Baby Ministry and Heartfelt Thanks

Extracts from Wayne's diary for 20th December.....

"I can't believe we are on our last day - 2 weeks has passed so quickly - it seems longer because we have been so busy and crammed in  many visits.    Usually we spend 3 weeks in Romania but because of our circumstances with the boxes being delivered later this year and my mother in law's ill health this was not possible.  Christine is at the baby hospital this morning  caring for 3 babies, including a set of twins.  This is such an important ministry.  Caring for their physical and spiritual needs is so..o important during the formative years.  Love is the heart of our Christian faith.  It is not possible to provide pictures of this ministry.

I am sorting out everything for our early morning flight tomorrow - what to take home and what to leave behind for next visit, gifts for our friends etc.  We have a meeting with Jackie to finalise financial matters.

It is a time of reflection.  We. give thanks for Pastor Jackie and her grandaughters, Sarah and Elizabeth (both involved in ministry work) and her entire team:  Vlad & Alina, Bogdan, Delia, Spencer & Lynsey, Marius & Elena and their team at San Nicolau Mic, the staff of the Children's Homes and more! What an anointed Pastor, leader and friend Jackie is - she runs on GOD power! Please join us in prayer for her health, strength and that God will bring more harvest hands for her.   We also give thanks for the Luca family whose love, hospitality and support we value so much.  From the oldest to the youngest God is holding this family close to Him.  New doors are opening for them and there is JOY in the House.  May they continue to prosper in Him.  Blessings also for other God inspired friends/missionaries we spent value time with:  Dave & Beth, Mark. Matt & Lorraine, Scot, Carolyn and their daughter plus our friend Traian.

One of the most touching points of this trip for me was meeting Iasmina and her mum for the first time - I cry just thinking of them, the love and the belief they have in Jesus and the love they have for each other.  In the most difficult of circumstances - daily facing pain, being constantly in and out of hospitals - they face an uncertain future but they constantly shine for Jesus, giving thanks and never complaining. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM AND IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP FINANCIALLY THEN PLEASE CONTACT IRENE.

During the trip I also visited the Detention Centre for the first time - Bogdan & Spencer are doing a great job in sharing the gospel through  the building of relationships with these children who need love and support.  I am also taking a special message home for Irene from D from the Centre - we will keep her close to our hearts in prayer.

Christine heart was particularly touched by the baby ministry and in particular caring for the twins - earlier in the year she was caring for another set of twins from the same family. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY AND ALL THE OTHER MINISTRIES THAT NEED OUR SUPPORT.

A huge Thank You to Christine for her hospitality, her physical and spiritual support,  We have been the double act this year but sure have missed Irene and Peter!!   Blessings also to Christine's lodgers, Vasi & Liliana for cooking us some delicious meals.   Our final thank you is to our Heavenly Father - all this is His Work and none of it would be possible without His Love, Strength and Direction.

Well I am coming to the end of my diary - I never thought I would be stepping up in doing this - Irene is the blogger!!!!!  I hope I have given you a flavour of this trip through my eyes and heart and you can spot the love of Jesus in the photo shots.  We are blessed to be his humble servants"

THANK YOU FROM OUR HEARTS TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS WHO SHARE OUR VISION.  YOU HAVE BROUGHT MUCH JOY INTO MANY LIVES THIS CHRISTMAS. 

BE BLESSED.  

Maranata Children's Home in Hunedoara

Extracts from Wayne's diary for Thursday, 19th December.....

"11 am start for journey to Maranata Children's Home in Hunedoara - a 3 hour journey one way - Praise God no snow this year for the journey!!.  Pastor Jackie has had strong links with this Children's Home for many years.  Giving thanks for the fellowship of Adina and her brother driver, Danny with whom we have a close bond.  This is a well established Christian Children's Home run by Pastor Hada  and his family.  It is a poor area and many of the children have very difficult backgrounds.  We give thanks for the staff that ensure that they are loved and feel secure.  Some have contact with their parents who for a variety of reasons are not able to bring them up.  The building also houses a medical centre and  Pasta Hada  runs a soup kitchen for poor families in an adjacent building.

3 children at this home are currently sponsored via our Charity - we give thanks for the sponsors who support them.  We have just received news that a further 2 sponsors (who have both worked in Romania) have come forward.  We give God all the glory.  However FURTHER SPONSORS ARE REQUIRED.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED THEN PLEASE CONTACT IRENE.

