There are 14 families in this village and all of them are supported with food packages from a church back in the States. This is the only gypsy village I would take my kids too. The people there are very sweet and it is safe there.
It is a one hour drive to get there, but the Lord really lead the Bruski's to minister here through one little baby.
Alex was a baby who was born at a little over a pound. The nurses told his mother that he would not survive so she should just leave. She did. Meanwhile, one of the Bruski's daughters was volunteering at the abandoned baby hospital (where Alex was) and she fell in love with Alex. She was going several days a week to hold and love on him, feed him and just take care of him.
Alex's mother came back after five months to see if there was a chance that her baby survived. He had! But Alex could not come home because he was still so small and he would not thrive if he went home so his mother, Rodica, had to leave him there again. Meanwhile, Paige is still going to take care of him and as he gets older he is growing more attached to her as well.
One day when Paige went to visit him he was gone! They discovered that his mother had come and gotten him and taken him home. With a little help from the nurse they found out what village he lived in and spent a couple hours driving around to find him....and by God's direction and purpose they did!!!
Rodica was afraid they wanted to take him away, but they told her they just came to check on him and explained that their daughter had been caring for him for the last year and a half!! Shortly after, Rodica came to know the powerful saving grace of our GOD! This last summer several others in the village put their faith and trust and hope in Jesus Christ as well!!!
A baby changes everything!
Rodica, Alex & Shawny
Alex will be six years old March 19th. Last March when Steve and I came, we got to celebrate his birthday with him. Today while we were there Rodica told me she wanted me to bring Noah and Paige over for his birthday!! They cannot wait! Tonight at dinner Noah and Paige kept saying, "Alex is my new best friend!" :)
Today, when we arrived at their house me and the kids went right into their tiny little home to play with Alex and his toys. It was so sweet to see them playing together!
The families in this village are very poor. The government has taken away most of their monthly money allowance that they receive. Normally they receive $200 RON (about $65 us dollars), but since December they have only been receiving $40 RON (that is $12 usd A MONTH)! That is not just for gypsies, but even the Romanian people in that village. As we were leaving today they told us they had not eaten anything today and were very hungry. As soon as we left they were going to start cooking. These people really are survivors!
Oh, I could just go on and on and on....
Please pray for Rodica's nephew. He is a little guy, probably around 4 yrs. old and they believe he has a broken wrist. We saw him today and he looked pitiful and he can't move his hand/wrist and it is very swollen. Someone from the ministry is going out there tomorrow to take him to the hospital. Not sure of his name, but you can still pray! Thanks!
Wow that is Pretty amazing the caring girl in the story has the same name as Paige! I looked up the meaning of Paige and the meaning I found was assistant. That sounds right. It is a high calling to assist. Thank you for sharing!
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