As many of you know, this has been a long journey, and everyone who has ever had the honor to meet Rach and Iza are celebrating with them and thanking God for completing what he started. So if you haven’t heard yet, this is HUGE and amazing and wonderful, so join us in praising Jesus and sending a huge CONGRATS to Rachel, Iza and their family!!

A few pictures from the journey:

Baby Iza in the Children's Hospital where Rachel started working with her

At the Hospital with Iza

Rach visiting Iza at her foster family (before Rachel had her)

Rachel's Mom, Iza, and Rachel

Outside the courthouse moments after the judge ruled that Iza officially become a Ross!!

Celebrating at a restaurant that used to be one of the orphanage's where Iza stayed

We love you Rachel and Iza!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!

January Newsletter

GoodSearch also has a toolbar you can download to your browser that can be found here - GoodSearch Toolbar - so much like you would see a google or yahoo or your search engine of choice’s little box up in the corner of your browser, you would have a GoodSearch bar.

If you’re uncomfortable with downloading anything, you can also just bookmark their search page and go from there: GoodSearch Home Page

In both these cases, make sure you type in Forget Me Not Ministries. It will show up with the city and state of Sellersburg, IN after it. After you make that selection, you can find out how much money has been raised by clicking on the “amount raised” link.

It’s a simple, easy way to send a bit of additional support to FMN this year. We would love it if you would give a try!!

Thanks for your faithful financial and prayer support, we’re looking forward to seeing all that God has for 2010!

~Katie

Nov. ‘09

Whether your interest about Romania has been sparked from a recent trip, or if you are still planning a trip, we hope that you will take a moment to consider the culture and history of Romania. Each month we will have a new installment of Understanding Romania with tidbits of history, current events, and stories of the land and its people. In order to begin to understand Romania today, we need to look back to the Romania that existed under Communist Rule just 20 years ago.

After WWII, the Soviet Union heavily influenced Romania to the point that the formerly illegal Communist Party became the ruling party. King Michael abdicated his throne and went into exile in 1947 and Romania became the Romanian People’s Republic. Whatever resources Romania had left after the war, were subsequently drained by the USSR. Romania was also not exempt from the imprisonment of political and religious prisoners that happened all over the Eastern Bloc.

In 1948 there was a move to a collective farm. Citizens were “convinced” through beatings, intimidation, arrests, and deportations to give up their land. Shortly after the Communists began taking land, people were forced into the high-rises throughout the cities, high-rises you still see today. Half of Romania’s population now lives in rural villages while half remain in the cities for work. By 1962 collective and state farms controlled over 77% of the land.

Nicolae Ceauşescu came to power in 1965, asserting some independence from Soviet rule and he ruled until 1989. In 1974 he became the President of what was now the Socialist Republic of Romania. Despite initially appearing as a reformist, Ceauşescu was not good news for his country.

Ceauşescu turned a moderately prosperous nation into one at the brink of starvation. In order to repay a 10 billion dollar national debt, he ransacked the Romanian economy of everything that could be exported, leaving the country economically devastated. The already existing collective farms helped with this. Food rationing was introduced on wide-scale throughout the country. Bread, milk, butter, cooking oil, sugar, pork, beef, chicken and potatoes were rationed with the rationed amounts becoming smaller each year. Most of what was available to the people of Romania was export rejects.

Curfews were installed, and petrol and electricity consumption were strictly rationed making it almost impossible to cook.

Control over Romanian society became stricter with phones being bugged, calls being taped, and 1 in every 3 Romanians was an informant to the secret police. This caused a lack of trust even among close friends and family members.

The thing that Ceauşescu is perhaps infamously remembered for however, is the overflowing orphanages. Because Ceauşescu longed to be an industrial giant and a military leader of Europe he outlawed birth control and abortion almost immediately after gaining rule of the country. He taxed all families with fewer than 5 children. All women in factories were subjected to a monthly gynaecological exam to make sure the laws were being followed. Due to these laws, orphanages were flooded with children, back-street abortions were given, and poverty ravished the nation.

