Apologies for the delay in communication since my return to Wales. After my arrival home in late December it was straight in the hasty Christmas preparations here. After catching up with old friends at the Christmas Eve service at St. Mary's Church in Seven Sisters and enjoying Christmas Morning at our own Church we headed up to Brecon to spend a family day. It was a blessed time especially having my son Neil back among us for Christmas for the first time in 9 years. We also had a blessed time with our grandson Morgan. After my Romanian Trip and all the preparations for Christmas on arriving home, I literally crashed out on Boxing Day and put my feet up - something I rarely do.
Well here we are in 2012 and we look forward with excitement to what the Lord has in store for us as a family, a Church and as a Charity. Preparations are already underway for the Charity Christmas Appeal - all the cheap wrapping paper has been purchased and my friend Elizabeth Peters and I have both been out separately picking up many bargains for our shoeboxes.
The Church Ministries are back in full swing - Little Lambs is growing and today we had 18 children present and an equal amoung of mums/grandparents. We give thanks for more helpers - we are a real family!!! Almond Tree is also thriving and our team has been busy organising the timetable for the year. Last week we had a St. Valentine's Day celebration and tomorrow we are tossing Pancakes!!!
We have had a Charity Meeting since my return and last Friday we raised £220 at a foyer collection at the Co-op supermarket in Hirwaun. Grateful thanks to everyone who supported God's work in Romania.
On a personal note last week we travelled to Burton on Trent for the 3rd Birthday of our lovely grandson, Dylan. We are looking forward to the birth of his sister, Bethany in 3 weeks. Please pray for a safe delivery.
Monday, 20 February 2012
Monday, 19 December 2011
Mocrea Christmas Programme and time to say goodbye
I can't believe it is my last day here - it's only been a 3 week trip but we have done so much in the name of Jesus and it has flown. I give thanks that I have had strength despite lack of sleep.The Pre-Christmas visit is always so busy - I am hoping to come back in the spring/summer to be able to devote more time to each Project.
A little chaos this morning as we packed Adina's Peugeot full of all the items for the Mocrea Christmas Programme and realised that Traian would not fit in. There were 170 packages of gifts, plus coffee, pop, biscuits,oranges and gifts for the staff and the transport problems were overcome. There are many people who have contributed to the day and I give thanks for them. Kay Grover, the founder of RR who joined us today and who makes all the gift bags in Devon with the help of her friends; Adina for helping me with all the shopping in Romania and together with her niece, Patri, friend, Rebecca and mam, Maria stayed up until 2 am making up the bags ready for loading.They insisted I catch up with my blogging!!!We also give thanks for Peter for his Father Christmas duties, to Marius and his team of musicians who led all the carols etc and to Cerbu and his team for returning to do another programme after yesterday's success. 
3 vehicles set out on the 1 and a half journey along bumpy roads and there was much excitement as we all arrived to set up for the programme which was a terrific success. They absolutely loved the variety which started off with the puppet show. They were soon joining in with responses, clapping and singing. I toured the secure wards with the musicians singing carols and distributing gifts. At the end of the programme the other gifts were distributed and the earings for the ladies were a huge hit. We were almost reluctant to say goodbye - we all felt truly blessed by their response to whole programme - the love of Jesus was there. I shall miss them all. On way home the whole team - 15 of us stopped off for a simple Romanian meal and a time of fellowship. It was a lovely way to end the day and my trip.
After arriving back in the apartment I took a quick nap before finalising the accounts. Then a lovely girl, called Alexandra arrived with her adoptive mother of 9 years, Carla and sister, Dafina. Alexandra is aged 10, has been diagnosed with Glaucoma and is in danger of losing her sight unless she has an urgent operation. Adina in her capacity of social worker has been supportive of the family and arranged for Alexandra to see an eye specialist at Timisoara. 720 Euros (592 pounds) is required for an operation. Carla has worked extremely hard at raising support for her daughter but even with a donation from our Charity and a private one she is still approximately 100 pounds short of the target. The operation is scheduled for 9th January and the money must be raised by then. If there is anyone out there with a heart to help this beautiful little girl then please please contact me with your pledge. Every little helps.
I give a huge thank you to my hosts, the Luca family, including Adina and her brother, Danny and his family. They pull out all the stops to support God's work here and have their own ministry.
Well my blogging is over for this trip. It is now 10.30 pm and I leave for Timisoara at 3 am in the morning and I have packing to do yet.
My final word is "Thank You God for a blessed trip". May each and every person we have touched feel the love of light of Jesus this Christmas.
