Patience in darkness, longing for light

Good Morning,

Day Two at Saptre Noiembrie started with two house calls with Doc. Natalie and I set off up the hill into the community. The reason the gypsy villages are in the hills is so that noone can see them. Out of sight, out of mind is the general principle. The people build their houses into the hillside among the trees. It's crowded and there is no privacy. Often families of up to ten people are crammed into a one bedroom.

The first lady we went to visit was 63 years old and was recovering from a stroke. She was unable to speak from the dysphagia and mumbled the entire time we were there but nothing was comprehensible. She was sitting in a moulded armchair facing outside. She was unable to walk or weightbear. Her husband carried her from the bed to the chair in the morning and back again at night. He looked about half her size and I have no idea how he manages. The room was cobwebbed with huge spiders crawling round the ceiling and dirt on the floor. There was no rubbish bin and everything as just scattered in the tiny piece of ground outside their house. It was really hard to see her suffering. We did a full assessment and were able to get a list of medications that would make her more comfortable. Doc then offered to pray for her and she willingly agreed. It was really emotional to see her in pain and unable to communicate her wishes.

The second lady we went to visit with 51 years old and developed Multiple Sclerosis when she was 46. The government grants medication to those with MS due to the severity of their long term condition. However they have recently reduced hers and stated that she has made great improvements and no longer requires it. They feel her MS is not bad enough to warrant additional help. In reality, the last 3 months have seen a rapid deterioration in her condition. It is unclear if they took it away because her assessment was not carried out properly or if they genuinely feel she isn't worthy of it. The lady cannot walk and is not able to get out of her home. The loss of her legs is really limiting and living in the gypsy community does not help. The steps into her house are so precarious that I struggled to get into it so I can completely understand why she is suffering. She is housebound and finds it difficult. We prayer with her too and the tears began to stream down her face. Pray for her as she begins new medication for her MS and that it would improve her symptoms but also that she would see the importance of her spiritual health.

Then I went with one of the long term workers to pick up this little lady. She was unable to make the 300m walk from her house to the medical clinic. She is 83 years old and a firm believer. She is trusting in Jesus for her daily bread and her eternal salvation. She walks with a cane and every body part she has seemed to have a problem. She is not worried about her physical body and is longing for her Saviour and the day she will see him face to face. She was such an encouragement and her patience is incredible. She lost her husband many years ago and she shares with others as she waits her turn. We brought her down to the clinic and I stayed with her until she was ready to go home again.

 The rest of the team had started the triage and doctors stations. This is the room where 5 stations run. There is a lot of coordinating to smoothly have a patient enter the clinic, receive a ticket, see the triage station, a doctor, pharmacy, opticians, dentist and wound care. Yesterday I was helping to direct patients and have a continual flow trying to ensure that the doctors were not sitting waiting with noone. It was good fun. Floating about trying to organise people who just had no intention of being organised.


And after about a week of trying I managed to get a photograph of Nicola doing some work! Not that she hasn't been working. Just attempting to coordinate her working and me free with a camera has proved to be a massive challenge. If anything it may even suggest that she has been working harder as she's so difficult to find! Or...she's been skiving. I'll let you figure out which one. Either way, here she is doing some wonderful wound care on a lady who stood on a nail.

Queuing

Wound Care on 3 amputated toes that weren't stitched. My dad and Uncle Alistair helped build this guys house which is cool.

Yesterday was a difficult day for the long term workers as one of the girls that came in was known to them. She had been out working the streets to earn additional income for her family, this was most probably her husbands suggestion. Anyhow, she arrived with stitches on her head and two black eyes and in pretty bad shape. She was drawn and was trying to hide in the corridors. It was tough to see her so desperate to stay in the shadows and not be seen by those around her. Please pray that all the young women and girls involved in such work would be freed from sin and come to know God. To know they are accepted, loved and forgiven in Him when they receive Jesus. That barriers and vicious cycles would be broken and lives transformed.

Centre of Sighisoara

Praying for Romania

Sunset over Laslea

 Today and tomorrow there are no clinics. We have time to relax and spend time together. May we build each other up and be an encouragement.

