I’m sorry that I haven’t posted before now, but the past 2 ½
weeks have been very busy. I will forewarn you that this post is pretty
long, but worth the read. Hopefully
you’ll understand why it’s taken me so long to post anything.
Our journey actually began on Thursday, June 21 at 5:00a. That’s when we woke up to start the first day
of our new adventure. We picked up Deb
Guinn at 6:00 and headed to San Antonio to catch our first flight. From SA we went to Chicago, Munich and then
Bucharest. Wish it had been as easy as
naming them off, but after 18 hours of traveling, we finally made it to Romania
– not home, just the country. We arrived
in Bucharest only to get in a vehicle and drive 5 hours to get to our stop for
the night (actual drive should have taken about 3 hours, but LOTS of stops
along the way). Friday night we stayed
at the Hotel Premier in Predeal.. It is
located along the ski slope (and we were wishing for some cool off the slopes).
Saturday we got up, ate breakfast, and loaded up for the
next 4 hours of driving. Finally arrived
in Tarnaveni around 1p. Took a quick tour of the Point of Hope, ate lunch, and then some of the group
toured 3 homes of the children who attend school there (will have to get Deb to
write a short article about what she experienced inside the homes). Dennis and I stayed at the school to talk
about which rooms are to be completed next.
Packed up around 4p and headed to camp; arriving there around 7p, just
in time for supper. Put our bags in our
room, ate supper and then had a team meeting.
Everyone turned in early – actually I think most of us just stretched
out on the bed, but it didn’t take long to start sawing logs.
After a breakfast of salami, cheese, cold cereal with hot
milk L
and bread, we prepared the welcome bags for the kids’ arrival. Each bag contained a new wash cloth,
toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, deodorant, hair clips and brushes for the
girls, combs, hats and cologne for the guys.
They also received new socks and underwear. Once the bag were completed, they were placed
on each students’ bed, waiting their arrival.
The bus was to pull in around 12:30, but was delayed due to running out
of gas, so we waited. The kids finally
arrived around 1:30 and we met them at the gate. We spent most of the day just visiting and
playing with the kids – trying to get to know them. Ended the day with a Romanian devotional.
Each day at camp included a rotation of crafts, games, music
and a Bible story. Also had organized
activities in the afternoon. Wednesday
afternoon we took a 3 mile hike.
Thursday’s activity included a special devotional, then everyone was
invited to write either a problem or praise on a slip of paper that would be
attached to a helium filled balloon. As
folks began attaching their notes, we realized that the balloons had been
filled too early in the day and most wouldn’t lift off. Plan B – save the notes for the bonfire later
that night. We were still able to
release all the balloons at one time, although several had to be retrieve from
the trees and a few coaxed upward. Not only were our kids impressed with
watching the balloons soar high, but so were the Hungarian folks who joined
us. Had a talent show after supper. Ended the evening with a bonfire and smores.
Said goodbye to the mission team Friday morning. Lots of tears from all, including
myself. Their leaving was our first step
to living independently, except Deb Guinn was staying with us for a few more
days. After the team left, the rest of
us loaded onto the bus to head back “home”.
Stopped along the route to drop off groups of kids who lived in group
homes. Another time of sadness as we
said our goodbyes. Stopped along the way
once because the politia were set up ahead of us and the bus company had not
paid the road tax, so we waited for someone to bring us a valid receipt L Finally arrived in Targu Mures around
4p. Once everyone unloaded from the bus,
we had to walk to the group home (about 1 ½ miles). When we arrived there, our ride was waiting
to take us home.
It was nice to finally
be home. Took a little time to unpack
what bags we had (the others were put on the trailer that went to Bucharest –
would get them on Sunday), and start the laundry. Gabi (Buckner staff) picked us up for supper
and then to Auchan for a little grocery shopping. Bought a clothes dryer. Took a shower and hit the bed!!
Spent most of the day on Saturday trying to rearrange the
apartment. Also made a trip to Baumax
(Romanian version of Home Depot – including the orange color and “Homer”). Sunday we drove to Sighasoara
(sig-ee-sworah). There we walked the 172
steps up to the Church on the Hill. Afterwards, we visited the weapons museum
and then headed up the 118 steps to the clock tower. From there, we went inside the torture
chamber (the Turks were masters when it came to torture!!) From Sighasoara we headed towards Praid
(pride), location of the salt mine.
