Jackie's Space

George Conte

2012-01-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

This is George Conte. he is 72 years old and lives in Dud on a pension that is about $130 a month. We met him when we delivered food in Dec. to Dud, he was visiting our other George. Adina took a picture and put him down as a possible addition to the Widows Mite program. We added him to the program and today delivered food - that is when we saw how he lives.

These pictures don't do justice in understanding how bad the living conditions are.

There was a fire in an old couch which severely damaged the house. We think that was in early spring. Then George took sick. Adina questioned a neighbor about him after we left the food. Apparently after the fire and his illness he just didn't do anything to the house, he kind of gave up I think.

George has what seems to be a HUGE hernia that sits like a large ball on his lower abdomen. The description we were given is that "his insides are coming out" When Adina took the original picture he was visiting his friend George and it was not really visible. When he walked out today from George's house I tried to get him to get in to the car and drive him back to his house to leave the food. He wouldn't get in the car. He had explained that he could walk and with his "condition" he smelled really bad. I was amazed that he walked as well as he did. The neighbor also told Adina that one of the police from Dud had wanted to get him to a doctor but he refused.
I am going to pray ask the Lord if He won't send us a team to repair his house. It would be days just hauling away the trash,burnt furniture and weeds. There is also a pile of broken up cement in one room, a dog lives on top of that pile. I will ask Adina to check with the mayor there to see if they can help with materials come spring. I hope we can get George some medical attention soon.

I have seen some pretty horrible living conditions here doing the work I do - but this is about as bad as I have seen.

We will do something to help him - this much I know.

Christmas Countdown!

2011-12-14T01:41:00.000-08:00

This is always such a tremendously busy time. This year has brought some added challenges - I fell, cutting my foot badly and breaking my sternum (now really, have you ever heard on anyone actually breaking their sternum?) After a few days in the hospital I am back home. Breathing is somewhat painful and things like doing my hair is a real challenge - managed to damage my right shoulder also. I am healing.

The good news is that everything is getting done! God is good and has been speaking to me through all of this. I have had to add a few new words to my vocabulary = "I can't do (fill in the blank)" Boy this does not make me happy but it is a must.

I think I will be able to go Sunday the 18th to our biggest single gift distribution and Christmas program that will be in Vinga at our church. Cerbu, from Osana in Timisoara, is coming with a band, puppet show, caroling and a play. We have rented the town hall in Vinga. Cerbu supplied us with posters to put up around the village announcing the show. We hope that many of the yet unreached children will attend. They will also go and do the same show at Mocrea on Monday the 19th.

Irene is here from Wales - please check her blog at: www.reachingromania.com and then go to Irene's Blog. She is involved in everything and is such a blessing. All the shoe boxes and other aid from Reaching Romania arrived here in Romania Thursday Dec. 8. Irene and a team with Adina, Bogdan, Peter, Christine, Vio and Ioanci have all been helping sort and separate everything by all the lists we had made. Irene is a wonderful blogger and has daily updates of all the visits.

Today she and Danny Luca, who has blessed us with much transportation!, are in Timisoara delivering Widow's Mite gifts. Last night they were at a children's home plus other visits with poor family.

Please do check out Irene's blog! She also has wonderful pictures. please hold Irene and the rest of the team up in prayer for strength, health and traveling mercies. Every one has had their challenges lately!

Children from the hospital

2011-12-01T01:20:00.000-08:00

Adina is at the hospital with the abandoned babies several times every week. She has earned admiration and acceptance by the staff there. We provide cuddling, bathing, diaper changes and clothing as well as crib toys. Every child is prayed over. Adina follows up with the families if they are returned home. The State diligently seeks out the parents that "forget" their children at the hospital. We involve ourselves in these families, what can we do so that they can keep their children at home and safe? Sometimes it is a matter of food, or providing heat, sometimes finding them a place to live.

This is Alexandra, she lives with a wonderful foster family. She is fast losing her sight due to Glaucoma. Adina has found a doctor that will treat her. We are not quite sure what the cost will be but God has richly blessed us by leading Adina to caring doctors that charge nothing or very little. We then just have to pay for medicines and hospitalization. Child protection calls us when they have a child in the foster program with a treatable medical problem. The State has no funds and these children then suffer needlessly.

Iasmina is between her mom and Adina. Little Iasmina was born severely handicapped, including spina bifida, deaf. hydrocephalic, spastic, and several internal organ problems. The doctors suggested placement in an institution as she wouldn't be much more than a vegetable and the father left. We (this is the type of things I do with your generous support!) give $100 a month to help support Iasmina and her mother and I want to share a portion of an e-mail Adina sent me..."She also said something that I need to share with you -she said that she has been blessed since she meet me/us. She has mentioned she is not referring only to the material aspect, (which indeed is a big help to her), but she said she has been blessed in many aspects of her life -she was blessed with a church (she attends my church now), Iasmina goes to Sunday school and has made friends, a christian kindergarten, and has now found a doctor that is helping her much with Iasmina. I'm so happy God is blessing her through us!" This makes me so happy!

This is Argentina. She is being held by Maria, Adina's mom, after her latest checkup. Adina met Argentina and her mom at the hospital last summer. Argentina was repeatedly in the hospital for an infected channel under her eye. Her little eye was sometimes so infected it was swollen shut. The medical staff were concerned that she would lose sight in the eye. Adina visited the mother and Argentina's sibling numerous times after Argentina was released. We tried to support the family and improve the living conditions. The mother disappeared more than once with the children and Adina was so concerned for Argentina. Praise God little Argentina once again ended back up in the hospital and the mother disappeared. Argentina was placed with a foster family and is thriving. Through Adina's persistent searching we were able to find a doctor that would treat the fissure. Argentina is blossoming with her foster family!

November 19 is World Toilet Day

2011-11-17T03:57:00.001-08:00

You may think after all this time of not posting I am making a very frivolous blog - ah contraire! This is a very important holiday and I celebrate it. Sometimes I combine the celebration with Thanksgiving since they are close together - and I AM so VERY thankful for my toilet!

I lived over 6 years here in Romania without running water or indoor plumbing. I was bathing Elizabeth and Sarah with water that was from a hand pump and heated on a wood stove. Going outside to potty at 3AM at -20 temperatures is not something I like to reminisce about. I was just discussing this with Elizabeth and she said she didn't remember having to go outside - that was because you and your sister used a potty-chair!

So - this holiday is MINE and I praise God every time I hear that lovely sound inside the house: of F-L-U-S-H-H-H. When I lived in the States I took many things for granted! Elizabeth thinks I have had many an adventure and need to write a book...someday....

OK - I promise to post a long blog in the next few days, so much has happened!

a girl named Monica

2011-09-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

Monica recently turned 12 years old. Her mother went to Spain to work and left her in the care of the grandmother. Monica missed her mother terribly and stopped eating. Monica's funeral was Tuesday - she died of a broken heart.

Monica began a hunger strike some time ago. Her mother came to see her in December while Monica was confined to the hospital. The reports that reached us was that her mother was less than loving to Monica during the visit. Some other reports were that mom found a new man and he would not accept Monica - a situation all too common here. The grandmother apparently just washed her hands of the entire situation. How could a grandmother do that?

Adina as well as another social worker became aware of Monica's plight and they were faithful to visit her but there was nothing else we could do but pray and supply some diapers. Adina and I prayed over the situation on Wednesday, we prayed that the Lord would either heal her or take her home and end her suffering. Thursday Adina was in Timisoara at another hospital. We help a mother with a new set of triplets and four more children at home. One of the triplets needed surgery right away and it had been postponed twice. Adina went and we gave the mother money to give to the doctor - the little guy got his surgery the next morning. How can a doctor put a child's life in danger over a few dollars?

Adina wasn't going to go and see Monica on Thursday after having to go to Timisoara. She was upset over the situation with the triplet and had spent all day there. Adina stopped anyway to visit Monica and met the other social worker. This other young lady told Adina she decided to stay the night by Monica's side. The grandmother had been notified that the situation was now critical, Monica's heart had stopped once - but the grandmother would not come. Monica slipped away about 4AM but she was not alone.

Once this situation hit the news many people were outraged. Monica has brought many situations here to light. Parents are leaving everyday to work outside Romania and leaving their children in care of people who are not suited for this task or plain and simple, don't care. Monica spotlighted the fact there there are few job opportunities here now and the pay is often below minimum wage or people aren't paid at all in some cases. Monica brought attention to the number of abandoned children and a society that is unprepared to help them. Also the situation a single parent will all too often chose a new mate over their children has received much needed attention. Monica will have made an impact in the world that surrounded her.

Monica is no longer suffering, but so many children still do....

There is nothing this blog can do to help, we will continue to help those we can but most of all I wanted you to know about the little girl who touched our lives.

The last 30 days (or some of it anyhow)

2011-09-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

I know that blogs are meant to be short blurbs posted often to keep people updated. Yeah well...here's a few highlights of the last 30 days. I had some photos so it jogged my memory but as many of you know I am not very good at photographing my activities. My days have been jam packed though, that's for sure. Today I sort of felt I hit a wall and slid down to the floor but I know tomorrow will be better! A little while ago Elizabeth was outside practicing her guitar and Sarah was singing with her, Blessed It Be The Name of The Lord. Elizabeth doesn't know all the chords yet but the fact that they were worshiping - together, well it was one of those moments I will hang on to for when they are again at each others throats!

Maria had made a decision to follow Jesus many months ago and wanted to be baptized. She backed out at the last minute because her family was against woman preachers. Maria got really sick and was in the hospital, we paid for her health insurance. She was frightened of death and I was called to the house after she returned from the hospital. Maria's sister came in and said I should baptize her right then. I told Maria I would be back soon and I would pray about the timing of the baptism, I wasn't sure she wanted it or her family had decided because their pastors wouldn't come and do it. The family believed that if she should die before baptism she wouldn't go to heaven, so perhaps a woman preacher would do in such an emergency??? When I was called to her home I took anointing oil and we prayed for her. I told her that in doing this not only was there healing but the scripture said her sins would be forgiven. Peace filled the room and I left. The next day I was in Vinga and I thought the Lord impressed upon me to go and baptize Maria. Two of the church leaders were there with me so we went and baptized her. I really did not want the extended family there so I didn't announce it - I wanted this to be her decision. We sang a few songs after the baptism and when I turned around from Maria's bedside there must have been 40 people there. Maria died several days later - but I know she is with the Lord and has received the ultimate healing. I came to the wake and the family asked me to perform the service. I said I would.

Now they don't embalm, as a rule, in Romania and the people are laid out at home. The wake was 36 hours after Maria passed away, and it was over 100 degrees. Oh my...the night of the wake I suggested we have the funeral outside - to accommodate the people coming. I thought I was being tactful - then the husband commented..."and she stinks too". Well yes, there is that. The husband said he may not be able to get the death certificate so perhaps we should postpone the funeral another 24 hrs. NO! I will bury her without it (not legal). The mayor couldn't send transportation from the house to the cemetery so I used the truck. This is the third time it has been pressed in to service for a funeral procession. The heat the day of the funeral was unbelievable and I couldn't keep the truck going slow enough without riding the clutch so the people said to turn off the motor and they pushed the truck all the way through the village to the cemetery!

Sarah is growing up. There isn't a day that is not a challenge with either Sarah or Elizabeth (usually the both of them). Sarah has started voice lessons and will also take acting when school starts. Just right for my little drama queen.

Cerbu, from Osana, came to minister at Vinga. He brought some friends and the music was awesome! One of the musicians turned out to be a cousin to Bogdan - they were both surprised at meeting in Vinga.

Elizabeth continues to dance in the traditional Romanian dance troupe but she says she will give it up if it conflicts with her guitar lessons. She will also start graphic art lessons in a couple of week.

Rici! Don't drink
out of the hose!!!!

Rici has grown s-o-o-o-o-o big!! He turns two on Sunday. He allows me a chance to be a grandma!

Trian Update

2011-08-11T04:13:00.000-07:00

There are so many awesome things that happen day to day but I hardly ever take the time to share - things that make me happy!

I was at Mocrea this week and Trian was with us as usual. There was a new man sitting at a table with two family members and everyone was uncomfortable. I started a conversation - the family was scared about their relative being in Mocrea - was it safe etc. They weren't sure if they could visit when they wanted. I was at the table so Irina could smoke and Irina starts saying how they are beaten, the food is not edible and so on. The family was horrified, this was their worse nightmare. I tried to tell them there was decent food and enough of it - of course it is not like food at home but they can leave snacks for the guy with the attendant etc. I am there every Tuesday and the patients are not beaten. However, by the very nature of the hospital, and the diverse mental problems, it is not unheard of for fights to break out - it happens. I did not want to make it sound like the guy was now at a resort! I explained that Irina was saying what she was because she is not happy to be in a locked ward - but who really wanted to be there? The one woman said the man's problem was alcoholism and they didn't know what to do. The man himself said he hadn't been drinking and the situation felt pretty hopeless. Just then Trian came over and I told the little group that Trian had been a patient and is an alcoholic. now he volunteers here. Trian talked to the guy - the attendant came out and encouraged them to visit. Trian explained that even after a long period of not drinking you can "lose your mind". You can get meds. here and recover. We stayed and chatted and it just made me happy to see Trian encouraging these guys and the family's concerns eased a little. I also said that the majority of these people are locked up and left but family and concern can make a big difference, not to mention prayer!