Peace that transcends all understanding

Day Two at Seleus

It was a completely different day in terms of emotion. The first was heart breaking and so challenging in terms of understanding more about the conditions they live in. Their bodies are hurting and broken and the hard life they live is so apparent. The state of their physical health just cannot be compared to the lost souls that live in the village. So many people are crying out for love but yet are unwilling to recognise that their Creator God freely pours it out on them every single day in abundance. In His eyes they have the opportunity to be accepted, forgiven and loved. It was a day where I seen hope in the community.

This little lady here came in to us to receive medication. After a few questions it was determined that she should have an ECG. So we brought her up to the examination table and had her lie down. As Natalie, Nicola and I waited with a translator we just felt we should ask her some questions to keep her mind occupied. We got the translator to ask if she had been to church or knew about Jesus. The woman welled up and began to cry. It turned out she a believer in the local church. She lives with her family but they are not believers and do very little to help her. She often is without food and care. She prayer to Jesus that He would provide her with food and the next day a food parcel came. A little while later she prayed to ask that she would receive health care and then we arrived. She was so overcome by it all that she was just giving praise to God. She made a point of telling the translator that even though she lives in a community where she has nothing and is viewed as nothing, Jesus is her everything. It was a beautiful example of how God can give a peace that transcends all understanding to an individual. A living example of full dependency on God.

Day One at Saptre Noiembrie. 

Another community with great need. It's currently 07:41 and I'm meant to be at breakfast ten minutes ago! So I'll leave you with a few photos from yesterday...

 

Back examination

Doctors Station

Pharmacy

Opticians

ECG

Natalie removing warts

Nicola soothing a child

Wound Care

Dream team take on diabetic ulcers

So it was a busy day and little sleep was had last night due to a snorer making themselves known at around 3am! But please pray for energy today. For the people of Saptre Noiembre and that God would use the medical clinics to work mightily in this village. That relationships would be built and that many would hear the Good News of the Gospel.

A tired Sarah.

Finding Joy

Just back from a medical clinic in Seleus, the poorest community we will be working in on this trip. We set up the triage and doctors stations but before we began the work at the clinic the doctors team was taken up the hill as the long term workers wanted us to and see understand the conditions these people are living in. They wanted us to be able to exercise patience and compassion with the people today who can be difficult and rowdy at times.So we set off up the hill outside the clinic to face the hard reality of their every day lives.

 The poverty was overwhelming and the rejection that these people experience was so evident. It was so clearly displayed in the houses that they lived in. As we walked up the hill one of the long term workers described the situation, "The poor live at the bottom, the very poor live in the middle and the desperate live at the top." It seemed so unjust that houses for 10 people here in Seleus wouldn't be good enough for people's animals at home.

 There is no running water or sanitation on the hill at all. To get water the villagers buy it in a bucket from someone near the bottom of the hill. It's not clean. It's not free. It has worms in it. And yet it's all there is to offer so they take it. Buying water from the store is so expensive and getting food is a priority, and unfortunately alcohol for the men is too. Due to the close proximity of the people and the uncleanliness, diseases and conditions spread quickly from one household to the next. A pack of stray dogs run throughout the houses. They pester the families and scavenge for food. The children play together in the dirt. The only form of toys we seen were pieces of string or rope tied on to sticks.

 We had the opportunity to meet some of the people who live on the hill. This is Natalie with a blind man who will come to the clinic tomorrow. He went blind overnight due to drinking a cleaning product because it was cheaper than alcohol. He just wanted an escape and now has to rely on his family to do everything for him. He hasn't escaped from anything and is possibly imprisoned even more now. Pray that tomorrow He will hear the Gospel message and be freed completely!

The vulnerability of the people living in what seemed like derelict shelters was immense. So much exposure to the elements and no sense of security. It seemed like such a hopeless situation. And in human hands it definitely felt beyond help. But we have an awesome God who is good and mighty and powerful. He can change lives, communities and countries. The work that has begun here is done in His strength and may it continue until they come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Wound Care

The medical clinic itself was my favourite so far. It was busy and people were grateful for the healthcare provided. There were so many children who just wanted to be loved and cared for. The sound of their giggles is still ringing in my ears. They are beautiful children created by the hand of a loving God. It was incredible just to see so many patients and to be able to bless them in a very small way today. A few children in particular came in with tears and sad faces left the building laughing and smiling.

