Legacy

The week has been so packed full. The professors were here all week. We did a couple different trips. But the most important thing that happened this week was probably Thursday night.

For those of you who don't know, this summer is the last time this program will be happening. There are a couple possibilities of ways to get other volunteers back here in the future, but the program as it currently exists will end in August when my group leaves. Thursday was the closing banquet for the program with the professors and the head Romanians that have supported this program over the years.

With everything that was said Thursday night, I realized one major thing. I am part of a legacy. This program has sent over 250 BYU students to work in this orphanage for the last 16 years. When students first started coming here, they were not wanted. The stories I have heard about things that happened in the early years of the program shock me because the workers in my room are so welcoming, wanting us to hold the kids and such. At the closing banquet, we were able to hear the director of the orphanage say how much she wished this program wasn't ending.

Of many things said, there are a couple things that I believe are good descriptions of our legacy. 

"You have taught us how to smile and be happy every day." - from the banquet speeches

After watching an intern in the early days of the program taking care of a couple of babies at the hospital, a nurse told the girl, "Watching you care for those children made me see them as human for the first time, rather than just my job."

We have changed a culture and that will last long after we leave.

Also, for any of you who are interested in helping: check out this Facebook group

Basically what it is: one of the interns from last summer passed away in an accident early this year, and so her family is working to raise funds for this orphanage that she loved so much, and anyone who wants to help raise funds can join in! They need to have the money collected by July 17th and then we (the current interns and the Romanian social workers) will buy stuff for the orphanage before we leave. (We're buying it here because it's super expensive to ship stuff)

And now, a look into my week through pictures:

Mario's parents' home in the countryside

A well in the Romanian countryside

A kindergarten in the countryside

Mario's parents' cat :)

All dressed up for the banquet on Thursday

Romanian countryside by the kindergarten

By one of the monasteries we went to with the professors: kind of thought I was in Washington again...

In front of one of the monasteries: us, Mario, the professors, and accompanying family members

Monasteries

Our new friend, Gregory, at one of the monasteries

Tina and Chloe :)

Monasteries

Girls falling asleep on the ride to the monasteries

 Matching Nelsons as little Nelson tries to sneak pictures

Ran into the missionaries when we were out with the professors and got to hear about the new sister missionaries that we're getting this week

All the Nelsons! (The two on the left are not related to the one of the right)

Christian Nelson, Dr. David Nelson, me, Dr. Larry Nelson

Missionary collision during ultimate frisbee

McAllister climbing a fence to fetch the frisbee

So, that's my foot in the bottom of the picture... I climbed a power line tower to watch ultimate frisbee and take pictures

One of my first tries at taking action shots... turned out pretty well, I think