Would you bite a pigs ear?

I'm back! Sorry it's been so long- it's hard to believe a week has gone by! Time is going so quickly..obviously too much fun being had! People have come and others have gone. It has been incredible to have a continual sense of unity though. Irrespective of the almost daily team changes there is a real sense of purpose. A joint front that as brothers and sisters in Christ we can come together for His glory. The work has been a joy and privilege to be part of. Project Romania is a real testimony of God's grace and a testimony of His power in bringing together those who have never met and allowing us to experience family away from home.

  The truck drivers eventually had to leave after spending a few days with us giving a hand.

 They were such an encouragement and brought with them a lorry load of blessings for the people of Romania.

 Another food program was held in Seleus. Such a frustration in the sense that it seems so unfair they do not even have the money to buy food for their children. However, the opportunity to minister and reach out to those in need is an open door to sharing the Gospel. And for that we are thankful.

An open top washing machine-the water was cold and dirty, it may have started clean!

We also has the opportunity to return to the hospital in Laslea. The director was there and we got chatting to him. He has space for approximately 30 patients but currently has 84 staying there. This is purely because he sees the need and does not want to turn those in need away. There is a strong relationship with Project Romania and having a Christian doctor in charge of the local hospital is incredible! However, he was fined by the government ~£2500 for not adhering to the regulations of patient caseloads and having too many people. So do pray for him and give thanks for his compassionate heart and willingness to help those in need but also pray for wisdom as he strives to keep the law (as much as possible) whilst doing do.

During the conversation he discovered that I was a graduate nurse and that one of the other team members also worked in palliative care. He then offered both of us jobs. He told us that Linda worked us too hard and if we came to work for him he would ensure we were given rest. We didn't take the job offer but I guess it's an option should things fall through in Scotland!

Food stores in the hospital

We also began the distribution of the potatoes which arrived on the lorry. It was chaotic at the beginning with people just gathering round the table. We had to be patient, threaten to leave a few times and eventually a queue was formed.

Victoria was in charge of translating the number and placing a red dot beside their house number. Gary and I had gone round the 120 houses and numbered them all earlier in the week. So the families were to come with their house number and they were identified.

Every family received a bag of potatoes. For many this would be the only food they would eat over the weekend.

It was the event of the day for the village and most people turned up to watch the proceedings. There were a few times that families tried to send multiple people to get extra potatoes but for the majority they were unsuccessful.

And then, for the first time, we were let loose with the building team. And we know why they kept us inside until now....they do more standing about and discussing life than they do work! But we showed them how to work at Linda's pace!

We took a very brief trip to Seleus to let the 'newbies' see the work and meet the people Project Romania minister to. Half way up the hill I noticed they were cutting up a pig on a board lying on the dirt floor. One of the little boys recognised me and called hello. So I gave a quick response with the full intention of walking slightly faster up the hill than before. But, before I could get going the mother called me over to watch...man alive. That wasn't the plan! But over I went and she looked for something and brought it over to me- the pigs ear. I was then offered it and a big speech followed- of which I understood the word pig. That was it. And the word for pig is pork, so that wasn't hard. The rest I had not got a clue! I was relatively disgusted, refused the ear after a little persuasion to the mother that I didn't want it and continued up the hill.

Later that day I was telling Norman about the pigs' ear incident and how it was not pleasant. However, then the tables turned. Apparently, within the culture of the Gypsy people, to be offered the ear is a very privileged token of acceptance. It symbolises that they believe you can bring 'good luck' to the people. And what she really wanted me to do was to bite the ear to show that I would. I am so glad I didn't understand that part of our conversation! And I know that I cannot bring good luck to these people but I do know that Project Romania has the opportunity to bring something of eternal value to these people- the Gospel. It's strange how God uses the strangest things to remind you of His purposes.