Doctor's Appointment

 We head back to the same village tomorrow so hoping and trusting for another great day!

Soarde Village- Reaching the Lowest of the Low

Buna Seara,

Day two of medical clinics is complete! It's been so much fun and I'll try my best to explain how it all works. One point to mention right away is that although medical clinics are the tool used to engage with the people the overall aim is to share the Gospel. So many opportunities have opened up and a prayer station is there for the locals to spend time at during their visit. So relationships begin and the long term workers are able to follow up with the people after the clinics are finished.

So start to finish...in theory....the locals arrive and are assigned a number, they go to triage to give basic information, have vital signs taken and give a history. Then they go to see the doctor. They collect what they have been prescribed from pharmacy. And then there is wound care, opticians and dentistry for those who need it. They finish at the prayer station where a local Romanian from the village church is there to speak with them about the main purpose of the team being there.




 
Hot rooms. Buzzing Flies. Sticky everything. Dirty Surroundings. Limited resources. Time-pressured Clinics. Arguing Villagers. Crying babies. Sweaty just sitting down. Babbling locals. Tired staff. Hungry staff. Thirsty staff. And yet here we are working in the strength of the Lord to show His love to the Romanians. And it's totally worth it!!!




I've had the opportunity to assist/scribe in a clinic and also to run a triage station. It's tiring but really good fun too. There are a lot of moments that it is heartbreaking. From today...there was a man came in holding his face, quite clearly in a lot of pain. He had noticed a tumour 7 months ago and had gone to the hospital who had initialy refused to see him. After some time they did and he was given a prescription for the drug medication. However he couldn't afford it and just continued without taking anything. Two months ago he returned to the hospital with loss of vision in one eye and bleeding from his mouth due to the size of the tumour. They gave him a report and a list of medications. Same situation again. His wife walked him to the clinic today and brought the report with them asking if we would be willing to help them. Immediately he was shown love and compassion. he was given a number and shown into the waiting area. I brought him into triage and took a history from him. It broke my heart to hear the wife telling of what happened. I then managed to bump him up the queue a little and straight to one of our doctors to get looked at. Although what we did as a team today wasn't much, his wife left with a smile. I ask that you would pray with me that they would see and understand that only temporary healing can come from medication and long term restoration comes from the Lord.

Natalie and I with Rosie a translator

We also were able to go on a house visit this evening after clinic finished at 7pm. Yes, that's right. We were still going until then. Such a needy community. Doctors don't want to treat them because of their ethnicity as gypsies. Others cannot afford the cost of it. We freely offer the treatment. Anyhow, went to visit a family and it was difficult to see their house and where they lived. The conditions were poor and there were many people crammed into such a small space. They were so warm and hospitable and it really was encouraging.

I must go to bed now though....Day 2 of 9 clinics and I'm already shattered!

Prayer Points...

• That the focus would remain on giving the glory to God
• that the Gospel would be clearly proclaimed at the village medical clinics
• that the villagers would be hungry and desperate for something more than medical treatment
• we would be willing servants
• energy and enthusiasm for what are long, tough days

Sunset on the way home from clinics

Sarah

We found love in a hopeless place

Hello!!!! Day Four has already crept up on us! Was having a few technical difficulties with verification codes for email accounts as they thought I was being hacked...the good news is that we have arrived in Romania. It is me using my email account so nothing to worry about. I was apparently hacking myself.

Anyhow...here we are in Eastern Europe on our way to Sighisoara!

We received a rundown of the work and the organisation on the way to the house...Romania is a very desperate country, both materially and spiritually. 

Prostitution is rife and there are many women sent out by their husbands to earn additional money for monthly bills. Driving up to the house we passed many young women on the streets. The men were pointed out on various corners too as they spend their time controlling the women and ensuring the money is passed on directly. The desperation is so great that the women often assume that it is part of their role to provide money for their children. However it is often forced upon these women and it is a heartbreaking situation.

