Oana and Elena a Generation Apart

Standing in line at the BOL home, waiting to pick up my food tray, I hear a “Hey, come sit here!” I looked around and spotted a new face broadly smiling at me. It was Oana, a small, 8-year-old girl, one of the new children in the BOL home. This was her first time seeing me; she did not even know my name.

Her courage to approach and invite me to eat at her table astonished and inspired me. Sitting down at Oana’s table, I observed she had already finished most of her food. We chatted, and she introduced me to some of the new children she knew while she quickly finished up her food. Then, she abruptly stood up and left. I asked her where she was going, and she replied: “To get some more food!” She returned with a full second plate, more than double what I had on my plate. 

Now, this was a familiar experience for me. Most of the time, new children that we rescue from extreme circumstances have gone through challenging situations, often lacking food, having poor health, and being neglected. It frequently takes several days, sometimes weeks, until they feel secure and trust that more food will be available tomorrow. I can remember back to the days when we would find bread under the pillows of some new children. 

Our 8-year-old Oana is one of the nine new children our ministry recently welcomed into our BOL family. What is our goal for these precious little children? Let me answer that by sharing the story of another little 5-year-old girl, Elena. She was rescued from a similar situation for what was supposed to be a short time but ended up being a long-term commitment of 15+ years of care and support from our ministry. What was Elena’s journey like while under our care? 

She recovered the knowledge she missed during those early years before entering our home. Then, she went on to finish junior high well and move to our Youth Transition program in Bucharest for high school. She became involved in the local church and committed to following Jesus. She finished high school, took her final exam with excellent results, and registered for college. 

Elena’s incredible spiritual, mental, and emotional journey was possible because, from the time she was a timid 5-year-old girl, someone cared enough to help BOL buy food and pay the bills. Staff and volunteers poured into her life, and God blessed these efforts to bear fruit. 


Now, we invite you to be part of Oana’s life story, helping shape her into the future godly, responsible girl she has the potential to become. 

Your contribution, whether helping to pay for a meal or a bill, is not just a donation, but a significant investment in Oana’s future, paving the way for these precious ones to thrive, all for God’s glory. 

“Start children off on the way they should go, 

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” 

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) 

Alin Panican 

BOL Co-founder 

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Thank you for your interest in Bread of Life Ministries. We have been able to accomplish a lot with the help of our supporters around the world. There is still more for us to do. Please prayerfully consider how you might help support Bread of Life as we provide support to children and families in need.

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