Showing the Gentleness of Christ

 Good Evening,


Last Thursday was a very busy day! Our final day with Project Romania began with clearing out the tents and setting up for kids camps which would start the next day. Then we had to organise the buggies/ carry cots that we had previously power-hosed. A lady from ProLife was coming to collect them to give out to mothers in need. Nicola spent ten minutes trying to get the mobility scooter working whilst Natalie decided
she would become the loadbearer. Then when one of the guys got the scooter working Natalie attempted to get a make-shift trailer on the go. After much trying to work mobility scooters and a few huffs later, the cots and prams were all in the right place.

There were medications left over from the medical clinics and it was arranged that we would take them to the local hospital. One of the staff showed us around to let us see what a Romanian private hospital is like. It is hard to express how it felt to be wandering around. There were definite efforts being made to care for and look after the patients living there. A routine was in place and physiotherapy was offered. A smirk came across my face as the word he used to explain this to us was 'gymnastics'. He explained that the patients who had strokes were able to do gymnastics to increase their mobility. I didn't have the heart to explain to him what gymnastics actually was. Then they can sit indoors or outdoors for the rest of the day.The patients are in rooms with four or five others and there isn't any curtains. That was difficult to see as at home in the NHS dignity and privacy are really important factors. In comparison to remaining in homes with their families this is a fantastic centre that does a good work.

 Then we prepared for a feeding programme at Seleus that afternoon. We cooked a lot of pasta and bread to bring up the hill with us. We drove half way up the hill and then the pandemonium began! The children we passed by on the way in were running to catch us and the noise began to attract many of the others. Before long we had formed two queues of children who were pushing, pulling, grabbing and playing in the queues. The older children were holding their younger siblings to keep them by their sides to ensure they got food. Many of them were not wearing any clothes. As those serving set up the crowd gathered and the children pressed forward jostling together to try and earn a place further up the line. Before we served Gary prayed and the children repeated what he said. Then they passed by him and he marked their hand to make sure they didn't try to get two lots. Eventually the queues diminished and the food supply ran out. This little lady came up at the end to see if there was any left over and we managed to get her some. She smiled when we told her Jesus loved her and nodded her head in agreement. She left as quietly as she had come and wandered back down the hill with her grandchildren.

Natalie and the wee old lady

Then we stopped by the building site of the community centre. The children waited for us at the gate while we looked around to see what was going to happen. We were able to see the location of the well which will be such a blessing to the community. The picture here shows the stream that they take their drinking water from, wash their clothes/rugs in, bathe in, let their horses drink from and use as a bathroom. There are plans to have another well at the top of the hill too. Pray that this would go ahead as it would help so many aspects of the physical needs of this community.

After a busy day we arrived back at the house for dinner and a Bible study. We finished up around 10pm and decided we had better pack as we left for home at 3am the next morning. We managed to fit in time for a midnight snack of sausages, beans and toast! Then to bed we went for two hours. 

06:00 flight boarding

 We made it to London and had 8 hours before our flight to Edinburgh. We started by taking the vegetarian team member to Burger King at 8am. Totally didn't think it through but in hindsight we could have made a better choice. We passed the day napping, reminiscing and having chats.

Leaving London

And then before we knew it, our Romania trip had come to an end. Highlights, reflections and lessons learned to follow. But do continue to pray for Project Romania. The long term workers are still there, the work is far from finished!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

An early morning start to say goodbye. It was sad to say goodbye to the girls we'd shared a room with for the medical clinics. They were such an encouragement and a blessing to have on the team.

Natalie felt it best to stay in her pyjama's for the day and have coffee breaks...

Nicola said goodbye and then coped by retreating to hide under a bed for a while...

I, however, being the real team leader stepped up to do laundry for the 24 people that left. Bed sheets and towels galore. This is one of the six loads completed!

We did the laundry and cleaned up after the American team. There was a team from NI arriving that night so no slacking was permitted!

It was a day that reminded me of the importance of being faithful in all aspects of ministry. There are days which are exciting and filled with significant events. But many days are just the daily grind of life and involve chores, building relationships, running errands and just organising. It was a good opportunity to experience a day in Romania with the general daily happenings. It has been such an encouragement to observe the long term workers being faithful in all aspects of their work. They are so willing to serve continually. Pray for their strength and opportunity to rest.