Prolife clinics are also part of the work here in Sighisoara. There are a few complications in this area of life. One of the reasons that women who are wanting to get sterilised come up against resistance is due to the risk of the people helping the women to get sterilised being accused of ethnic cleansing. They could be blamed for decreasing the viable childbearing population no longer being able to have children and sustain the population. The pressure incurred over this leads to a lot of doctors being unwilling to participate in sterilisation and a large group of women wanting to be sterilised but unable to have the procedure done. A lot of children are therefore unwanted leading to a very high number of women asking for abortions. Abortions are not explained well and there is great misunderstanding as to what the women are signing up to. Often the women only discover what an abortion is upon attending the prolife clinic where it is clearly explained and further contraceptive methods are discussed. The use of long term contraceptives are now being looked into to see if a solution can be offered.

Abandoned babies are a result of unwanted children due to either large family size and inability to afford care. The charity used to have the opportunity to go into the hospital and care for the abandoned babies there. They would wash the babies, feed them and show them love. Unfortunately, there are no babies looked after at the hospital under these circumstances due to issues with the doctor. Now there are "technically" no babies being abandoned in the eyes of the hospital staff although it is very sadly not the case.

So much more to say about the population and the people of Romania...but enough for now and will include some more in the next couple of blogs to try and build up a fuller picture of the community of people we have come to work in. So moving on to what we have been doing the last few days...

The Yard Outside

We arrived on the same day as a family. They had been invited to spend a few days at the house to relax and have some time away from a stressful home situation. We had the chance to play some games with them including football and table tennis. We couldn't speak much Romanian to them and the mother and children didn't have much English but we were able to have fun and laugh together all the same!

Nicola and her skills

Natalie stepping up

Messages had to be done in town so we were able to go in and visit the Citadel and wander around.

Tuesday morning we were upstairs getting ready for the day and the children of the family came out to speak to us. We began to chat and play with them. The parents came out and we found ourselves in the middle of family devotions on Romans 5 which was such an encouragement. The others staying in the house were away on a day trip up and we were able to go and spend the day in Sighisoara. We were dropped off at 11am and were told to be at the train station for 10:30. So that was us for the day.

We began by shopping for a picnic lunch in the various supermarkets. We also found shorts for Natalie in a shop which were lovely....however we also found the exact same ones in the shop beside for half price....needless to say Natalie was not amused. However we found a water polo ball further down the street which made up for the loss! Then we headed to the pool and had great fun with some of the children there playing games with the ball and learning some romanian games. Much confusion at the beginning trying to understand what was going on but Nicola and I soon had the hang of it. It basically involved playing 'tig' but den was underneath the water if you shouted "Apa". So it was a lot of underwater time trying to remember which children were playing and which weren't!

Swimming Pool fun with Romanian children

Then it got windy very suddenly and a storm hit within 5 minutes! Thunder and lightning came and caused a swift dash to the cafe area where everyone had congregated. It was crowded but we passed the time playing games and singing much to the amusement of everyone else in the vicinity. Once it has passed we headed back into town with towels over our heads to minimise the soaking.

We then decided it would be fun to have a trust exercise within our team of three. I went first. I had to close my eyes and be guided by Natalie and Nicola through the streets. Then Nicola went next. Natalie took over the directions and guided her up the final sets of stairs and then round a tree in a circle. The final part of the task was to perform her favourite dance move with her eyes closed. Natalie hadn't checked what was happening behind her when she suggested it. Little did she know that a crowd of tourists were being guided across the square behind both of them...I personally seen it coming. But it was hilarious to see Nicola dancing away with the group trying to figure out if she was part of the tour or not. Noone clapped afterwards which was embarassing for everyone but it was very funny! I'm not sure if any trust has been built up or not.

It then came up in conversation that Nicola attended swing-dancing in Edinburgh which immediately led to an impromptu dance lesson for natalie....video below! Really worth a watch.

A swing dancing lesson on the streets of Sighisoara 

After dinner we decided it was time to try and find the train station. After taking a right instead of a left we found it...half an hour later. But not to worry...Nicola knew where it was all along :)

Nicola safely at the train station after the detour

Wednesday morning began with more singing...

Singing in the Morning

Then we began preparations for the medical team and cleaned beds from storage...