Oh - and I have my eye on another guy that I would like to start trying to get him out...he has family that won't accept him home either.

NCA Team

2011-08-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

I guess a blog is to post things as they happen - but that doesn't usually work for me. A great team from NCA church in Florida just left on Saturday. They arrived the Friday before and helped me with everything for a week. OK - now I realize why you post-as-you-go - what do I want to share about their visit?

The team was led by Lynsey Ball and her team-mates were Dan De Maso, Tess Combs and Marcia Adams. Each brought with them something special for the week. I will try and post this to fb also as they each have posted stories from their trip.

We have recently started working at the juvenile detention center. The director had contacted me as asked if we could help there. We do a bible study and Monday evenings and are adding a craft time also. Dan De Maso did an awesome bible lesson from Exodus using a soccer ball - the kids hung on his every word. They also got to keep the ball so that left them pretty excited. That will be a difficult act for Bogdan to follow. After the lesson we stayed and the team played games and did puzzles - it was a great evening.

Marcia arrived with a delight for the entire missions experience. She has a special compassion which was exhibited in the way she interacted with the various groups we minister to. After the team left I saw a book near my front door, I had been gathering a few items that had been left behind and thought that one of team members also left a book. The team had left lovely notes for me and the girls but I made no connection to the book. I was so touched to see that the volume of poetry was for me inscribed with a lovely note from Marcia.

Tess is young and seemed up for everything, but what what seemed to make the most impression was her hair braiding with beads! Her fingers worked tirelessly! Diana, a friend of my girls, also wanted her hair done. It takes many many hours for Tess to do a full head with braids and she had already worked most of the day on Sarah, Elizabeth and Vio. Tess started on Diana. it was getting late and Diana's mother called but Diana wanted to get finished. Diana's mother came for her after 10PM but the braids were not done. I was going to suggest that we finish in the morning but Diana's mother said that they were going to Germany the next day and they wouldn't be returning. I asked the mother to let Tess finish with the hairdo and we chatted. I came to realize that Diana didn't want to go to school in Germany, didn't want to leave Romania and certainly didn't want to leave her friends. This hairdo was very important to that little girl. The mother stated that Diana can earn a living several years sooner with the German education system - I also got the impression that the family is not going to be together. Tess hung in there and finished Diana and Diana was happy when she left. I don't know how long it took for Tess' fingers to recover. Thank you for touching lives with your art Tess.

I hope to see Lynsey and her family back in Romania, at least for another missions trip if not a missions assignment. They had served here for a year and had touched many lives. I know they will be a blessing wherever they serve. The team financially blessed many of our projects.

A couple of the things that touched me the most was two donations from children. Dan's sister is a missionary in Thailand, she has an orphanage there. Her children at the orphanage collected bottles and cardboard in Thailand to help the children in Romania - how awesome is that! Also Trinity, Lynsey's daughter, sent all her savings to help either the widows or the children. The funds went to Maranatha Orphanage.

Camp 2011 Day Five

2011-07-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

They met in small groups and so many shared their hearts, their hopes and fears. It was a dynamic time.
Time to say good-bye to new friends.

Most of the kids bonded with at least one of the staff - most with more than one. The team that comes are life-changers for these kids.

There was much bonding with leaders

The kids were taken down the hill by a tractor pulling a wagon. It had been raining and the bus driver refused to even try to get the bus up the hill and in to camp(wisdom!)

Well camp 2011 is over. Many of the kids cried as they went down the hill, very few were ready for it to be over - how awesome is that!!! Many of the older kids have decided they want more of the things of God and we have made plans for two weekend retreats for some in depth teaching. Around 6 of the older kids will be trained to be junior counselors at next years camps. This is all such a joy to my heart. I guess I need to start saving for the camps in 2012! The provision of God was so spectacular this year. Including transportation and all expenses it was almost $6000. I sat and pondered that - where did I get all the money???? I love God's provision!! Thank you for your prayers and funds to accomplish this for these kids in the name of The Lord!

Camp 2011 Day Three

2011-07-21T01:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the older Vinga group - h-m-m-m must be plotting something!

The covered wagons as well as the teepees are spacious and comfortable for the kids.

There are several times of music each day - everyone gets involved. I have not been up at the camp this year during the group lessons or the small group discussions and bible study. While I was up there yesterday I was able to visit with most of the kids and the leaders. The kids are having a wonderful time and enjoying the food. Some of the leaders report that a few of the older ones are seriously seeking the Lord as to what He would have them do with their lives; two have said they think they might have a missions call and many of the younger ones are having Jesus really come alive for them. What an awesome week! Tomorrow I go up for the last part of the camp and to get everyone home - I know I will hear even more awesome reports.

Camp 2011 Day 1

2011-07-18T23:07:00.001-07:00

The kids arrive in camp. Our final count was 64. The kids were all at the pick-up locations early, eager to go! I had asked about the road in to camp - the last 2 years it was pretty bad. The first year I had trouble with my 4x4 getting up in to the camp. The directors of the camp, Matt & Lorraine, assured me the road was good - yes a bus could make it. As the bus rounded the curve, over the last little hill there were gasps - look a bus made it!! Quick get a picture...OK I did. Didn't I ask...? Yes but we thought you meant a bus in to the area - not all the way in camp - this is a first. Again, unwittingly, I have pushed the envelope!

That's the bus driver in the foreground on the next picture, he looks like he is scratching his head...the kids aren't used to buses or roads like that. Bogdan said, and I quote "...they were throwing up like fountains!" OK - so I tipped the driver!

The camp is old west style with the kids sleeping in either covered wagons or teepees. They have a storefront type building as staff cabins and have added a stage this year. Every year they add on to the camp.

The first meal at camp - lunch. It was really good, I stayed to make sure they all settled in well. Sarah called me later that night to say the boys were beating on their teepee and they couldn't sleep - hey honey - that is the camp experience!

More babies

2011-07-15T01:42:00.000-07:00

There is a little one with a cleft palette in the hospital and Adina has found another social worker to help us. There is a surgeon willing to see the baby in mid-august. This is wonderful - we don't know yet how much the surgery will cost but this is a start!

Not too long ago I was talking to a visiting group that when I get a donation I soon know how to spend it. Many times I have prayed for funds in advance and am just waiting for God's timing!

God has provision for the vision!!!

The babies

2011-07-15T00:28:00.001-07:00

Adina has been involved with this little girl over several months. She is 5 months old and has what appears to be a blocked channel under her eye. This gets inflamed and swells so much the little one can not open her eye. A nurse told Adina she was afraid the child would lose the sight in the eye. Adina finally convinced the doctor to allow the baby to go to a specialist. This required tracking down the mother for a signature and getting an appointment scheduled. Adina was told to be at the hospital early one morning. We used Rici's old carrier to transport the child in Adina's car. Adina waited 4 1/2 hrs. and no one came. Adina had formula, diapers and toys with her so the little one was happy as a clam to be held that long! After all the waiting Adina was told that there was no anesthesiologist available until the end of the month. How sad - and terribly frustrating for Adina! Getting things done here has never been easy but when a child is involved that needs medical care it can be heartbreaking. With some recent donations we are able to pay for doctors, medicines as well as other needs. Adina supplies some of the moms with clothes, diapers and formula as needed.

God has not promised...

2011-06-30T00:54:00.000-07:00

God has not promised
Skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways
all our lives through.
God has not promised
sun without rain,
joy without sorrow,
peace without pain.

But God has promised
strength for the day,
rest for the labor.
light for the way,
Grace for the trials
help from above,
unfailing sympathy
undying love.

I received a greeting card with this years ago and framed it - it hangs on my bedroom wall.

Found the camera...

2011-06-29T02:19:00.001-07:00

The Vinga youth group did such an outstanding job in the community with painting tree trunks we had a cook out for them. Almost all the kids from 8 - 18 in the Vinga church are gearing up for summer camp. I think I have almost 60 going, counting Sanicolaul Mic, my village and 3 girls from Timisoara. What a blessing to have the funds - the cost will be $80 per child plus transportation. I started saving last year right after camp.

Widows: This lady is Roza in Vinga. She is really a feisty one, she is picking up a little extra money digging a field, she is almost 80 I think!

Elisabeta is new to the program this month. She represents a new category of the elderly here - she is a beloved grandmother whose grandchild has always helped her but can no longer manage. The granddaughter is a neighbor and is aware of the Widows Mite program and said she was really embarrassed to have to come and ask for help.

I am blessed that I can help! We have added 2 other new ladies to the group also AND because of an awesome yearly gift I am able to add even more plus have the winter wood money. God is s-o-o-o-o-o Good!!!!

Time is zipping by!!!

2011-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

Every day I think "I must update my blog! Thus and Thus has happened" Now I am having trouble remembering all the "thus and thuses"! Sigh - don't know if I should blame senior moments or being just plain busy. See - I took some pictures (which is amazing that I remembered) and they would surely remind me of what I wanted to post on the blog...ah and I put the camera where????

One thing for sure I want to tell you about is that Trian is now in his own little apartment. When he first got out of Mocrea he was pretty tentative about everything and did not think he could stay by himself but he has been gaining confidence the last few weeks! Today Trian went to Mocrea with us and was visiting with some of the patients and he told the social worker about having an apartment - she actually teared up and Trian and I both got hugs. One lady said she also wanted to go home with Jackie...ah, not right now. This woman had a terrible case of postpartum depression and has been at Mocrea for years now. I was sitting waiting for the volunteer team and a few mentioned they had no family and I told then they had me, I would be their family and I even visit every week!

Well I guess this is it - until I find the camera!

Who is Trian?

2011-06-01T03:41:00.000-07:00

Trian is a patient at Mocrea. He has been there for 2 years. I don't remember exactly when Trian began to help me serve coffee, soda and cookies to the other patients but he has been doing so each week for some time. Trian and George were best buddies. George passed away 2 weeks ago at Mocrea.

I began to ask Trian about his background - what was he doing at Mocrea? He said he threw away his life with alcohol, he now has trouble with his speech and sort of shuffles a little when he walks. He told me he has been divorced for many years and has twin boys. He made an excellent living - before becoming an alcoholic. Trian is one of the ones, as was George, that do not need to be in Mocrea, a hospital for the chronically mentally ill, but also may not be able to live totally independent. I have wanted sort of a half-way house for some of these patients for a couple of years now but that is a major financial undertaking - not so much to find a house but to pay for someone to be there 24-7, that would take several people (3) in shifts. The patients that could live in that type of assisted living situation more than likely have a pension in place and I thought they could pool the pension money for food and utilites.

Trian had said his father has a large apartment but will not let him return. Before last Christmas I told Trian we would pray that his father allow him back in to his house. Trian said just before Christmas that he was going to his father's and knew it was an answer to prayer. Trian called me New Years Eve with greetings. I asked if he was staying away from alcohol and he assured me he was. Unfortunately the father would not let him continue stay and he had to return to Mocrea shortly after the holidays. Peter, who faithfully goes with me to Mocrea each week when he is in Romania, told him that when he returned in the spring he could come for a visit to his house.

Peter has returned and Trian hadn't forgotten the offer! I talked to the director of the hospital and they thought I was kidding. After assuring them we weren't they said it was fine - EXCEPT they would have to totally discharge him to us, the paperwork would take awhile. I understand the liability of the State - it kind of scared Peter I think. Nah - it's OK! I assured Peter. I told Trian that Adina would visit the father while Trian is at Peter's and we would plead his case and offer weekly family visits for support etc. Trian says he can get a referral to return to Mocrea if he has to - it is my prayer he not have to ever return.

Tuesday we sprung Trian! He wanted to stop by his ex-wife's to pick up some things and leave his laundry. He said she wanted to meet me. She is a lovely woman! I met his sons who are 19 and should be going to Timisoara to school in October. They live in a tiny place. Trian's wife has a good job but she confided in Adina that she has had a really rough life after Trian began to drink and they have been divorced 10 years now. The boys are out of control she says, although Trian doesn't know this. Trian's wife says that the father is a very difficult man and does not think we will have any success with him allowing Trian to return.

The best part is that Trian's wife said Trian can return home when the boys go to school - there is literally no room in their tiny place for one more body. I am so excited! This is so awesome - so...God! Now of course there are just a few little details to be ironed out, ah like October is still 4 months away. I am hoping that it work out so well at Peter's that Trian can just continue to stay until October. The ex-wife is going over today to have lunch with Peter and Trian.

