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.