Joy and Anger

This week I taught art classes again. One of our projects was simply a piece of paper and one crayon or colored pencil. We then gave them 5 minutes to depict an emotion that we gave them and then repeated the exercise 5 times using 'anger, joy, shame, fear, and courage'. They idea was for them to be very abstract in their interpretations and to only use one color per emotion so that their color choice was symbolic. I was amazed at their creativity. For instance, one boy drew 'fear' as a navy blue heart with an arrow through it.
Moise is a sweet boy but easily and often distracted. He is challenging but I learn from him often. He enjoyed our art project but when asked to depict anger he blurted out, "but I don't have any anger" with joy spread all over his face. And it is true. I have never seen him angry or discontent. Whatever we are doing he brings a childlike joy, perhaps he is more childlike than his age should be, but this spoke to my heart. This boy has reason to be angry. His life is hard. Difficult and painful things have happened to him and continue to happen to him. Yet he says, "but I don't have any anger" and smiles and is gentle. I am not saying he is never angry or sad because I do not know. I am only saying that in his response I was convicted. I am easily angered, I am quick to say, "that is not fair" and I do not have moment by moment delight in the blessing all around me. Moise is teaching me that.
On a completely different note. I thought you all might enjoy hearing about some of daily life here. Food - It is fall. Apples are in. Cabbage is in. Everything goes in seasons of harvest and that is how we eat. Everyone cans and pickles things for the winter. In my house it seems like Irina is canning something new every week. I am sorry to say that most of it doesn't smell very good to my picky nose. Romanians really enjoy a vegetable spread made from eggplant called salate de vinete. I am not a fan though most Americans have taken to it quiet nicely. I am getting over the intimidation of the markets and starting to really enjoy it. In the center of town you can go the Piatsa where there are vendors for all sorts of food. One whole building is nothing but vegetables, fruit and other produce. Another building has several meat markets and cheese counters and bread too. I enjoy the rhythm of buying only what you need for the near future. I am getting used to the concept of no lines for anything - just get in there and push and shove your way to the front if you want something. Hmmm, what a shock the States will be after all this. You might see me at the grocery store cutting in line.
Everyday we eat lunch at the center with the kids. Staff take turns serving lunch not as a cook but as a kind of master of ceremonies (that is the best description I can come up with). Give the kids and staff plates, pick someone to pray, makes sure no one is too loud, tell them where to sit, give them more as hands start raising, water, dessert, napkins, spills, "can I go?", "so and so did this to me!", and so on... etc etc. Recently I was given a turn. Well, it was fairly exciting although I think most of the drama occurred in my head. I was terrified because of my terrible Romanian and all the chaos of la masa (meal time). The only thing I really messed up were the numbers of large and small portions between kids and adults, confusing, funny, but minimally embarrassing and not disastrous. Everyone was very very patient with me. Very.
Well, I have 6 weeks left here in beloved Romania before I come home. I could really use some prayer for the following: a job, a car, a home, and grace to really soak up all that the Lord has for me in the next 6 weeks. I will be arriving back in Omaha December 15th.
Much love,
e