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

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

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!!!!

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

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

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

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

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