Children in need of love and care...scared with their new surroundings and strangers...hungry...cold...those were the children I met on my first trip to the Isaiah Center.
Children being loved...children happy...laughing...freely receiving and giving hugs to the people there to love and care for them...children eating good, healthy meals...children being bathed, dressed in clean, warm clothing...children playing together...more laughing...more smiles...more hugs...children praying together and for each other...happy, loved children...those were the children I met on my most recent visit to the Isaiah Center!
When Rachel Ross announced that she was founding her own ministry in Romania and opening a childcare center in the gypsy village of Tinca, I knew that she was committed to changing the lives of the gypsy children in her care. I had no idea just 'how' committed she was! I, along with many others, prayed for God to be with her, walk with her, guide and protect her...He has done all that...and more.
Rachel is one of the most amazing young women I have ever had the privilege to work with and to call my friend. She has, and is, totally changing the lives of the young gypsy children that call her Mommy. When Rachel talks about the children, her eyes sparkle with love...and she has enough love for each of them. They feel it and know that she is there for them no matter what their lives are like at the home (hut) they share with their biological family.
The children have learned about Jesus, something that never would have happened if they had not come to the Isaiah Center. They are learning to love and respect each other as well as other people. They seem to soak up the teachings about Jesus and His love for them like a sponge soaks up water. I was totally amazed on my last trip there that when one of the children was hurt, three others stopped what they were doing, sat with the little girl and they all prayed for her and that Jesus would help her. Needless to say, I made a hasty exit outside so they would not see the tears rolling down my face.
Without Rachel, without the Isaiah Center and the love she has for these children, none of this would be a reality today. They children would still be living in mud huts with up to 15 family members with no indoor plumbing, no water, no beds, dirt floors, very little food...and no one to protect and care for them. That is the way of life for the gypsy people...it is all they know or would ever have known if Rachel had not followed her heart and the calling she felt from God.
I will be returning to Romania in November this year and I suspect I will again witness the positive changes that the love of Rachel and of God has made in these children. I pray daily for her continued positive role model the children see in Rachel and for the continued success and expansion of her ministry.
Rachel followed the path that God has placed before her and He has blessed every step of her days as she loves the gypsy children at the center and changes their lives. To those children, she is their 'hero'...just as she is mine.