On December 17, 1989, riots and protests broke out in Timişoara, a city in Western Romania. By the 21^st, the protests had spread throughout Romania. Ceauşescu was captured, tried and shot by the 25^th.

The total number of children in state care reached over 100,000 under Ceauşescu’s rule.

A country’s recovery from the kind of rule that Romania endured is not instantaneous. As you travel to Romania today, you will still see the Communist-era high-rise apartments in the cities. There are still problems with children being institutionalized on much too large a scale, or simply not being cared for. This is where FMN steps in, to provide hope and a future for these children and their families and to turn the tide on the abuse and neglect and abandonment that still occurs.

FMN is not another institution, not even close. As you partner with FMN, for the first time or on a continued basis, we ask that you consider Romania’s recent turbulent history and understand how Ceauşescu’s rule created horrible cycles of abandonment and abuse. Remember, as you are working in the Isaiah Center, that you are hugging and playing with and loving on a child that 20 years ago, most likely would have been institutionalized for their entire life. These are beautiful children who have still been cast-off and neglected, but who now have a hope and a chance to change their society because of God’s work through FMN.

What brought you to Romania the first time and how did you come across FMN?
We started visiting Romania three years ago to work with FCE (Fundaţia Creştină Elim) in Marghita. We volunteered at the orphanage and the hospital there and knew immediately that Romania was a place we would be seeing a lot of – we fell in love with it straight away. Through the friends we made there we met Rachel. Last year, we visited Rachel, Erin, Iza and the beautiful kids at the Isaiah Centre for a day and just knew that we had to go back for longer. This year we had the opportunity to go for a longer period and are already looking forward to next year’s visit!

What kind of changes did you notice between last summer and this at the IC? Within the village? The kids?
God has done amazing things at the Isaiah Centre and in Tinca. All of the children at the Centre have made such an improvement over the past year – you can see how they have all thrived and blossomed with the great love, care and attention that Rachel, Erin, Dave, Rodica and Tim have given them. They are all getting to know God’s love and they now know that they are His children. The children really pray when they have their worship sessions (although Simona still peeks when they are meant to have their eyes closed which is just gorgeous and makes me laugh every time!). In the village you can see the trust that the people have built up with Rachel and now Dave, with his football (soccer) ministry. As we drove through the village the men were all calling out his name - it is fantastic that they have somewhere to focus their energy and something to look forward to. We were invited into so many homes and were welcomed with hugs, smiles and hand-holding.

Do you or Andy have a favorite amongst the kids?
Andy’s favourite is definitely Alex – he loves everything about him from his cheeky little grin to the funny faces he makes. He also loves his determination, particularly this year – he was happiest when he was walking and always interested in what everyone was doing!
I find it so hard to choose a favourite; I just love them all so much! Abel is amazing, God has real plans for that little boy and I can’t wait to see where life takes him! He has come so far over the past year and is now so much more mature and focused; you can really see what an affect all the loving he has received has had on him. Samu is just precious with that gorgeous grin and those eyes can make you melt! Florica with her beautiful smile and amazing hugs, once she gives you a hug you don’t want to let go! Simona has cheekiest smile and when she says ‘I love you’ you just want to take her home! Maria is simply gorgeous; she has such a personality and is just such fun to spend time with. Marianna is such a little girl, she loved showing off her new hair band, bracelets and skirt that we got her, dancing around grinning! Calina is a little cutie, all of the children love looking after her and she so freely gives cuddles! I just think they all have such amazing personalities and are all just precious!

In your words, what is the gypsy village like?
The village is amazing! When we first went I felt a mix of apprehension and excitement – this soon gave way to joy and a feeling of completely fitting in as soon as we got out and went to speak to the families. They were all so welcoming, and this year in particular we felt the trust that they have for Rachel and her team. The children are great - they love giving hugs, showing off their dancing, having their picture taken and chatting away. We were asked into many homes to pray with the families and they all seemed genuinely happy to see us. We went to pray with a lady who has cancer. Her parents welcomed us in with open arms, making us food and inviting us back.