Please hold this family up in prayer!

I have NOT fallen off the end of the earth...

2011-05-15T23:28:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been two months since I have updated the blog. Now that I realize there are some people that actually read it I really feel badly when it doesn't get done! So much has happened!

Tomorrow morning a team leaves. Mary Jill from Hungary brought a team of ladies from Scotland to do the Women for Women meetings we had May 13 and 14. Beth Soper was the main speaker and what an awesome job she did. I had met Beth and her husband, American missionaries in Scotland for 27 years, many years ago in the States. Marian, Ellen and Liz were Beth's team and also shared in church on Sunday before Beth preached. I pray that they will all want to return to Romania again! Elizabeth and Sarah want to go with me and visit them all in Scotland.

I continue to prepare for the large summer camp in July. The teen group did a community service project at Easter. They went around and painted the trees of all the neighbors and elderly that would like it done for them. Here they paint tree trunks from the ground to around 4 feet up. I have sought to find the real reason for this but the answers vary! Our youths made an impression in the village! Alas, as often happens, I don't have even one picture! I am taking them to Walter's on Saturday for a cookout and an opportunity to run up the mountain (ah, I'll pass on the run up the mountain part).

Right after Easter George and Anita Ford brought an awesome team from Indiana. They pitched in with everything for a week. I know some of what they saw brought tears to their eyes but I also hope they went home with joy in their hearts. I will be visiting with them in October. Howdy Carolyn, Michelle, Shelly and Amy!!!

Last week when I went to Mocrea I found that George had died. George was horribly injured and disfigured in an explosion years ago. He didn't need to be in a mental hospital but there was no other place for him. I had often talked to him about the Lord but he was embittered that he had been so badly injured and blamed God. I told him he would be whole in heaven and had asked God not to let him die until his name was written in the Book Of Life. I pray that God honored that prayer...I am hoping to see George again some day in heaven.

Women for Women

2011-03-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

The pictures aren't in order but this is Mary Jill ministering to the ladies Saturday in Arad. Women for Women is what I called the first meeting we did together with Mary Jill and Certain Women. The ladies really look forward to seeing and hearing from Mary Jill - she brings an anointed word.

Here is our Friday gathering - small beginnings but the subject "The Garden of Your Heart" was mentioned in today's school meeting along with an invitation to our next meeting. The director of the school spoke about us guarding the seed which is our children so they will have a good harvest in their future. Wow - I would say that there was some impact from Friday!

Sunday we were at the Vinga church. We had a guest accordion player, he was invited especially for Mary Jill. Mary Jill brought a good word Sunday also. Three days of ministry is a lot - thank you my friend!!!!

2011-03-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is a sign on the wall of the school room we were given to use for the ladies meeting in my village of Sofronea. It is a public grade school. You wouldn't see this in the States - it says :"Your every work begins with God" AWESOME!!!!

Mother's Day

2011-03-08T05:47:00.000-08:00

March 8 is Mother's Day in Romania. March 1 is woman's day. There are little decorated pins given to females on March 1 and flowers or gifts on March 8. This day is often a difficult time for us, many of you know the situation with my daughter. The girls sometimes have difficulties being involved with the various school programs on these dates. Mother's Day is a big deal here. Sarah had asked that I be sure and attend the program today, she is in the singing group. Tuesday is Mocrea day but I stayed home. Adina ended up with 3 other volunteers today so my presence was not missed - God is Good!

Elizabeth just came in and borrowed money to buy our neighbor, who helps with the care of the household, a present. I said OK and gave her the money but include her little son in the presentation. Elizabeth then said she had already gotten me something. That was nice, maybe she is healing.

Widows

2011-02-26T06:51:00.000-08:00

I received an interesting e-mail - how many widow's could we feed if we had the funding? My answer was that I didn't know. Buying, packaging and distributing the food is a very labor intensive thing also the price of food goes up all the time. Right now I have about 8 sponsors and we have 36 presently in the program - God has continued to provide each month.

The weather turned cold and we again have snow. Since it is the end of Feb. wood supplies have dwindled for the people in the program. We pray for loaves and fishes like provision with the wood.

In the last 2 months we have had several people in the program pass away - our latest is Gavril and now Vilma. Gavril was one of the two men in the program. He was paralyzed and his elderly wife, Florica, took care of him on less than $50 a month. Vilma had been bedridden the last few years and was being physically abused by her daughter. Vilma went to stay with her son, she was 90 and ready to go home to heaven she said!

Mocrea

2011-02-26T06:19:00.000-08:00

Adina has been going to Mocrea with me and what a help that has been! Sometimes we have others come and help too. Most weeks we have about 50 patients in the dining-room for crafts and social time, which includes not only snacks but singing and prayer. A week or so ago I found a bottle of bubbles in my Mocrea bag and started blowing bubbles around everyone. The men enjoyed them the most. I had hoped you could have viewed some of the bigger bubbles but you can't see them in the picture. Sometimes I wonder about me - a couple of nurses would look at me and then at each other.

It will be nice when warm weather arrives and the patients can once again go outside. Since they are adding 2 floors to one of the buildings the large dining area is now a dormitory and we are using a smaller dining room for the crafts. The new building will be lovely when completed.

Smilia

2011-02-04T23:21:00.000-08:00

Smilia went home to be with the Lord Thursday evening. Praise God!!

Smilia and Aurelia

2011-02-03T02:41:00.000-08:00

Smilia and Aurelia were the ladies in the Widow's Mite program I wrote about in December. The mother is somewhere in her 80's and Aurelia was in her 60's and profoundly retarded. Aurelia has spent most of the last year curled up in her crib in a fetal position. The mother's one prayer was that the Lord would take Aurelia home to be with Him before she died. The conditions were deplorable and we broke up old fencing to heat their meager room and piled all our extra blankets we had on them both.

We have checked on them often and made sure that they were being cared for - at least a minimal amount. Vlad went down today and Aurelia, the daughter, has gone home to be with the Lord and now Smilia has lapsed in to a coma. The caretaker is sitting with Smilia to wait it out. This is wonderful news to me and I know that everyone that knew of their situation will join me in rejoicing! I look forward to seeing them, as I do many, in heaven.

What's New?

2011-01-27T23:50:00.000-08:00

Gosh - a lot is new! I, along with many people worldwide, have been participating in a 21 day Daniel Fast for 2011. People are reporting some awesome things taking place. In my own life I have seen money literally multiplied in an envelope I was holding in my safe.

The vision for a program to care for abandoned babies has finally begun to materialize. This is the first step - it looks like Daniel's foundation, Humanitas, will partner with the hospital where these babies are kept. Once we establish our credibility and have funds for a building we can move the entire program to our own facility. We need volunteers! Since the facility will be to house babies we calculate it will be cheaper to obtain land soon and then build. I have no idea where the funds will come from yet - but the Lord does!

Also I wrote some time ago about being overwhelmed by a situation where I took in to my home 2 girls. In November I rented the girls and their mother a lovely apartment. The mother was to seek employment after the New year. The mother refused. She continues to self medicate and can not take care of her children. She has refused to let them be taken care of - she says "then who will take care of me?" The girls were no longer attending school regularly and the older girl had run away twice. Last week the older girl called me to pick her up off the street. When I arrived she had her younger sister with her - she was not about to be left behind! We were able to get them safely to a girl's home in Timisoara. We did not exactly do this legally but I gathered what documentation I could. I pleaded with Child Protection. The girls were cold and hungry and were in jeopardy, I had no choice, I could not leave them.

The church in Vinga is growing and we will have two more baptisms soon. I am training leaders and that is going well. We have a weekly prayer meeting that meets in a different home each week as well as a home group meeting. The teens still have a weekly meeting as well as learning English.

Mary Jill and I have another Women for Women meeting scheduled for March 12. The director of Elizabeth and Sarah's school had wanted to attend our last meeting but could not. She asked if we couldn't do a meeting here in Sofronea too. Yes we can! It is unclear whether it will be moms and other ladies in the village or is it the fathers too. We will do the extra meeting March 11. This next meeting on March 12 will be announced on the radio also.

I have hired Adina and Bogdan to help with all the projects. Adina has the heart for the abandoned babies so much of her time will be at the hospital. Bogdan is my Timothy and is in training to be a pastor. He is due to return to Ohio March 31 (if we get a visa in time)! with my pastor for 3 months of intense training.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T03:41:00.001-08:00

OK, so I meant to do a really information packed Newsletter right after Christmas but in time for the New year. Oops. Instead of that I took the week off and the girls and I headed to Budapest to meet up with our friend, Mary Jill Callery - a long time missionary in Europe. We spent 3 days at the Ramada Aqua World. It was wonderful and I returned feeling stress free (well, as about stress free as I can get). I had a little difficulty in getting the girls back over the border in to Romania. I am going to have to go to court and get the documents straightened out. My attorney as well as the police say that Bucharest may have to write a new law for me as this situation has never come up before.

I will post a couple of more things on the blog later (I know, promises promises). I wanted to post pictures of all the Christmas activities for the widows, mentally ill, orphans and poor - ah, we didn't use my camera. I had pictures sent to me over e-mail and I am sure I saved them - somewhere. When I am involved in all these activities I am not usually thinking about taking pictures - sorry.

Irene and Wayne were here from Wales and together we gave out over 600 Christmas boxes. We had Christmas parties at Mocrea, at my school, at Maranatha Orphanage and the church.

At Vinga we had a wonderful Christmas Eve service including a baby dedication, a baptism, caroling and a candle light service.

H-e-r-e's-s-s-s the Duster

2010-12-09T22:45:00.000-08:00

This is my brand spanking new right off the showroom floor (OK it was parked outside - this IS Romania) Duster. A Duster is sort of like a SUV - it has lots of bells and whistles (I got to buy it with not one but 2 upgrades!) This is a gift from God!

Last April Anita and Barb came to visit me. We took the girls to a mall and they were buying them some clothes. As we were exiting the mall there was a Duster on display - with a Win This Car sign and a desk. Elizabeth and I went to check it out - how do we win? You enter the drawing using receipts, for over $15, for things you have bought in the mall. Anita - Barb gimme the receipts! Elizabeth and I laboriously filled out the entries. I think the drawing was for May 20 or so. I explained to Elizabeth that I pretty much use up a car every 5 years. The Lord miraculously provided one for us in 2000 and then again in 2005 - we're due kiddo! The truck was getting iffy and I was putting more and more money in to it. Not to mention it is not easy to drive without power steering etc. Elizabeth asked if it was really going to be ours. I said it could be - the Lord has never provided with a drawing - but why not? Just start thanking Him for our new vehicle!

I was talking to several people about how I think that was the new vehicle for me and how God has always provided for me. It is financially really difficult for many missionaries here and I want to encourage as many as I can - God provides provision for His vision. Period. During one of these discussions someone said "Ah Jackie, the drawing was yesterday and you didn't win - doesn't that do something to your faith?" Ah - NO! The only thing that was clear was that the drawing was not God's provision for me. A church in Indiana bought this for me! That is God's provision - most often He uses the hands of man.

I just wanted to share our excitement and blessing with you!

Widows

2010-12-09T06:03:00.001-08:00

There is no way this picture could portray the scene I encountered at Smila and Aurelia's house on Monday evening. Smilia must be at least 85 and her daughter Aurelia is in her 60's. Aurelia has been profoundly retarded her whole life and has been lovingly cared for by Smilia. When we added them to the program Smilia's one prayer was that her daughter go to be with the lord before her. Smilia was so fearful no one would care for her. In the right rear of the photo is Aurelia's crib. In front of that you can see the arms of the potty chair. On the left is Aurelia in her bed.

When we approached the house it was totally dark and the door was tied shut from the outside. I was used to the door being tied as it had been a long time since Smilia had been able to venture out. There is a woman who is paid to look after them. It usually is only in the morning and evening she comes. When I opened the second door in to their room there was no sound. I switched on the light and at first I thought they had both died. On the table at the head of Smilia's bed was half a cup of water and a metal bowl with a little pig fat that was strewn with rodent droppings. Mother and daughter were both still breathing we saw. I guess I wasn't quite sure that was a good thing.

Smilia had her head under a blanket so I couldn't see her face. I was unable to get her roused enough to speak but she did open her eyes. Aurelia was in her crib cramped in to her fetal position. I don't think anyone even tries to get her out any more. When she used to be taken out of her crib she was placed on a potty chair - all day she sat there. Aurelia is also blind. The room was cold. We went out back as we had purchased all the widows wood who needed it. There was a pile of old rotten gates and pieces of fence but no sign of the good wood. We gathered enough to start a fire. We got some blankets from the van and piled them on Smilia and Aurelia and built up the fire.