It was lovely to see smiling young faces all excited - who would think that a covered shoe box full of essentials and goodies could bring such joy.  We see love abounding in God's grace.  Relationships are built through a simple act of kindness.

On way home we called with 2 poor families living under the same roof.  One  consists of 7 children including a set of triplets (seen here), whom Adina met in the hospital 3 years ago.


Big hugs to Danny and Adina for a safe journey".

Catch up day

Extracts from Wayne's diary for 18th December....

"Wednesday was a chill out day-a morning catching up on my journal whilst Christine met with Jackie in the city to sort out some tax affairs regarding her home in Romania. Again God is faithful because the expected bill was less then expected.  After lunch Christine and I went on foot to visit our good friend Nina.  Irene and Nina had worked closely for several years at the San Nicolau School where Nina was a teacher.  She has raised 10 children under difficult circumstances and is not in the best of health - continuing prayer needed. Also her dear mum who was blind and also lived at home passed away a few months ago.  It was a real blessing to have some value time with her.  We blessed her with some Christmas gifts.

 Later in the day we joining other foreign missionaries for a time of fellowship at the home of Beth and Dave and their family.  They are the couple who are starting the Christian Radio Station in Arad called "JOY". Very relaxed and fun evening - wonderful hospitality, a great buffet, games and gift opening.  How important these times of fellowship are for the missionaries who serve full-time often under difficult circumstances.  How important it is that we encourage each other and pray for each other.

The evening ended in prayers including my wife and her sick mum. The power of the Holy Spirit was released as we prayed for Pastor Jackie who will be at the hospital all day tomorrow for tests.

Christmas joy at Mocrea Hospital

Extracts from Wayne's diary for Tuesday, 17th December...

"Up bright and early on a cold morning  to join a convoy of vehicles with a full team on route to bring Christmas joy to the 160 patients and staff at Mocrea Psychiatric Hospital.  The road to Mocrea has not improved - still full of potholes causing a few problems for vehicle suspensions!  After the hour's drive, arrived about 10 am.  Each member of the team in Christmas hats had a task - much unloading and organising to the delight of the excited patients.Cerbu and his team of girls arrived from the Osana Children's Home and proceeded to put up props for their Puppet Show.   Christine was in charge of putting all the gifts in the bags the patients had decorated the previous week and I was responsible for  jumpers, T Shirts and Bibles - all  to be given out at the end of the show

Scottish missionary Matt, Marius (SNM Team Leader) and a friend arrived with their guitars to lead the carols around all the locked wards. All these patients and the staff also received gifts  What an organiser Pastor Jackie is - she brings everyone together to provide a magnificent celebration for all the patients whom we love dearly. Soon the puppet shoe is in full swing to shreaks of laughter.  I was given the task of giving out refreshment treats.  The show was over all too soon and as they left the dining hall every patient received the various gifts.  Pastor Jackie was truly happy with the way everything went but looked in need of a rest!"
I was delighted to see 2 girls that we have been involved with for many years being reunited with their mother who is a patient - God is good..

On return to Sofronea it was time to load up Jackie's truck again with food parcels.  Whilst Christine was busy sorting further shoe boxes for distribution I had time to feed Jackie's animals and bring in her wood.  Then it was time to load all the shoe boxes to be taken to the Castle in Sofronea to Jackie's friend, Daniel Daniel.  Each year we provide gifts for his Ministry.

Next stop of the day was Adina's Club 7 where her brother Danny and his singing group were performing a concert.  What a family the Lucas are - full of spirit.  Last stop of the day was the Homeless Night Shelter with the Lucas, the Group and a Pastor. More lifting - you need a strong back on the mission field!!. Mama Maria Luca had prepared hot food and drinks for the homeless, carols were sung and a Christmas word given - what a blessed night.  Irene had made up toilet bags for the 50 homeless and Jackie had provided jumpers.  I prayed for God's seed to grow in those present.  What a night  - I was touched by the lives of so many- we finished at 11.15pm"

We respect the privacy of the patients of Mocrea and the homeless people at the Night Shelter by not providing photographs.

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Our last Sabboth in Romania and Monday at Mocrea

Extracts from Wayne's diary for Sunday 15th and Monday 16th December...

"Frosty morning and a bitterly cold day.  We went to our final Church service of the trip at Vinga - always sad to say goodbye to dear friends.  Leontin opened in prayer and spoke about God's house,  teachings and the Birth of Jesus who came to save sinners.  Pastor Jackie shared on the Advent Candles and our missionary friend Mark closed in prayer.  Light snow tonight but we give thanks for no heavy falls to date.

