Journal for Saturday 24th to Tuesday 27th of October

Saturday 24^th October,

Today I drove to Neath because from 10 am I had an appointment for an interview to get my National Insurance Number! This was a very pleasant experience for God has been along side me, and I was interviewed by a beautiful lady!

After the interview was finished, we had a bit over 3 hours of shopping time in Neath – I got to shop in some wonderful Charity Shops! And on our way back home, we called into Rheola Flea Market – gotta say this made me feel like I was back home in Romania, at my Obor Flea Market!

Then we called in to see Wayne's parents, and also Irene's mother, and was great to catch up with them.

Once we arrived home, we started baking and cooking for we were gonna have a movie night and some company! We had Nicky, Mac and Mike over and we watched the movie 'The Longest Ride' – we all had to a blast!

Sunday 25^th October,

Lord's day! I cannot think of a better place to spend this day, than in the House of the Lord, and in the beauty of His creation! I went to the morning service in Elim Church in Brecon – beautiful worship and great word on being an Encouragement for those around us, for anyone that breaths needs encouragements – so very true! After the church was finished I made some hams rolls and was ready to climb the Pen y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons – 886 M! I had a wonderful tour guide and company along! And I gotta say that the more I was hiking, the more speechless I was (and those that know me, know this is quite unusual!) I was overwhelmed by all the beauty God created for me/us to rejoice in! We do serve an AWESOME GOD! Thankful to God for all the sights He is allowing my eyes to see!

In the evening I went to Elim Church in Merthyr Tydfil and was again blessed by a wonderful service! Lovely worship and Pastor Charis had a great message on Joseph and dreams!

And to end the beautiful day we came home where Irene was waiting us with a beautiful home made dinner – so very thankful to Irene and Wayne for such a blessing to me! Asking God to richly bless them and have His hand of protection on their family!

Monday 26^th October,

Today was a computer work and administration at home. But today is my parents 41^st Wedding Anniversary! It is a bit harder being away, on a day like this, but earlier today I have talked home to both of them, and my heart is at peace knowing that my Heavenly Father is watching over them and holding them up!  
 

Tuesday 27^th October,

Today we had another computer morning, and in the afternoon I drove Irene to Hirwaun so she could do charity visits in that area and continue with shoe boxes. I went to Ema and Mihai’s home! I was gonna spend the day/night with them so I could again help Ema with driving, shopping and also to just spend some time with them! While there they had some good friends over and we all had a great time of prayer together! 

After our guests left we had a good chat and I also got to play chess with Mihai again. We had much fun and also gotta say that today it was a bit of a multicultural day - in the morning I had a welsh breakfast followed by a Romanian late lunch and finished 
with a Hungarian Goulash! Life is good indeed! So very happy and thankful for all the wonderful friends I have here!!!

Journal for Monday 19th to Friday 23rd of October

Monday 19^th October,

The week began with Irene and I travelling to Pontyclun Community Centre to meet with a beautiful group of elderly ladies who knit items for Romania. We did a presentation on the work of the Charity and saw how much joy these ladies have in putting together many knitted items for Romania. Asking God to richly bless each and every lady that we saw today! We again returned to Hirwaun to work on the shoe boxes and were there till late in the evening!

Tuesday 20^th October,

This morning I was able to apply by telephone for a National Insurance Number, and got an appointment for interview this Saturday. Shortly after, I went to meet with Julie Price, Iasmina's sponsor and pick up some filled shoe boxes and other items she had prepared for us! Every day I am amazed at how many people God brings alongside us with support! After my time with Julie, I returned to the house to pick up Irene before leaving for Merthyr Tydfil. I took Ema (my Romanian friend) out for some driving lessons as she needs to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road! We did manage to make a small stop at Garwnant, a Forest Centre, with a beautiful park!

After transporting Ema to her work place, I drove back to Hirwuan and joined Irene in making more shoe boxes.

