Message of the day – Kerry

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Journal by: Krista

You could tell it was ‘hump day’ as you looked around Team 168’s breakfast table – Terri felt a bit sick; Kerry had 3 coffees; Krista’s eyes kept closing until her chocolate cereal arrived. But after the youngins (Brad and Katie) delivered the recap and message of the day, we were ready to scurry to the hospital and live by Katie Bray’s words to freely give our love to the children – through countless hugs, hours of playing outside and that one extra throw in the air (when our arms are aching so much we fear we may not catch the kid on his way back down).

Once at the hospital, we climb the 52 stairs to ‘our little lovees’. Even though we have only been here for two other days, we are welcomed with big smiles and literally outstretched arms. Mihi leans across the aide holding her to get to her buddy Emily. The amazing blonde duo of Sebi and Jennéa eventually find each other. Mr Sammy almost seems to know it is time to get on his red Pope shoes and walk with Kerry, who is determined to get him entered into a marathon by 2025. And ‘The Wild Ones’ have gotten even wilder, with obvious delight, as they spot their favorite playmates – Brad and Katie.

It is clear already that our team’s first goal – to love the children and heal them through many doses of smiles – is already being accomplished.

After our Picassos and Rembrandts in-the-making finish their drawings, we are off to play outside. A chorus, lead by Michaela and her beautiful daughter Dahlia, convenes on a picnic blanket. A short train – aka the buggy crew – wheel up and down the little path. The energetic rest ping pong around from the swings, to running, to the merry-go-round to the swings again. By 12:30, all the adults, wiping the sweat off our brows, are ready for lunch time.

At lunch we are treated to a local specialty – an olive and potato salad – made by Michaela’s mother. What warm and gracious hosts we have!

With bellies filled, we divide into two groups. One group revisits a happy, prideful past by touring the ‘former’ clinic – Tutova. There, the esteemed Dr D, a normally stoic woman, visually displays what everyone is thinking inside. As she welcomes Bob – a long time volunteer, generous donor and constant actions-speak-louder-than-words man – with a big hug, tears well up in her eyes. The other group ends up talking about the future and what improvements can be done to the hospital to make it more similar to Tutova. As we discuss and tour the hopeful new play rooms, it becomes clear that each person in our group will do his or her part to give back to Global Volunteer’s Romanian program in one way or another – if it is through donations for the new room, or if it is spreading the message about our children, or if it is returning again to volunteer.

Team 168 is truly made up of uniquely remarkable hummingbirds who will give and give however they can.

After giving more sweat, ice cream, stroller pushes and laughter to the kids, it is time to leave. During the goodbye time, we all play a form of dodge ball, trying to get out of the rooms as quickly as possible so as to avoid the outstretched hands in the cribs or the requests for more games.

The night’s dinner, even including the debates over the best movies and Bob’s helpful advice on how to avoid gypsies, is the shortest thus far. We all seem thankful as it gives us some down time.

During our downtime, I am sure many reflect on our experience so far. For me, the three most poignant reflections are:Love is indeed free and comes in many forms, so we must always remember to open our love pocketbook as wide as possible.

~Love is indeed free and comes in many forms, so we must always remember to open our love pocketbook as wide as possible.

~The members of Team 168 come from all different walks/places in life but we are all eager to make positive impacts on Romanian children.

~The amount of life/soul learning done on this trip can be far more valuable than any BA or MBA or high powered job.

Message of the day – Katie Bray

Nothing’s free in life except love. Money doesn’t buy happiness.

Because you can love the children endlessly… the children may not be able to buy much but the love they accept from all of us is a privilege.

Journal by: Bradley

Today was the second day at the hospital. Everyone woke up and had breakfast at 8. We arrived at the hospital by 9:30. Some of the kids that have not been here for that long seemed to have settled in a bit more. The kids did not seem to be as crazy as they were the day before, partly because the tennis balls were ‘missing’. We went outside again with most of the kids. We came back inside and they ate.

We ate when the kids went down for their nap. Lunch was soup followed by pizza. After lunch most of us went back to the public garden. After our break, we returned to the hospital and were greeted by well-rested kids that were full of energy.

After an hour and a half of playing with the kids, we had to leave early because we were going out to dinner. We returned to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We left at 6:15. We then enjoyed a great dinner and returned home to get some sleep.

Message of the day – Krista - Krista’s favorite Chinese Parable

One day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying on its back with its tiny feet up in the air.

“What are you doing?” asked the elephant.

“I heard that the sky might fall today, and so I am ready to help hold it up, should it fall” replied the hummingbird.

The elephant laughed cruelly. “Do you really think,” he said, “that those tiny feet could help hold up the sky?”

The hummingbird kept her feet up in the air, intent on her purpose, as she replied, “Not alone. But each must do what she can. And this is what I can do.”

Journal by: Jennéa

The first day at the hospital.

Today was the first day at the hospital where it was every volunteer’s first visit to this location. Before we met the kids we all met with Dr Magda, the Director/Manager of the hospital. She gave us a very warm welcome.

There have been some great highlights of the trip, seeing Romania and meeting new people, but seeing and meeting the children at the hospital this morning was probably the biggest highlight for us all. The children are so loveable and playful. I really wish I understood Romanian right about now. It’s frustrating trying to communicate with toddlers but adding in a language barrier makes for an interesting game of charades!

At the hospital we played with the children inside and outside. Some of the children have no fear at all! They were swinging so high on the swings that all the volunteers got nervous. After we played outside we came inside to eat. Some of the babies will only eat while lying down – due to habit.

After the children ate, we ate. I really enjoyed the soup.

Then, since the children were napping, we went for a walk. The majority of us went with Dan to a gorgeous park. This park is almost like Barlad’s version of Central Park in New York. In the park is a restaurant and here Terri, Emily and Jane were able to find their long lost cokes – even if they weren’t diet or zero.

We made our way back to the clinic around 3pm and had 2 hours to play with the beautiful children. I can easily say playing with the children and making them laugh is the best part of the trip so far.

I can’t wait to go back tomorrow!

Quote of the day:

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

Journal by: Kerry

Fathers’ day at home (USA)

Team met at 11:30 going over terms and regulations related to our service with the children. It was also a chance to get to know each other, listening and sharing a bit of ourselves.

We took a short walk into town for lunch at a great restaurant. The heat was way up there, but we had a great breeze to keep the air moving.

After a small rest we gathered in our dining room to welcome Bob, Bradley and Katie Bray who have just arrived from Bucharest. Dan repeated some of the highlights for our new members and then led us on an exercise in Individual and Common Goals. Many of us realize that we are in someone else’s home and we must remain vigilant in respecting our hosts and children, learning as much as possible and then most important, loving the children.

Chicken and rice was served for dinner and ice cream for dessert. After dinner, Dan ran down the list of children, describing their strengths as well as their differences. The team appears to be enthusiastic, caring and eager to begin our service.

One last remark I would like to make is that it is amazing the different corners of the United States and Australia we all come from. Some of us have dreamed of this service for some time while others are just beginning their journeys. How absolutely remarkable.