Journal Day 20 - 22nd December - Home for Christmas & a commitment to raise more funds.

After finalising everything last night I grabbed a few hours sleep before leaving for the airport at 4am.  Huge thank you to Mama Maria, Ioan and Adina for their wonderful hospitality, support and love.  Thanks also to Danny and his family for their support.  Danny is driving me to the airport because Adina's car is in the garage for repairs.

A big Thank You also to Pastor Jackie, her family  and all of the team who have been a pleasure to work with.  I would appreciate your prayers for their health and commitment to the Lord's work here.  Also sincere thanks to everyone back home in Wales who has contributed to the success of this trip in any way -  to those who have contributed to the Christmas Appeal and also donated other much needed items  May God Bless You for helping us to bring love and joy to so many this Christmas.

Missionaries Mark and Callum were on the same flight home and it was a blessing to spend some value time with Mark in Luton and Heathrow Airports to learn more about his missionary work in the Ukraine.   If you feel it on your heart to support him there, then please contact me.

Mission accomplished this trip - Thank You Lord for making way  for extra provision for the Widows Mite wood.    We need to do extra fund raising for this project in order to maintain the level of support just for monthly food baskets.     If you are reading this and feel a stirring in your heart to help in any way: by either giving a "one off" donation or a regular amount each month by Standing Order or by organising a Fund Raising Event in your area then I would love to hear from you.

Before I meet up with my wonderful husband later, here are some extra pictures taken during my trip: home to one widow across a muddy track, a widow's earth toilet, a village Orthodox Church and a lone shepherd watching over his 200 sheep.

Journal Day 19 - Sunday 21st December - Vinga Church Programme

Its hard to believe that this is the last day of my trip.  I have had a full schedule and time has passed so quickly.  This is the mildest December I have every spent in this country - which is good news for families who struggle to keep warm with the price of wood.    A little snow has fallen overnight -  just covering windscreens but the roads are wet.  It,s also a day of finalising my accounts and ensuring that all needs are covered.

This morning Adina and I again attended the Matenoie Baptist Church and met up with Jackie & the girls, plus all the other foreign missionaries I have mentioned in previous blogs.    The worship was wonderful and the Pastor linked the sermon to the end of communism 25 years ago when he was a serving solider.  It really touched me.  Edith, Pastor Jackie's missionary lodger from New Zealand joined us at the Luca apartment for a delicious lunch.  

We then travelled to Vinga for the Church Christmas Programme which was a delight.  There was an excellent attendance at Church and Spencer preached an inspiring sermon about the shepherds, part in the Christmas Story.  Sorry forgot my camera today so photos are from last weeks Church service.

On return to the city Jackie and I called in on M, a girl that she and I have been involved with for many years.  She is vulnerable and in need of support but can also be a challenging case.   M lived with me for 3 months during my first year of living in Romania and we will always have a bond.  It was a particularly difficult time of her life and she needed support.  Its Christmas and she is going to stay with her sister in a very poor part of Romania - we have gifts for her and she is sobbing.  This work is sometimes hard, emotional and there are people that can reach into hidden depths of your heart. Saying goodbye to M sobbing is one of those instances.  

Journal Day 18 - Saturday 20th December - SNM Programme & Thanks for my Hubbie!

My time in Romania is drawing to a close and I thank God for giving me strength for the trip.  My eyes are much better and I have overcome the chest infection and earache.  Wayne and I are a double act and I have missed him on this trip.  However, thanks to my £6  mobile phone deal here I have been able to speak to him nightly and we have been able to catch up, encourage each other and make funding decisions together.  He always encourages me with scriptures via texts throughout the day.  Everyone has been praying for his health - unfortunately he has had a really bad bout of shingles which came at a time when he had to care for both his parents following his dad's knee replacement operation.    Giving thanks that we have a Heavenly Father who is our provision in all circumstances.  We are looking forward to being reunited for Christmas.

I have an eye for a bargain but Adina is the most amazing person when it comes to stretching money. This afternoon is the SNM Programme and gift distribution.  In the last few months Marius has needed to buy 2 new guitars and a key board for the music school so this Christmas our funds cannot extend to our usual treat of Pizza so we are doing hot dogs and cookies instead.  Kaufland is the cheapest place for the 150 rolls required and Adina has links for the sausages (which she donates) so all we need is mustard and ketchup plus trays of cookies from the market.  There was sufficient pop left over from Mocrea celebration..