On behalf of Wayne and I and the Trustees of Reaching Romania we wish you a Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year full of his love, peace and joy. I am looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas with all the family.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
The Works of His Mighty Hand
The work of the hands of our Almighty God is awesome. He is good, He is faithful and His love endures for ever. This is His work and we give Him all the Glory.
Whilst in Vinga Community Hall Pastor Jackie & I were emotional when we saw T(formerly of Mocrea Mental Hospital) along with us as part of the Team serving sweets and oranges. Then there was Julie and Rebecca - on the stage taking part in sketches and singing - having had the most horrendous life prior to entering the Osana Children's Home in January. Pastor Jackie had rescued them from the street and placed them with Cerbu and his family. They are not only safe, but full of joy because they gave their lives to Jesus at Easter. Now they not only have hope, they are so....o happy and content.
Then last night we see the miracle in Yasmina, expected to be a cabbage all her life - now despite many visits to hospitals she is a miracle girl who lives life to the full. She is enrolled in a Christian Gradinita and Metanoie's Sunday School while her mother studies and makes new friends at Church. Her mother is continually giving thanks and has made a commitment to be baptised. Vinga Youth Group is growing and many of the children have been baptized.
This is your work Oh Lord and we give you all the glory. Thank you for your Grace and Mercy which is renewed every day.
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| Iasmina with one of her Christmas presents |
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| Julie and Rebecca with Pastor Jackie |
Then last night we see the miracle in Yasmina, expected to be a cabbage all her life - now despite many visits to hospitals she is a miracle girl who lives life to the full. She is enrolled in a Christian Gradinita and Metanoie's Sunday School while her mother studies and makes new friends at Church. Her mother is continually giving thanks and has made a commitment to be baptised. Vinga Youth Group is growing and many of the children have been baptized.
This is your work Oh Lord and we give you all the glory. Thank you for your Grace and Mercy which is renewed every day.
Sabboth activities
at
I thank God for a good night's sleep enabling to rise early. This was my last sabboth in Romania and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Up early but the internet is still down so I caught up on my accounts instead. Quick phone call to my hubby to send best wishes to our Church in Wales today it it is their Christmas Family Service too and my "Little Lambs" are taking part.
Then Danny arrives - he has already been out to Sofronea to pick up Pastor Jackie and the girls. This is the first time Jackie has been out since she returned from hospital a week ago. After loading the minibus we were on the road to Vinga Church where we had a morning service and a Christmas programme which included lighting the "Love" candle, the Children's, Youth and Adult programme. It was indeed a real blessing. This was followed by shoe box distribution a delicious meal prepared by Leontin and Maria who live next door. Leontin is one of the Church deacons.
You will recall that during the first few days of my trip we visited the "Osana" Children's Home in Timisoara where Cerbu and his wife Nadine care for 6 girls in addition to their own 2 daughters. Well Cerbu has a band and together with his older girls they spread the gospel by going on the road with their shows. Pastor Jackie hired the Community Hall in Vinga and they offered to come along and do a Christmas Show so after lunch we all went along to this evangelistic event after chugging along in the truck with children in the open air back. It was an awesome show which lasted 1 and a half hours. After performances by the various Vinga Church groups, the team performed sketches, the Scrooge Story, a Puppet Show followed by some modern carols. The whole hall came alive as the audience joined in with everything. As they left we gave out sweets and oranges. Everyone commented on how much they loved the event. Praise God for a blessed afternoon.
On arriving back at Arad I attended with Adina and Rebecca a Ladies Night at the Metanoie Church. It was awesome with quizes, games, carols & powerful testimonies. To me it was the icing on the cake. Little Yasmina and her mother (whom I wrote about 2 weeks ago) had last night arrived back from medical treatment at Cluj and they joined us at Metanoie. They were both happy in the midst of much adversity. Praise God Adreana made a decision tonight to be baptised. God is really working in her heart. In addition to Yasmina's many health problems, her mother, Adreana also needs a knee operation in January otherwise she is at risk of loosing her leg. As she has no family in the area, Adina and her mother have agreed to accommodate Iasmina. She loves Adina and she will certainly be in a loving home.
It got late and I had a lot of blogging to do and so Adina, Rebecca, Maria and Patricia kindly offered to pack all the Mocrea Gift bags ready for distribution tomorrow. Praise God I have such loyal people who help me out here. It is 1.30 am here and I am just calling it a day.
I thank God for a good night's sleep enabling to rise early. This was my last sabboth in Romania and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Up early but the internet is still down so I caught up on my accounts instead. Quick phone call to my hubby to send best wishes to our Church in Wales today it it is their Christmas Family Service too and my "Little Lambs" are taking part. 
