Her name is Ionella...
With fire in her eyes and a contagious smile, she is quick to laugh and even quicker to skip around the room like a little pixy. When forced to sit still for a moment she folds her legs under herself while her hands are constantly in motion- playing with her hair, twisting a blade of grass into a braid, or waving at passer-byers. But despite the constant motion and impish expressions, Ionella is eager to share when asked about her life, her fears, her desires. She seeks out approval but still answers honestly. She has a boyfriend, but boys are still a mystery to her. She knows all the right answers to questions about God but is hesitant to affirm a relationship with Christ. Her bright spirit remains innocent, but the time is quickly approaching when she will have to make very real decisions about her future. Though she forced a laugh when saying goodbye, tears still glistened at the corners of her eyes.
Her name is Mariana...
She comes from a difficult place- an orphanage of all girls, left to fend for themselves with barely the basic necessities met. After a childhood of living in the orphanage, she is behind in her basic education and will probably struggle her entire life to survive in Romanian society. Quiet and withdrawn, Mariana spends most of her time in the shadows, always watching. After a day of pampering with professional make up and hair styling, Mariana's smily finally shone through. Her outward beauty was radiant... now if only she will come to recognize the same radiant beauty inside of her as well.
Her name is Ani...
She has spent years measuring up to other girls and always falling short. She has never been the brightest, the most beautiful, or the one with the most sparkling personality. And after years of trying so hard, she has become self-critical and resigned. She quietly makes comments about her figure, her hair, and her face- that they are never good enough. After four days of reiterating that her worth comes from her Creator, we finally witnessed a crack in the self degrading exterior of Ani. For a moment, she peers into the mirror in admiration, only to quickly return to the criticisms of her appearance.
Her name is Ana...
She is tall and elegant with dark hair that cascades down her back. Her sweet personality and loving attitude outshine any exterior beuaty though. A year or so ago she realized her need for a Savior and has since spent her evenings reading Scripture and her days asking questions. Because of her decision, her future holds promise and the hope she has is envied by other girls in the orphanage.
Her name is Ioana...
She is petite in all the right places, beautiful, and looked upon with desire. Her looks snagged the cute boy at the orphanage and she now strives to please him in order to fill the hole in her life. She has heard all the Bible lessons and knows the right answers, yet she continues to seek relationships, stylish clothes, and attention. Is it possible the words spoken at camp about purity touched Ioana's heart? Will the truth that God is enough for her sink in and change her life?
Her name is Anda...
A tiny girl with a broad smile, Anda is never the center of attention but still manages to stay in the 'cool group.' Though 18 years old, she is extremely impressionable. When hearing that God desires a relationship with her, Anda was eager to learn more.
Her name is Monica...
Always in stylish, form-fitting clothing and a very poofy hair style, Monica places external beauty above all other things in life. She is always eager to have her photo taken in a variety of poses. While she fluttered her eyelashes and fluffed her hair during our discussion, I wonder if the truth that beautiful people have no more worth in God's eyes than anyone else penetrated her heart and head.
Her name is Claudia...
She is astoundingly beautiful but completely oblivious to this fact. She too has grown up in an all-girl orphanage with sub-standard living conditions and has survived by staying in the shadows. Once the cute little girl with over-large eyes, Claudia is now a stunning beauty who is often endanger of attracting the wrong kind of attention. Will she recognize that God created her for a purpose and that He promises to never leave her- no matter what befalls her as she continues to mature?
Her name is Estera...
Her strong features and athletic build are easily overlooked by her strong voice and continuously running commentary on life. Often the middle of a joke, Estera is always looking for a laugh. She entertained everyone but was compelled to fall silent when the discussions turned serious. She discovered that she needn't not constantly entertain to receive positive attention while staying with us, but she still managed to keep a smile on most of our faces most of the time.
Her name is Elena...
Extremely shy, often just mentioning her name is enough to turn her pale cheeks a shade of dark scarlet. Years ago she committed her life to Christ, and despite the unpopularity it has brought her, Elena spends her Sundays in a tiny village church all on her own. She has chosen to make her faith her own and is eager to grow deeper in her relationship with Christ. She is sweet and considerate- and made sure to hand write notes of appreciation to most of the team working with the girls. When she delivered my note, she thrust a folded piece of paper into my hand and quickly disappeared before I could take a second look.
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