Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
August, 2022
Dear Friends,
Our children and teenagers are having a great summer. Valentina is doing lots of fun and interesting things with them. One day they visited the national park that isn’t too far away from our village. Before they went, Valentina taught them what they needed to put in a mountain backpack. Everyone was responsible to pack their own backpack. They hiked from the valley to the largest glacier lake in the park. The children loved it. It was a great experience for them. They also went hiking in the hills around Jdioara as well as on bike rides and swimming.
For two nights, the children and Valentina camped in our backyard. Valentina’s brother, Marius, taught them have to set up their tents and also played football with them. They made a big campfire and roasted marshmallows, played hide and seek in the dark and sang together. They all had a good time. Another week, Valentina’s cousins came who are the children’s ages. They became good friends. They had a football championship, played other games and had constructive conversations about life. Periodically, Valentina talks with them about life, about behavior and how they should behave in different situations, about how Christian children should be in society, etc. She also takes them to church every Sunday. Afterwards, they go to the mall or other places in Timisoara.
Valentina’s mother, Maria, is now the cook. The children collected vegetables from the farm. Maria taught them how to can for the winter. She also taught them how to make jam and zacusca which is a spread that goes on bread. She has been teaching them how to cook different things for a meal, too, including pancakes with bananas and chocolate spread. Her parents have dogs, so she took them to their house in the village to teach them how to train dogs.
This week all of the children and teenagers are at another camp. It is the one that they have been to before where the children stay in teepees and covered wagons. Our friend from Scotland runs it. They have worship and Bible lessons every day as well as fun activities. Everyone is excited about being there. So, as you can see, Valentina is doing a great job. Of course, there has been challenges for her, but she is keeping her focus on Jesus. He is always our source.
We are settling into life in America. We are looking for a house to buy and another car. Ruben is also looking for a job. Bianca has already started working at a church-related thrift store. She will start her college classes on August 29. Please pray for us to be able to find a house, car and job. We place it all in God’s hands.
Thank you so much for your financial support and prayers. They are so important for our work in Romania. We pray God’s blessings for each of you.
With our love,
Ruben, Karen & Bianca
Beraca Foundation, P.O. Box 674, Jacksonville, IL 62651; karenpopet@gmail.com