Wednesday 21^th October,

Today I had a day off, and I was blessed to drive around

 in a lorry in the North part of Wales with a good friend of mine. I also got to visit Betws-y Coed - this is North's Wales most popular inland resort. It is where the river Conwy meets its three tributaries flowing from the west, the Llungwy, the Lledr and the Machano. The beauty of the area is enhanced by cascading waterfalls, hill-top lakes, river pools and ancient bridges. And not only have I had the chance to see more of God's beauties from Wales but also had the company of a great friend. I am blessed! 

Friday 23rd October,

Hirwaun Library morning - love the card making part and the ladies that join us! Later we met with Sharon Thomas from Santander Bank - she gave us a cheque for £ 700 and a lot of supplies for the shoe boxes. From here we drove to Asda where we meet with a gentlemen who gave us a bag of clothing items - bless his heart!

Journal for Friday 16th to Sunday 18th of October

Friday 16^th October

Today we had another early start to a Coffee morning at Hirwaun Library from 10 am to 12pm, where we made handmade cards, and sold them so we can support our charity. We had a few beautiful ladies, Sheila, Claire and Sarah who helped with making the cards and a lot of others who supported the work by buying the cards!

After this meeting we went out for lunch of a big ham roll and afterwards returned to the house in Hirwuan. Tony and his wife Sandra popped in for a visit and I was able to get to know them more. From around 2:30 pm I went back to Hirwuan Library to meet with the Natty Knitters, and collect all the items they so kindly put together for Romania! I was fascinated by the way they were knitting and had them give me some knitting lessons–at the beginning I had 2 left hands but I soon got into the swing of it with my own design and realised just how much fin knitting is. Needless to say in the evening, after we had completed our many tasks for the day I ended up in knitting in the kitchen whilst having a chat with Irene. After updating some things on my computer the knitting bag came out again and I simply kept going – I believe I might start taking orders any time soon! 

Saturday 17^th October,

Today we have a quiet morning doing work around the house. In the afternoon, around 3pm we took off to finalise the last details for Ema's 50^th birthday party! 

The party took place at Pentrebach House, Merthyr Tydfil and was AMAZING – beautiful people and great food. Too bad we only have birthdays one a year! 

Sunday 18^th October,

'This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!' Yes, this is the day set aside for God, and I see no better way of spending it than in His house, and His presence! In the morning I went at Elim Church in Brecon – beautiful worship and great word from God! In the evening I went to Park Baptist Church in Merthyr Tydfil. The beautiful hymns sang there made me feel like I was in one of the churches back home. Pastor Andy had an uplifting message, and spoke straight to my heart, and all I can say is that God used the Pastor to talk to me!

After church we had a great evening with Romanian dinner - polenta, fish, garlic sauce and much laughter at our home, with our friend Mike.

Journal for Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th of October

Wednesday 14^th October

Another day of putting shoe boxes together. I have a hard time putting in words the joy of making the shoe boxes – there is not many things that can equal that! Well maybe the joy that is on the faces of those who receive them!!!

At 6 pm we drove to Merthyr Tydfil to Wendy's home as she kindly got me and Irene tickets to a Concert (to raise funds for the local “Food Bank” for poor families). While at her home I managed to fix Wendy’s printer and update her computer. We had a lift to the concert in a minibus. This was an evening musical event with Cantorion Cyfarthfa (a Ladies Choir) and Dowlais Male Voice Choir held at an Anglican Church. The singing was beautiful and it was another amazing day!

Thursday 15^th October

Today we had Jane Eason, a good friend of Irene's over for lunch. Jane is a Social Worker. We had a long chat and I learned so much about the differences between the Romanian and UK social systems.

From 7 pm we went to a Farmer’s Bible Study/Prayer monthly group at Bronydd Mawr Farm near Trecastle. We had such a blessed time there – lovely worship, beautiful speaker and an amazing crowd of people! I love the beauty in this country, and I love the people that are planted in my path – but even more I love the Creator of all there is under sun! He is the one that deserves all the praises!