Ultimately it was a refreshing reminder that God is always faithful. Even when we fall short and despite our weaknesses and flawed attempts, He is faithful. May we strive to be faithful in our service to Him.

His goodness just keeps on coming!

Buna Ziwa!

The final days of medical clinics were soon upon us and Monday was a slow start. We arrived at the building to discover carnage from a recent wedding! There was stuff everywhere so we were told to return in an hour and the building would be fit for use. True to their word we found it clean and ready for action one hour later.

I was on photographs for the day. It was a quieter clinic but it was heartwarming to see people's response to receiving their photo. We take a picture when they come in and then print it during their time waiting for the doctor. We write Isus Te Iubeste on the back which means Jesus loves you. Then we place it in a plastic slip to protect it. This is the only picture that many of them will ever have.

On Tuesday we were back to a busy clinic with lots of activity. It was the final medical clinic and it was based in a kindergarden. There were lots of children around which is bittersweet as they are fun to spend time with but many of them are unwell. One family in particular came in with 5 children all malnourished with stunted growth. It was heartbreaking to realise that one meal a day may have prevented their suffering.

Prescribing medication while Emily examines

Natalie scribing

And then the medical clinics were finished. They went by so quickly. In total we treated 1276 patients from newborns to those in their eighties. Many of them have never heard the Gospel and it was so encouraging to her that lives were committed to Christ over the course of the ten days. The long term workers will connect with these individuals and introduce them to members of local churches. Although it was treating physical health that brought these people to see us many of them had the opportunity to consider their spiritual standing before a holy God. To see and to understand that their spiritual well being far outweighs the importance any condition or disease. It was a privilege to be a part of the team.

Full team photo

On Tuesday evening we had team debriefing. The fact that over twenty Americans were there it involved a lot of discussing our feelings and how we felt or coped with particular situations. We laughed and cried together as we re-lived many of the memories. We praised God for the blessings and we challenged ourselves with what we would take away. We prayed and shared communion together. It really was a special time to focus on our purpose for being there, to glorify God and spread His Gospel.

Smiling is the universal language for kindness

Saturday was a day off from medical clinics and so we headed into town to see the medieval festival. It was good fun to wander around the stalls but it was a stark reminder of the darkness that the people here live in. The focus on superstition, witchcraft and false idols was apparent in the themes of the day.

Natalie and her mask

Nicola risking her life as the axe was heavier than expected!

Sunset over the hills of Sighisoara

 It was a relaxing and enjoyable day after a busy week of medical clinics!

Sunday began bright and early with lunch preparation for 62 people! Members of Tigmandru church had been invited to join us for a service and lunch. I don't think I've ever made as much coleslaw in my life!

Norman and Rosie

Church began at 11am after two vans had collected the people from the village. We held it in one of the white tents outside. Although outside, it was like sitting in a sauna! Everything was said in both English and Romanian so that everyone was able to participate in the service. Of course by this point in the trip we were so fluent in the language we just listened to the Romanian...not quite. It was helpful to have both! Norman spoke on 1 Peter 2 about Jesus being the living stone. It was challenging to think about how we must build our lives on Jesus Christ, the cornerstone. The only sure foundation.

After the service we finished preparing lunch and then had the blessing of serving the local church. We had time to sit and eat with them. There was effort put into spreading those blessed with speaking both languages so that conversations could be sustained at the tables. 

It was a time of laughter and fun for the children. They got to take time out of their hard lives and play with the toys, bounce on the trampolines and eat jelly and icecream!

Nicola is incredible at doing people's hair and so before long a hairdressers had been opened in the tent and she was put to use!

Nicola showing off her skills

Baby Robert

 Then it was time for games. A parachute was produced and there was must hilarity had by the mothers and their children. Then they split into teams- children vs mothers. It became an intense competition to see who could get the most points with balloon races, sack races and silly activities. I'm not entirely sure which team enjoyed it more. Hopefully it will give them an afternoon to remember!

Hordu and his family came along too so it was wonderful to see them again!

 It was sad to see them all go back home again. Although we live in different countries and live very different lives I hope and pray that they felt kindness today and felt at home among brothers and sisters in Christ.

A group of us decided to head up the hill later on that evening and we sang songs of praise to God for His kindness shown to us. It was a special time and after we were all finished singing we collapsed in a heap.