We have been working closely with Beni and Rodica Lup in Romania, who have rescued dozens of survivors in the last few years. Last week, they were able to place the 6-year-old girl we wrote about in our last update in a safe home. Oceana is the precious little girl who was found abandoned under a cardboard box in the streets of Munich. We learned she’d been forced to beg on the streets for the last 2 years. She had been drugged and forbidden to talk to the point that she has difficulty speaking. Oceana is now safe and living with a Christian family back in her homeland.
Update from Beni and Rodica: “Last week we picked up little Oceana at the airport. As she met us, she seemed confused. Her eyes were big, and she was holding tightly to an airplane magazine and a little cookie. I asked her what she had in her hands and she was barely able to say, ‘a gift for you.’ I accepted these gifts on behalf of all of us involved in her rescue and restoration. We took Oceana directly to the hospital and then to a dentist and counselors, where she was assessed, and her immediate needs were taken care of. A few things about Oceana: Like most little girls, Oceana loves ice cream and dolls. She likes the color red, and she has interest, and possible talent, in music. We played Christian music for her in the car, and she said, “This Jesus … I like.” At first, the music was in English, but then we played some Romanian songs. We could tell she liked them because she would say words from time to time. She repeated the word “Fericire,” which means “happiness.” Oceana is very afraid when someone tries to take a picture of her. This causes us to suspect that she was victim of child pornography. After the first night in her new home, she pointed to the window and said, “Angels and butterflies.” She says she saw angels and butterflies — and the angels were waving at her! There are times Oceana starts to smile, but often her little face turns sad. It must be the memories of the abuse and suffering. For such a little girl, she has already suffered so much. The family she is with is taking great care of her. But with limited resources and expertise, they are only able to take care of the basics.”