We had a great mixed programme this afternoon  starting with carols.  Then followed the most amazing Music competition with 4 judges including me.  There were so many contestants - guitarists, people singing with guitars, keyboard and mandelin players, individual singers, groups, people doing recitations.  What competition! - it was a really hard job to decide the winners because they all deserved prizes.  I had brought over a selection of prizes from Wales.  The refreshments went down well - thanks to a lovely Lady called Elena and Pastor Jackie's grandaughter, Sarah who helped me put the hot dogs together.    Lots of excitement at gift box distribution - we provided boxes also for the team at this Club, for the Vinga Programme and the Baby Ministry which Lynsey leads.    It was hard to say goodbyes until my next visit.

After leaving the Club I was able to pop in on my good friend, Nina (seen here with her youngest daughter, Rebecca).   Nina is a remarkable woman with 10 children and she cared for her blind mum with cancer who died earlier in the year. .   We had formed a great friendship after working together at the old SNM school where she was the Teacher and I gave English lessons plus we did the cookery classes  together.   Wayne had also spent much time at the school and club building a kitchen.We were able to fly Nina over to Wales for our wedding almost 8 years ago.   Nina who suffered with health problems for many years is now feeling much better and is at peace with herself - most of her children are now grown up and working.    It was a joy to spend some value time catching up on old times and getting updates on the children.

Journal Day 17 - 19th December - Pesac Camp and Club

Bogdan (part of Pastor Jackie's team) and Callum (missionary from Scotland) have been working with another Christian Organisations (run by Reuben and his American wife)   at a camp in Pesac which is more than an hours drive away.    I was asked if RR could supply 40 shoe box gifts  - others were being obtained from other sources.  We also took along slippers and woollens from Wales and Jackie bought all the refreshments (pop, chocolates and tangarines).  Today Spencer is driving and all 4 of us are bombing it along country roads not quite sure how to get there but with God's help we make it.

Cerbu and his team also arrived from Timisoara with their Christmas Programme.  The hall soon filled up and there was much excitement among the families.  This is a very poor area and the gifts were much appreciated.  Spencer is keen to become involved in the ministry work and plans to come back.

A few years ago Adina worked in the States for a year and over her many years of translating and being involved with foreign teams she has acquired many useful links.   A huge consignment of aid  had been dispatched from the States several months ago.  Unfortunately in Romania there is a lot of red tape and the consignment was held  for a long period of time either at the border or at a distribution centre - Adina never managed to find out where.  She received lots of phone calls suggesting she would have to pay to receive it which she disputed because it was for the benefit of poor Romanians.  Eventually she was asked  to produce the names of several Foundations that she had links with who would take responsibility for the consignment.  She was given no estimated time of arrival.  However late tonight she received a phone call to say that it was all arriving in an hour's time.!!!! As Adina's family live in an apartment block the consignment was off loaded at her aunt's house in Gai.  So off we bombed with lots of other family volunteers to help offload the huge amount of boxes.    Before leaving we started to open and sort the boxes.  Praise God the toys and clothing items will put smiles on many faces this Christmas.  We give thanks for Adina and her family and for all they do in the name of the Lord.

Journal Day 16 - 18th December - Gai Families, midday concert and gifts for Children's Home in Timisoara

Another full day.  First visit Natalia's family in Gai.  Here we have grandparents, 3 daughters and their families all living under the same roof in a house that is only partly finished.    Each has one room.  Natalia who is being supported with growth hormone treatment has 9 siblings - their living conditions are very very poor and the mother struggles to cope.   Here are their cooking and heating facilities.   There are some doubts whether one of the younger children may have the same medical problem as Natalia.    We give thanks that S & L supply this family with a monthly food parcel.    The grandmother was poorly having been discharged from hospital that morning.  The children were overjoyed with their gifts.

Later in the day I went with Adina in the minibus to transport school children (including her niece P) to a Children's Home and school for disabled children - where they were singing carols.  We were welcomed by the Social Director of the large Christian Romanian Charity who run the homes located in 3 blocks.  I recall visiting these children  with Christmas gifts many years ago when it was a State run establishment.  Also during the summer of 2007 Wayne and I had accompanied a group of them with "one to one" volunteer support to a summer camp where we did the catering for 2 weeks.    I was overjoyed to meet up again with some familiar faces.    Elena (wife of Marius from SNM) works as a teacher at this campus.