I called the Pastor I had contact with. A woman was given the money to buy Smilia and Aurelia the wood. I actually didn't care that the wood was not outside only that these women were kept warm. I thought maybe this woman was afraid it would be stolen and brought some over periodically. Certainly Smilia couldn't have gone outside and gotten wood to build a fire anyway. I thought maybe I could call an ambulance - but then what? These things are not so easy here. My Pastor friend promised to come the next day. There was fresh bread in the outside room so someone had been there - hopefully had brought food and fed them. There were some diapers and bed pads also.

I left with a heavy heart and in tears. We all did. Irene and Wayne are visiting here to help with all the work. They have a charity in Wales, Reaching Romania. They provide gift boxes every Christmas, not only for the widows but also for hundreds of poor children and for an entire hospital of people that are chronically mentally ill. Peter and Christine, along with Peter's granddaughter, are over from England to help. It was just so sad - and how many more are there just like Smilia and Aurelia? I also don't understand why the Lord, in His mercy, doesn't take them both home.

I would not have thought the sad mood would lift for a long time. We had one more stop to make - to Elisabeta. She is new in the program and I have never met her. This woman got us laughing!

Her house was also dark and everything was locked. We stood outside and yelled and yelled - but most of them are fairly deaf. Sani jumped her fence and opened the corridor door. Danny went in and was shining a spotlight in to all the windows as we keep calling her. Finally in the last window a light came on inside. This poor bewildered woman sat up in bed and I guess she thought she was having a nightmare. She struggled, and I do mean struggled, out of bed and then we noticed that her legs were all bent and she was partially paralyzed. Elisabeta worked her way to her crutches and painstakingly inched her way to the door. The handle rattled...and then nothing. After a moment of silence Danny quipped - "she forgot the key" We all burst out laughing. When the poor thing finally got the door opened she was so bewildered - and her look said it all - it said "who the ---- are you people?" Now actually I couldn't translate what she said - because it was all in German! Ah, does anybody know German? Yeah, Danny spoke all of about 6 words of the language. I saw she wanted us to go in to the other room, where there was heat but I said let's just give her the stuff and let her close the door. We kept trying to use motions to show this was for her, she kept trying German, Danny kept saying we couldn't understand...I put the shippers down by her feet. draped the blanket over a chair and took the lid off her box to show her the goodies. I pointed to her and kissed her on both cheeks and we turned to leave. As we cleared the door she said in perfect Romanian - "How did you get in here?" We explained that we jumped the fence and would lock up behind us - we couldn't contain our mirth at her finally speaking to us in Romanian - while just a short time before we had tears pouring down our cheeks.

Overwhelmed...

2010-11-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

In September I took in two girls to stay with us, age 10 and 13. Their mother has been helped since the 13 year old was born. The mother was taken to the hospital one night leaving the girls at home alone. I picked them up the next day when they called me to say they were hungry. The older girl says they have moved 33 times in the last couple of years and it seems each place was progressively worse. This last place was two thin moldy mattresses with a couple of blankets on the floor surrounded by their clothing - no furniture - no dishes - no stove...

The mother is now in the State mental hospital. She doesn't need to be there but she does not seem in the shape to work and she is homeless. The doctor at the other mental facility said this woman doesn't want to get better, to take care of herself or her children. She wants her children to help care for her. Now what???? I have known these girls since they were infants and they have had to stay with us before. I am not sure how this will be resolved. I do not want to dump these girls in to the center for minors but I know I can not continue indefinitely.

I got a call this afternoon - Sani's mother and 5 siblings are homeless. They came to this judet and built a squatters shack in a field. No one considered that the owner of the property might object. They were thrown off the land today - where can they go? They are in the field in the rain. I called the center for minors and they will take the children on an emergency basis tonight while the mother figures out what to do. The youngest is only 3, what is this child going to think when they get dropped off tonight? I can still picture in my mind the look in Sani's eyes at 8 when his mother gave him to me.

I received yet another call - couldn't I find a place for the mother? Not wanting to sound harsh but I bought her a house to raise her other children (Sani is the oldest of 10) and she had sold it. She had yet another place after the one I bought (not sure who helped with this one) and it too was sold.

The plight and future of these children breaks my heart. The State no longer has the personnel nor funds to take them. The private places have, by in large, downsized or closed. The costs due to all the requirements they had to meet, especially in staffing, got to be prohibitive. I am hearing about foster care children and adopted children where the families want to give them back to the State - they can't afford them or they didn't realize children that had been in care would be difficult.

It seems to me it is going to be a desperate winter for many children and not a lot I can do about it.

The widows have wood!!!

2010-11-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

Just a quick praise report. I received a wonderful gift and was able to buy wood for all the widows that needed it! They were all so happy. Lena has a broken leg so I also took her crutches and arranged to have all her wood cut and chopped up stove size. I should have taken a picture of some of the wood - it is delivered as whole trees.

Winter for The Widows

2010-10-16T01:56:00.001-07:00

These two ladies are sisters from the village of Graniceri, they are both in the Widow's Mite program. As with most of the elderly in the program they are worried about wood for winter. Some of them have said they would rather we not give them food and help with wood. They are more afraid of being cold then they are afraid of being hungry.

The dollar has plummeted in value in the last 5 weeks and everything has risen in price. These are fun times, but I know much of the world is in financial crisis. The Lord has always been faithful - He provided provision for the vision!

Elizabeth Translating

2010-09-15T01:45:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth had asked if I would write a message on Joseph. Sure I would. I asked if she would be willing to translate it for me on Sunday as Bogdan would be out of town. She agreed. She did an awesome job! I was so proud of her, not only for doing a great job but that she was willing.
Elizabeth and Sarah are both such a joy to my heart.

Elizabeth and her friends also distributed flyers around the village for our last Women for Women meeting.

Sarah - Such a delight...

2010-09-10T08:24:00.001-07:00

Here is Sarah helping at Mocrea. Her job this week was to play scriptures for the patients. I received some spiffy little machines called Proclaimers. They have the entire bible recorded in Romanian and you can use adapters for electricity or they have solar batteries and you can charge the batteries with a crank. These are perfect for some of the people I work with.

Today driving home with Sarah, we had just taken a new mom and her baby home from the hospital, she says "I need to have Frankenstein's brain!" I was somewhat distracted driving so I thought I hadn't heard correctly. You need what Sarah? She repeated it..."Frankenstein". Most times I can figure out where she is going with a particular statement but my mind was on traffic so instead I just asked her to clarify it. Why would you want Frankenstein's brain Sarah? The response...? "So I will be good in math". Ah, do you mean Einstein maybe? Sarah..."whatever"

She is a joy to my heart! She would also be very angry with me if she knew this was in the blog!

Widow's Mite - Ema

2010-08-27T03:29:00.001-07:00

Ema has died. In the Widow's Mite program we often have people pass away. Ema's first language was Serbian I think and she also spoke Hungarian. She was hard of hearing and somewhat senile, I was not able to share much with her verbally. I was able to tell her Jesus loved her and and He had sent me to help with food. I hope I meet up with her in heaven some day. Ema had been transported to a chapel in a cemetery just two hours before I arrived with her food on Wednesday. I asked about a service and they said she would be buried the next day. She had no family left and I thought how sad to be buried without anyone to say goodbye so I planned to attend. They never called me with the time or place so perhaps there was no service. Ema mattered to me and I just wanted to share this with you.

Bulgaria!

2010-08-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

What an awesome time we had in Bulgaria! Marty Sutton has a wonderful vision from the Lord for multiple children's homes. He has received great favor, they have paved the road in front of the property, and there are now plans for a State sewer system so Marty does not have to worry about septic tanks.

I led a group of 3 adults and 5 of the young men from the Vinga church youth group. They worked very hard for 5 days. I did the cooking. The guys stayed on site but I stayed in town and returned every day after doing the shopping with Marty.

It was my vision to not only help Marty and be a part of his vision but to involve the Vinga youth in missions. I have a tendency to have big dreams and vision and just go forth and then part way through I often say to myself "What were you thinking!" But as with all the plans that are of the Lord - nothing is too big for Him! We were all blessed and look forward to helping out again, all the boys wanted to stay longer and do more. You notice I didn't say adults - we were ready to come back home! Ah, to be young and strong again....

Girls in England

2010-08-27T02:13:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely time visiting Kay in Paignton England. The girls enjoyed the zoo, I ended up taking them. There was a water park there and we took in a movie with Kay. I just wanted to add a few pictures to the last post. They are growing up. Kay did crafts with the girls, which they totally loved and we were able to go to their group meetings to worship with Kay and her friends. We look forward to Kay being able to return to Romania for a visit.

England

2010-07-31T02:07:00.000-07:00

The girls and I are enjoying a visit to Kay's in Paighton, a lovely beach community in South East England. The girl's father and his wife have just picked Elizabeth and Sarah up for a day at the zoo.

We travel back to Romania on August 10 and then I leave with the boys from the Vinga youth group for a missions trip to my friend Marty to help with the orphanage he is building.

I hope to have pictures to post soon. I have very little Internet access here.

So much has been happening...!

2010-07-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

We are leaving for England in the wee hours of the morning and I realized I have (again) put off updating the blog. This has been about the busiest summer I have ever had...and I am tired. The girls and I are going to visit Kay in England for 2 weeks. She lives in Paighton, a lovely seaside resort. We will spend as much of the two weeks on the beach as we can.

The two weeks of summer camp went really well - this year we were able to sponsor 43 kids as well as 4 adults. Next year I think we will do both age groups together and do one big camp. I have pictures, but the posting of them will have to wait until I get back.

The Toon family is visiting and has been a real help in the ministry. They will be watching over the house while we are in England and continuing with the work in Vinga as well as Mocrea mental hospital. The family, Yancy, Esther, Elie and Jason also went to camp and helped. Their music is a real blessing. The kids all have a good time together and that is really nice. They wrote a song and play for us, including "interviews" with the actors. We enjoyed it.

Patrica and Sandor Varga and their son Bela returned and did an awesome 3 days of VBS here in our village of Sofronea. She had it all so well organized, including games, crafts and snacks. The bible lessons were great and several children prayed with her on the last day. I do have pictures (OK, so I have misplaced the camera....) When we get back I will update!!!!

We get back on August 10 and I am due to take the boys of the Vinga youth group on August 15 to Bulgaria to help Marty Sutton with the orphanage he is building. We are excited to be able to go. Marty and Howard, the builder, were at summer camp with these boys last year.

Much is going on in my life but I do know that God is in control, and His grace is sufficient. Please keep praying for us here and the work.

Camp

2010-06-30T03:27:00.000-07:00

How could I have forgotten to say that this year we have 45 kids going to summer camp - Praise God! The younger kids, 9-12, are there this week and the teens go next week. Right now I need to get up there, I have 5 homesick kids. I hope I can talk them in to staying until Friday. Needless to say Elizabeth and Sarah are not among the ones who want to come home. Including transportation the total cost was over $3000 but we made it! God is good!!!!! I will post some pictures next week (that is NOT a promise, but I'll try....)

Whoa...it's been a long time...!!!

2010-06-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

I do apologize for not keeping up my blog! This summer is shaping up to be one of my busiest! I have 2 travel trailers parked in my garden now as well as being able to sleep 4-5 in the guest room. Sarah can bunk in with me and that frees up a room with bunk beds AND the couch opens in to a double bed. WOW! Going from not having hardly anyone visit to figuring out sleeping arrangements is an interesting experience, also eating in shifts! Scott and Caroline Poncy and a team arrive next week and will pitch in with the projects while here. Next week a team may go to Mocrea and I can stay home - how exciting!

This week while everyone is at camp I can hopefully catch up on my computer work (I am s-o-o-o-o very late on the last orphan sponsor letters but my computer crashed). I have a lot of financial stuff to catch up on also. Now I can check off my list of things to do "update blog!)PLUS the most exciting thing: I am shopping for a new vehicle - how great is that!!!! Upper Indiana Presbyterian church is blessing me. YIPPEE YAHOO. I need to write a few people about it. I have been witnessing to many about the provision of God and how faithful He has been every step of the way here.

The girls and I go to England July 24 to August 10 and I get to do my almost most favorite thing: lay on a beach! August 15 -21 I am taking a mission team, boys from the Vinga youth group, to Bulgaria to help my good friend Marty Sutton, Obedient Life Ministries, build an orphanage. August 28 is the next ladies meeting. Mary Jill and I are looking at a vacation week in October. Also in October Gena Turley is bring a team here to Romania.

Eye clinic

2010-06-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ken Cloke and his wife Katy have a foundation and center here in Arad. Ken has been trained to do eye exams and they provide glasses for free or for just a nominal fee. He came to Vinga where we offered free exams. Many pairs of glasses were provided for the the people there. What an awesome blessing!!!!

2010-06-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth was a a local village festival and helped represent Sofronea with the traditional Romanian dance. I hope to be able to get her to town sometime this summer to check out the local dance studio for lessons.