Stopped along the way to do some souvenir shopping. Deb bought several pieces of pottery from the
local mine. By the time we made it to
Praid, I felt really bad – sinus problems.
Decided to skip the salt mine and head home.
Signed our lease on Monday morning – we are officially
residents. Have to have a lease in order
to get our visas. We were planning
another day of sightseeing/shopping but Deb was having sinus problems today L Seems the city pollution was hitting us both
pretty hard. Decided to spend the day just
resting (for Deb) and more rearranging (me).
Left Tuesday morning headed for Brasov. There we visited the Black Church, the Black
Tower (which was actually white), the town Centru, and walked around the town
some. Attended an organ concert on the 4000
pipe organ in the Black Church that evening.
An interesting part of the church was the pews. They were made so that the backs would move
from one side to the other, that way you could sit one direction to listen to
the priest, then change directions to see the organist – really cool!!!
Wednesday morning we headed up Mount Tampii via the
tram. What a
view!!! Once on top, we hiked about 100m
to the Brasov sign and overlook. Spent some time just looking, then headed
back down. From Brasov, we drove to
Sinai – home of Peles Castle. What an impressive sight!!! Unfortunately my camera battery was almost
dead so I didn’t get any pictures inside (will have to do that on the next
trip). Ended the day in Bucharest.
Thursday was the day we had to say goodbye to our friend,
Deb. It was tear time again. Seems like the last 3 weeks have been lots of
tears. Anyway, put her on the plane back
to the states (I really miss you Deb!!!).
Dennis and I did a little shopping in Bucharest before heading back to
Targu Mures (TM), a 7 hour drive.
Arrived home around 8:30p and began rearranging the other bedroom (you’d
think by now that we would have all the furniture moved – but no!). Worked on that until after midnight, and
still not sure how we’re going to make my vision of the room work.
Spent some time with the girls at the group home while the
staff had a meeting. Played lots of
cards and tried to work on our Romanian. Completed the bedroom in the afternoon and
then met the next mission team at the hotel around 6p. Ate supper with them, then took the interns
and went shopping for the picnic planned for Saturday. Spent about 5 minutes in the store when the
lights starting going off, then an announcement, that although we didn’t
understand exactly what they were saying, we knew it was closing time. So we emptied our basket and headed out the
door – empty handed. That meant that
we’d have to shop again Saturday morning L
Saturday morning – we pick up the interns from the group
home and head back to the store. After
picking up the supplies for the picnic, we meet up with the mission team at
Baumax. They are picking up tile
(purple) for the new bathroom at Point of Hope.
After an hour and a half, they finally emerge from the store with 3
baskets of stuff – tile, sinks, toilet, grout, tools, and other stuff. Now it’s time to hit the road to Tarnaveni –
kids are awaiting a picnic. After
unloaded the stuff at POH, we head out of town.
We turn off the main road onto a path that leads up to a microwave tower
(4 wheel drive would have been nice!).
Once on top, we pull up to a little wooded area where the kids are
waiting. Unload the grill, chairs, food
and 26 – 5L bottles of apa plata (plain water).
Let the games begin.
Four hours was spent playing and
having fun (we also ate some burgers and mici (meech)). Got back home about 6:30p. Time for some rest – tomorrow is worship time
with our new Romanian friends :)
When we arrived at the farm, the sheep were being herded in
for the evening milking. The 3 men were
sitting in a little shack, while the sheep were sent thru a small opening in
the back of the shack. One would grab
the sheep by the hind leg and begin milking. They had a great little operation going! Average milking time was about 30 seconds
(let’s say that out of the 800 sheep, 600 were actually milked, then 30 x 600 =
18000 seconds, or 300 minutes, or 5 hours divided between the 3 men = 1.75
hours each). In reality, they probably
milk at least 700 or more, as they keep few rams and we didn’t see hardly any
lambs. And they milk twice a day. That means that those men sit for 4-5 hours
every day and just milk.