Journal for Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th of October

Monday 12^th October

This morning we had a visit from some dear friends of Irene's and Wayne – Terry and Cilla Harris from Exeter in Devon! This beautiful couple have been involved in doing ministry in my home city in Romania for over 20 years - Amazing how God works! I had such great fellowship with them and so looking forward to seeing them again here and also in Romania!

After our friends left, we went to a beautiful retreat (Llangasty House) and spent a couple hours there with Ema and Mihai (Romanian Trustees of the Charity). They had spent the weekend there having a much needed break. 

This is a beautiful place, located by Llangorse Lake. 

From here we drove back to Merthyr Tydfil to take Mihai home, and to give Ema a lift to work. While in the town we visited a few stores and picked up some shoe boxes and a few more items for filling the boxes!  

From 7pm we drove back to Brecon and went to a meeting for Street Pastor Ministry again at Capel Porth y Dwr (Watergate Baptist Church)! Another beautiful evening- made new friends and got to hear how this community is reaching out to the people in need!

Tuesday 13^thOctober

An early start today driving to Ty Ddewi, a beautiful sheltered housing complex in the Rhondda mining valleys of South Wales where we met a group of beautiful elderly people. I was introduced to Tony and Sandra, a wonderful couple from Hirwaun who do a lot of work at the complex! I met Peter, one elderly gentlemen in his 70’s who is writing a book about his life! I was so happy I was able to give him a hand with a few computer technics and also to just sit and talk to him for a while! During our visit Irene and I shared what our charity does in Romania, shared some pictures and showed them 4 filled shoe boxes (baby, boys/girls, widows). There was much happiness on their faces as we talked and shared about the joy the people in Romania have when they receive their Christmas boxes!

From here we drove back to Hirwaun, where we had a beautiful Welsh lunch – Fish and Chips, and from there we were working in the shoe box room, rejoicing while getting more gifts ready for our next consignment! I have great joy as I make the boxes, especially the ones for my ministry, for the children/people I well know. Irene is working on the “Widows Mite” boxes. I feel overwhelmed with joy and so look forward to Christmas – to be back on Romanian ground and see the children’s joy as they open their boxes!!!

WALES - my Home away from Home! 

So looking forward to the next couple of weeks to see what God has in store for me!

Sunday 11^th October
I arrived at my home in Sennybridge  around 5 am, went to bed after 6 am, and after only 3 hours I was up (I was still on Romanian time)! Irene & Wayne told me we were going out for lunch with our dear friends Ema and Mihai but I had no idea what was waiting for me! At the restaurant at the beautiful Mountain Centre in the Brecon Beacons National Park, there was a surprise party for me – many dear friends of mine were awaiting my arrival! I had an awesome welcome with much laughter and joy! So very blessed by the large number of friends God has blessed my life with here! Not only did we have amazing food, English Tea, but also an awesome cake with my photo on and a beautiful bouquet of flowers plus a “Welcome Back” balloon! I cannot describe in words just how special this made me feel! 

After catching up with everyone at the party we went to visit Connie (Irene's mother) – a beautiful lady whom I love like my grandmother! Gotta mention that I'm back behind the wheel and unlike my 1st time in Wales, I'm not confused driving on the wrong side of the road– driving the new smooth Dacia also helps – praying for travelling mercies as I will do most of the driving while I am here!

After our visit to Conny we had a half hour gap till our next meeting, and I got to walk on the Promenade in Brecon and Praise my God for the wonderful way He is orchestrating my life! At 7 pm we went to the Harvest Festival of the Young Farmers Club, at the Capel Porth y Dwr (Watergate Baptist Church) in Brecon. The young people presented our Charity with 30 filled shoe box gifts! I had an opportunity to meet and build relationships with many people– we had a blessed day! So very thankful for all those that support our charity!

Welcome back Adina - it's over to you!!!

We were thrilled to receive Adina back into our home on 11th October.  She has perfect English and degrees in Social Work and Psychology, and is such a help to us both here and in Romania. We give thanks for her, and I have asked her to use the blog to publish her journal during her stay - we hope you enjoy it.