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.
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