Last day of school

2010-06-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

The girls look like they are truly best friends here - NOT! They are just overjoyed that this was the last day of school! This week they are at camp and are happy that I am not there with them. Aw shucks girls...

We have a family visiting us from Slovakia - the Toon family, Yancy, Esther, Eilee and Jason. They have pitched in with the work here and their two children are a delight. The Toons are at camp this week with my Sunday school group from Vinga as well as some of the children from the Kid's Club in Sanicolaul Mic. A family from Hungary drove the Toons as well as Mary Jill here the weekend of June 18. This family from Hungary, Sandor, Patricia and Bela (OK so I didn't get a last name!) will be coming back for another visit in July and do a VBS here in Sofronea. They have all been singing in church in both English and Hungarian, it has been a blessing. Yancy will be returning to camp next week to help Bogdan with the teens (another blessing!!)

2010-06-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

We had another meeting of Women For Women on June 19. Mary Jill Callery, of Certain Women, was our main speaker and Caye Stiller, of Greater Reach Ministries, gave a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness. Around 40 women came and we will have the last scheduled meeting August 28. I am not sure how many more we will do but there is so little for women here in Romania and the ladies that came really encouraged us to keep going. Our special speaker in August is Paulette Carson and we look forward to that meeting.

Baptisms

2010-05-10T06:52:00.001-07:00

I had the privilege of baptizing Bogdan along with two of Leontin's sons, Eli and David. This was an really exciting day and we had many visitors to witness the baptisms. There are two more young people in the Vinga church that also want to be baptized.

The three young men - Bogdan, Eli and David

Widow's Mite

2010-05-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

On Friday afternoon Walter, myself, Elizabeth, Sarah. Hans and four of his girls went to Pauisani. I divided Maria's food in to 5 small bags as they had to hike 1 Km up with the food. I stayed in the van to read, well that was the plan anyway. I seemed to have been a tourist attraction in that small village - "look the American is back" I heard. I visited with several ladies. The owner of the small food store introduced me to a lady named Anuta and said I should walk back with her to her house and see the table clothes she makes. Not knowing how to politely get out of it I followed her up the road to her house. Anyone who has been here has seen those table clothes with the embroidery and cutouts - now I have seen how they make them. Anuta draws the patterns on with pencil, appears to be freehand. Then she hems a piece of linen cloth all around the edge of the table cloth or piece she is working on. She has this ancient treadle sewing machine and handles not only the thin thread on the top spindle but also a heavier cord as well as another spool of thread - all while moving the piece back and forth under the needle to secure the threads - amazing! She pauses and cuts out between the stitching with a tiny pair of scissors. She was so pleased I took pictures of her and her handicraft and said I would definitely put this in my blog.

When everyone came back down the trail the kids were all very wet - there is a spring up on top and there were polliwogs! Oh joy!

Ana, another lady in Pauisani that gets food from Widow's Mite asked why we do not come and spend a couple of days there. It is lovely. Walter said Maria has so much land on top of the mountain we should go there. Ana said we would make a big fire and roast things. The typical food here to prepare on a campfire is fresh bread and you put smoked or cured pig fat on a stick and catch the drippings on to the bread. To that you add fresh tomatoes and onions. It is actually pretty yummy. We talked about Hans bring his kids, our little family as well as Roni and the kids from his children's home and hiking up there to camp. I can not imagine how much food we would have to haul up there, not to mention tents, sleeping bags and changes of clothes - but I am game. I think it would be great for the kids! Yes, I will attempt to get up the mountain. If I couldn't for some reason I could stay down in the little valley at Ana's house.

Good Friday

2010-04-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

We had a really nice Good Friday service in Vinga. I was surprised because the church was packed. I usually expect extra people on Easter Sunday and Christmas but not Good Friday.

Women's meeting

2010-04-28T05:46:00.001-07:00

A pretty good crowd for a first meeting.

Mary Jill and our translator Diana.

Paula Dunn and the worship team

March 27 we had a women's meeting here in Arad. My friend Mary Jill Callery and two wonderful Hungarian ladies came to speak. The name of the meeting or group is Women for Women and our theme was that the Lord has something for everyone. Paula Dunn and a group of ladies provided the praise and worship music. I tried something new here - door prizes. They were a big hit. Several ladies asked when our next meeting would be so Mary Jill and I set a date in June and another in August.

An amazing thing happened in that meeting. When the ladies were filing in and settling in a man walked in and sat down. He looked really out of place in a women's meeting here in Romania. In the States we usually would have a few men, but this is Romania. Someone came to me as I was setting up the door prizes and making sure we had everything. She asked if I had noticed the man sitting in the auditorium and I said that I had. She thought he looked strange and we should ask him to leave. I was really busy so I just cut her short with a mumbled "oh just leave him alone". When the official portion of the meeting was over with I invited people to stay if they wanted prayer. I was busy cleaning up and noticed this guy was still there. We asked him if he needed something. He said his name was Attila and he had one of the flyers and it said that the Lord has something for everyone - he wanted a touch from the Lord. Attila went on to say he had tried to get his sister to attend with him, then he tried his mother and finally a neighbor lady but no female would accompany him. I was so surprised that a Romanian man would brave coming to a women's meeting because he was so hungry for a touch from the Lord. We prayed for him and of course the Lord met him where he was at.

The closing of the school

2010-03-13T07:44:00.001-08:00

Today we finished emptying the school. It was sad but it seems this season is over. I knew this day was coming. I have had the classes there at the school for almost 10 years. The State gave me this building with the only conditions being that I had to renovate it myself and it must be used for the good of the community. A couple of years ago the Orthodox church took me to court. As with many buildings and parcels of land here, much confusion surrounded ownership before communist confiscation.

The Orthodox church is in the left hand side of the picture. We took apart the small kitchen and stored what we were not going to use immediately. We moved all the music things as well as additional seating in to my small church building around the corner from the school. It will take some organizing so it can be used for both the kids club as well as the music lessons. I think I need to move the stored things out from across the street in May. Monday I meet with Daniel to change the name on the house (church building) from the foundation's name to my own. That is the house that is to be Sani's inheritance.

Tuesdays are Mocrea days

2010-03-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

This is at the end of our visit and we are gathering to pray. This week many of the locked ward women were released to join us. Last week many of the locked ward men were brought in to the area. They really enjoyed the crafts and games.

I have been blessed with help for the last several weeks. Lynsey Ball, Hans Jaspers and Adina Luca have been coming. I had photos of all of them but there were too many faces of patients showing so I could not use them. Hans plays the guitar, as well as lets patients use it. He plays chess and visits with the men. Lynsey and her family will be here in Romania until April and I will miss her help - she is excellent at crafts. Adina is back from a year in the States and has not yet found a good position - the job market is pretty bad here now. Adina has always pitched to help in many ministries.

This man is new at Mocrea and I am not sure of his history. He draws and paints very well. There is another man in a wheelchair that is also talented - both of these men enjoy talking with Hans. I am always looking for help at Mocrea - the patients truly look forward to these visits. We do a craft every week and serve coffee, soda and cookies. So many of these people have no one to visit them. There is an outdoor patio area now and we are all eagerly looking forward to warmer weather and being outside for our visits.

More widow's

2010-02-21T10:22:00.001-08:00

This is Eva. She has been in the program for a couple of months. Her sister Irina was in the program but has passed away. I went to take food to Irina and her landlord came out and told me. He said she had already died the last time I left food and they couldn't catch me. When I took the food there was no one home (now I know why) so I just opened the door and put the food on the table. The landlord wanted to show me what they did with the food - they gave it to Eva who lives next door. It seemed Eva is Irina's sister and Irina had been sharing her food with her. Eva is semi-paralyzed and bedridden.

I tried to find a picture I have from about 6 years ago. it was of Elizabeth and Sarah packing Widow's Mite bags in our living room. This one is in my bathroom - I have more floor space in there! We have added 3 more ladies to the program, they have no pensions at all. Praise God it has warmed up and wood consumption has slowed. George is out of wood however so I ordered him some more.

Vinga Youth goes skating

2010-01-28T05:45:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I took the entire youth group, all 17 of them, from Vinga ice-skating and then out for pizza. None of the kids had ever been skating. By in large they all had a lot of fun. A small group quit after just a few minutes saying that it hurt their feet and they were afraid to fall. I took that opportunity to talk with them about life in general. If you afraid to try new things because you might fall or something might hurt you you will lead a very dull life. I told them I had prayed for them all not to break anything and they should have a sense of adventure and go for it. All but two went back and tried. I did not think it would be wisdom, with my knees, to get out there with them however!

We continue to work in Apple Way at the squatter camp. I am not sure what can be done for these families when the demolition starts in the spring. Claudia's baby died in the womb at 6 months. She is around 19 and this was her 4th child. As they were going to administer the anesthetic for the C-section she requested a tubal ligation. The same day she was taken by ambulance to the hospital her house burned - again. They steal their electricity and it was a faulty connection. When I saw how many things were wired in to one line I shuddered. I tried to explain to Ramos but he was not interested in listening. At least the damage was not extensive this time.

I need to move out of the school. I am praying about extending the church building in Sanicolaul Mic to accommodate the music lessons and Kid's Club. I need to hear from the Lord! Some have asked if I am not going to be reimbursed for the funds I put in to the renovation of the school - no I am not. That is the law here, however I was able to stay on for some time after the judgment in court. I need to sort out the property taxes since the school and the church are tied together in one enormous tax bill.

Everything else is going along pretty well. As usual I am sorry I don't post more often!

Our first Christmas pageant

2009-12-28T10:07:00.001-08:00

The girls are sure getting big!

Lighting The Christ Candle. The "Angel" Sarah closed in prayer.

I hope you can see in this small picture that our pageant included sheep (to the left of the manger) as well as donkeys (on the right against the wall). Also the Orthodox church lent Bogdan the 3 shirts that the Magi were wearing. I thought that was cool.

Our choir on the left with Bogdan's mother. She did a great job preparing the kids.

Taking a few hours with the girls

2009-12-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth went out at night to get a picture of ol' Frosty - she knew he would be gone soon. And the answer to your question - no I do not know how to rotate a picture before posting!

The row of kids behind my car, I tried to hold the camera over my shoulder while I drove, but finally had to stop to get the picture.

Elizabeth, Sarah and some friends

In the midst of all the work Elizabeth and Sarah had wanted me to pull them and a few friends behind the car on their sleds. The work will still be there but I wasn't sure the snow would - a warm up with a lot of rain was forecast. They had a great time!

Mocrea Christmas

2009-12-28T05:49:00.001-08:00

Sarah helping to distribute gifts to those who couldn't come to the party. There were 165 patients at the hospital and we had a gift bag for every one!

We visited all the rooms where patients couldn't come and sang Christmas Carols. They all enjoyed seeing Santa too!

We had two separate programs with gifts and carols for the ones able to come to the cafeteria. It was a real joy to our hearts!

Christmas food distribution

2009-12-28T05:38:00.000-08:00

Vio standing guard over the remaining food bags - we delivered them other places on the way home.

It was such a blessing to have the funds to do this. For this next year I will be praying for the Food Bank to open again!

This is Tina and her mother. Tina is due to give birth to her fourth child any time now. She has no idea of the ages of her other children but she gets them to Sunday School every week and loves church herself.

Those bags were really heavy - about 40 pounds each, without the meat. That was separate.

Yup, that's me with a glove in my mouth - checking my list.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T04:56:00.001-08:00

Lena with her gift from Widow's Mite. She is standing in front of her wood, which was the biggest blessing for her.

We delivered lap blankets to the old folks home in Comlosul Mare. 10% of everything that comes in for Widow's Mite goes to Pastor Timis to help with the elderly in the judet of Timis.

Eva, from Widow's Mite program at Christmas. She loved her new hat!

Pastor Hada at Maranatha. We were able to attend their lovely Christmas program and deliver gifts. The children sang beautifully.

We were also able to do a distribution at another orphanage in Fantanele and our school in Sanicolaul Mic.

Christmas day at our house

Vio and I made a tremendous amount of food for Christmas dinner. I wanted to be able to invite anyone that I heard would be alone. I could have invited the 7th Calvary with all the food we had! I have not cooked since!

2009-12-19T12:28:00.000-08:00

There is so much I want to write about: the Mocrea Christmas party went so well! Today we did a large food distribution in Vinga and had the dress rehearsal for our Christmas program tomorrow - what a hoot that was! The important thing is that many children are involved! We have a few more gifts to distribute to the Widow's on Monday.

I managed to fall on the ice today, which was not the best thing for my knee. Tonight Elizabeth said she never wanted to get old. Why not, I asked - most of us do you know. She said because she doesn't want her legs to hurt like mine do. I explained that I played baseball well past the time I should have known better and was well warned by doctors about how my knees might be when I got older. Well now I am older...besides I told Elizabeth I could have them replaced. She asked why I didn't and then said probably I didn't have the money. She said she would save her allocation from the State to buy me new knees. Gosh I was touched and just smiled at her and then after a pause she added - as soon as I buy my MP3 player of course. I roared with laughter.

