MORNING THOUGHT 2
Tuesday January 2011
Good
morning or in Romanian Buna dominiatsza. We have
recently come back from Mustard Seed Jersey’s Christmas trip to Romania. This
morning I want to share some more of our experiences with you.
For our
first week in Romania, my husband Phil and I stayed at Casa Mabel. Now Casa Mabel is the home for
needy vulnerable pensioners that Mustard Seed built and opened in 2009. Next
door and very much a part of Casa Mabel is Casa Aura where the rescued young
women live, all of whom now have jobs and support themselves financially. This
time, there were a number of new elderly ladies and also new staff members.
Each of
the elderly ladies has a special story but I have chosen to tell you about Dorina and how she has helped Ana one of the young women (I
have changed the names of both to protect their privacy). I have known Ana for
several years, she is an orphan in her mid twenties, she never knew her natural
parents, she is a bright young woman, quite bubbly but unstable, easily led as
she is desperate for approval and acceptance. Dorina
is in her sixties and at Casa Mabel because she was recently disabled, an
intelligent women with a deep Christian faith, fluent in several languages, but
very frustrated at her disability and questioning why God has let this happen
and what is the point of her living any longer.
Dorina and
Ana have struck up a strong friendship which is helping both. Ana needed a mum
or a mother figure and she needs to be needed not just for what she does but
for who she is. Dorina needs to have a purpose in
life – as her biological children are a long way away
she needs someone else to love. Dorina recognised
Ana’s need for a mum and began calling her “my daughter” and Ana has responded
and blossomed, she is more stable, she suddenly knows she is accepted and
loved. She has realised it is safe to love. Finally she has found a mum who
needs her love and support..
It is
beautiful to see the change in Ana. I had not met Dorina
before, but the social workers tell me that in the last couple of months she
has changed through her contact with Ana, she is less frustrated and far
happier; she sees a purpose in life and that she is needed. She speaks so
lovingly of Ana.
In the
Bible in Psalm 68 we read that “God sets the lonely in families” and when His
own Son Jesus Christ was born He was set in a family with a mother and a foster
father. Families are important.
A prayer. The
Bible says “God sets the lonely in families” – Lord God help me to see if there
is anyone lonely near me – anyone disabled, elderly, house-bound, recently
bereaved, without family or feeling lonely and isolated. Lord please show me the way to show love and make them feel welcome and
accepted.
Have a
good day and God bless you and enable you to be a blessing to others.