Moments come and pass so quickly. There are good ones, challenging ones.. and not a spare one at the Beauty from Ashes center:)
As usual, this week has been “hoppin,” and it’s not over yet as we are in the midst of preparations for our 4th of July celebration! (advantages of having an American boss)
This week has been full of volunteers... and cooking!
Our first set of volunteers arrived Monday. After a tour and elaboration on the Beauty from Ashes house and center, we took them out to enjoy the city for the day! We went to the piaţă (frest market) to buy food, ice cream, and a massive watermelon, and then took them to the cetate (old fortress of the city) for a relaxing afternoon of picnicking and playing fun Romanian games as the volunteers began to build friendships with the girls. It’s so unique how people of two completely different cultures, traditions, and languages can connect over similar pasts, love for the same kind of food, or a special talent (or lack thereof) of throwing a stick 🙂
Another set of volunteers arrived that day as well and began helping us in the following days on a painting project. Painting, just as any activity, is a great opportunity for the girls to learn how to work with others, or how to serve those who have come to help them. Our team of volunteers and girls is doing splendidly.. but this may also be because their food is amazing 🙂
Volunteers and hardworking girls must be fed.. so my kitchen team got to work, day after day...
... enjoying occasional wedding ceremonies on the street as breaks!
We’re also glad that our month-long volunteer, Heather, arrived today, and her first Romanian meal was home cooked deliciousness by my team- ardei umpluți! Yes, in Romania, we like our food- so we make it good.
Besides the usual work that I do at the center, I’ve joined the team of English teachers at Emanuel University for their summer school program. The mornings that I can, I go teach young children, thus far mostly 9 through 11 year olds.
^^ the flowers the kids made me and taught me how to make as an exchange for the English lesson 😉
Each day has brought such joy! Trials too.. I can’t lie and say that they haven’t caused a heavy cloud, for everyone carries the burden in this organization that is a family. However, the girls learn so much through every situation, and between singing and dishwater fights, their character grows more day by day-I’m proud of them!
