And when we shower, we squeeze our faces into wantons so as not to drink or blink any of it.
10. Full Contact Human tic tac toe.
11. Wet wash cloth from three days ago.
12. Blinky the Internet Connection: Forgotten phone bill = no connection = no blog for several days.
13. But we're BAAAAAAA-AAAAACK!
2. Rain. More Rain. Torrential downpour. Patch of gray.
3. Inside games = stinky boys in close quarters.
4. One foggy drive up a switchbacking mountain road with no guardrails, dense fog, patches of snow, and scary tunnels.
5. Half of team receiving new hairstyles from Toma and Bobo. (A small bottle of conditioner should get the tangles out, Jill)
6. Bread. Bread. Bread. More bread than you could ever imagine.
7. Dogs barking at anyone and everyone outside the camp's gates, including the occasional horse-drawn wagon.
8. Hourly snack-breaks.
9. Discovering that there is an apparent dilemma when the water table rises above the level of your well/spring. Yellow water is freaky to drink. So we don't. And when we shower, we squeeze our faces into wantons so as not to drink or blink any of it.
10. Full Contact Human tic tac toe.
11. Wet wash cloth from three days ago.
12. Blinky the Internet Connection: Forgotten phone bill = no connection = no blog for several days.
13. But we're BAAAAAAA-AAAAACK!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Not "The Rookie" anymore
We are nearly through our first week at camp, and I cannot believe how easily the time goes by when you're cooped up inside because of torrential downpours. Oh, wait. Actually, although I find it ironic that we flew away from one of the rainiest Junes in Portland history to equally soggy Romania while Portland appears to be enjoying brilliant sunshine, the week has gone by remarkably fast. The kids are just as sweet as I remember them, and despite our improvised indoor games, they appear to be unaffected by the weather. We DID actually get a break with a snip of sun today, and we leapt at the opportunity to walk up the road to the nearest store for icecream.
One of the few surprises I found this year (since everything was a surprise last year) was that our beloved little old staff kitchen and accompanying laundry room are nothing more than swatches of tile on a blank patio. My gas burners with "small flame" and "big flame"! My hand-lit oven with the stick propped between the knob and table to keep the gas on! Gone! All gone to make way for a new, regulation industrial laundry facility. Bah. On the other hand, our lovely cooks are now making my GF meals, which just involves a little translation. So instead of spending meal times in the back kitchen, wrestling raw chicken with a dull knife (hello salmonilla?), I spend meals eating with the kids and running back and forth for more paine (bread), chai (pink tea with lemon slices), and pate. Yes, pate. And at dinner tonight I witnessed the repeated Licking of the Knife. :)
Everything is familiar now, and it is nice not to need to ask where everything is. I know what to expect (or not to expect) of craft/game/skit prep, and I know what the phrase "Romanian Time" means--add 30 minutes to every projected start time. As I indicated via the title of this entry, I'm not The Rookie anymore. I've been replaced. And that poor man got his room toilet papered today. Unfortunately I've been sworn to secrecy, so don't even ask for the names of the TP-ers.
One of the few surprises I found this year (since everything was a surprise last year) was that our beloved little old staff kitchen and accompanying laundry room are nothing more than swatches of tile on a blank patio. My gas burners with "small flame" and "big flame"! My hand-lit oven with the stick propped between the knob and table to keep the gas on! Gone! All gone to make way for a new, regulation industrial laundry facility. Bah. On the other hand, our lovely cooks are now making my GF meals, which just involves a little translation. So instead of spending meal times in the back kitchen, wrestling raw chicken with a dull knife (hello salmonilla?), I spend meals eating with the kids and running back and forth for more paine (bread), chai (pink tea with lemon slices), and pate. Yes, pate. And at dinner tonight I witnessed the repeated Licking of the Knife. :)
Everything is familiar now, and it is nice not to need to ask where everything is. I know what to expect (or not to expect) of craft/game/skit prep, and I know what the phrase "Romanian Time" means--add 30 minutes to every projected start time. As I indicated via the title of this entry, I'm not The Rookie anymore. I've been replaced. And that poor man got his room toilet papered today. Unfortunately I've been sworn to secrecy, so don't even ask for the names of the TP-ers.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Camp of the Good Shepherd - Day 1
It is a glorious day! The children have arrived with the usual excitement. Wondering who will be waiting for them at the Camp of the Good Shepherd. BEEP! BEEP! "They're here!!! The first to arrive are the girls from Fagaras. They have drivers which bring them in a extra large van. They arrive in good cheer. Some new faces and some of the usual cast of characters. All unique and all special in their own way.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP! Our vans arrive filled with the girls from Turnu Rosu. Again, they arrive in good cheer and searching for familiar faces. Shrieks of joy ring out as the girls see the faces for which they are searching. Looks of hesitation appear on the faces of the girls who are still searching for the volunteer they wish to reconnect with this year. Rita inquires..."Unde este Trecky?" Roxi asks... "Unde este Zhenn?" Unde este ??? and so on and so on.