Today Adina has learned of another family who desperately need help.  They are a father with 2 young children  of 4 and 8.  The mother has left the family home and the grandmother who cared for the children died the previous week.   The father has a job but the children are spending very long hours in an office room adjoining his workplace.  Adina will visit to establish the needs and we will make up shoe box gifts and food parcels for them.

After collecting 11 shoe boxes from Sofronea Adina and I bombed it along to O Children's Home in Timisoara.  This is a beautiful Christian family run Girl's Home.  The girls and  house parents are adapting well to the new care arrangement.   It was great to meet up with J & R again - sisters that we have been involved with for many years.  J is sponsored through our Charity and both Anne & I had bought gifts for the sisters.    We also supplied Christmas gifts for the staff who do a wonderful job.

Cerbu and Nadia the founders of the Foundation supporting the Home have also been responsible for the building of a Boys Home in the countryside.  This is nearing completion and will offer  a new life to boys who are either homeless or potentially homeless and who need, love, support and to be taught life skills.  I understand the plan is that they will grow their own vegetables and care for animals.  We pray for God's blessing on the project.

It was late as we set out for home along the motorway to Arad and a problem arose with Adina's Peugeot car.  There was a strange noise affecting the acceleration and we started to pray that we would make it off the motorway!!  We took the first exit to Arad and the car stopped completely on the exit roundabout.  We gave thanks that it was nighttime and not so busy - in between the flow of traffic we managed to push the vehicle around onto the verge of the exit road and oh boy did we give thanks for safety!!!  After he finished work, Danny, Adina's brother came and towed her back - it appeared the clutch had gone.  In the meantime- Danny's wife came and took me back to the apartment although I was happy to wait with Adina.

Journal - Day 15 - 17th December - Mocrea Programme and Gift Distribution and Widows Dude

Busy Day.  We have so many refreshments and gifts to carry that Adina is driving Danny's minibus for us as well as Jackie coming with her 4 X 4.  I was pleasantly surprised that the road surface to Mocrea has been improved with more EU money.

The journey takes about an hour and today the team consists of Jackie, myself, Adina, Matthew and Callum (both missionaries from Scotland), Bogdan (dressed as Father Christmas); Traian (former patient) plus Marius (leader of "Jesus Generation" San Nicolau Mic) who is leading the carols.  Also arriving independently is Cerbu and his team from the Osana Children's Home who are doing a full programme of The Christmas Carol, a Puppet Show and Gospel Praise at the end.

Organisation was needed and so firstly we laid out all the chairs in the dining room used as a hall. Then we laid out all the gifts on tables in the hallway.  Praise God for our wonderful knitters in Wales because we had scarves and hats for everyone plus slippers & socks.  Jackie also had some new clothes, toothbrushes and jewellery for the ladies.  Adina and I had also shopped for coffee and chocolate sachets, biscuits, sweets & other goodies plus pretty bags to put them in and Jackie and the girls had prepared them all.  We also had plenty of Suc (fizzy pop) which is a must in Romania especially at special occasions.  We all had a station to man when the program ended so they had their gifts to take back to their wards.  During the concert Marius and part of the team toured all the locked wards with gifts.  I also ensured that each member of staff received a small box of chocolates in recognition of their dedication for this challenging work.

What I will remember about the day.  The obvious buzz and joy of the patients as we arrived.  The fellowship of the team - everyone had a part to play.  Seeing the patients come alive during the programme with clapping and dancing filled our hearts with warmth.  Just making a little difference to their lives for just a few hours made everything worthwhile.  A huge Thank to Pastor Jackie (see below) and her team who visit every week with refreshment and crafts and to minister into  the lives of these forgotten people.  The patients, management and staff are so very appreciative.

 After leaving Mocrea  Pastor Jackie and I made our way to the remote village of Due to visit a widow and a widower receiving support from the Widows Mite Project.  We have on board their Christmas Food Parcels and Boxes and new Slippers from Wales.  This is the first time I had the pleasure of meeting Ioan - bless him his house is in very poor  state of repair.  He is just 58 but since his wife's death  he is having difficulty in caring for himself and is struggling financially.


Dear Lena is one of the original members of this project.  I saw a deterioration in her health since my last visit but she always touches my heart as she hobbles around with a stick in pain with her flip flops on.  Several years ago a lovely gentleman from Wales insisted on us buying her a new pair of leather shoes for her but I think she may be keeping them in the wardrobe!    Some months ago brother Ghita from this programme sadly died and Pastor Jackie managed to recover his supply of wood purchased through the programme to split between the L & I to last them through the winter.