Awoke to more frost on Monday morning. Out to change money and to buy groceries for the house.  As we have such a tight timetable Christine and I are having to fulfil different commitments today.  She is going with Pastor Jackie to the Osana Children's Home in Timisoara (accommodating 9 girls) to distribute gifts.   I am going to the Detention Centre in the city with Bogdan and Spencer who minister there every week.  They spend value time with the children and this week we are playing card games. Usually at Christmas Irene brings along Christmas crafts which they enjoy. We again supplied Pizzas as a treat for the children and staff. Soon they were opening their Christmas boxes.  It never ceases to amaze me - seeing the delight on the children's faces when they receive their gifts.  It makes the whole operation so worthwhile.  They are always reminded that this is God's provision of love for them.

I was so pleased to bump into a young girl that Irene and I had previously supported in a Children's Home. Sadly she has had some health problems and is struggling.  I reminded her that God loves her and we do too.  She responded with "Tell Irene I love her and wish her a Happy Christmas",  We pray that Jesus will hold her and everyone in the Centre in the palm of His hand".  We respect the privacy of all the children in not providing any pictures of our visits."

Vinga Church and San Nicolau Mic Club

Extract from Wayne's diary of Saturday, 14th December.

"A day of excitement with 2 programmes and parties ahead of us - Vinga Church and SNM.  We have lots of helpers and vehicles to transport everything we need.  We arrived at Jackie's Church in Vinga (about 15 miles outside the city) at around 10 am.  It is a poor area - very few people have running water in their homes.   Next door to the Church  Leontin (one of the elders) has killed a pig ready  for Christmas.  

The Church was packed with children - mostly age 10 and under - the Youth had already received their gifts during their programme the previous night.  Under the leadership of the Sunday School team, Vlad and Alina, Delia and Bogdan there was lots of singing and other worship.  After the programme ended we brought in Bibles, food, sweets, drinks, bananas and drinks.  It took an hour to distribute the shoe box gifts which were loved by all.  Thank you God for your provision and for everyone who helps Irene  ensure that the boxes are full of not only essential items but also other beautiful gifts for children who have so little.  Irene also made up gifts for the team.

Part II of the day's schedule was the Christmas Programme & Party at the San Nicolau Mic Kids Club and Music School - I believe it is now called "Jesus Generation".  What a welcome from leader Marius,  his new wife, Elena, the team and all the children.  The programme started with singing and worship.  The children were alive and excited - Marius is blessed with a beautiful wife who shares his vision for the Club and works alongside him.  The praise was followed by a musical competition - 17 contestants- playing keyboard, guitar, wind instruments and drums with Christine and I as judges (Irene sent over prizes in addition to gifts for the team). With the competition over Pastor Jackie arrived with the pizzas.  This a treat that we provide each year and there was much joy and laughter. Shoe box distribution followed much to the delight of everyone even the team.  The evening finished with more carols and a prayer.  Another special day Lord - wish Irene was here to share it - will ring her to tell her how much she is missed and loved".

The beautiful widows and widower in the city of Arad

Extracts of Wayne's journal of 13th December:

"Nothing could prepare me for the  day ahead - a humbling time full of God's blessings in visiting widows and the one widower in the city to deliver food parcels, Christmas boxes and slippers. Everyone has a home but very little money to live since being widowed.  We miss Irene but I give thanks for Christine,a woman of might in action  who is helping me carry everything.  She is a great Trustee and a woman of many strengths.  We are grateful to have such people of God working with us on the front line of ministry work. It was touching to see how God is moving in people's lives - bringing hope and love and transforming situations.  We felt the mighty spirit of the Lord in and around us as we saw people being lifted up as we prayed with them.  I am moved to tears seeing so much love and happiness in people  They were all giving thanks - what a humbling experience it is being His servant.  Each one is precious in His and our sight.  Prayers are required for Pastor Jackie who is struggling today health wise.    She may be finding it hard  physically but her spiritual faith is awesome!  She is still working with passion and zeal and teaches us so much.

First stop Vicuta and Ecaterina who live in small apartments in a tower block on the 6th floor - bit a a struggle getting all the items up there.  Greeted with love and warmth by V who is a prayer warrior  She is unable to go out due to her arthritis and osteoporosis.   She lives in considerable pain.  E's health is failing and she requires prayer.  We give thanks that they are company for one another.

