The Current Plight of Romania's Orphans

One of my biggest passions in life is ministering to and raising awareness about the plight of the thousands of institutionalized children in Romania, not to mention the thousands that call the sewers home each and every day. Last weekend, while I was in Targu Mures, I had the opportunity to visit with many of the children who have permanetely put their stamps on my heart. I wish I could give you a good report, but unfortunately, I am as concerned about the plight of Romania's orphans as ever before. Ludus, a small community to the south of Targu Mures, is home to a large orphanage housing many orphan children in Mures (moo-resh) County. One of the directors of an American non-profit orphan outreach foundation recently spoke before the European Union in Brussells, Belgium to warn the EU that the current social-welfare laws in Romania may be worse today than they were 15 years ago. In an effort to appease the EU officials, the Romanian government has put a moratorium on international adoptions. This means that thousands of Romanian orphan children who had a sponsor and a family waiting to adopt them, had their hearts broken all over again. Hundreds of families were just waiting on a signature, before the Romanian government pulled the rug out from under them. The Romanian government claims they are working to clean up the system from corruption. While it is true that many women were having children just to sell them for upwards of $20,000; the question today is, "what has the Romanian government done to stop the corruption?" In Ludus, for instance, accusations of sexual abuse within the walls of the orphanage are widespread. An article appeared recently in local papers detailing the abuse, as well as on local television. While the Christian aid workers new that this information needed to be reported, they also new, and feared, the ramifications of this information being published. As expected, the director of the Ludus orphanage is quite upset and, at least for now, refuses to allow the Christian foundations to continue working in Ludus. Is this in the best interests of the children? Obviously not. Over the past several years, the Romanian government has been transitioning from the old "orphanage" system into group homes. There are pros and cons. Many NGO's are able to sponsor group homes and staff them with loving caretakers. Moreover, the kids are given responsibilites and taught life skills that they would otherwise not have in the orphanages. Still, many kids were taken from their siblings and put in separate group homes. The staff to orphan ratio, however, is much better in the new system.

Still another issue is that while some counties in Romania have completely converted to the new system, other counties are just talking about how to start the transition. Things don't necessarily happen overnight in Eastern Europe--but its the kids who suffer from the complacency and inertia of the elites. The other week, I visited an orphanage in Bucharest that reminded me of Romania 15 years ago. Babies were tied to cribs, children were sitting in their own urine, and every child was cross-eyed. I did a lot of praying that day and have to admit that I was pretty mad at God. How in the world, I said, could this still be going on, especially in the capital, just driving minutes from the seat of government? But I know that God is not far away from these children. Praise the Lord for the many organizations who labor each and every day to give these kids hope, nourishment, and the promise of a better future in Jesus' name.

Please pray with me for the children of Romania and for the government to adequately address and care to their specific needs! Please also understand that I am NOT totally knocking the Romanian government. I understand how difficult it is to transition out of a 40+ year system that is so heavily ingrained in the culture, into a new free-market system. They have so many pressing needs, and they are working hard to ascend to the EU. Some things have improved, and I give them credit for that. But, the children should NEVER be put on the back burner! Pray for a hedge of protection around these children, pray that international adoptions would re-open, pray that those who work with these children would love and nourish them, and pray that the abuse and neglect would stop. And last, but not least, pray for the thousands of children who call the sewers and subways home each night. These are the children of the "underground". They used to be in the Subway stops, but that looked bad to foreigners. Then they moved to the parks, but people complained. The proverb in Romanian is that if they can't see you, you're not a problem. Pray that the government would SEE WITH OPEN EYES the plight of their children. Ministering to street-children is EXTREMELY difficult, because some are there by choice, almost all have severe trust and attachment issues, among other things. God bless those who have not forgotten them. No matter how hard they are to work with, each and every one of them is someone with a name, a story, and someone who God loves infinitely.