I finished the day with a lovely evening at the home of Marius and Elena at their apartment in Arad.  It was so good to spend time with them following their marriage last year, to get to know Elena more and to discuss their ministry.  They are dedicated leaders of the San Nicolau Music School and "Jesus Generation" Ministry which is producing real fruit.  They are an anointed couple and have such hearts for the children.    The Charity is committed to the support of their ministry.

Journal Day 14 - Tuesday 16th December - Homeless Shelter

Managed a morning catching up on preparation for forthcoming programmes.  Spent time late afternoon preparing traditional open sandwiches with Mama Maria and Adina ready for the State Homeless Shelter which we are visiting tonight.  Made 200 sandwiches with Salami. peppers and grated cheese all served with sweet hot fruit tea.    The Lucas have kindly donated all the food themselves.

Tonight the team consists of myself, Adina, her brother Danny and his children, Patricia and Mark plus his male singing group plus, a Pentecostal Pastor involved in Prison Ministry in the city and also Spencer, Lynsey and their 2 young children.  .Adina knows the manager of the Shelter and we are warmly welcomed.  There are around 60 homeless people in tonight of mixed gender.  It is a night shelter and the homeless arrive at 8 pm and must leave by 8 am every morning.  There are facilities for them to sit down and eat and wash.  To safeguard privacy I have not posted photos of the homeless on this blog.

The gifts provided have been packed by myself in Wales and consist of hats, scarves, mitts, snoods and filled toilet bags plus knitted blankets.

First there was carol singing led by the Group Mesaj.  They are a local Group of 5 Christian  men who travel widely to sing in Churches and other functions.  They have made 2 CDs which are very popular in Wales where we have given them as Christmas presents.    Our host's son, Danny is one of the Group.  This was followed by food and drink and a Christmas Gospel message from the pastor. There was quiet as everyone took it in.  I mingled with some of the crowd and everyone I spoke to you was speaking of Jesus.  My heart reached out to some of the stories about the circumstances leading to their homelessness.  There was much pain in their eyes which touched my soul.  One man, V remembered Wayne praying for him last year.   All we did  was to feed them, bring in a little joy  with gifts, give of our time but most of all share the love of Jesus and His Message.  

We also support a Detention Centre in the town where Spencer and Bogdan minister every week.  Due to my tight schedule Spencer and Bogdan will be arranging the distribution there before Christmas.

Journal Day 13 - 15th December - Widows Arad, 2 Children's Homes in the City and precious Iasmina

Today I have a full schedule.  It begins with Spencer and I delivering food parcels and gifts to the widows and widower in the city of Arad.  First stop an apartment block and 2 widows (aged 81 and 82) who reside in separate apartments on the 6th floor   Both are in poor health - one with severe arthritis and the other with heart and lung problems.  Neither are able to leave their apartments and E now spends long hours on oxygen.  We are grateful that they have each other as company and believe in the Lord for provision in their lives.  They have received help with heating allowances from other sources.

Next stop E aged 82 and we are giving thanks that her daughter has bought her wood for the winter.  Her place was small but cosy by the fire and she loved her slippers and gifts.Her biggest problem is the cost of rent on her property.    Then we visited widower A who is broken hearted following the death of his dear wife earlier in the year.  They were together for 62 years, were baptized a few years ago and he is ready to join her.    We pray that God's will be done.He has bought wood with the allowance given him last week.

It was a joy to meet for the first time a new lady on the project called A who is 92 and so spritely, She was busy sewing on her old Singer Machine and I was immediately touched by her strong character and stamina.  She loves Jesus and makes socks, pillows, overalls etc and takes in alterations.  I believe her love of sewing keeps her going each day - long may it continue.  She and Spencer have a great relationship and he and his family are very supportive of her in many ways. We give thanks for them.   S he needs more sowing material - Adina is a great bargain hunter at the weekend flea market in the city - I am sure she can help.

The next visit was to Ileana whom I have known for so many years.  Her one room accommodation is comfortable but  in an old building which is expensive to heat with electricity.  It was good to see her use her new oil filled mobile heater but it was still chilly there.  She will receive help with her heating bill.  She was so excited at her Christmas gifts expecially the slippers.

One widow, Maria lives in another state and her food and gifts are always dropped with a friend in the city who ensures that they are delivered to her.    Lily is a remarkable lady and has a history of providing rooms for homeless old people.  She is currently converting her basement into more accommodation,    We thank God for her.