I do have pictures to share and I will get to it soon! I have 2 more days of ministry work for Christmas and then I am done. Praise The Lord for all His provision and sending people alongside to help at this time of year.

Irene, Wayne, Walter and myself had a lovely dinner tonight and a time of fellowship and prayer. We all have been so busy but needed this time this evening! We can get so busy with what we think is God's work that we leave no time for Him. After all, He is the reason for the season.

Deep in to December!

2009-12-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

There are so many things and pictures I want to share with you...but I am on the run! We have a large Sunday School presentation this Sunday with dress rehearsal on Saturday, following close on the heels of the Christmas food distribution in Vinga.

Yesterday we were able to return to Mocrea. They were in quarantine due to the Swine Flu. I was glad to be back. Some of the patients didn't understand and thought we had abandoned them. We go back on Friday for the big Christmas party there.

In A few minutes we go to the judet of Timis to take gifts for the widows in 2 villages as well as visit an old folks home in one of the villages and the AIDS hospital.

Irene and Wayne have been wonderful. They leave Dec. 22 but Peter stays on.

I will post some pictures soon!

Vilma

2009-11-30T01:24:00.000-08:00

I was writing a friend an e-mail and telling her about my visit yesterday to Vilma, one of the ladies in the Widow's Mite program. I realized I needed to post this here also.

I hadn't seen Vilma, one of the widows, for 2 months. I left the food bags hanging on the fence those times. This month I decided I was not going to leave the food but keep going back until I caught the daughter home. I was concerned that Vilma had either died or was being left alone most of the time. The neighbor had said Vilma was still alive but I was concerned because the daughter is mentally unstable. On my fifth trip back the daughter came out - it took a while but we determined that Vilma had been moved to her son's place. I got the address and went. The son and daughter-in-law live very poorly themselves but the room was clean where Vilma was staying and did not smell. We had taken bed-linens and pads for under Vilma and given them to the daughter but she wasn't changing the the bed. It was a relief to know Vilma was in a clean bed. She declined terribly since I last saw her, she is almost deaf and blind now. She recognized my voice and started to cry. Her daughter-in-law had wanted her to go and stay at the old place to try and catch when I came with the food so I would know where she is. Vilma's daughter brought the food to Vilma the last two months at least. I told the daughter-in-law that I was glad Vilma was there and she said they had to move her because the daughter was abusing her. That broke my heart. I told Vilma, who knows the Lord, that we will pray that the Lord takes her home soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-30T00:23:00.000-08:00

OK - so I am a couple of days late! I meant to get this posted last week - honest!

The missionaries plus many Romanian guests gathered for a Thanksgiving feast. The girls had the next day off from school (part of the teacher's strike and they are still off) so it worked out nicely. Of course I have no pictures to post of this event but we had a good time. There are fewer and fewer Americans here but the kids in Network's Mission school as well as the volunteers from all over Europe quickly got the hang of our holiday! Some Romanian churches seem to be starting similar celebrations of thanksgiving.

The Orphan Sponsor Updates are completed! Yeah! If you sponsor a child and do not have e-mail, the letters are in the mail. If you do have e-mail you should have received your letter and picture.

The Vinga youth group continues to grow. This next Friday night we have movie night and they are all to invite friends. I am still praying for youth pastors for this group.

We are now heading in to our very busy Christmas schedule. Irene and Wayne arrive this week and will stay 3 weeks. Peter is here until January and is a big help. I need to get our tree up this week. I have almost all of my shopping done but I need to get everything wrapped.

Apple Way

2009-11-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

Networks (Lee), Nigel, Walter and myself had another meeting about Apple Way. We think we have a plan. With all those families and the entire squatters camp scheduled for demolition in the spring we are unable to make any big investments in building materials.

We will continue covering leaking roofs with nylon. We have identified what we feel are the biggest needs: shelter to keep rain and snow out; heating; food; and medicine for the winter. Once it gets really cold many many of those children will become sick. We have settled on providing the staple of flour. Lee wrote up a rough budget and we feel it is doable. We will see if the City Hall is determining which of the families have identification papers for the judet of Arad - that will help to get placement elsewhere. Lee is going to talk to the forest master and see if he will let us come in with two helpers from the camp to remove downed trees and limbs etc. If the answer is no then we will buy some wood but the truth of the matter is they will go in and take what they need and we'll just not question where the wood comes from.

We are all spending time in that area just talking to people and building relationships, this allows us to assess the needs ourselves. Nigel and Walter are so faithful about being there often and spending many hours there. Today Walter and Ionut were cutting up wood for several families (did I want to know where a couple of them got the telephone poles? Ah, no I didn't). I found a few older ladies that may qualify for the Widow's Mite program so I'll go back especially to visit them.

I think most everyone is leaving in Dec. and Jan. but the houses should be fixed by then and we will be down to the distribution of the flour, medicine and wood by then. Peter will be here until February so that will help.

I am glad we have a plan! If you just look on the surface that place can be overwhelming! We look with western eyes and think "how can people live like that?" but they do and many have survived many years living in those conditions - do babies die? Yes. Do people die much earlier than other groups? Yes. Do all those beautiful children eat everyday? No. Can I fix it? No. Can I do something? Yes.

Orphan Sponsors

2009-11-01T23:01:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note to you who have sponsored orphans - the updates on all the kids starts this week. Am I late again? well sure but I won't bother with a list of excuses, just know your update and picture will be on the way shortly.

If you know anyone that would like to sponsor a child or an elderly person please contact me. I am sure it has escaped no ones attention that there is a financial crisis all over the world but for those who were right on the edge, it is desperate.

Back to Apple Way

2009-11-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

We are back in Apple Way. Walter, myself and a team from Networks are back working in Apple Way trying to get some of the squatter shacks somewhat ready for winter. We covered a couple of roofs in heavy nylon last week and are returning today. This entire squatter area is scheduled for demolition in the spring - what will happen to all these families is still very much up in the air. The State has no plans to relocate them and most are not from this judet.

Vinga Youth

2009-11-01T22:46:00.001-08:00

Here is most of the teen group from the Vinga church. I have had the opportunity to be a youth pastor - never thought I was called to that but heck it seems I am doing several things here I was not called to do! It boils down to doing the best I can with what God puts before me.

While we were at camp this summer I felt it would be an awesome thing to take these kids outside of Romania on a missions trip. I talked to a fellow missionary from Eastern Germany and we may be able to work something out. I told the kids they would have to earn some of the money. The plans are for this group, plus others I hope, to attend summer camp again this next summer. I think a charity in the UK, Reaching Romania, will be helping to fund that.

Friday we are having our meeting in town over pizza. I am praying for a youth leader - I don't want to lose these kids. Vinga has so many children, between the teens and the children we would have more than 65 kids if they all came any one Sunday to church.

Please agree with me in prayer

2009-10-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

I returned from Leysin Switzerland Saturday morning. It was an awesome 3 days - it is called a Time of Refreshing - and so it was! Nothing restores and refreshes like the presence of the Lord!

My daughter Kathleen is due to be released tomorrow from prison in California. She will probably be transferred to another detention center to resolve some other charges but should be given time served and then released. She requested to be released to our pastor in Ohio but it is doubtful that will be allowed HOWEVER God can move heaven and earth in her favor - if it is His will. I know friends worry about how hard it is on me every time Kathleen falls - but one of these times she won't - God promised me. Maybe this time will be the time. I stood for her in prayer from Malachi chapter 3:8-12 (I am a tither and a giver so the promise is mine) for 7 years. She came to Romania and was clean for 7 years, she has begun her 7th year in the mire again - BUT I declare in the heavenlies that THIS 7th year is the year of Jubilee! Please agree with me in prayer on this!

I am still alive ...honest!

2009-10-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note - I apologize that I have not been faithful in keeping up the blog. I am leaving in about an hour to travel to Switzerland. A ministry in the States sponsors a Time Of Refreshing for missionaries. It is 3 days of Praise and Worship, good talks, great food. pampering and rest. YIPEE YAHOO! I am looking forward to seeing and sharing with others serving in Europe.

I am in search of wood for the Widow's Mite program. The man who usually supplies some of the wood said there is a problem this year with getting A permit for forest cutting. I was hoping that we would have also found a source in the judet of Timis by now - but we haven't. The temperature is due to be zero and below in the coming nights this week. No one was totally out of wood yet so I have a little time. The funds are here - I just have to find the wood!

The Christmas shoe-box gifts will be on the way here by around the third week of October. Reaching Romania has taken on the huge task of supplying gifts for 400 children. We also have 140 patients at Mocrea State mental hospital and 34 Widow's in the Widows Mite program. Irene and Wayne Phillips of Reaching Romania come to help distribute the gifts and usually Peter Grover is here also to help. Distribution is a huge job!

We continue to visit in Apple Way, this is a squatters settlement. Claudia's "house" was insulated for the winter by Walter. Walter has been developing relationships there with visits and bike repairing.

The church in Vinga is growing! Bogdan and I are doing the teen group on Thursday evening and Liga, Bogdan's girlfriend, and Dalia, Bogdan's mom, are doing the Sunday School. I am praying for a youth pastor and musician for the church.

I am not going to edit this so I hope it makes sense - I just wanted to let you know I am still here!

I did not fall off the end of the earth...

2009-09-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not posting anything during our holiday, nor since returning home.

The girls and I had a wonderful time visiting in the States. It is such a joy to be able to spend time with friends! The girls spent innumerable hours in pools, visited King's Island in Ohio as well as the Aquarium and Zoo there. They went canoeing and camping with my pastor. They had their first visit to a cinema, went to Chuck E. Cheese as well as as Build a Bear! They were being spoiled rotten and they knew it!

Usually when I am in the States for 4-5 weeks by the 3rd week my heart is on it's way back to Romania. This year was different. By the start of week 4 I was not near ready to return to the fray. I wondered if the last year or so had taken a bigger toll on me that I realized? I spent time meditating on the fact that my days in Romania could be drawing to a close...but then the spark hit and I know at least for this season there is more the Lord would have me do here in Romania. A few people mentioned that perhaps it would be better for the girls if we were to live in the States - there are so many more advantages. Yes, that is true in one way, but then I thought about the girls running free in the village, coming home when they hear the cows leaving the fields or when the village church bell tolls, my being able to discipline the way I think should and not looking over my shoulder to be accused of child abuse, the girls can pray in school and there are choices on which religious instruction to take or the parents can opt out. Elizabeth would like a year of study in the States in the future but we have time.

I have closed the food bank building. I could not continue to pay the rent and buy all the food. A missionary friend still has a lead to large quantities of donated foods in the future and I need to meet with Daniel regarding a building for us. I definitely learned a lot these last 6 months about food distribution! I need a large building in a non residential area where people can come - I can not deliver any longer as the list is over 200 families. As many of you know, riots in nice neighborhoods are a no-no. This project remains my passion and I look forward to seeing what God will do!

Widow's Mite is still expanding, and Praise God we have the funds for the winter wood for all of them!!!!

We are starting up the youth group in Vinga this evening - please pray for us! I have met with a very nice young man that has a heart to become a youth pastor - YIPPEE YAHOO! Keep praying for music for the Vinga services.

Thank you for all your prayer and financial support!

We're off...!

2009-07-28T22:27:00.000-07:00

I think I have covered all the bases before we leave to the States. Irene and Wayne are on their way here and we will pass in the airport. The girls are very excited and I am definitely looking forward to a rest. I don't travel as well as I used to but I still love it.

Getting ready to leave

2009-07-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Suddenly last week I realized I was almost out of time - the girls and I leave the morning of the 29th for the States. There was so much work not done. I am trying to have everything ready for Irene and Wayne when they come, they will take care of the ministry with Peter's help while I am away.

Also I need to take some sort of write up about how the projects are going and maybe a few pictures.

I almost have everything done as of this evening. We are not packed but at least most of the clothes that we will be taking are clean and ready to be packed.

I am looking forward to seeing friends and generally not doing much! The girls are looking forward to seeing our friends, swimming a lot and eating beef! Hey, that sounds good to me too. Unfortunately I will need to shop for some clothes when I arrive - I have gotten s-o-o-o-o-o FAT since quitting smoking.

Also please include my daughter Kathleen in your prayers. I know what God has promised me and I await the promise.

Vinga kids at camp

2009-07-17T07:26:00.001-07:00

13 of the youth from Vinga went to summer camp last week. We integrated with two other groups. Integrate is a good word here because I brought "The Gypsies". Some of the volunteers and staff were apprehensive, as were the other campers. There were some of the usual under the breath slurs when we arrived but it was OK. The first night my kids misbehaved and did not respect the authority of the adult assigned to their tent or wagon. This camp has big Indian Tee-pees and old western style covered wagons as bunk areas for the kids. The staff have rooms that are like a western storefront. Pretty cool actually. Matthew, Lorraine, Adi and Tabita did a wonderful job in administration and keeping all the kids fed etc. A team from Alabama came and did the programs - they were awesome! A group from Scotland also volunteered.