A friend of mine from Minnesota recently sent me a very interesting article that I hope all of you will take the time to read. And if I might, I would also encourage you to take the time to look at the other articles posted at the bottom of the following link, it's important for us to be educated:

www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=2242

*Please remember the children and government of Romania in your prayers! Thank You!

My friend Calin's Baptism

Last weekend I made a very special visit to Targu Mures, Romania (northern Transylvania, and one of my favorite places in the world) to attend the baptism of my friend Calin Florea. Calin and I met in the summer of 2002, when we spent a summer together working in orphan outreach. This was a very special time for me to be able to be a part of such a big day in Calin's life. I was very encouraged to hear his testimony and to see how God is working in his life. I am convinced that God is going to do some great ministry through Calin's life. The service was beautiful, and included a large choir from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, which is a large city about 150 kilometers to the east of Targu Mures. A special quartet from one of the local Penticostal churches (friends of ours) also sang. After the service, Calin's grandmother and other church members prepared close to one thousand sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), a true Romanian delicacy. It was WONDERFUL! I also had the opportunity to visit with my Romanian family and several old friends. One of my favorite things about Targu Mures is the sunsets. I had a great time sitting on the balcony of my Romanian mom's bloc apartment sipping ceai, laughing, swapping stories, and watching the sky dance in a cascade of purple, green, orange and yellow--simply beautiful. Unfortunately, Bucharest is way too big of a city to see the stars at night, so I made sure to enjoy them during my visit in Targu Mures. While there, I also had the opportunity to visit several orphan group homes and follow-up with some precious children who are very near and dear to my heart. I have a lot more to say about this, so be checking back for my latest posting. But for now, let me share some pictures from my visit in Targu Mures:

The Florea family

Friends from the Penticostal Church singing at the service

Pastor Vasile Paul talking to the baptismal candidates

Eunice (3rd from right) is my Romanian sister and celebrated her 23rd birthday while I was in Targu Mures

The Next "Big" Thing

Let me take this opportunity to tell you about one of my best friends. My friend CAT and I have been working on our "repertoire" lately, now that he has a guitar and have aspirations of someday forming a music group. First we need to figure out a cool name for our group! We have a lot of fun jamming out together. CAT and I hang out a lot and lately we have gone to play tennis together with a guy we met at the park. This guy is your standard "worldly" young adult, but CAT and I have the opportunity to make a positive impact in his life for Christ. Pray that we would have good conversations and that God would lead us to really dig deep. CAT and I pray for him often--and please pray that our testimonies and interactions with him would make a positive impact in his life.

Youth Conference in Hunedoara

Last weekend Russ, Stan, Marius (a seminary student in Bucharest) and I participated in a youth conference in Hunedoara (western Romania/Transylvania) before roughly 300 youth. The purpose of the convention was to communicate to the youth that we all play a crucial role in God's mission. Not everyone is called, necessarily, to go and be a missionary, but we all serve in God's mission to reach the nations for Christ. Some serve as senders, encouragers, prayer warriors, supporters, etc. My boss, Stan, spoke about the current situation of Christianity around the world and especially in Romania. The need for the Gospel around the world is HUGE! Stan encouraged all the youth to get involved in helping to spread the Gospel around the world. He used the example of a football field. If everyone stayed in their own zone (own city or country) and never ventured past midfield (or another city, country), then how would someone ever score a goal or hear about the name of Jesus? Stan also talked about the momentum the Romanian diaspora is having around Europe. The largest evangelical church in Barcelona, Spain, for example, is a Romanian church. This is one of the main reasons I think the youth of Romania are so important, because they really have the potential to impact ever corner of Europe with the Gospel. My teammate Russ spoke more on the logistics in missions: prayer support, financial support, church support, communication, language aquisition, etc. Marius, a seminary student in Bucharest, did a great job communicating some of the things that Romanian churches are already doing in helping to spread the Gospel around the world. Me? I presented my testimony (all in Romanian) and showed a powerpoint describing how I was called into missions. In addition, I spoke about some of the barriers and process to becoming a cross-cultural missionary. The conference went very well. I cannot tell you enough how encouraging it is to be a small part in mobilizing the youth of Romania to be salt and light in this very dark world we live in. The worship time was also a huge blessing for me. I love worshipping our Lord Jesus with my Romanian brothers and sisters in my favorite language.

