We arrived home from Istanbul last night and feeling so blessed to be home.

I was unable to post information on our trip while we were in Turkey for safety reasons. We were unsure how secure our connection was & did not want to jeopardize the safety of those working in that area. We visited the blue mosque & realizing their culture was really over-whelming for me!  The women in this area are still very oppressed.  Pray for the ministry in Turkey who passes our New Testaments and tells people of Jesus’ love–a real risk in this muslim nation.

We also walked down the street where they sell the girls from Moldova & the Ukraine.  We didn’t see any of the girls as they are kept locked in the small hotels and buildings.  But you could feel the thickness of evil permeating in this area–it was scary & would have been easy to allow it to rule us!  Needless to say- we are still called to be wise and we chose not to return in the night to witness the actual exchange.  We are praying for God to raise up an army of Christian men and women to rescue these victims.

I think the hardest part of our trip was witnessing what appeared to be the trafficking of a young girl from Moldova into Turkey.  Obviously from a poor village- I think we could all imagine her excitement in moving to a new place to start fresh. She had a one way ticket and had never flown before.  All the signs of trafficking were there- but none of the check-points worked to protect her.  Another girl- much better dressed and using a cell phone continuously- appeared to be “escorting” her. When she realized we were suspicious she removed herself from the girl until they arrived in Turkey.  Please pray specifically for these two young girls- that God would protect them and rescue them. He is a God of compassion and thus rescue.

I will write a conclusion on The Home Foundation website as soon as I have the time to think straight. We are all a bit jet lagged. Please continue to ask God for guidance for all of us as we try to discern how we should proceed to make a difference in the lives of the innocent. Blessings to you all.  Stacia

We arrived safely in Istanbul. I am unable to post information from this location right now but I will update you as soon as possible.  We are learning a lot of history and appreciate your continued support and prayers.

Stacia, Brooke, Steve & Royce

boys in orphanage

where to begin? Today was a real roller coaster ride–we saw many more beautiful children but learned information that is so troubling and hard to process. It has been an emotional journey.

First we went to an orphanage about 2 hours  from Chisinau in a village.  Life in the village is very different and the people are poor. We saw many people driving horse-drawn wagons.  The orphanage was actually one of the nicer places we’ve seen and the children seemed happy and well cared for–but that’s how Moldovan kids tend to be–happy. It’s really pretty incredible. Makes me realize how spoiled I am for sure!!  We were able to witness the sponsored children receive gifts and pictures from their sponsors.  It is very meaningful for the kids but kind of sad for the ones who don’t receive anything. If your church or organization might be interested in sponsoring a child or sending gifts to the kids- please contact us.

We then visited an orphanage where sick kids are quarantined.  We couldn’t interact with the kids at all–but once they are well they are transported back to their home orphanage. I just keep thinking about sick children with no mommy or daddy to care for them. My kids always really like to be babied when they are sick & some of these kids are babies (the youngest we saw just turned 3).

Then we saw 2 transitional living homes in a village.  The service that they provide is wonderful and again the kids seem very happy.  The facilities are less than idea- and I want to resist the temptation to believe that something is better than nothing–I just believe God is bigger than that & obviously these kids regardless of their circumstances matter to him. They should matter to us.  I am praying for support for this group so that they can grow their ministry and provide more adequate services.

Then- we took the beautiful girls from Grace House to dinner.  Grace House is the transitional living home provided by Justice & Mercy International for girls once they complete their time at the orphanage (age16). They live there (5 girls total) until they complete further training so that they can live safely and independently. These girls are an inspiration to those of us working in this field. To see first of all God’s hand at work and secondly the power of investing in people. I am realizing the power of prevention–it is so important to intervene first before they get into the hands of trafficking.  Because the abuse and trauma suffered at the hands of the traffickers is terrible & it is a long journey back. Better to help them early on so that trafficking is never an issue.  I have included their picture with us.  Please pray specifically for the girls in Grace House- that they will grow in their faith and pray for the men that will come into their lives–that they will be respectful and Godly.  These girls have not had Godly role models- most of the times their fathers are not involved in their lives at all–if they even know them. 