The kids had a wonderful week. The gospel was presented to them in ways they had never heard. Many people learned that they are just kids, culturally different perhaps, raised differently maybe, but kids all the same. There were 9 kids that made a decision to become Christian, and 8 if them were my kids - how great is that!

We knew that when they returned to Vinga it would not be easy - they would be made fun of etc. I was afraid they would think that this was just a summer camp experience and not a life changing decision...so I invited the whole team to church on Sunday in Vinga! There were 23 of them. They bought our kids a ping pong table too. The church was told how special our kids are etc.

Baptisms Elizabeth and Sarah

2009-07-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Sarah about to be baptized

Elizabeth immersed

Mori, Elizabeth and Sarah immediately following the baptisms.

Mori came to me several weeks ago and said she was ready to be baptized. I told her I would schedule it in a few weeks, which would give me time to talk to her and be sure she understood what baptism was and what baptism was not.

I had talked to my pastor when he was in Romania in March about Sarah being baptized. She has wanted to be baptized for a while now. I asked him to talk to her. Elizabeth didn't say much. When Sarah heard I was scheduling a baptism she wanted to be baptized right then. I said that it might be easier on her if she was baptized in the States by Pastor Rich for three reasons: first woman don't pastor here and they sure don't baptize; children under 16 are not baptized; and I was the grandmother. Sarah listened to all this and her response was something like "does the bible say what age I have to be? Does the bible say you can't do it? So, what's your point?" OK Sarah... Elizabeth was just listening and remarked that it was too bad she couldn't be baptized. I went through all the things that I feel should be in place before a person is baptized...she had no trouble with any of that, she knows what she believes and in Whom she believes. What is the problem Elizabeth? I didn't want to push her, the girls are still very young. Elizabeth said that so often she knows what she should and should not do but she goes ahead and does the wrong thing anyway so she wasn't yet good enough to be baptized. Boy did I have good news for her!

It was a very special day.

Quick Update!

2009-07-05T02:48:00.001-07:00

Walter and Ionci poured cement for Claudia's floor in their new shack. It isn't very pretty but they stay dry. We took beds and a small gas stove as well as other household goods. They are so happy with everything.

Elizabeth is doing a great job being in charge of crafts at Mocrea. Last week they dipped their hands in pain and then decorated the hand-prints. I have to say that was not a craft I would have tried but everything washes! Thanks to the new craft supplies we have a lot to choose from now.

My youth leader in Vinga quit and the kids had been promised a picnic and play day. I didn't want to disappoint them so I took 16 teens up to Taut for the day. They had a great time (and I survived!)

We have added 6 new widow's to the Widow's Mite program within the last few weeks and I have inquiries about adding more. There are so many but I am going to keep adding them and believing for the funds! The definition of faith: the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen = works for me!

I am taking the kids from Vinga to a summer camp tomorrow - pray for me!

Elizabeth's banquet

2009-06-11T00:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was Elizabeth's 4th grade banquet. Here in Romania the children have the same teacher grade 1 through 4. Not too many years ago many children left school after the 4th grade if their families needed help with farming or raising animals. Several moms were teary and they asked me if it wasn't a very emotional occasion for me. It is a milestone for sure and I am saddened when I think of how much the girls parents have missed.

The picture is of Elizabeth's teacher and preschool teacher who also came to the banquet. The preschool teacher continued to call Elizabeth for her birthday even when she went on to school.

This last week...

2009-06-08T02:51:00.001-07:00

We have been working to rebuild Claudia a new shack in Apple Way. These are her neighbors.

Here is Claudia and her 3 little boys. Claudia is now 21.

This is Ionci and Ramos, Claudia's husband, we are making progress on this shack. We have 2 walls done and the roof. I need to buy more wood. Walter is going this week and take some tools and a wheelbarrow so Ramos can prepare the ground to pour cement. There were 5 boards left to put on a side wall and I told Ramos that if he didn't get them up I was not going to come with more material or workers. We'll see how that goes.....

Matt is here for two weeks helping me. He was here last year with Barb's team from Roberts. He has been a tremendous help to me and the girls love him! We had bagged food for another distribution and he loaded my truck - he is game for any adventure!

Kids Klub

2009-05-24T02:02:00.001-07:00

Friday evening Marius (the Vinga youth leader) Peter and myself took 17 of the kids from Vinga to the Kids Klub in my school located in Sanicolaul Mic. They really seemed to enjoy it. The children in Vinga are especially on my heart. The ones that go to school do not usually stay much past the 4th grade and they have a limited future. We are taking them to a summer camp out near Lipova in July. Reaching Romania, a charity in the UK, has a program to provide school clothes for many of these kids as well as the needed school supplies. Sometimes this is all the encouragement they need to go back to school - new clothes! Reaching Romania has also provided me with funds to help with the camp costs.

I hope to get to their youth meeting in Vinga on Wednesday. I want to talk to them about some service projects, liking cleaning out the weeds in the cemetery. Also as I watched them Friday night an idea hatched in my brain about a missions trip for these kids. This would be HUGE undertaking (just now I got a mental picture - a shudder going through some people that know me well). The enormity of a project doesn't slow me down much - I just need to know it is God for me to do.

Widow's Mite

2009-05-24T00:43:00.000-07:00

The photograph below is of the 34 bags of food in my bathroom ready to be delivered to 6 villages in the judet of Timis. It takes an entire day with travel time to visit the 17 ladies. The photograph on the right is me with Mina Pandel. It was during a long conversation with Mina several years ago that I came to understand how it is that so many children desert their aged parents. She explained that the State took care of the children when you wanted them to, it was their responsibility and when you got old it was the State's responsibility to provide for you, not the children's. Of course under Communism there was no God. When I first discussed this with Mina she couldn't comprehend why I thought her children ought to be helping her. The house she has lived in all of these years is now in the name/s of her children. Mina is now relegated to a shed like area that is attached to the back of the house. There are big padlocks on the other doors - the rest of the house can now produce income for the children. Also Mina was not allowed to use the garden this year for the same reason. She said she is grateful for a tiny plot near the pig sty that they allow her to use. As she is getting older and unable to work as much things are getting more difficult for her and she longs for a relationship with her children.

I also went to visit Eva Stoll. Eva is a tiny 83 year old German woman. She requested a bible in German a year or so ago and Vlad was able to find her one but she can no longer read it. A few years ago she fell and hurt her left arm and has not been able to use it much since and then Friday she fell again. Eva can no longer use her right arm now either. A doctor came to visit her and said it was not broken but he also said she has problems with her heart and lungs. A neighbor rushed over when he saw a strange vehicle to see if Eva was alright. It seems some boys beat and robbed an old woman in that area recently. I am grateful that the neighbor is watching over her.

After visiting Eva we went right next door to deliver food to Smilia and Aurelia. Smilia is 89 and Aurelia is her 60-something profoundly retarded daughter. They were both in bed when we came. Smilia has never recovered from a bout with the flu and now Aurelia has also been bed-ridden for two weeks. A daughter-in-law comes about once a day and leaves food on a near-by table and gets a bucket of water. The daughter in law puts the daughter in her chair just long enough for her to eat and drink a little but Aurelia can no longer stay sitting up. Smlia said she thinks they are at the end of their days. I reminded her that we were agreeing in prayer for the Lord to take Aurelia first and then her right after. Smilia is asking the Lord in His mercy to take them now. I was profoundly sad, not because I think they may both die but because there is so little I can do to ease their lives now.

Claudia's House in Apply Way

2009-05-17T01:04:00.001-07:00

On the journey from the lumberyard Aaron had to ride on top of the lumber to keep it in the truck.

We unloaded the new lumber at the building site Friday and a group of men were supposed to come Saturday and work. This is a typical "construction". Claudia just wants it done so she can sleep under one roof with her children. When Walter and Aaron checked on the site yesterday while delivering potatoes only one or two boards had been added. Walter and I will check on the progress this week or next and if it isn't getting done we'll find a few volunteers and get it done. By the way, the tailgate of my didn't really survive the load of lumber - it was way too long and too heavy on the tailgate - oh well....

2 tons of potatoes

2009-05-17T00:27:00.000-07:00

I got a good buy on potatoes in bulk. I actually ended up buying more than 2 tons. An awesome team here from St. Paul's in Steamboat Springs CO helped me bag and deliver them. After the bagging I got concerned that the potatoes were small and low quality. The old saying came to mind "you get what you pay for" and I indeed got a really good price. Of course the few bags I checked out had a better quality potato! I do not like to give things that are second best - especially not in clothes and food. I really dislike the attitude that because these people are so poor they should appreciate anything they might be given in spite of the condition - we should give our best. I spoke with many and told them that I knew the potatoes were of poor quality. I didn't get any pictures of the team helping me. Thank you all from Steamboat Springs!

More food to Apple Way

2009-05-11T11:17:00.001-07:00

We provided over 200 boxes of food in that really poor neighborhood. We are scheduled to distribute potatoes on Saturday but I am not quite sure how to do it. The simplest way would be to gather 200 plastic shopping bags - I could put 10 lbs. or more in each bag - but bags cost and I hate to waste the money that could go for food! I will have to give this some more thought.

Peter and I went and bought some building materials to help rebuild the shack for Claudia and her family that had burned down. I wish I had taken a picture of what they had done so far. Several boards were nailed to start some walls but they were all different lengths. I asked Claudia if they had a saw - no. We bought a saw as well as a hammer and nails along with the wood and tar paper. I have been surrounded by poverty for a long time and am somewhat used to it - but I never want to get hardened to it. Claudia and I were chatting after Peter left and she looked pained. I asked what the problem was and she looked embarrassed but I persisted. She had one of her 3 children in her arms (I do not think she is out of her teens) and she hung her head a moment before muttering "we are hungry". The family of 5 have been allowed to sleep at an Aunt shack since they were burned out but they are given no food. Claudia's husband had been sick for 3 days and not been able to seek day work. Claudia said the worse part was when the oldest one cried because he was hungry and she said she cuffed him. She felt so terrible thinking she is a bad mother. I took them to the store. As I drove off I cried.

Hat day at Mocrea

2009-05-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Last week we made hats at Mocrea, it was a hit! I just wanted to share some of their artwork with you. I just received a large supply of new craft items and am contemplating what we will do this week. What fun!

Just catching up

2009-05-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

We went to deliver Widow's Mite food to a village a couple of hours away from us. Irene and Peter were able to go but also Sarah wanted to come. Both the girls enjoy coming with me on many of the projects. This lady is Pachita and I am not sure what she had said to Sarah but Sarah hugged her and told her "remember Jesus loves you every day". Irene then took a picture of them. It was one of those precious moments.

Aren't they gorgeous?

2009-04-26T02:03:00.001-07:00

Here are the girls at Easter. Sarah and Elizabeth seem to be growing up over night! They are a joy to my heart.

Food Bank to the neighborhoods

2009-04-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

Since I temporarily suspended having riots and blocking streets in the area of the Food Bank, I took the food out to poor neighborhoods. Here are a few of the pictures that Irene took.

The first photo shows Tibi and the van he and two friend brought to help. These people are rromi and were a tremendous help in preventing a neighborhood riot. If I did have a riot I do not imagine I would be able to get the Jandarme to come out there to help me!

The second is of one of the dirt roads in the area we visited. From the photos you can not see much of these shacks and the living conditions. To reach this "neighborhood" you have to leave a main road and wind through a maze of dirt paths and go through mounds of trash and garbage. All these houses are due to be bulldozed in the future - the land belongs to a university and all these people are squatters. A foundation here is working with the mayor to get a land grant so they will have a place to go. I have started searching for heavy canvas tents. This same foundation also has a day center and we need to meet so I perhaps can supply them with food boxes to distribute from their center.

The next is the site of a shack that had burned down just the night before. We are looking at helping with some materials to rebuild. The family that was burned out was a family that we had worked with many years ago.

The last photo is the crowd beginning to form around my truck - I am in the middle somewhere.

On Monday, with the help of those awesome high school volunteers, we will begin to assemble cartons and pack them for another distribution food for around 200 families.

I need to visit some other neighborhoods and assess the need. It is much more labor intensive and time consuming for me to have to do the distributions away from the Food Bank but the important thing is that we are getting the food out to hungry families.

I have previewed and edited this entry about 3 times but when it publishes it is totally different - I give up! I hope you can make sense of it.