Marius & I at the conference

Russ & Stan enjoying some great Romanian cuisine. It was Russ' birthday the day of the conference, and he was still willing to help us out-Thanks Russ! We were able to get the youth at the conference to sing La Multi Ani (the Romanian happy birthday song--"many happy years").

The church where the conference was held

Youth looking at some of the books about missions that we brought

Praise and worship time at the conference

Some of the youth at the conference

This is the "Bethel" Christian center in Hunedoara where we spent the night. The foundation ministers to poor families and provides weekly programs for children in the area.

The 14th century castle overlooking Hunedoara

Exalting the Name of Jesus

I recently attended a free concert of the Romanian group "Messengers" at Sala Palatului in the center of Bucharest. It was a great concert, especially because of its significance. The concert hall used to host the conventions of the communist party of Romania. For those of you who know Richard Wurmbrand (one of my heroes and one of Romania's Christian pioneers during the communist era--he wrote the book "Tortured for Christ"), it was in this very hall that he was taken off and arrested for speaking out against communist ideology. Here I was in the very hall where Ceausescu and his "yes-men" met to strategize how to eliminate Christ from the lives of Romanians, and now there were about 10,000 people worshiping and exalting Christ's name. It gave me goosebumps and a big bright smile just thinking about the significance. Praise the Lord that the door has opened for the Gospel in Romania. There is still a lot of work left to be done in this country that is 90 percent Eastern Orthodox (and with it, a works based theology, rather than God's grace). One of the cool things about Romania is that everyone around Easter says, Hristos a Inviat! (Christ is Risen), to which people respond by saying, Adevarat a Inviat! (Christ is Risen Indeed). They even say this to you at restaurants, and on the bus as a greeting--quite the juxtaposition from the West. Still, for many Romanians, this is just a saying. Pray with me that the 90 percent of Romanians who label themselves as Eastern Orthodox would grow into a REAL relationship with Christ.

A Sad Day for Romania!

Just a quick note to let you know that the Romanian football (soccer) team Steaua lost in the semi-finals of the European Soccer Championships (UEFA) to Middlesborough, England in a home-and-home series. Bucharest Steaua won the match played in Bucharest 1-0 (and there was much celebrating in my neighborhood), but lost the match in Middlesborough 4-2, despite leading the match 2-0. The Brits scored a number of goals in the last 5 minutes, after the Romanians were already starting the countdown for massive celebration. It was a shock that Steaua collapsed at the end. Middlesborough advances because they scored more goals between the two matches, even though many thought that Steaua clearly outplayed the Englishmen for the majority of the series. It was, unfortunately, a very quiet night in my neighborhood. I told my Romanian friends that now they know what it feels like to be a die-hard Vikings fan.

Easter Program in Chitila

The day before Easter Sunday, I joined my friends at For God's Children International and went to the city of Chitila just outside of Bucharest to make an Easter program with children who attend the foundation Jesus Hope of the Children there. Most of these kids come from extremely poor families, but they have hearts of gold. FGCI meets with these kids once a month to make a VBS like program and follow up with the kids. The foundation there, Jesus Hope of the Children bakes bread for people in the community and works with the kids on a regular basis. For Easter , we had an old fashioned Easter egg hunt and some of the eggs had symbols in them that go along with the Easter story in the Bible. I was impressed by how much these kids know about the story, down to the smallest details. We sang songs, made dramas, played games, prayed together, and enjoyed a massive meal together. Thank you to those of you who prayed for our program. It went very well. These kids are such a joy to be around and their workers at the foundation are truly dedicated to these children. I thank God for them. One of the things I hope to do more of in the future is to try and get youth in Romania's evangelical churches in contact with organizations like these to find ways that they too can get involved in outreach to their communities. I can't wait to go back to visit the kids.

