Thursday, September 18th - departure from Boston 5:30 P.M. Friday, September 19th - arrival in Arad, Romania; meeting host families, lunch and dinner together as a group at the Medreas; organizing and unpacking Saturday, September 20th - Poor family ministry in Sinleani; evening service at Metanoia Church Sunday, September 21st - church ministry (Micalaca - Arad, maybe Zarand or another village), lunch with host families, dinner at Medreas
Monday, September 22nd -Kindergarten in Buteni and poor family ministry (lunch and dinner offsite)
Tuesday, September 23rd -Kindergarten in Tarnova and poor family ministry (lunch and dinner offsite)
Wednesday, September 24th -Zarand - Kindergarten and school visit, visit to a disabled young woman in the afternoon and other poor families (lunch and dinner in Zarand at the Lucaciu house)
Thursday, September 25th - Helping/Working for a family with two disabled children (probably a hands-on project): (lunch and dinner at the Medreas)
Friday, September 26th - visit at the Special Education School in Arad, nursing home in the afternoon (lunch and dinner at the Medreas) Saturday, September 27th -Visiting the transition home and time in the city (lunch and dinner at the Medreas)
Sunday, Septmeber 28th - return to the States – Arrive Boston 9:06 P.M.
09/26 Cheryl H We are off to Zarand for the entire day and then to watch Vlad in tryouts for his basketball team at 8:30 pm. It will probably be a very late night. If you get the chance please remind the others that we will be coming in to terminal A this time. NOT E as usual.
It has been rather on the cold side this time. Today especially.
I am signing off now as Maria has breakfast ready.
Fri, 26 Sep 2008 Andy
There is so much to take in, the city of Arad is not that old, started in 1840 or so. On a major river called the Mures (pronounced Moorish), that has its head waters from the mountains to the East and North. It is an updated city of over 200,000 people. The large block buildings that you see does not comprise most of the city. A face lift is needed on most of the large dwellings and were build in the 70 and 80's
A picture of street where Medrea family live on, (highrise housing)
gots to go....Blessings, Andy
Thu, 25 Sep 2008 Andy For our devotion this morning I read from Acts 16:7, where Paul and Silas were prevented from going to Bithynia in present day Turkey because the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them in. Going further Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia in Northern Greece. So where am I going with this? Macedonia is on the same peninsula as Romania. There is only 1 country between Romania and Greece, and about 500 miles to get to Philippi. Read Act 16:6-15.
The Medreas are a team, what a delight to see a family work so well together, teamwork, teamwork that's all I can say. Their willingness to do the Lord's work with such vigor and great people skills that earns only respect. I feel so enabled ofcourse it makes it so much easier in a group, it makes the load lighter, and you have the hourly encouragement of the team, a true team spirit exists.
So what did we do today (Thursday 09/25/08), we visited with a woman who is handicapped, paralyzed from the neck down. Her name is Neli. She was upbeat and told of how she felt that this was her destiny, that she was fine with her condition. She prayed for us, We prayed for her, and we sang a song, "this is the day that the Lord has made". George was at work today but the rest of the Medrea's were with us. I will never complain again about my achy feet again.
I quess I'll call it quits for the night as it is 1:12am in the morning, Blessings, Andy
PS pics from a school here in Arad
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 Andy
Hello again,While the rest of team is out shopping for items needed this afternoon to the nursing home, I write to you.....plus a few pictures many if it works.We spent this morning in a home for the severe handicapped, some 5 bldgs that are gated within, so no one can runaway. This is a beautiful place, very colorful, clean, friendly staff, and many volunteers helping out in this never ending job. Your heart grips you. This place went through some rebuilding just last year. It's beautiful to see so much hope.It was a state run institution, but is now a non-profit organization that is heavily supported from churches in the Wash. DC area. There are also churches here that do a lot of volunteer work There are many churches here more than what I would have thought first.I had a small ball in my pocket so you know me I'm not just going to stand and watch, The 12 to 15 year olds just wanted to hold your hand, and were grouped by their abilities. The name of the place, I have on pictures, so will have to record later, is close to where we are staying.Here are some pictures
Wed 9/24 A note from Cheryl H
We are going to the nursing home in just a few minutes. We did go to an institution for Children with special needs that is funded with outside monies... mostly foundatios from WashingtonDC..private one not government funded. It was nice to see that these special kids are loved and taken care of. I will tell you all about it when I get home.
Everyone seems to be doing well. Cheryl is enjoying the people and the country side. We will go to Zarand on Friday (this is where Maria's mother and sister live. Amy loves, YES LOVES the breads and desserts. Me too actually.
Say hello to everyone. See you Sunday night.
I will try to email tomorrow!
Sat 9/20 A note from Andy R.
I love it here, It reminds me a lot of Holland.
Saturday 9/20/08 AR
The Medrea family and the 6 of us went for a short ride here in Arad in 2 cars to visit the Crishan family. The husband some 5 years ago had a diving accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He is about 32 yrs of age. With 2 young children ages 5 and 11. Even with such a disability the father was not discouraged.
What a pleasant family, optimistic, and made you feel right at home, language was not an issue. Both Raluca and Celin (children of Medrea's) are great interpretors.
We sang 1 song to the family (this is the day that the Lord has made), the family and Medrea's 4 songs in return. It was so touching on how the Crishan family interacted with one another. The love of Christ was ever present. We shared life stories, Lynda prayed for them. We all sat in a circle some 14 of us in their small living room. It reminded me again so much years ago when we were in Holland (before TV took hold).
That evening we went to a worship service (6pm) near the city center in an upstairs building on a crowded street. Great music and we had ear phones to English interpreter. Dress was casual. The Sunday service is always a dressed up day. And if you were not, it would not be told to you personally, but told to the host.
Will try for some pictures next time, have taken many. Peace, Andy
Sun 9/21 A note from Cheryl H.
We went to Church this am and Andy did a wonderful testimony about when he claimed his faith in Jesus as not his parents but his own and then how he and Ina talked about Heaven often before she passed on to Jesus's arms. Everyone was in tears. One of the best testimonies I have ever listened to.
We had lunch with our host famalies and then went to a wedding (Maria's cousin's daughter). It was very nice. It was very much like an American wedding.
I have to run as Maria has dinner ready and is patiently waiting.
