A tribute to Roza from the Widow's Mite Project

Yesterday I received news that another of our precious widows - dear Roza from the village of Vinga passed away.  Sadly it was expected as she had suffered for some time with gangrene in both legs and a serious heart condition.  Roza was told last year that she needed both her legs amputated.  She refused to consider this as there would have been  no quality of life for her and so she decided to place everything in the Lord's hands.  She lived in a poor area in a mud brick house with earth floors and we visited her with food and a Christmas gift in December..

Last year she asked to be baptized and we give thanks for all the support provided by Pastor Jackie and her team.  Her food, wood and medication needs were all supplied but most importantly she was encouraged spiritually.  She is now safe in the arms of her Lord and Saviour where there is no more pain.  It was indeed a privilege to have known her for many years.

Giving thanks for the life of Rozalia

Each of the elderly ladies and gentlemen being supported on the Widows Mite Project are very dear to our hearts.  We get to know them all in a very personal way,  Today we are giving thanks for Rozalia's life following the news that she has passed away.

She was a special lady that Adina and I first visited 4 years ago after receiving information that she was a double amputee in need of support.  She told us that she had been a diabetic since the age of 15 and had just been discharged from hospital after her second leg amputation after which she had also had a heart attack.  She was only 63 at the time.  Due to her circumstances she was very low and we prayed that a friend would come along side her.  We rejoiced that our prayers were answered because the next time we visited in the summer Rozalia was happily sitting out in the garden in her wheelchair - someone had given her a dog who had become her best friend - there was such a bond between them that the dog was so protective of her - one step towards Rozalia and you ran the risk of being eaten!!!  In latter days the dog had to be shut away before we could visit.

Whilst we were back home in Wales, Adina had been a frequent visitor and had also supported Rozalia via a school project. Wayne, myself and Adina last visited her in December and we had such precious time together as she opened her Christmas Shoe  Box gift.    I so enjoyed picking out special items that I knew she would love and she was so excited. She was special -  Bye Rozalia - we shall miss you until we meet again.

Christmas and New Year back in Wales but a few funny photos as we reflect on our trip

After a blessed trip we arrived safely back  in Wales at 5.30 am on Christmas Eve and will resume ministry work here in January.  

The rest of the day was spent with some essential food shopping plus a visit to my mum to arrange some hair styling ready for Christmas!.  Like last year Wayne and I went our separate ways for most of the day - church services and then the day with our respective parents.  I also managed a quick present opening time with my sons.  We give thanks that we still have our parents and it is important that we are here to support them.  We caught up with each other late afternoon and spent a quiet evening together.

Reflecting on the trip here are a few funny and private moments caught on Camera.  We wish you all a belated Happy New Year full of God's love and grace.

We both received traditional Mus Nicolai Sticks
and chocolate outside the door of our bedroom
on 6th December!

Hubbie - leaving the home of one of our widows -
I hope these are for me!!

.

Adina negogiated a few muddy lanes with the minibus!

Adina's Naughty but Nice Cheesecake!

Fancy a chicken dinner - these are for sale at the Flea Market!

Wayne inspecting the second hand tools at the Flea Market-
sorry bit too heavy for the suitcase!

A cabbage shredder - good for bulk coleslaw!!

Our hosts Mamma Maria and husband Ioan on their
way to Church  with shoebox gifts they have made
 for poor children in Moldova

Journal from Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd December - Osana Children's Home and final catch up with friends

Monday, 21^st December, 2015

This morning we are off to the Osana Children's Home in Timisoara to meet the girls and  wonderful house parents and to distribute gifts.  It was so good to catch up with them all especially sisters Julie and Rebecca whom we have been involved with for the past 10 years.    On our return we joined Adina and 2 Italian volunteers plus children from the Tabita Children’s Home for a Pizza kindly given as a Christmas treat by Michael and his friend. 

Tuesday, 22^nd December, 2015

Sadly this is our last full day in Romania.  Today we visited dear Iasmina and her mum.  They are an inspirational pair in the way in which they cope daily with Iasmina’s disabilities.  Iasmina spends a great deal of time in hospitals but in between these stays she is able to go to school.  Sadly she has had to change schools twice as some cruel children have been mocking her because of her disabilities.  I find this all so very sad.  She is however happy in her current school and is doing very well academically.    We had a great catch up and gave them their shoe box gifts.  Thank you to her sponsor Julie for Iasmina’s box and I had great delight in making another up for a very worthy mum!!  They are precious – please pray for them both. 

Later we visited my dear friend Nina, whom I have known for the past 10 years when I moved to Romania.  We used to work at Pastor Jackie’s San Nicolau Mic Christian School together.   Nina is a great mum to 10 children – 5 still live at home.  Nina has suffered much hardship during her life and we give thanks that through working abroad her older children are now in a position to support her financially.    We were thrilled to hear that most of them will be home for Christmas. 