Then Danny arrives - he has already been out to Sofronea to pick up Pastor Jackie and the girls. This is the first time Jackie has been out since she returned from hospital a week ago. After loading the minibus we were on the road to Vinga Church where we had a morning service and a Christmas programme which included lighting the "Love" candle, the Children's, Youth and Adult programme. It was indeed a real blessing. This was followed by shoe box distribution a delicious meal prepared by Leontin and Maria who live next door. Leontin is one of the Church deacons. 
You will recall that during the first few days of my trip we visited the "Osana" Children's Home in Timisoara where Cerbu and his wife Nadine care for 6 girls in addition to their own 2 daughters. Well Cerbu has a band and together with his older girls they spread the gospel by going on the road with their shows. Pastor Jackie hired the Community Hall in Vinga and they offered to come along and do a Christmas Show so after lunch we all went along to this evangelistic event after chugging along in the truck with children in the open air back. It was an awesome show which lasted 1 and a half hours. After performances by the various Vinga Church groups, the team performed sketches, the Scrooge Story, a Puppet Show followed by some modern carols. The whole hall came alive as the audience joined in with everything. As they left we gave out sweets and oranges. Everyone commented on how much they loved the event. Praise God for a blessed afternoon.
On arriving back at Arad I attended with Adina and Rebecca a Ladies Night at the Metanoie Church. It was awesome with quizes, games, carols & powerful testimonies. To me it was the icing on the cake. Little Yasmina and her mother (whom I wrote about 2 weeks ago) had last night arrived back from medical treatment at Cluj and they joined us at Metanoie. They were both happy in the midst of much adversity. Praise God Adreana made a decision tonight to be baptised. God is really working in her heart. In addition to Yasmina's many health problems, her mother, Adreana also needs a knee operation in January otherwise she is at risk of loosing her leg. As she has no family in the area, Adina and her mother have agreed to accommodate Iasmina. She loves Adina and she will certainly be in a loving home.
It got late and I had a lot of blogging to do and so Adina, Rebecca, Maria and Patricia kindly offered to pack all the Mocrea Gift bags ready for distribution tomorrow. Praise God I have such loyal people who help me out here. It is 1.30 am here and I am just calling it a day.
Loaves and fishes provision!
I apologise for missing a day's blogging due to the internet being down. Because we are so busy I am having to put on my thinking cap as I try and recap yesterday's activities.
Still surprising mild - I am down to my last few days and we are so....busy. I could not get it all done without the Luca family. I am not getting much sleep but am keeping up my strength due to their help and support. Mama Maria feeds me extremely well and Adina always goes the extra mile with regard to supporting the ministry work.
Saturday morning began as always with a list of everything I have to cram in during the day. Danny's wife, Lavi arrived at 8.30 am to take me in the minibus to Sofronea - home of Jackie, where we went to pick up the last of the shoe boxes for distribution. Lavi and I loaded everything in the back of the minibus in pouring rain. Would you believe after all the distributions we will have around 180 boxes left - it has been loaves and fishes provision again. With the boxes left over, we have been able to help 4 other worthy ministries that we are associated with.
Then it was off to the city to meet Adina - lots of errands from ordering pizzas, buying drinks, paper tissues and cups, serviettes etc etc for the whole of the weekend programmes. Poor Adina was unwell due to lack of sleep to. I also popped into a local Christian Bookstore and bought some 15 beautiful posters with bible verses for the Vinga Sunday School. Alas they had no tracts which I wanted for Mocrea. For the past few years they have supplied me with hundreds of tracts which I use around the various ministries and I always put them in the Vinga Christmas gift bags. This year we have a Christian Show for them so they will have the gospel first hand - Praise God.
After loading up Adina and I were off to the San Nicolau Mic Kid's Club Programme. This programme was a real joy as the children laid on a beautiful performance including carols. During the year the children earn smiley faces for attendance and performance and so they were rewarded with a huge stall of gifts to choose from. The highest pointed ones got first choice of what they wanted from edible gifts to knitwear to stationery, toys, christian books, soft toys, book marks. It was a brilliant idea and there was much excitement. The team had purchased all the items and RR was able to give them a donation towards them. I explained that as a Charity we would be happy to supply all the items next year.
Then there was much excitement as the Pizza arrived. We also served pop and gave out beautiful little hand knitted Christmas Stockings with chocolate bars inside, donated from a lovely lady called June from Aberdare. They also received tangerines. Boxes of Belgium chocolates were also given to the team. I love this ministry and shall miss them when I leave. I hope to return in the summer and give them a treat like an outing. We also contribute towards a summer camp for them.
