My first full day - more shoe boxes!!!

After a hearty breakfast it was out into the cold checking exchange rates to change money, getting the best deal on a new Romanian simcard (because for the first time ever I left my old one in Wales!!) and going to a local market to buy some extra crafts for the ministries.  Then Adina and I drove the 5 miles to Pastor Jackie's village home for an update meeting on the projects and to finalise our programme for the trip. I was blessed to be reunited with Jackie and her family.  However, she is still not well following her recent time in hospital - please pray for her.  Friends, Peter and Christine also attended the meeting. Peter is also unwell and needs prayer for healing.  

More shoeboxes!

For those of you who don't know Adina.  She is the 25 year old daughter of my hosts and friends - Ioan and Maria Luca - a wonderfully warm and witty lady who shines for Jesus.  Adina speaks excellent English, is a qualified Social Worker and is on Pastor Jackie's staff at the Ministry - what as asset she is to God's work - always happy and so capable.  Then it was back into town to Peter and Christines's house to check all the shoe boxes that had kindly been donated by Hainford School in Norwich which were designated for the San Nicolau Mic Centre. Christine and Peter have strong links with the school who have committed themselves to supporting the Kids and Music Club.  Christine and I worked until 9 pm checking our stock of items before completing the boxes ready for distribution this Saturday. The date was brought forward because Christine has to return home on the 10th December.  There are further boxes to check and I am hoping to return there this morning.

Tasting bread in the new mall -
look at the size of the loaf!

Its hard to believe that here in Arad a new shopping Mall has been built which opened 3 weeks ago. Obviously this is from foreign investment and for me it looks out of place in this country.  There had been much publicity about promotions and sales there (something you rarely see in Romania) so we went along in search of a reasonably priced new camera for myself.  I am having a problem with mine - the pictures are not as sharp as they should be.   I had limited funds to spend and Peter kindly offered to sell me one of his second hand and I saved a huge amount of money!!!  Then we did a bit of grocery shopping before sitting in the foyer of the mall enjoying a mug of hot chocolate - I looked at my watch and it was midnight but there were hundreds of people in the stores mainly just looking at items for sale!!!  Today is a public holiday in Romania - its their National Day - all shops and schools are closed and the city will be full of celebrations and parades.

Hit the sack very late - too tired to blog - hence the early rising this morning.  Thank you for your continued prayers.  

Ready to Serve!!

With cases bulging at the seams with items for the ministries, hubbie Wayne dropped me off yesterday at 4 pm  at Port Talbot where I caught a National Express coach to Heathrow before travelling on to Luton, arriving at 11 pm.  God moved mountains on my journey when he planted trolleys waiting for my luggage at every stop and a kind station attendant who got me on an earlier coach for Luton thus avoiding me waiting for an hour and half in cold conditions.    I managed an hour's nap and some precious time with the lord during the journey.

It was great to meet up with my friend, Christine from Norwich who took the same flight. We were met at Timisoara by our good friend Peter,  Christine's fiancee who promptly delivered me to the city apartment of my hosts , the Luca family - what a welcome!!  Soon we were sat around Maria's table tucking into delicious soup, followed by rice with beef, pickled red peppers and her delicious fruit compote - what a feast!!  After  saying goodbye to Peter and Christine it was time for a nap and a later long chat with Adina Luca, Pastor Jackie's Social Worker about Project updates.  

Complications later on trying to access all my email accounts due to increased security measures because I was accessing them rom a different location (never happened before!!).  What a performance - this is why I am writing so late.

My friend Adina is experienced some technical difficulties with her new internet wireless connection so prayer is needed if you are to receive daily blogs from me.   I am meeting Pastor Jackie and the entire team in the morning to discuss our schedule during the trip and to finalise the timetable.  I await with anticipation as to what else the Lord has in store for me.    

Thank you Almond Tree

On Tuesday I had the pleasure of talking about my forthcoming Pre-Christmas mission trip at Almond Tree. our Church Ministry for the elderly.  The AT family are staunch supporters of the Widows Mite Project iin Romania.  I give thanks for friends, Jenny Williams and Jen Stewart who made home-made cakes and sold them and also for new friend, June Thomas who made 25 beautiful knitted Christmas Puddings which she filled with sweets.for sale towards shoe box transportation,  We are blessed to have so many people who care about the vulnerable, sick and lost of Romania. 

Shoeboxes loaded, tickets booked!

It sure has been a busy few weeks checking shoeboxes, sorting and packing them plus a huge amount of other essential items for the various ministry.  I give thanks for my fellow trustee, Kay and our good friend Ken who worked tirelessly alongside us to meet the deadline.  It took us all day last Wednesday to pack the last 300 boxes and other items plus loading our vehicles.  A van from our good friend, Mark and our two cars were bulging at the seems as we set off for Talbot Green Warehouse to meet our friend Alan Penrose. 

After loading everything onto pallets and labelling them we spoiled ourselves by having lunch at the Boat House in Treforest.  Friday and the weekend has been taken up with finalising Charity administration, family commitments and meeting with the builder at my former home, Padest.  This issue has been a trial with an ongoing insurance claim for heating oil spillage which has taken 2 years to complete.  I truly am giving thanks that works are nearing completion.

and now......    comes the real excitement - I am flying to Romania on Tuesday for 3 whole weeks and am so.... looking forward to it. I am visiting my second home which is so dear to my heart and I love being back on the mission field..   I wonder  what God has for me on this trip. 

Hainford Primary Partnership School Norwich

Thank you to staff, parents and pupils for once again supporting the above Appeal in supplying around 60 shoe box gifts for the Kid's Club and also the Music Club at San Nicolau Mic Centre in Arad.  We give thanks for our good friends, Christine Wood and Peter Grove who are our links with this school.  Despite his illness, last month Peter drove all your boxes across Europe.

We value you all for your support of Children in dire need.

Cwmgwrach Primary School - an answer to prayer!

God is so good and provides for all our needs.  This year we were concerned that we would not meet our target on Shoe Box gifts and so we prayed.  In a matter of days we were told by one of our Church friends that Cwmgwrach Primary School had a supply of shoe box gifts and they were looking for a suitable local Charity to dispatch them to Romania.

This week we collected over 40 boxes and many other suitable items enabling us to fill more boxes.  A huge thank you to the head teacher, staff, parents and pupils for their support.  It was a joy to meet everyone and the children even loaded my little car.  Thank you for helping us to put a smile on many faces this Christmas.  I will be in Romania myself to distribute them and will bring back many pictures for you. 

Penderyn Primary School supporting our Christmas Appeal

We extend a big thank you to Mr Wood, the headteacher, staff, parents and children for their support of our Christmas Appeal in collecting items to make up shoe box gifts.  

I arranged posters for the school to promote the Appeal and before Half Term I was kindly invited to an Assembly to talk about our Children's Projects in Romania.  As part of the talk, I took along 2 filled Christmas Shoe Box Gifts and 4 volunteers helped me show all the children the contents.  It was a relaxed morning with children interacting with my talk and I was amazed by some of their questions.   Thank you Penderyn for your welcome and support.  You will help us make a difference to children's lives this Christmas.