Saturday morning the men headed out to bauMax, our local Home Depot (same colors and they also have a "Homer" man). A list was made of materials needed to complete the new conference room and library, and the men were on the hunt. Kim and I helped Gabi load boxes of oranges, bananas, puff curls and other goodies that would be distributed to several group homes, a day center, the Point of Hope and the children's hospital. Then we headed out to meet the guys.
When we couldn't find them in bauMax, Kim and I went to the bookstore in the mall (located right next to bauMax). She was looking for painted eggs and I had seen a couple there. After shopping a little, we headed back out towards the parking lot and met the guys. Everyone turned around and went back into the bookstore, where the guys found some pottery and laminated maps of Romania.
From the bookstore, we picked up Gabi and headed to Tarnaveni. Dropped off the containers then went to lunch at Pizza Motors. Back at the center, Gabi took the team on a tour of the facility; first showing them the unfinished 3rd floor, then the completed areas.
Sunday was spent with the girls at the group home. We played ping-pong and UNO. One of the advent activities planned was to make salt dough ornaments. I decided that we would make ornaments in the shape of Romania - to be sent back for sponsors. So we kneaded dough, cut out the ornaments, baked them and then painted. Everyone got into the action and we all had a great time. Afterwards, Andi and Erika prepared a wonderful supper of chicken snitel and mashed potatoes.
Monday morning we went to the Rozmarin Day Center in TM. There were helped the children with a craft project and passed out stuffed animals and gift bags. The children serenaded us with a few Romanian Christmas songs. What a great time with these children!!
Tuesday and Wednesday included some construction work, playtime with the kids and a Christmas program from the younger children.
Thursday we partied with the children before they headed off for break. What a wonderful time!!! As they headed out the door, the afterschool kids were coming in. They ate lunch, gathered their goody bags and headed off for a 3 week Christmas vacation! The rest of the afternoon was party time for the staff. Thanks to our friends abroad, we were able to treat the staff to some good ole Texas goodies - pumpkin log roll, cream cheese with raspberry chipolte sauce and wassail. The raspberry chipolte had mixed reviews, and that's ok (I don't like sarmale); the others were a hit. We shared pizza and time together before passing out gift baskets to all. Each staff member at Point of Hope received a basket filled with chocolate zucchini bread, some chocolate candy, coffee/tea, a can of Tony Chachere's (if they like the hot stuff), a CD and various small tokens of appreciation for the work that they do.
That evening, Dennis and I went with the team to supper at Butouil (the restaurant with winery that I blogged about this summer). We enjoyed our meal and the team was treated to a traditional Romanian dessert. On our way out the door, the snow began falling. What a wonderful end to a great week!
Friday morning I said goodbye to everyone, as Dennis took the team back to Bucharest. This was the day that I had dreaded - when everyone leaves. It's nice to have a bit of "home" with you for a while, but makes for a sad day when it's time to go. Will it ever get easier? I hope not.
No comments:
Post a Comment