My name is Sabrina Katz. I was born in Fort Myers and have spent my whole life living in Lehigh Acres. Physically a small town girl, but mentally a citizen of the world. It has always been instilled in me since I was young that helping others brings more joy than helping yourself. I could never really grasp that as a young girl. How could helping someone else make me happy?
January of this year really changed the game, and gave me an answer to my question on a whole different level. I’ve experienced happiness in helping others, but not to the extent that I do now. I have moved to Bucharest, Romania. I am a full time missionary, and can honestly say never in a million years did I pin myself living in Romania. It’s a city with a population of approximately 2 million people. Quite the change from Lehigh. I joined a mission organization called Stepping Forward Ministries, but I also work with other organizations as well helping out in any way that I can.
What drew me here was the major population of abandoned children. Some are abandoned because their parents won’t take care of them or they’re disabled so they’re shun from society. Either way they end up in orphanages which don’t provide a high quality of care. It is all too common for them to be abandoned as new born babies. I work with the newborns quite frequently, and have to say it’s such a treat for me. I basically play the mommy role. I bathe them, change their diapers, feed them, hold and kiss them, and rock them to sleep. When they reach 3 years old they are sent off to an orphanage. They usually are provided with government paid workers who don’t really want to be there any way but do it for a job.
Adoption is closed here so no one from outside the country can adopt a child. It’s very unfortunate. Things such as sexual abuse and violence are very real for these children. It’s a daily struggle they have to live with. Most of the abuse happens from their older peers. They grow up being afraid of their peers, and then become like them to gain control. They go through life until they’re 18 as basically a number in a system. A lot of the girls get caught up in sex trafficking because they see no other way of life. Without guidance they don’t have a chance at a good life. The only time the kids get real care, and affection is when the ministry goes to spend time with them. Being a missionary I have learned isn’t just about sharing the gospel, but being the answer to a child’s prayers. We are family to them. We get involved in their schooling, celebrate birthdays, and spend all the holidays with them. If they ever need help or advice, we are people they have learned to trust.
We also hold a summer camp for them and they get to escape the orphanage for a little while and just have fun being a kid at camp. There are not a lot of us full time missionaries here, but we make it work. Never in my life have I ever felt more challenged, but so thankful to be able to help someone else. For more information or to get involved and help support the continuation of this mission please feel free to contact me. Email: sabrina.e.katz@gmail.com you can also check out my website: www.sabrinakatz.wix.com/romania. There is also a place to donate on my page. All donations are tax deductible.