Why do you keep returning to Romania?
Romania feels like home. As soon as we cross the border from Hungary into Romania we both feel so happy and excited. It is amazing seeing the work that God is doing through Rachel and her team and to see the children truly thrive from the love and care they receive. We can’t imagine not returning to Romania – it is a place we will always go back to and a place we will always see as a huge part of our lives. It is truly on our hearts all the time. When we are back in Dubai or England we look back at our photos daily and will speak to anyone willing to listen about all the great work and the amazing people we have had the chance to meet.

How do you see FMN impacting the area?
I think FMN is doing a great job of gradually improving the area. Rachel has taken the children in whom she sees have the most need to be there and has made sure she hasn’t turned into an institution. She has gained the trust of many people in the village and the children she cares for are growing in faith and self-confidence. The families are responding to Rachel in such a positive way.

What activities were you able to participate in while in Tinca?
We were very lucky to be able to be the first people to stay in one of the new apartments, which was great! We spent time with the children at the Centre doing craft activities, playing, dancing and laughing! In Tinca, we went with a team from the UK who were visiting to worship in the village, spend time praying with families and just ‘hang out’ with the kids (painting their nails, dancing, taking photos).

You guys fundraised for the van and roof - what led you to do that?
We feel so privileged to have met Rachel, Erin and Dave and to be able to visit the Centre spending time with the kids and seeing what they do every day. We felt that we wanted to help in any way that we could when we were not able to be in Romania. Working in Dubai has given us the opportunity to work in schools with very privileged families. These families want to support charities and like the fact that with FMN they always get a specific need (not just a request for lots of money) and they get updates on where their donations have gone, through photos and newsletters! When people see the pictures and videos, they feel that they are helping to make a difference with these children.

What is it like joining in the work that Rachel is doing?
It is amazing! Rachel just has a real radiance shining from her. She works so hard and God has really put these children and the village on her heart. You can see that she is working 100% for the children. She has the biggest heart and always makes us feel so welcome.

What is your favorite moment from this past trip? If you can pick one?
It is so hard to pick one thing but I have to say my favourite moment was listening to Abel pray in the village for the first time. He was so excited and spoke so well; clear and focused on what he wanted to say. It truly was an amazing moment to see a child of that age who has had such a tough life standing up there in front of his village praying for them.

What is your favorite thing about Romania?
Old and new friends, God’s beautiful children and the sunflower fields!

About Angie and Andy:
Angie and Andy are in their early thirties and currently live and work at schools in Dubai. They met while teaching at a school for very under-privileged children in the U.K., and they got married three years ago in England. Andy is originally from England and Angie grew up in America; she is half English and half Mauritian. In Angie’s words, “Teaching in Dubai is great - we have 57 nationalities at our schools and meet a fantastic mix of people! There is a lot to see and do from skiing at the mall (real snow, very cold!), to all kinds of beach activities, shopping, sports etc. We have been here 5 years and are now thinking about our next move…hopefully to Romania! We have a few ideas in mind at the moment so we’ll what God has planned for us!”

Thanks so much for sharing with us about your trip to Romania, Angie and Andy!!!

In hopes of keeping the website updated, FMN has added a volunteer – that’s me! My name is Katie and I volunteered with FMN back in January of 2008 on my 3rd trip to Romania. I love Rachel and the sweet kids of the Isaiah Center and am so honored and blessed to be able to help out with the website! I will be the one doing the interviews, for the most part, and taking what Rachel or other FMN volunteers send me and editing it and posting it! It’s a bit easier to write in the first person, so that’s why I introduced myself.

Do any of you out there have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website? Please leave a comment if you do and hopefully we can make it work! Thanks so much for all your support and check back soon for FMN’s first interview!