An Easter Lesson

Good Friends

The kids having fun with song

The director (far right) watching a lesson

My good friend Catalin (Cat) playing the guitar

Playing games with the kids

The kids, performing an Easter skit

Hanging out with friends

This photo is especially for my good friend Alison Knaus from Iowa. The other night I FINALLY got to visit with Robert, who I worked with in camps for the organization For God's Children International in the summer of 2004. I'm glad to report that Robert is doing well and will be participating in several youth conferences in the upcoming months. Robert is my connection to the "skateboard, artistic, and extreme sports" crowd among the youth in Bucharest. He gives me the "inside scoop." This crowd can often be somewhat difficult to work with, but I am glad that I have contacts like Robert who are able to set a good, Christian example. And it turns out that Robert lives very close to my apartment, so I will probably be seeing a lot of him.

An Unexpected Visitor

My friend, Meredith Neal and I go way back. I worked for Meredith a couple of summers in Targu Mures, Romania doing ministry to orphans with the "Buckner Foundation." Meredith is currently a Missions Minister with a church in Greensville, South Carolina. Meredith was in Romania to visit some friends and stopped in Bucharest to visit with some of her church contacts. It was a big surprise to see her in Romania, but what a good one! It's great how God provides opportunities like this to catch up with old friends.

My Mailing Address!

My mailing address where you can send letters, packages, etc.:

Michael Lundell
Str. Theodor Speranta, Nr 104
Bl. S25, Sc A, Apt 24
Cod 030939 Bucharest, Romania

Some of you have asked me to post a "wish list", so here goes:

-Cooking spices (especially chili powder)
-Nestle Chocolate Chips, and/or tins of cookies (not just for me!). I am pummeled by requests to make chocolate chip cookies for my Romanian friends, but chocolate chips are extremely hard to find in Romania!
-Craft supplies (you name it) for several foundations and churches I know in and around Bucharest
-Kraft (original) Mac & Cheese (it's "soul" food)
-URGENT: a guitar tuner!!!! I currently know several church music leaders who need one.

I'm sure I will have more to add as things come up!

Some of my teammates

These are some of my teammates (who I have pictures of), with more on their way to Romania

My field director, Stan Downes, and his wife Donna, who teaches, researches, and is currently helping coordinate movements in Romania to assist in ministering to the handicap with

World Vision.

Alina Maoir, team secretary, prayer warrior--and a fellow youth worker (yippie!)

Russ Mitchell: Church planting researcher & Seminary instuctor

Jolean Rice: our Prayer Mobilizer

My New Home!

I found an apartment! Praise the Lord with me! This is a picture of my Bloc apartment. It is right across from the National Stadium and park, where many people go to watch concerts, football (soccer) matches, and play sports. The park even has bumper cars and those giant slides that you see at the carnivals where you go down on potato sacks--it's lots of fun!!!! My apartment has two bedrooms and a living room, so I can easily sleep guests. Plus, it is within walking distance to the office and a major Subway station, so I am pretty accessible, which is very important working in youth ministry. Well, my apartment is within budget, in a nice neighborhood and accessible. Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for me. I hope you can see how your prayers have made a difference! As I tell my teammates and Romanian friends, I truly hope that my house will be a blessing for others. Today I got some furniture and a desk, so I am really feeling right at home. The next order of business is to go out and get some chairs for my table so that I can invite my MANY Romanian friends over for dinner. I have so many people to invite over, that I don't think I'm going to have any break any time soon. But, I have been looking forward to having my Romanian friends over for dinner for a very long time. And, after enjoying so much good, down-home Romanian hospitality, it's time that I returned the favor. Perhaps I will be entertaining some of you in my apartment!!!!! It's something to look forward to. I truly thank God and my supporters who so graciously give so that I can minister in Romania. My apartment is a gift from God through the work of His people! I am humbled and extremely appreciative.

Steaua Wins!

