As I write the first snow flakes dance into the air for the first time this season. The girls are so happy, snow means holydays and vacation. Time went so fast, I feel like they just returned from the summer vacation. This year they were in two camps. At the beginning of August the girls went on a ten day camp with a group of children from another Christian Children Home while the house parents took a well deserved vacation. Returning from the camp, Simona hardly had the time to unpack and she had to pack again, this time for a longer trip to USA. Yes, our Simona is studying for one year at the Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge, LA, where she stays with our friends Dan and Charlotte Paulsen. The Deborah family then took seven days of vacation, this time they all went to Alpinis. A youth group from a village church, which the girls visited several times, went with them for the week. They had a wonderful time enjoying God's creation, studying the Bible... I will let them tell you more about their first visit at Alpinis.

The summer ended with the girls getting ready for the new school year and the visit of the Vessels of Mercy team. Team visits are always very exciting. For five days we had a Bible study in the afternoons in partnership with the church in the village. We organized two "community days" when we invited children from the village to play games and sports with us, and learn about Jesus' love for them. We counted on forty children to attend, but more came from the beginning and the number increased every day. In the mornings the team worked at Deborah Two, helping with the decoration of the kitchen, the dinning room, the living room, and one bed room. The bed room was sponsored by Task Force Romania from England, and dedicated to the memory of Sarah James, a dear friend of Deborah.

We are very close to the long expected opening of Deborah Two. All the rooms are finished and decorated and ready to be furnished, except the boiler's room. We still do not have heating in the building, although we have natural gas piped all the way.

Our lives are marked by seasons. Year after year we watch the girls grow with the Deborah project, and we testify of God's miracles in their lives. Every day is a gift from God and a blessing. As I look back at Deborah House becoming a reality, at how it is constantly improved, I realize this is possible only because of the sustained efforts of our partners from United States and Europe. The groups that came in 2001 to help us take the roof off of the old house and move the dirt from the yard, and then continued to come every year giving your time and money; the faithful donors who each month sent their support for the operational and development costs of the Deborah House; the prayer warriors who hold us in prayers, you all participate in the Deborah ministry and make it possible. Thank you!

The year ends marking another chapter of Deborah House's short history. Together we will continue and God will be glorified.

Lorena Rusovan