Miller Carbaugh is a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church and a student at Baylor University.
Ever since I can remember, my family has had the privilege of partnering with RCE. When my sister and I were very young, my parents sponsored a classroom at Sunshine School, and we would receive cards in the mail with pictures and letters from the students which I loved to look at. As I got older, my desire to travel to Romania to see RCE in action grew and grew, and finally, through the grace of God, the summer before my senior year of high school I was privileged to travel to Romania. I visited Love House families (families who have adopted special needs children) and impoverished families helped through RCE’s Poverty Prevention Program. What an impact it makes to be able to see mercy happening with my own eyes!
On this trip, there was one particular boy who stood out to me named Laurentiu. He was the oldest boy of the family whose house we were adding on to, a family who barely knew where their next meal was coming from. He was so eager to help us and would race us to get the water from the pump for the concrete. Even though he knew no English, his smile was one of pure joy every time we interacted with him.
This past summer, I was able to travel to Romania again, this time for three weeks. The first week I was there I worked at camp for Love House children. I was overjoyed to find that Laurentiu and two of his younger siblings were attending camp. Being able to see him again and spend time with him for a whole week, still with his bright smile three years later, was an incredible feeling. Seeing that RCE was still a constant support and presence in his life is a huge testament to what RCE does in the lives of not just Laurentiu, but hundreds of other families as well. The third week I was there, we went to visit families that RCE supports, and as I stepped off the bus at the first family’s home, I heard my name being called. I turned and saw Laurentiu’s siblings standing there with wide eyes and happy hearts. Once again this affirmed the impact RCE and those associated with it make in the lives of these kids and families. These children taught me more than I taught them.
To be able to go back and see everything that has changed and developed in these past three years is an experience I never could have prepared for. Hearing testimonies from families who have adopted children, seeing the way RCE staff interacts with the kids, and most of all watching how much the Lord works through this organization are all things I cherish from going to Romania. In this holiday season, it is especially important to remember these families and children as they celebrate with us the birth of our Savior. I hope to return to Romania in the future to continue to watch God work through RCE.