I popped up to the room to grab some suncream and that's where I found everyone else! Nicola and Joanne were standing on beds. Natalie was standing in the middle of the room looking somewhere nervous. There was a lot of giggling in fear going on. Nicola announced that there was a racoon. Natalie decided there was a mouse...which was in the corner chest of drawers. So it was determined that I was chief mouse catcher. Not entirely sure I was qualified to take that role but there we were. I began by sending the two gigglers out of the room. As soon as they were gone Natalie let it slip that she also was petrified...which left me. Not ideal but I couldn't go back now! We carefully opened the drawers and flung items out on to the floor...after all the drawers were emptied and then refilled with much enthusiasm and tension we moved to Plan B. We banged the side of the drawers while I stood poised with a box ready to capture the mouse. It never moved. We flung a frisbee underneath to try and scare it out of the corner. It didn't budge. I lay flat on the floor and Natalie reluctantly held the box to capture the mouse. It never came. I removed the frisbee from underneath after much persuasion....and with it came a mouse! Already attached to a piece of cardboard. We had just spent 30 minutes trying to catch an already caught mouse... But now that you've heard my side of the story Natalie and Nicola were keen to share theirs. So I've not pre-read their versions as time is short but here you go...team members stepping up and adding to the blog...

Natalie's Account:

I entered the bedroom to find Nicola distraught as she was hearing squeaking noises and movement, what she thought sounded like a raccoon I had already decided was a mouse. So yet again team leader stepped up to the task of scouting out the mouse and catching it....one handed...no box or frisbee or any other item required just the attitude of a good friend and team member stepping up to relieve the fear of the others in the room. I was totally prepared until Sarah walked in to 'help', but it's ok I kept it all under control and the mouse got caught!It totally wasn't already caught in glue and there was no fear shown on my behalf...to brave for that carry on!

Nicola's Account

SPOILER: 'It was already stuck to a board, dying'

So, I was sitting on my bed, Sarah and Natalie were on another, yabbering away between themselves, and me having the keen ears I have heard some noises/ I asked if they heard it too, and they dismissed it as coming from outside. Being the keen detective I am, I knew better. I suggested a raccoon They laughed. They laughed at me. The nerve of them...

Anyway, I think I am going to carry on in a less descriptive manner, as the story actually isn't that interesting and you are about to have to read to other forms of it (I'd just skip the other two if I were you, they won't be as good).

Oh, so yeah, back to the story. I was then in the room alone. I do not just sit around doing nothing all the time, as this might lead you to believe, really. I am sure there was a very good reason I was in the room. I just can't remember it. I heard some quite loud scratching noises coming from across the room and then I heard squeaking from the side. I was not pretty positive this wasn't a small rodent. Maybe it was a raccoon? No, I can admit when I am wrong. I can. I was now thinking a rat.

I got Natalie to come listen. She heard it and realising her mistake in doubting me, she got down and begged for my forgiveness. I graciously allowed it. 

Let's us cut to the chase, Natalie got brave and started hitting around the place to scoot the wee thing out. She even kicked some towels. I mean talk about dedication! Joanne came up and perhaps was a little frightened and may have stood on the bed. Natalie wanted to kill it, I was not so sure of this idea. Sarah decided to join us, because she realised she was missing out on the banter. She quickly proceeded to kick us out the room and let only Natalie back in because she is a banter-hog. Or maybe it was because we were just making the situation more stressful and she is a superhero who was majorly brave in the face of the unknown, and planned on catching the wee critter and freeing it. I wasn't scared or anything, just if it had ran at me, I may have not handled it so well. I agree with her decision. She is a wise one, that one. So then I hear Natalie saying she was actually scared and Sarah having to manage that situation, but Natalie handled her fear well. She stood up to the challenge. I do not know what happened in that room, but I know it ended with a dead mouse, you knew that too though, as I spoilered you at the beginning. So please ignore what I said earlier and carry on for the next installment...

And I am back again....

The rest of the day was spent holding down a tent in a thunderstorm...well, some of us were holding the tent, Natalie was seeing if she could do pull ups on the bar!

The children of the family who we spent time with throughout the day!

Thursday...we cleared out an attic full of old buggies and prams that needed to be cleaned out. They are going to a prolife clinic to mothers who do not have pushchairs or cots.

Cleaning was good fun...

Until the power went to someones' head...

Power Hosed buggies.

The Hard Workers

When the family left 

Out for pizza

And that's all for now! A lot more has happened but I don't want to bombard you too much already. But this is already huge so I'll try to get on more frequently and keep you all updated!