Wednesday, 23^rd  December, 2015

Last minute packing before saying our goodbyes until the next trip.  Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us with the 3 week mission – we could not have done it without you.  Special thank you to the Lucas for their hospitality once again and to Adina for taking us to the airport  - we look forward to seeing you back in Wales in January.  Finally this is God’s work and we are privileged to be used as His servants.  We give Him all the thanks and glory for a successful trip.

Journal for 19th & 20th December - Jesus Generation Christmas Party, Church Services and catching up with good friends

Saturday, 19t^h December, 2015

My chest is still bad – but mission work must continue – need strength today Lord and believing to receive answer to my prayers.  

First stop of the day is meeting with a Romanian gipsy girl called M who 10 years ago lived with me for a while.  She is now 30 and lives in a small one roomed flat supported by Pastor Jackie.  We go back a long way and despite many ups and downs we have always maintained a good relationship and bond.  We bought her lunch, gave her a specially made up shoe box and we spent some value time together.  We received a lovely Christmas gift from her and she was in tears at saying goodbye.  We will supply some shoe box gifts for the children of a poor friend. 

From there we went to the Jesus Generation Club for their Christmas Concert and Music competitions.  Wayne and I  were the judges – what a task with so much talent – there were many singers and musicians.  There were prizes for all the winners (we brought a large box of these over from Wales) plus chocolates for all those others who took part.  During the year the children are given out smiley faces for their attendance and good behaviour and these are totalled by the leaders.  Each child was able to chose gifts from the in-house shop to the value of their points.  The shop items consisted of: clothes, assorted toys, electrical items, sweets etc. Later Adina arrived with the Christmas food (hot dogs, biscuits and pop).   We also had the opportunity to spend value time with Alina, a social work student at a Christian University in Oradea.  She is doing very well, enjoying the course and is also involved in prison ministry there.  The Charity pays her tuition fees and donations support her hostel accommodation.   Thank you so much to Adina and her mum for shopping for the club food today and putting everything together plus delivering all the boxes.  It was a truly blessed day  seeing all the children enjoying themselves.

Sunday, 20^th December, 2015

Again up in the night with a congested chest and blogging.  Maria and Ioan took us this morning to the Resurrection Baptist Church in the city which is the Church Marius and Elena worship at.  Great lively worship and Word.  From there we walked to the Metanoie Church to catch the last of their morning worship.  It was indeed a blessed morning.  Home for a quick delicious lunch before going out again with Pastor Jackie to Vinga Church.  Today she lit the Love candle and preached on the subject.  There were more children gift distributions before we had to say goodbye to everyone. 

Home to catch on up on an hour's rest before being picked up by Marius and Elena for a meal and meeting at their apartment.  Our first ride in the second hand minibus they have purchased to resolve the transportation problem at the Jesus Generation Club.  They have incredible qualities, are great teachers and love all the children who totally respect them.  They have full time jobs but spend many hours per week preparing for the Saturday Club.  They also give of their time to assist other ministries.  We are blessed to call them our friends and the Charity support their ministry which is bearing much fruit.

Journal for 18th December - Back in Apple Way distributing aid

Friday, 18^th December, 2015

With the help of Adina's brother with the minibus and also her dad and uncles we loaded a trailer full of clothing aid to take to a very poor gipsy area on the outskirts of the city called “Apple Way”.    The area consists of families living in shacks along bumpy and muddy tracks.  I met some people I already knew from the past.  Everyone received something and the distribution went smoothly.  Thank you for answered prayer.  We entered the home of a family of 8 who lived in one room and had only one bed settee to sleep on.  Their request was for another similar one.  We will pray that one will be found.

From there we visited 2 friends of the Luca family on Oituz where we were so warmly welcomed.  It is amazing how God works.  When we told them about our work they asked if we could help with shoe box gifts for a children's ministry attached to a church in a very poor village on  route to Oradea.  We still have boxes left  – phone calls were made to establish the ages and sexes of the children so we could meet the need.  They will take photos of the distribution.  From Oituz we went to Sofronea to sort the rest of the shoe boxes and remaining items of our consignment.  Much work was carried out – further items distributed and the rest stored for the time being.  Pastor Jackie's back bedroom was returned to its former state because she has an American  missionary arriving  from Bulgaria for Christmas.

Still feeling unwell we were rather tired at arriving home.  Later 3 children arrived at the Luca apartment to receive  gifts.  First there were 2 boys from Maria and Ioan's church who have very difficult home circumstances.  We so enjoyed their company catching up on what they  have been doing during the past year and discussing their hopes for the future giving thanks that they are grounded in the faith.  Next to visit was little E who lives in another apartment in this block with her mother and twin older siblings.  Her mother is divorced but contrary to British law the father got to keep the family home and the mother and children had to leave and rent accommodation – so their lives are hard because maintenance does not appear to be enforced in this country. Our host Maria helps with taking and fetching E from school.  She sang us some carols and we were blessed to spend time with all the children. 