Tomorrow we leave for Turkey.  Please pray for our travels–it will be an emotional trip. I know God has great things in store.  We are hoping that we will be able to continue to update the blog once we get to Turkey. 

Until later….let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Stacia & Brooke with the Grace House Girls

Stellas House in Moldova

Girls at Stellas House

Today we visited a Moldovan church. Even though we couldn’t understand the language it was still a great experience to worship with the people of Moldova.

Then we took 15 girls for pizza.  Many of them had graduated from various orphanages & we were able to  learn about their schooling and remind them of how to stay safe.  Their independence and much of the self-respect they exhibit is the result of Christians investing in them through summer camps sponsored by Justice & Mercy International (JMI) and also sponsorships which help them further their education and pay for housing.  Things are really expensive here (gas is over $6/gallon)–so it is very hard for the girls to make enough money to pay all of their expenses. If you are sponsoring any of these girls–your committment is making a huge difference.  It costs $135/month to sponsor a girl in Grace House–you can contact us for more information.

Later this afternoon we visited Stella’s House, a transitional living home for girls when they graduate from the orphanages.  This house is sponsored through Philip-Cameron Ministries.  They are finishing up a second house which will accomodate 25 girls and hope to purchase a 3rd facility soon.  Please pray for this incredible ministry and for the wonderful girls that they are serving.

Tomorrow we will head to another orphanage and meet with our guide to head to Istanbul.  We appreciate your prayers!!

6 year old orphan in Moldova

children aged 6 at Moldovan orphanage

watching cartoons at Internat 2just hanging out. Orphange in Straseni

Hello everyone! 

Today was a wonderful and educational day.  We visited two orphanages and Grace House- a transitional living home for girls who graduate from the orphanage and have no where to go. They are usually 15-17 years old!  Way too young to be living on their own.

I was not prepared for the sweet faces of all the children we met in the orphanage.  So eager to hold our hands & introduce themselves.  Quite joyful inspite of their circumstances–a real inspiration.  The orphanages are really under-funded and the government is beginnng to close some of the orphanages and move children to other facilities but the funds are not being increased to meet the additional needs as a result of more children.  Since today is Saturday-many of the children had left for the weekend–but around 100 had no where to go- still they ran around outside playing soccer and were very excited when we passed out oranges.  They played games and watched cartoons–and they sleep in little tiny beds–some of them with sprung springs that sag down when they lay down to sleep & some of them sleep 2 to a bed.I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to wave goodbye- but I do remember that they are significant in HIS sight and he has a plan and purpose for their lives.  That gives me peace.

Especially when you look at the success stories- the girls in Grace House (Justice & Mercy International/Brentwood). They are attending trade school, and college and working toward independence. Even though you can sense that they still struggle with the lack of contact or separation from their families if they are living- they are truly remarkable in their accomplishments and their faith.

We also met 2 sisters–who were out of the orphanage and living on their own.  They are encouraging to each other and completing their professional training.  It was amazing to see how well-spoken they are even with the language barrier. 

We are realizing that though we strive to walk a path of righteousness that in this situation we are actually in search of unrighteousness– abandonment, hopelessness in some cases and individuals who traffick the innocent for their own personal gain. We are reminded that it is a process and sometimes the line between righteous and unrighteous is remarkably close.  Sometimes we are called to be brave and live bold to actually make a difference.  Please pray for our week- that God would reveal things to us and give us discernment and that at no time would be ruled by our fear but instead walk by our faith.  Until tomorrow.    stacia, brooke, royce, & steve

We made it safely to Moldova!!  It was a very long day (or was it days!!).  We are at the transitional living house & looking forward to sleeping in our twin beds. Brooke & I feel like we are back in college.  We don’t speak the language–so I am sure that everyone is talking about us!! ha ha!  I bought a diet coke and paid $3.75–but it was so worth it. 

Tomorrow we will visit the Internat 2 orphanage in Chisinau–houses about 450 kids ages 6-16.  then we will see two girls that have moved out on their own and visit their apartment .  We will also be able to take some kids shopping.  We are excited to see what God has in store.  Weather here is warm–not as warm as Nashville though!!  Thanks for all your prayers. We will keep you posted on what we are doing.  Good Night for now!   Stacia, Brooke, Steve, & Royce