We gather in the main dining hall for the obligatory "Rules" rundown. No smoking, no kicking, hitting or eye gouging, no running with scissors, no provoking the sleeping dogs, etc... Marcel and I get a promotion. We are now in charge of toilet paper distribution. After the "Honey Wagon" came to clean the toilets from last year...let's just say it was time to lock down the toilet tissue along with a number of other items such as quilts, tennis shoes, flashlights and more...
The kids are divided into cabins and given a mop, broom, bucket and dust pan. They will properly clean their quarters for inspection each day by our top notch cabin inspectors. There is the usual..."NO...I don't want to stay with her!". After some negotiation and arm twisting all girls are properly assigned.
The sound of the shrill whistle fills the air! CHOW TIME! The children jockey for position at tables and ensure they are sitting with their special volunteer, even if it means throwing another child OR volunteer out of the group at the table. The food is plenty and the bellies get full. Dishes are done and rest time begins!
It's 4:00 pm and snack is served. Yep! It's YUPS! Not just any YUPS! Strawberry YUPS which does contain some food byproducts. NOW we are ready for games.
The children are formed into four rag tag teams. There are four boys on the Romanian volunteer team and they are each the captains. There is one team which is clearly disadvantaged right from the start. Emi, their leader is not to be deterred. He runs, walks, crawls, skips or duck walks with many of his team members. He coaches, encourages and celebrates all of their accomplishments. His spirit is contagious. Girls who are normally annoyed and being paired with less capable teammates and also helping their team. It is a sweet reward to have the privilege to see. There is laughter and love floating in the air. The river is flowing and their is joy at the Camp of the Good Shepherd.
Dinner is another opportunity to gather in the dining hall. The smells from the kitchen permeate the hall and the sounds of the chairs sliding across the floor as the tables are set up. The team works like a well oiled machine. The whistle screams again and the children enter the room. Being creatures of habit the go to "their" table. Prayers are said in English and translated into Romanian. Let's eat!
Only brief moment of respite before evening fellowship. The children enter the room and prepare for music and skits. It is a short evening as they are tired from the day and ready for bed. Noapte Buna!
Jill
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP! Our vans arrive filled with the girls from Turnu Rosu. Again, they arrive in good cheer and searching for familiar faces. Shrieks of joy ring out as the girls see the faces for which they are searching. Looks of hesitation appear on the faces of the girls who are still searching for the volunteer they wish to reconnect with this year. Rita inquires..."Unde este Trecky?" Roxi asks... "Unde este Zhenn?" Unde este ??? and so on and so on.
We gather in the main dining hall for the obligatory "Rules" rundown. No smoking, no kicking, hitting or eye gouging, no running with scissors, no provoking the sleeping dogs, etc... Marcel and I get a promotion. We are now in charge of toilet paper distribution. After the "Honey Wagon" came to clean the toilets from last year...let's just say it was time to lock down the toilet tissue along with a number of other items such as quilts, tennis shoes, flashlights and more...
The kids are divided into cabins and given a mop, broom, bucket and dust pan. They will properly clean their quarters for inspection each day by our top notch cabin inspectors. There is the usual..."NO...I don't want to stay with her!". After some negotiation and arm twisting all girls are properly assigned.
The sound of the shrill whistle fills the air! CHOW TIME! The children jockey for position at tables and ensure they are sitting with their special volunteer, even if it means throwing another child OR volunteer out of the group at the table. The food is plenty and the bellies get full. Dishes are done and rest time begins!
It's 4:00 pm and snack is served. Yep! It's YUPS! Not just any YUPS! Strawberry YUPS which does contain some food byproducts. NOW we are ready for games.
The children are formed into four rag tag teams. There are four boys on the Romanian volunteer team and they are each the captains. There is one team which is clearly disadvantaged right from the start. Emi, their leader is not to be deterred. He runs, walks, crawls, skips or duck walks with many of his team members. He coaches, encourages and celebrates all of their accomplishments. His spirit is contagious. Girls who are normally annoyed and being paired with less capable teammates and also helping their team. It is a sweet reward to have the privilege to see. There is laughter and love floating in the air. The river is flowing and their is joy at the Camp of the Good Shepherd.