After leaving the Club we popped over to see my friend Nina, whom I worked closely with during my time in Romania. Nina has had a hard life bringing up 9 children and has not been in good health. However, her condition is stable at present and her financial situation will soon change as she is claiming back some land from the State which was taken from her late father by the Communist Government.
Then it was back to Kaufland for some more shopping for the Mocrea Christmas gifts. You would not believe just how much lifting and carrying there in to our first floor apartment which has been taken over with my stuff since I arrived. As usual we came in late ready to crash out.
Still surprising mild - I am down to my last few days and we are so....busy. I could not get it all done without the Luca family. I am not getting much sleep but am keeping up my strength due to their help and support. Mama Maria feeds me extremely well and Adina always goes the extra mile with regard to supporting the ministry work.
Saturday morning began as always with a list of everything I have to cram in during the day. Danny's wife, Lavi arrived at 8.30 am to take me in the minibus to Sofronea - home of Jackie, where we went to pick up the last of the shoe boxes for distribution. Lavi and I loaded everything in the back of the minibus in pouring rain. Would you believe after all the distributions we will have around 180 boxes left - it has been loaves and fishes provision again. With the boxes left over, we have been able to help 4 other worthy ministries that we are associated with.
Then it was off to the city to meet Adina - lots of errands from ordering pizzas, buying drinks, paper tissues and cups, serviettes etc etc for the whole of the weekend programmes. Poor Adina was unwell due to lack of sleep to. I also popped into a local Christian Bookstore and bought some 15 beautiful posters with bible verses for the Vinga Sunday School. Alas they had no tracts which I wanted for Mocrea. For the past few years they have supplied me with hundreds of tracts which I use around the various ministries and I always put them in the Vinga Christmas gift bags. This year we have a Christian Show for them so they will have the gospel first hand - Praise God.
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| These pizzas are yummie!! |
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| Thank you June for our stockings and chocolate bars |
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| My good friend Nina - mother to 9 |
Then it was back to Kaufland for some more shopping for the Mocrea Christmas gifts. You would not believe just how much lifting and carrying there in to our first floor apartment which has been taken over with my stuff since I arrived. As usual we came in late ready to crash out.
Friday, 16 December 2011
Boxes at Circir
Our last visit of the night was to "Circir", home of Rebecca out in the village of Vladimirescu. It is an amazing home where Elena and her late husband together made a loving environment for 6 orphaned children - they also have a daughter of their own. We were so touched by the love in this home when we visited last year that we decided we would return with Christmas gifts this year.
Sadly and tragically "dad" died very suddenly just a few months of a heart attack and the whole family are heartbroken. We all shared the weight of the sadness and grief as we entered and our hearts just bled for the entire family. No pictures were taken on this occasion and I wept on returning to the car. Lord - I know we are not here to fathom out God's ways but sometimes it is hard not to ask why.
It's late and I am so weary but committed to keeping everyone updated on my activities.
Sadly and tragically "dad" died very suddenly just a few months of a heart attack and the whole family are heartbroken. We all shared the weight of the sadness and grief as we entered and our hearts just bled for the entire family. No pictures were taken on this occasion and I wept on returning to the car. Lord - I know we are not here to fathom out God's ways but sometimes it is hard not to ask why.
It's late and I am so weary but committed to keeping everyone updated on my activities.
More Town Widows
This morning before leaving for Hunedoara, I sprinted to the optician to repair my glasses yet again (one of the lenses and the screw fell out whilst I was cleaning them!!! ) Praise God I can focus properly again. I also ran up to the top floor of a building to a Christian Book Store to hopefully purchase a book of Bible Stories for the Vinga Sunday School whilst collecting a pile of tracts to include in the Mocrea Christmas bags - yet to be made up I add - much to do but with God's strength we will get there before I leave!!!! Arriving at the book shop a bit breathless I found it was not open until 10 am - not to worry I need the exercise.
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| Rebecca and Vacuta with her Christmas Box |
After the book store, and with a careful eye for moving trams Rebecca and I took a short cut across the tram line and crossed a main road to visit another 2 elderly ladies on the Widows Mite Project. We took along their Christmas Boxes and slippers. Sadly I caught them both in bed and I felt really guilty. However we were warmly welcomed. Don't know why but my Romanian is always at its best with Vacuta who is crippled with arthritis and lives in a lot of pain. However she never complains and out came the cakes she had been baking whilst leaning against a wall for support. Vacuta has not left her apartment on the 6th floor for many years. Even though they are both in poor health we give thanks that Vacuta and Ecaterina are neighbours and support each other.
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