The phone rang at our ICC project in Romania. Simona, our administrator, answered it. The voice on the other end was the mother of two children who have lived with us for more than eleven years. She had requested to visit before, but rarely followed through in showing up.

She lives most of the time outside the country but has tried to maintain phone contact with her children. At times she had sent care packages, but the clothing was often too small. This time she wanted to take the children shopping to ensure the sizes would be correct.

Simona began mentally processing how to talk to Mioara & Zachery this time, as they had often been disappointed when their mother failed to visit as she promised. Without checking the calendar, Simona offhandedly said the requested date would work.

The mother then called the home where her children live and spoke with her daughter, Mioara. The housemother was in the kitchen and overheard the conversation. Mioara and Zachery’s mother said that she was coming to take them shopping in a few weeks.

When she informed Mioara of the date, she responded, “Mrs. Simona wouldn’t have given you permission to take me, as it is a Sabbath day.” Her mother responded that she had just gotten off the phone with Mrs. Simona and had indeed received permission for that specific day. There was a pause and a deep breath. Then Mioara replied, “Even if Mrs. Simona did give you permission to take us shopping on that day, I will not go. It is my Sabbath.”

There are times when working with children can be challenging, and we wonder if we are making a difference. We pray this story will reassure our ICC family of staff and supporters that our children are listening, processing and making decisions for themselves on how they will posture themselves toward Christianity. Thank you, Lord, for this victory in Mioara’s life!

And what of the shopping trip? Mioara’s mother changed the outing to the following day—Sunday.

Thanks for reading!

Lori Manley
ICC Social Worker