Dinner is another opportunity to gather in the dining hall. The smells from the kitchen permeate the hall and the sounds of the chairs sliding across the floor as the tables are set up. The team works like a well oiled machine. The whistle screams again and the children enter the room. Being creatures of habit the go to "their" table. Prayers are said in English and translated into Romanian. Let's eat!
Only brief moment of respite before evening fellowship. The children enter the room and prepare for music and skits. It is a short evening as they are tired from the day and ready for bed. Noapte Buna!
Jill
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Team Arrives - June 19, 2010
Yippee! The team will be arriving in the next 2 or four hours depending on the road and/or the weather. We can picture them now with their bellies full of McDonalds, doing some head bobbing in the van. Most likely someone is drooling too. It is a LONG trip. There has been some powerful downpours this evening. Please pray for safe arrivals.
Heather and I have been busy preparing the camp for their arrival and the arrival of the children on Monday. Thankfully, a lot of the prep work was completed by some SUPER teens from OAKS CHRISTIAN in California. How amazing to receive the blessing of a beautiful and tidy camp upon our arrival, given selflessly by these fantastic kids!
We have had the pleasure of wrestling a few mattresses, scrubbing some toilets, washing some floors and dishes, making an inventory list, putting away food supplies, sorting hygiene kits and LAUGHING OUR HEADS OFF! Oh yes, Melissa and Marsha will appreciate the copious amounts of Ham, cucumbers, tomatoes and what I loosely refer to as cheese, sandwiches. We have invented some new ways to prepare this delicious treat...over and over and over again!
We finished our prep work and went into Sibiu in the middle of a mega storm to eat something different. It is amazing to realize how much we appreciate variety when we are without.
We did make a FABULOUS and I do mean FABULOUS hand picked from the lush hills in Romania BLUEBERRY CAKE with an oh so delicious glaze. The glaze was an add on today. :)
We are waiting and waiting and waiting for the team. We are waiting and waiting and waiting for the kids. All in good time...all in God's time.
Jill
Heather and I have been busy preparing the camp for their arrival and the arrival of the children on Monday. Thankfully, a lot of the prep work was completed by some SUPER teens from OAKS CHRISTIAN in California. How amazing to receive the blessing of a beautiful and tidy camp upon our arrival, given selflessly by these fantastic kids!
We have had the pleasure of wrestling a few mattresses, scrubbing some toilets, washing some floors and dishes, making an inventory list, putting away food supplies, sorting hygiene kits and LAUGHING OUR HEADS OFF! Oh yes, Melissa and Marsha will appreciate the copious amounts of Ham, cucumbers, tomatoes and what I loosely refer to as cheese, sandwiches. We have invented some new ways to prepare this delicious treat...over and over and over again!
We finished our prep work and went into Sibiu in the middle of a mega storm to eat something different. It is amazing to realize how much we appreciate variety when we are without.
We did make a FABULOUS and I do mean FABULOUS hand picked from the lush hills in Romania BLUEBERRY CAKE with an oh so delicious glaze. The glaze was an add on today. :)
We are waiting and waiting and waiting for the team. We are waiting and waiting and waiting for the kids. All in good time...all in God's time.
Jill
Friday, June 18, 2010
In Memory of Pami - Camp of the Good Shepherd 6-16-2010
And so it begins...I have been here for several days. Most of which I do not remember fully due to jet lag. However, I am once again amazed by the beauty which surrounds me here at the Camp of the Good Shepherd. It is exquisite. The sights, the sounds, the movement of the fresh air wraps around me like a familiar blanket.
My favorite dog who actually taught me how to LOVE dogs, not just tolerate them was put to rest yesterday. I am not ashamed to say that I have shed more than one tear for her.
Pami...started her life at the camp as an orphan pup who was abandoned at our warehouse. She was brought to the camp and spent her remaining years here. She herded children, volunteers, puppies, kittens and other dogs. She appeared out of nowhere when you needed a silent companion to walk along side of you. She guided and guarded on rigorous hikes up the hill. She was a good and faithful friend and servant. I shall miss Pami.
The team is coming tomorrow and I look forward to greeting them. Safe travels! Drum Bun!
Jill
My favorite dog who actually taught me how to LOVE dogs, not just tolerate them was put to rest yesterday. I am not ashamed to say that I have shed more than one tear for her.
Pami...started her life at the camp as an orphan pup who was abandoned at our warehouse. She was brought to the camp and spent her remaining years here. She herded children, volunteers, puppies, kittens and other dogs. She appeared out of nowhere when you needed a silent companion to walk along side of you. She guided and guarded on rigorous hikes up the hill. She was a good and faithful friend and servant. I shall miss Pami.
The team is coming tomorrow and I look forward to greeting them. Safe travels! Drum Bun!
Jill
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