Next stop Anton, widower of Maria who last year sadly left us to be with the Lord.  He still misses her terribly but was so pleased  to see us and  grateful for prayers and gifts.  We give thanks that he and Maria were both saved after joining the programme.  They were neighbours of Irene when she first moved to Arad.  She and Jackie met Maria when she used to regularly go through Irene's rubbish bin looking for food. It is through this meeting that they were put on the programme.

Next visit Zina (see here with Pastor Jackie), a lady crippled with arthritis who was added to the programme earlier in the year.  She came out to meet us with a lovely smile and such warmth.  We had a time of fellowship and she was so grateful for her food, gift and slippers.  Everyone on the programme loves their slippers - we take out a huge bag of various sizes and ensure they all get the right size - God knows what they need and uses us to provide it -all Spirit led.

Onto Elizabeta, who was sound asleep and we startled her.  She was so grateful for our prayers and gifts but because she was so weary we did not prolong the visit allowing her to rest some more.Our last  stop was to Ileana - a lady of Hungarian backround who is full of spirit.  She is a Charismatic lady with a fire in her - she and Irene are close.  She loved her gifts but was a bit doubtful about the size and colour of the slippers.  We soon came up with exactly what was required and a huge smile appeared!

What a day - I am crying tonight as I write this just seeing and experiencing a Living God at work by His Spirit"



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Around the ministries with Adina

From Wayne's diary - 12th December.

"Chris &
 I spent a full day with our good friend Adina around her ministries.  First stop Sofronea to pick up and label appropriate shoe box gifts.  Adina's car is more than overloaded - not sure how Chris and I managed to get in but God made a way!!  More shopping for food parcels for some of the families we are visiting.

First stop the village of Vladimirescu to visit Leontina (who has dwarf syndrome) and her husband, who is a shepherd to just 5 sheep.  18 months ago they sadly lost their 2 year old disabled daughter, Rebecca  They are very poor and we love them dearly.  We give thanks that they know the Lord.    The couple live in one room attached to Leontina's mam's house.  The yard was covered in blood following the slaughter of a pig - a practice you will come across often in Romania at this time of the year - even in the city.  Irene always feels on her heart to make up lovely shoe box gift for Leontina and her husband and we always take along a food parcel for Christmas.  They were so so thankful.  Leontina loves to knit and so Irene has also been paying her to knit socks for the Widows Mite Project.

Second stop a family that Irene and Adina have been involved with for several years.  They have had a difficult time - the family now consists of just mum and 2 daughters.  Dad is a patient in a mental hospital and both gran and great gran who also resided in the home both died within the past year. Mum has a job in a clothing factory but it is a real struggle to live on just her minimal wage.  Again we delivered a food parcel plus shoe box gifts for the girls.  Irene had felt it on her heart to make up a special gift for mum who is a rock.  They are a wonderful Christian family and we are blessed to be a little part of God's provision.

Later we visited several other families known to Irene but whom Chris and I had not met before. They all lived in very poor conditions - some with no running water.   Both received fruit, blankets and boxes of aid carefully packed by Irene.  Their shoe box gifts will be delivered later by Adina.

After a delicious lunch prepared by Adina's mam, Maria  it was time to visit a beautiful little girl called Iasmina and her mum Andrea, who are both very special to Irene, who had made up special boot box gifts for them both.    Iasmina, whom Irene has wrote about in our latest newsletter was born with spina bifida and many other serious medical conditions.  She and her mum spend much of their time in and out of hospitals incurring extortionate medical bills.  They are an inspiration to us all in the way they walk in faith with so much joy!!!  What courage - Thank you God.  Meeting them both was a life changing moment for me and Christine.  I know Jesus has a plan for their lives!  We are blessed to be a part of their support.

We later met up with Pastor Jackie at Club 7 which is a Christian Club run by Adina, with the support of her parents, Maria and Ioan, brother Danny,sister-in-law Lavi and their 2 children, Patricia and Marc.  What a family they are - we love them dearly and it is a joy to see their new venture (after lots of work) being truly blessed with God's vision.  The place was beautifully decorated, had sofas,



 Christian music and a big screen plus lots of games - a great meeting place for fellowship.  All the children from the Tabita and Felice Children's Home arrived to food laid on by the Lucas.  This was followed by our shoe box distribution which they all enjoyed.  I was overjoyed to see the children, many of whom I had spent value time with, during our time of living full-time in Romania.  All were asking about Irene and they presented me with a beautiful gift for her of a Christmas tree made from coloured pasta shells and buttons.  She will be overjoyed!!!.  Home late - what a day - God is good!!".