Last stop of the day was S who lives in an apartment in a very old block in a courtyard off the city centre.  This lady amazes me because she refuses help with heating insisting she  she does not need it.  Spencer and I were cold in her kitchen and all she had on was a pinny, a thin jumper and skirt with bare legs!!    Even though she says she does not feel the cold, I was grateful to have packed a hat, mitts,thick  slipper socks, a pair of slippers and a blanket among her gifts.

I so love these days of not just visiting the elderly on the project but spending value time with them to learn more about their lives.  Many of them are so lonely.  We give thanks for Spencer who gives of
his time in love and compassion and sometimes takes the children to visit.

After returning to the apartment and enjoying a lovely meal Adina and I set out to F and T Children's Homes in Arad.  Wayne & I have had a long association with the children & staff at these homes from our days of serving full-time in Arad.  They all love Wayne too and were asking about him.  We enjoyed lots of carols before we distributed the shoe box gifts.  I am always touched by the gifts I receive from T - they are precious because they are hand made and this year I received a beautiful table decoration made from pasta shells which I will treasure.

We had a little time to kill before visiting Iasmina and her mum so Adina and I wandered down to the Primarie (Town Hall) in the city centre.  There does not appear to be any lack of tourism funding from the EU and a huge stage and Christmas trees had been erected outside the beautiful building.  The place was also full of stalls selling hot food and drinks and a beautiful stable scene.  .  Each night there are lots of concerts with carols and Romanian dancing - quite a spectacle.

The rest of the evening was spent with adorable Iasmina and her mum mentioned earlier in the blog.  I love these 2 remarkable people who never ever complain or stop smiling in  the midst of adversity.   Iasmina has grown so much since I last saw her and I understand this is due to some of the treatment she is receiving.   Thanks to sponsor Julie who made up the most amazing boxes of presents for them both.  What delight on their faces as they opened them.  Please continue to pray for them during 2015.  In between hospital visits Iasmina now attends school.  She has been given a keyboard and we hope to arrange for some music lessons for her. (sorry wont allow me to undo this underlining) 

Journal Day 12 - Sunday 14th December - The Lord's Day

It is His Day and we will rejoice in it.  This morning Adina and I are off to Metanoie Harvest Baptist Church in the city where we meet up with fellow British missionaries, Mark, Matthew and Callum.  I love this Church's Praise and Worship and the solid teaching.  It is Church at its best with wonderful hospitality and fellowship -  refreshments are available prior to and after the meetings.  There are programmes for all ages and a shop to raise funds.   There are now so many members that 2 services are held on a Sunday morning.  They currently have a rented building but there are plans to build a new large church on the outskirts of the city.   My Romanian does not stretch to understanding all the sermons and translation via headphones are available so nothing is missed.  For any of you who are interested in knowing more about this church, they have a wonderful website where you can download their services .   Once the Praise started the spirit dropped.  The Senior Pastor was today talking about the Parable of the Talents.

Home to a delicious lunch at the Lucas before leaving again for Vinga Church with Jackie and family.  We had a great service there too.  I was able to share a little about how God is working in our lives and Jackie lit the Advent Candle of Joy and spoke on the subject.  My dear husband immediately came to mind because he always maintains his joy even through trials and he teaches me so much through it.

After arriving home I received an uplifting call from my husband who had a clear vision of my dad, who died 40 years ago, up in heaven clapping his hands with joy and throwing his hat up in the air.  My dad never sang but clapped his hands to hymns and  always wore a trilby hat - what joy filled my heart!!!     Great news from Wales also that more funds are available and being electronically dispatched for winter wood for the widows.  It is so important that we do  all we can to ensure that everyone who is in need receives help.

Journal Day 11 - Saturday, 13th December - Gift Distribution and Widows Vinga

Off to Vinga this morning with Lynsey, Spencer and family - more Christmas rehearsals and everyone was in fine voice.    Today we are distributing the shoe boxes at the end of the programme.  Lynsey and Spencer have treated everyone to hot dogs and home made chocolate chip cookies.  After prayers it was all excitement as the gifts were given out  Thanks to Lynsey for the organised way in which it was done.    Here is a picture of the team.

With all the children happily on their way home, we visited another poor family with boxes and then  the Vinga widows and widower with their food parcels and Christmas gifts.