Somewhat controlled chaos

2009-04-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well it wasn't a full scale riot on Saturday at the food bank, and it wasn't totally out of control either so I thought that was progress. The Jandarme were there in force at 8:30, unfortunately the crowd seemed not to heed their instructions. I am not sure the word "orderly" is in most of these people's vocabularies. The street became blocked with more than 300 people. We tried to work out in the street to get the names and addresses but since there was no concept of forming a line we had to give up and move indoors with the Jandarme at the door. We took the information and gave out numbers. Then we gave out the boxes and collected all the numbers. As we were passing out numbers the Jandarme kept asking me if I was sure I had that many boxes. Yup I was!

While I was still across the street registering people a man opened a window above me and began yelling at me. He said "aren't you ashamed to be doing this?" No sir, I am not. "Why don't you go help orphans and Widows" I do sir. When he began to berate me for filling his neighborhood with Gypsies the Jandarme closest to me told him to shut up and close the window. Gee I couldn't have said it better myself.

We were able to give out food to more than 240 families, representing over 1000 people I would guess. We did of course have several that stay together trying for several boxes. These things are inevitable. I know there must be laws about causing these types of public disturbances and I have been grateful for the support I have received and not been arrested or fined. The Jandarme almost pleaded with me to find another way to do this. I posted a sign to suspend the distributions for now and am seeking another way. I know the centralized food bank is the answer, I am just not sure how to proceed.

I will be going to the local brick factory where poor people live in really appalling conditions and distribute food there this next Saturday. I want to contact a couple of different ministries that are working in a few poor areas and maybe partner with them for a period. A building without immediate neighbors would be really good, right now I am in a residential area. I am going to continue to buy and stock the food and prepare the boxes, not just distribute them from that building for now.

The need for food is huge here. The economy of Romania is in crisis as is in much of the world now, but so many people here were already on the edge. I am not going to give up because this is difficult - pray for this project!

2009-04-06T04:44:00.000-07:00

This is Maria Calderas. I visited her today with food from the Widow's Mite program and money for her medicines. She was sorting through empty medicine boxes trying to find a few that may have still had a pill or two left. She is severely asthmatic as well having heart problems. She is no longer able to walk much so she has put on more weight. Due to her weight an old surgery site is tearing. She has no more clothes that fit her so I am going in search of a few items. In 2007 I had to get her underwear from the States as there is no really large sizes available here.

Help arrived

2009-04-06T00:28:00.001-07:00

Three young ladies from a local high school arrived to help me pack boxes for the food bank. In two hours we had packed over 200! What a blessing they were. They also said they will be available to help again.

Pictures are worth 1000 words...

2009-03-29T01:21:00.000-07:00

8:30AM. Crowd beginning to assemble in the street.

One and a half hour before opening the crowd is growing.

Bogdan getting names and addresses and me giving out numbers

215 boxes near the gate ready to distribute when we open at 10AM, somewhat worrisome as no Gendarme have arrived.

We begin the distribution at 10AM...the riot begins...we close the gates and try to reason with the people...

the first police arrive at 10:20 and we have to close the gates

10:20AM more police arrive and are soon joined by the Gendarme. So why weren't the Gendarme there beforehand? (I thought it was all set up!)...we were instructed to e-mail them with the particulars and the hour we needed assistance. I requested 8:30AM for them to come so we could get the people in a line and not rush the gate. The e-mail had not been opened...OOPS. This was my fault in not being sure it had reached the right people. It took some time to straighten it out!

Sani and Ionci guarding the gate as we are passing out the boxes again.

In less than one hour we have given out food parcels to more than 200 families

Bogdan and me - we survived another week!

We have moved into the unfinished building with the street access - ready to begin again. Please pray for the family that owns the building, this is a real trial for them.

Thank you all for your prayers. No one was hurt and I do not think I was fined (not quite sure yet). I had some interesting conversations with the police and Gendarme, I wanted them to see my heart and hopefully to understand why I was doing this. The people I mainly help are difficult and I do understand the prejudice. Today, as always, I feel some what down and tired and think I am truly crazy to be attempting this. If it is truly of the Lord then He will go before me. I know that in another day or so I will be planning the buying and restocking. We have another distribution April 11 and I am planning for 300 families.

P.S.

2009-03-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

...and that it does not rain Saturday!

2009-03-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

I have not yet heard whether I will have Gendarme to help me at the food bank on Saturday. I need about 50 more empty boxes and then need to pack 80 more. I am hoping to have them all done before Saturday so I can utilize volunteers to get the names and addresses of people, explain the scope of the program and generally be visible. I am not sure yet how many volunteers I will have. This work is such a work of my heart that I pray it will continue and grow. it seems unless I get more help to buy and stock I can only open the food bank every other week. I also want to scout out the elderly that come to see if they qualify for the Widow's Mite program.

Edith Bond, a missionary in Hungary, is coming today for a visit. I am looking forward to her coming and will shamelessly draft her as a volunteer. Vlad and another pastor from Timis are also coming today for dinner. I think this other Pastor has many elderly that need food in his village.

I'll let everyone know how it goes Saturday! I am also praying for the Lord to go before us and hinder those who should not be getting the parcels of food. I know there are abuses but I also know I will lean in the direction of giving the food. Pray for peace and patience with the crowd.

Yesterday was a riot!

2009-03-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

It was cold and sunny yesterday morning and I was glad we wouldn't be working in the rain. We had almost double the food that we had for the food bank the week before and I had extra volunteers. So far so good - right?

The people had been assembling since 7AM, we open at 10AM. The crowd grew and grew. We were attempting to give out numbers and take information on those that had not been there the week before. Within minutes that became impossible. We gave out food to about 80 families and then had to stop. We couldn't open the gates as they were pushing so hard and trying to rush in every time we tried. One of the people that came to help has a friend in the Gendarme and she called him. He came and then called for a wagon and reinforcements. I felt really bad. I had the food and the people needed it and I couldn't give it out.

When the Gendarmes arrived they did bring order out of chaos. The rromi are afraid of them. They were very nice but I did expect to receive some sort of fine. I told them what I was doing and they asked if I was out of food. No, I had plenty more. They stayed while we gave out food. When they had to leave I had to close.

I am not scheduled to open again until Mar. 28. Without large food donations and more help with buying and stocking I can not do this myself every week. The Gendarme said with notice they will show up to help next time. I may have lost a couple of volunteers. Most people have not been involved in situations like this but I have. This was not my first riot! The Gendarme told me not to be afraid, and I wasn't. I told them I have been doing this for almost 12 years. Several people were saying that those people are animals and that really bothered me. It takes quite a while working with a new group to get them to understand that that behavior will stop the project. The landlady at the building was beside herself also.

I was able to talk to to many people outside as well as volunteers to explain why I am doing this: because God loves them. I have paid for the building for 3 months and await the lord to provide for the continuing of this project. The scope is truly huge but I did feel that the Lord wanted me to start. Other groups may join in. Two high school students came and they said their high school has a team of volunteers so perhaps they can come and pack boxes in advance. A neighbor came for food and stayed to help, she was a courageous little thing!

I wish I could have taken a video or some pictures, it was wild. The whole street was closed for a time due to the crowds. When I had to shut it down the first time I really was sad and sat in my truck feeling defeated. When the boxes of food were again being given out I told Paula "this makes me happy, this is my passion".

A pastor from California, Craig Turley, is involved in Joseph's Storehouse in Redlands. During a telephone conversation several years ago at a time I was very discouraged. Other missionaries don't have fights in the streets and riots. Other missionaries do not seem to be the victims of so much deceit and theft, I must be doing something wrong! Craig said to me "Jackie, Kingdom building is messy business". It sure is!

Playground in Minis

2009-03-12T00:55:00.000-07:00

The playground has had the rest of the equipment installed for several months but I never got out there to photograph it. It was rainy and cold but at least you can see the new stuff. This was a project the Lord laid on my heart over 2 years ago. A team from CA leveled the land and put up the fencing 2 years ago. I am blessed that it is now been completed. This playground is located at a camp in Minis. The camp is run by Ana and Cornel and they use the proceeds of their camp to fund their private children's home in Arad. This playground has also been used for the camps Cassandra has done for disabled children from State facilities. May this be used for many years as a safe place for children to play.

Vinga Church

2009-03-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

After opening the food bank on Saturday and recovering somewhat we had our service at Vinga church. Our Sunday school had 50 kids and the main church was also packed. My Pastor, Rich Femia, has been visiting this last week and we were blessed to have him with us Sunday.

Pictures of Saturday Mar. 7

2009-03-11T00:55:00.000-07:00

I also should know how to put titles under pictures - I don't! On the lower left is Bogdan handing out a box of food. Bogdan and his girlfriend Liga came to help as well as Bogdan's parents and older brother - what a blessing!

The upper left is Sarah huddled in a sleeping bag on the cement floor as we organized before opening. Both Sarah and Elizabeth ended up helping bring the numbers to those who were packing boxes.

On the right is Vio packing boxes, her husband Ionci was also there - bless them!!! It really was an awesome start to the project - there are just so many people who need food!

Food Bank Launched

2009-03-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday was cold and rainy so I had hoped that we would have at least 10-15 families so that we could at least give out some food and get the kinks out of our system. I had purchased and stocked over $1700 in food so I had enough for the first two weeks at least. I had not advertised so that we wouldn't be swamped before we knew what we were doing and before we could acquire some large food donations. I had to close more than an hour early because we had run out of food. The response was overwhelming. We gave out food boxes to over 100 families, for a total of almost 400 people! I had a lot of help and it went pretty smoothly but...400 people?! I was totally spent and wanted to curl up in a corner and whine "Lord, I can't do this". By Sunday morning I begin to think that I would indeed continue, Monday I started to restock. This truly will have to be a work of the Lord with His provision - it is way beyond me or my capabilities. For some reason I can't get any pictures to post so I will publish this and then try for the pictures.

Food Bank to open March 7

2009-03-02T00:12:00.001-08:00

I spent several days last week buying and transporting food to the new building. It looked like a lot piled up in the bed of the truck as well as the back seat as I made three separate trips. Many people have been asking where it will be, what hour we open etc. I thought I had bought enough for the first two weeks but I think I will go and shop some more, It would be a disaster if we ran out of food. I have been involved in near riot situations here before when this has happened with other distributions. Ordinarily this would not bother me but we will be in town and this is a rented building and I do not want to draw the attention of the police or Jardarme. Most of the people that will come at first will probably be rromi and a crowd will certainly draw attention. I pray that over the first few weeks donated food will become available. I am not sure how this project will go I only felt impressed it was time to start. Please pray for this project and thatdonated food and helpers will come!

Guess?

2009-02-19T07:31:00.001-08:00

Ah gee you guessed - it's a bowl of fruit! But what does it represent?...yesterday I had a lovely time of counting my blessings. This bowl of fruit is one of them. I am able to keep the household in fresh fruit and vegetables in the winter. Here in Romania it is considered an extravagance here but it is one of God's blessings!

I picked up 5 loaves of bread at a discounted price just now to put in to the freezer for the Food Bank. I smiled and thought "Now I only need a couple of fish ." The Food Bank is scheduled to open March 7. Please hold this up in prayer.

Casa Alexandru

2009-02-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

Casa Alexandru is a small facility that houses young people with various mental disabilities. We try and go once a week and I am buying food once a month. Last week was Play Doh, it was a hit!

Pictured is Vio with a patient. Vio has been a huge blessing to me and always ready to pitch in. She also goes to Mocrea with me and until recently would help with the Widow's Mite deliveries. Vio is now with child, in a high risk pregnancy - please pray for her and her unborn child/children (she may be carrying twins!)

I will not yet let the girls go with me as two of the patients can get violent.

By the way, have you ever tried to get Play Doh out from under your fingernails?????

Elizabeth and Sarah at Mocrea

2009-02-10T00:06:00.001-08:00

Last week was a school vacation and both girls wanted to come with me to Mocrea Psychiatric Hospital. I go there once a week and do crafts, play games, sing, serve snacks, and sometimes show a film. I started going around 3 years ago I think, originally to take food for the patients. The situation has vastly improved over these three years. The buildings have all been renovated and several new bathrooms and shower facilities were added and they have plenty of food. We started to go every other week and visit with some of the patients and the program grew!

Cassandra and Ionut had been regulars to go with me for a long time but they have little Caroline to care for and they are in the States for a while. Irene as well as Peter and Christine enjoy coming to Mocrea when they are in the country but right now it seems that no one is here for now! I have been trying to get others to go but I guess visiting a mental hospital is not appealing to many! It is such a blessing to me to know that the visits have made a difference. The administrator said that the patients are less violent and all around happier since we began the program. Vio, the young neighbor who has been helping with the girls and house for the last 5 years, loves to go when she can which is a real help to me. Ideally I need a team of 4-5 so I can get to the locked wards also.

The patients really enjoyed the girls. Many have children and grandchildren that they rarely see if ever. Elizabeth and Sarah did very well and said they would be glad to go whenever they had vacations.

Every week before we leave we pray together. The patients really like this and look forward to this time. Several have asked for bibles so I purchased a small supply to have on hand.