Just an update to let you know that Bucharest Steaua is advancing on to the semifinals of the European Soccer Championship. The game actually ended in a 0-0 draw, but since Steaua scored more goals in the opposing team's stadium, they advance. Yes, the soccer tie breakers are quite confusing. Well, last night the streets were filled with thousands and thousands of fans honking their horns, chanting, etc. I got absolutely no sleep because it was so loud outside. Thus, I thought when in Romania, do as the Romanians. i got up at 1:30 in the morning (not having slept at all) and decided to put on my jacket and go be an eyewitness to all of the hoopla. In a word it was complete and utter "Uphoria"! Now, I can just imagine if Steaua ends up winning the whole European Championship--it will be cause for even more celebration (if that's possible). Go Romania!

Late Night Worship

Last night my friends and I got out the guitars and enjoyed a nice evening outside singing, worshiping, and praying together. I enjoyed learning some new songs and fellowshipping with my friends. We sang to our hearts content! We are planning to go out into the parks every so often to play guitar and see who we can meet. Music truly is the universal language and is a great evangelistic tool in Romania. You never know who you are going to meet when you start singing and strumming the guitar--last time we were able to meet several youth who we invited to church or youth groups.

I also received eight invitations for assisting with various youth outreach and ministry projects. I currently have more invitations than I can handle, so that is a good thing.

My friend Donna (who speaks four languages fluently) always has a big smile!

Something to Pray About!

From April 5th to the 8th, Bucharest is hosting, basically, a conference/convention on pornography. Unfortunately, one of the biggest industries to grow in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain was the sex business. Pornography is readily available to people on the streets, including young children, and it is not rare to see young and old men looking at extremely pornographic publications right in the middle of a bus or tram. Romania in particular is a breeding ground for the sex trade. The television news program 48 Hours did an excellent documentary about this industry in Romania last year. Not only can you buy sex on the street, you can actually BUY PEOPLE! Of course, it is illegal, but it happens. Many vulnerable, young Romanian women (and men!) are bought for large prices by groups like the Italian & Russian Mafia and sold as sex slaves. Please pray for the protection of these people and for the destruction of the sex business entirely. Why not pray big? We serve a mighty God! Also pray especially for the young men who are tempted by this each and every day--pray for their hearts and minds to be pure and set upon Christ. The topic of sexual purity is a topic we will be discussing a lot among young men in Romania's churches.

Communism & Christianity

Look closely at the picture to your left, and you will see an Orthodox Cathedral sandwiched (literally) between two communist blocks. This was the intent of the communist regime in Romania: to hide Christianity from the public view. Far too many of the beautiful Orthodox Cathedrals are hidden behind communist developments. This particular Cathedral, I'm told, was actually moved to this location because the government thought it was a place "better suited" for such a beautiful building. But walking by, if you blink, you won't see it. I gather that this was likely their intent.

Discovering Bucharest!

I just did a little research and found out that Bucharest, Romania is the most densely populated city in Europe. There are over 9,000 people per square kilometer (and keep in mind that kilometers are smaller than miles---why America has a different measuring system is still beyond me!)). By comparison, the second most densely populated city in Europe is Berlin, Germany with 6,000 people per square kilometer. So, I think that gives you an idea of how crowded Bucharest is on a daily basis. There are well over a million cars on the Bucharest streets each day. In 1990, just after the fall of communism, there were approximately about 100,000 cars on the road. Thus, there are 10 times as many cars on the streets in Bucharest than the streets were intended to handle. To go 5 miles in the morning could take about 40 minutes, to give you an indication of the traffic. Here are some pictures I took recently of Bucharest, which used to be known as the "Paris of the East":

The Charming streets of "old" Bucharest

The University of Bucharest

The National Theater where they are showing the musical Chicago in Romanian

Commercial Bank of Romania

Palatul Parlamentului

Commercialism & Capitalism are alive and well in Eastern Europe

This is the "Unirea Shopping Center" in central Bucharest

A Sign of Spring!

This is the tree just outside of the building I'm staying in that went into bloom this week!