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
May, 2023
Dear Friends,
Life continues to be busy at the orphanage. There is one month of school left so the teenagers are busy getting ready for their final tests. Cosmin will take the eighth grade exams to determine which high school that he can attend. He is thinking of going to the one in Lugoj that specializes in English. After living with us for so long, his English is very good. Three of our children and teenagers have started to take speech therapy lessons in Lugoj. They have improved a lot since they came to live with us but these lessons will hopefully help them even more.
All the teenagers went on a school trip to Sibiu which is a German town about three hours away from us. The Old Town square is very fascinating with many things to visit. Of course, being there with all their friends made the trip a lot of fun. Valentina also took all our children and teenagers on three different trips to areas in Romania that they have never visited before. So many Romanians only read about these places but never get the chance to visit them. It is wonderful how Valentina is giving them a chance to see them. They first went to Alba Iulia where there is a huge fortress to visit as well as a children’s park. They all had fun riding the go karts. They also went to Sighisoara which is a very old town built on a hilltop. There are so many things to visit there. And, they visited the Mehedinti mountains and some of the peaks there. Romania is a very beautiful country with a lot of history and places to visit.
May 1 is a holiday in Romania. Everyone usually gets together with friends and has a barbeque. Many churches have big celebrations. Our children and teenagers went to a barbeque in a nearby town where there was lots of food and fun games. Another day a charity concert was held in Timisoara to benefit the food bank there. Valentina took our children and teenagers to support the food bank. They have been a blessing for our food bank as well as for the orphanage in donating food to us. It was nice to be able to give back to them.
People from a nearby church had come one Saturday, built an enclosure for ducklings at the orphanage, and gave them several ducklings. Our children and teenagers are now in charge of taking care of them, making sure that they have food and water daily. They also love to hold them. And, they have helped to plant the garden at the farm. So many Romanians have gardens. It is great for our children to participate in the planting and taking care of one. Fresh produce is so delicious.
After Karen’s scan, she is on a new chemotherapy treatment. She still feels good and knows God has her healing in His hands. Thank you for all of your prayers. She really appreciates them and knows God hears and is answering. Thank you also for your continued financial giving and prayers for our ministry. You are all a blessing.
With our love,
Ruben, Karen & Bianca
Beraca Foundation, P.O. Box 674, Jacksonville, IL 62651; karenpopet@gmail.com