We made it to Mocrea and a case that breaks your heart!!!

Mocrea Visit

The team today minus me -always  behind the camera!

With temperatures of -7 and more snow forecast Jackie, Adina and I set off for Mocrea Psychiatric Hospital. Peter, Christine and Bogdan followed in Peter's car.  We prayed before setting out because the roads were compacted with a thick layer of snow and ice.  Praise God that we had  good drivers because on route we came across an accident involving 3 cars. - one overturned.  Emergency services were present.  The problem is most Romanians drive too fast and too close together.  Even following the accident we still had drivers overtake us in appalling conditions.  An added problem is the number of potholes under the snow.  The journey which normally takes us an hour one way took us almost 2 today.

Wow! Look at these creations

Today we were decorating Christmas paper bags in readiness for their gifts next week.  The patients all really enjoyed - their designs were wonderful.  After colouring the bags we helped them to decorate them with Christmas crafts which I had brought over from Wales.  They all really enjoyed and started singing carols.   Every week Jackie brings along refreshments - pop, coffee, cakes/biscuits (things that are not supplied by the hospital). We ended the session in prayer and each patient is given a sachet of coffee to take to their room - a little luxury they get every week.

We stopped for something to eat on the way home and arrived back at 5 pm.  It is now dark and snow is starting to fall again. Please don't let it be heavy because tomorrow we need to be in Timisoara visiting the Osana Children's Home with Christmas Gifts.

Homeless because of bad choices

Before I close I want to express my sadness at what I saw when waiting outside the apartment for Pastor Jackie this morning.  A woman I will call "M"(I won't name her) who has received so much support from Jackie and  missionary over many years was observed by Adina begging on the street outside our apartment.  I have also been involved in supporting her in different ways.  She was in such a state, I first of all did not recognise her yet she recognised me.  She needed a wash, had old dirty clothes on, a scarf around her head and no gloves.  Many of her teeth were missing and she had bruising on her face.

Our hearts sunk - Adina went upstairs to the apartment and came down with food for her and I gave her my gloves.  She wanted money but it was not wisdom to give her any because she would probably use it for drink.  It is so so sad because she has received years of support  yet did not want to attempt to bring up her 3  children - she is on the street because of bad choices which she continues to make.  We are unclear about her mental state but she refuses to consider going back to a mental hospital where she would have a roof over her head, warmth and food.    During our trip here in 2010 she was not doing well but was living in an apartment with  2 of her daughters being paid for my Pastor Jackie. Wayne and I visited and helped with food, a Christmas Tree and presents for the girls.   However in January 2011 2 of her children were rescued off the streets by Jackie and placed in a Christian Children's Home where they are doing really well and have given their hearts to the Lord..


Adina, who is a qualified social worker again talked to "M" this morning about the possibility of a referral back to a Mental Hospital but she refused.  She also talked to her about night shelters for the homeless in the city but she declined to discuss saying she is sleeping here and there( in temperatures of -7).  God's Word says that we are to love them in all circumstances but we all have choices.  It is so hard to see her on the street where there is much danger and violence.  Her daughters have been asking to see their mother but she has not been turning up for pre-arranged supervised get-to-gethers.  However it is probably better that they don't see her in her present condtion.  The saddest thing is she could die and there is nothing we can do other than pray.  Please join us in prayer.