Journal for 17th December - More shoe box gift delight

Thursday, 17th December, 2015

Please Lord we need healing but give thanks that we have the strength to carry on. We are working on our accounts and blog this morning while Adina goes to Sofronea to collect the shoe boxes for the Placament de Copii on Oituz in the city as there is no room in the car for us.  This establishment was previously a Detention Centre but now houses children who are considered to be at risk.   Bogdan who works for Pastor Jackie's ministry visits the centre weekly.  The programme began at 12 noon with. Representatives from the Child Protection Department and sponsors of the Establishment present.  The children performed in National Costume – there were lots of carols, recitations and wonderful performances  from children from a Music School in the city. We are unable to supply pictures of the children due to data protection.

After spending value time with the children  we distributed shoe box gifts  much to their delight.  We then accompanied Adina to a Boarding school for the visual impaired where she supports a blind boy called Nicu who is 20 years old.  As we help fund her ministry it was good to meet Nicu for the first time.  We also met his 2 room mates and had shoe boxes for them also.  It was a joy to  see them feel over their gifts.  Nicu asked Adina to write a message to his girlfriend!  As we left I met a teacher there who immediately recognised me.  We had worked together at the Tabita Children's Home 10 years ago.

Next stop was a family at Gradite to deliver boxes to 2 autistic teenage children known to Adina.  We had nothing but admiration for the parents who care for them full-time with no support.  It was  joy to just sit with them all  to share the joy of Christmas.

After returning home to a delicious meal our good friends American missionaries Spencer and Lynsey and their 2 children Trinity and Jonathan called with an update of what is happening in their ministries which the Charity supports financially.  Today we were due to attend their Vinga Children's programme followed by distribution of shoe boxes.  Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled because it clashed with the village school concert.  They had all gone along to support the children there, many of whom come to the programme.  They are such a caring family and it was a joy to hear that even though some of the children's parents did not attend they were supported by people who love and care for them.  The children were asked to meet them outside the church afterwards where they distributed their shoe boxes.  We were disappointed to have missed the event but it is impossible to be 2 places at once.  They will distribute the rest of their boxes around the homes of the children and supply us with pictures.

Journal for 16th December - Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and bringing joy with Christmas gifts.

Wednesday, 16^th December, 2015

Early start and out food shopping for a poor family in Curtici.  The Father died 3 years ago from cancer leaving his wife and 3 children with a lot of medical expenses.  D has a job cleaning for  4 hours  a day.  Every Christmas we take along a food parcel and shoe box gifts for the children and this year I made up one also for mum which she so appreciated.

Then it was sorting the rest of the consignment at Pastor Jackie's for distribution at more Christmas Programmes.  Also every large box has the air pockets filled with much needed items such as medication, soft toys, slippers, woollens etc.  And Adina's car is filled to capacity all the time with just enough room for us to get in.

On the way back we called in with Rozalia,who is supported by the Widows Mite Project in Arad.  Her need is not food but incontinence pads.  She is a double amputee and has been diabetic since she was young.  She is younger than me and also has a heart condition.  She was delighted to see us all and overcome with her Christmas Box items and blanket.  We also take along a gift for her teenage grandson.  Her dog is very protective and has to be locked up before we enter.  We ended our visit with a prayer.

On return home we met with our British friend, Mark Wade at the apartment.  He joined us for a meal.  Mark is a missionary and has worked in Eastern Europe mainly Romania for around 20 years.  Since last year he has been volunteering at the Russian and Ukrainian border war zone helping deliver medical supplies, food and other equipment as well as building tents and repairing homes.  He has also been planting churches in the area.  Working so close to the front line of fighting carries enormous risks but God is protecting him.  He has also been spreading his time during the Autumn helping refugees and the police at the Hungarian and Serbian borders following the much reported influx of thousands fleeing for their lives.  His work has made headlines.  He is returning to Ukraine early in the early hours of the morning.  Please pray for him.

At 8.30pm we visited a Night Shelter on the outskirts of the city.  There were almost 50 homeless people to feed and minister to.  Adina brought along her dad and a group of singers with a guitar from her church and we all sung carols.  We provided hot dogs and hot tea for everyone present – big thank you to the Lucas for helping us with all the preparation.  We mingled with all the vulnerable men and men – everyone had their own story and there was much sadness and despair but also smiles of joy breaking through here and there.  We had beautiful toilet bags for them all – Bless you Elizabeth from Brecon for  all your support and hard work in supplying them all.  She spent hours buying items and making them all up during a time when she was experiencing so many problems with her health.  They were so appreciated.  We also brought along hats, scarves, mitts and blankets from Wales – thank you. to our many knitters.  Home to more medication as we are all still  feeling poorly with  colds.