Cati, who has no pension was sick in bed with flu.  She lives in a run down mud brick house and had no heating.  In her bed was a luke warm brick wrapped in a rag which  had obviously been heated up by a neighbour.  I quickly opened her Christmas box and put her knitted slippers on. Sister  Roza who lives next door in another delapitated house was walking around.  My heart bleeds for her because she has gangarine in both her legs.  It was so sad to see them both with such problems.  I prayed with them both before leaving.  Pastor Jackie raided her wood pile to ensure  they both had wood until a stock could be purchased when more funds arrive.  Elizabeta was thrilled to see us and she had wood supplied by family.  V said she had no wood but she does have a daughter living with her that works and she had refused some free building repairs earlier in the year.    This work is hard but because funds are so low for this project every case is being looked at on its merits.  Widow Carl is now living with a poor family in a tiny room sectioned  off a big outdoor farm building but they did have a fire in the corner of the room.  Conditions were very bad.   The family were very poor and we gave shoe boxes for the children which changed their little world this Christmas.

I spent the rest of the afternoon at the Jesus Generation Club in San Nicolau Mic.  One of the topics today for the older children is "Problem Solving".  It is encouraging to see the children becoming actively involved in discussions,  Other topics covered - Francis of Assisi, the country of Italy, Jesus' birth being the "Light" coming into the world and testimonies from me and 2 additional helpers.  This ministry is exciting and the majority of these children are there for 4 hours.  The fact that no-one is in a hurry to leave says it all.  Marius and Elena are incredible team leaders and everything is so organised and prepared in advance.  I thank the Lord for this ministry - please pray for more space for them.

Journal Day 10 - 12th December - Shopping for Widows Mite Project - Arad

Today I am out grocery shopping with Spencer for the Widows Mite Food parcels in Arad.  Let me remind you who Spencer is.  He and his wife Lynsey are American Missionaries who have moved permanently to Romania with their 2 children.  Spencer graduated from Bible college before coming to Romania last year and Lynsey is a qualified teacher.  They both play an active part in Jackie's ministries.  Lynsey heads the Baby project at the city hospital and with Spencer leads the children's programme at Vinga Church.  She also helps Spencer with the Widows Mite project in Arad.  Spencer leads the Detention Centre Programme with Bogdan as well as sometimes preaching at Vinga Church and working in the community there.

Today we are shopping to make up 16 food parcels - one Mihai from Vinga is currently in hospital until at least February with a lung complaint.  On return to Spencer's home I helped with the packing - parcels to be delivered next week with the Christmas gifts from Wales.  Jonathan and Trinity, their 2 children are ace   in the way they help out with everything.   They are so integrated into Romanian life and speak the language so well.

For information this is what this month's  suplementary food parcel consists of:: rice, pasta, small noodles, flour, oil, sugar, mamaliga or gris (semolina), fruit tea, coffee, tinned meat. tinned fish, tinned pate tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, stock cubes, packet of biscuits, sweets, fresh potatoes and onions, washing detergent and toilet rolls.  Everyone is so grateful for what they receive and many have come to know Jesus through the programme (hope I have not forgotten any items!).

Home earlier today and catching up with paper work and phone calls.

Journal Day 9 - Thursday 11th December - Children's Home in Hunedoara

Today Adina and I are visiting  the Maranata Children's Home in Hunedoara and also doing other visits on our return journey.  There are currently 24 children being cared for at the home, , 5 of which are sponsored through our Charity.

The journey takes approximately 2 hours and we are grateful that the weather is still quite mild for the time of year.  Many times we have done this journey in the snow.  More funding is needed for this Children's Home and Pasta Hada has recently had to close his adjoining soup kitchen for poor families.

 It is always a joy to spend time with the children and they always sing carols for us before we do the distributions.  It is so important that we recognise the dedicated work of the staff in these establishments and each year we buy them little Christmas gifts too.  I hope you enjoy the pictures - there was much excitement and joy.

On the way home we visited a family who have triplets and 5 other children.    When people say that Romanians do not help their own - this is not true.  A large Romanian Charity in Arad purchased a piece of land for this family and have built them  a house - with manual help from the father.  However the family will have to finish some of the work themselves..  Prior to this they were all living in 2 rooms in a house shared with other family members.  We noted that there was less stress in the house.  As we approached the house down a really muddy slope I slipped whilst carrying 6 shoe boxes stacked up.  Whilst I managed to remain on my feet the boxes went flying into the mud. We were all hysterical with laughter but there was much cleaning up of the boxes to do before they could be distributed.

Last stop of the night was Kaufland supermarket for more gifts for staff of children's homes and Mocrea Psychiatric Hospital.