Shopping for the Ministries and loading boxes for distribution

From Wayne's diary - 11th December.

"Picked up early by our friend, Pastor Vlad and taken to Jackie's home (about 5 miles out of the city towards the Hungarian border).  Spent most of day emptying the boxes from Wales, sorting and writing names on individual boxes ready for Vinga Church and San Nicolau Centre programmes and parties on Saturday.

Pastor Jackie heats her home with wood fires and I was pleased to be able to get in all the logs for her wood stores in the house.  Jackie also has animals and we put fresh straw in the dog kennels and fed  and watered the rabbits and the sheep.  Then we were off to Arad with Jackie for 2 and half hours of food shopping for the ministries for Christmas - Phew - only Pastor Jackie can shop like that!!! Finished the day with a Bible Study  It was a joy to meet up with old and some new missionary friends.  It is so important to keep ourselves spiritual fresh and filled up whilst
doing His Work",

The joy of returning to Mocrea Psychiatric Hospital

From Wayne's diary for 11th December.  "Cold day but sun out.  Chris & I are excited to be joining Pastor Jackie and our friend, Traian (a former patient of Mocrea who has made a new life since being given a chance by our dear deceased friend, Peter).  The journey takes about an hour and we pass a lot of trucks and carts loaded with winter wood on route.  

About 60 of the 180 patients of mixed gender arrive to do Christmas crafts but firstly there are refreshments of coffee,  fizzy pop and snacks to be served.  Today the patients are painting and decorating  paper bags which will later be filled with Christmas gifts   Many of the patients weekly
creations are displayed.  The session always ends with prayer which the patients love to participate in.  It is a joy to bring the love and light of Jesus into the lives of these forgotten people.  They are all precious in God's eyes".

"Faith without Deeds is dead"

From Wayne's Diary - 9th December.

"Today the work really begins with the consignment of shoe boxes and many other much needed items arriving from Wales via our friends "Support for Romania" from Cardiff. After a good breakfast and a few painkillers for my bad back we were off out to Pastor Jackie's home in Sofronea (a village about 5 miles away).  Praise God for helpers to offload our 84 large boxes into Jackie's back bedroom - Thank you to the drivers, Mark, Ianci and Vio who helped Chris and I unload.

After all the filling, sorting, packing and labelling in Wales now the work really begins in Romania.  First the boxes are separated into categories - Babies, Widows and Children plus all the extras.  Then they are opened up and the air pocket fillers (eg slippers, soft toys, blankets, other knitwear, medication etc) are all sorted for various projects,  Then the children's shoe box gifts are all sorted into age groups and genders.   In preparation for distributions (working from a list) suitable boxes can then be picked out and names written on them before being packed in boxes again ready to take out on appropriate days.   There is a lot of organising and manual work that goes on in Wales and Romania. We miss Irene but Christine is a rock.  It is all worth it when we see the JOY that these gifts bring to people who have so little.  It is all for God's Glory.  Please pray for more harvest hands for Pastor Jackie".

Word for the trip - JOY

From Wayne's Diary - 7th and 8th.  "I felt that God gave me the Word JOY for this trip.  It is always so..o exciting when GOD confirms things.  We arrived in Romania to learn that two American Missionaries, called Dave & Beth have arrived to set up a Christian Radio Station in Arad called JOY - WHOW - exciting times - this will bring the JOY of Christ to so many who need it.

We attended Vinga Church on Sunday - warmly welcomed and excited to be back in fellowship with dear friends.   My first time to see the Church since it was renovated -beautiful!
During the car journey both Chris and I felt the Holy Spirit give us the Word JOY again and guess what awaited us at the Church - A Word on  JOY from Jackie's Pastor friend, Spencer.  Today the Candle of PEACE was lit for Advent.  Here we are on the Mission field and for the first 2 days we are surrounded by JOY and PEACE - we were moved to tears!
Missing my wife - and lots of prayers going up for her Mum".

Diary of the December Mission Trip

Hubbie Wayne and Christine had a truly blessed trip to Romania from 7th to 21st December.  After a delay in their flight and a night in the airport they arrived a little tired but soon started going through their tight schedule with Pastor Jackie.  I will post several blogs with pictures using the words of my husband from his Diary.