Mission news
Romania 2011Saturday 30 July: Pastor Neil Turton sets off for a new country – his first visit to Romania – along with veterans Alan Esam, Tom Baker and Sue Lockton. Their destination, Calarasi in the south-east corner of the country, visiting Pastor Iulian and the churches he serves there.
Sunday morning brought a 45 minute journey to Slobozia for the service there, renewing friendships from previous visits and making new ones. Then back for lunch, some relaxation, and the evening service.
Monday and Tuesday mornings were given over to ‘kid’s club’ in a grassy area near the zoo. Games, songs, Bible stories and great craft work using the materials prepared back in England. Boys and girls of all ages joined in enthusiastically. A local teacher brought most of her class to join in on the second day, althought it was school holidays, accompanied by some of the parents. Wednesday 'kid's club' was in the local Baptist church, and the class acted versions of the Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales for us. The team members were always humbled by the warm welcome and hospitality of their hosts at meal times.
Travelling 100km north on Thursday to an extended gypsy family and their neighbours gave an opportunity to experience rural village life. More contact with children, and learning about what Iulian has been able to do, helping give a Christian perspective on issues the community were struggling with. A great day’s fellowship.
Friday was a rest day with a beach bar-b-q, a family visit, a birthday party and an evening of folk dancing. Saturday saw a return to Slobozia to meet with a group of young people working through Bible-based studies on many of the same issues that young people here have to face up to. It was good to meet up with Alina, one of the group who visited Long Crendon earlier in the year, and to see the well-cared-for children in the home where she works.
A (mis-named) sleepover for the Sunday morning service in Slobozia, and then back to Calarasi for the evening, brought a busy but informative week to an end, with a final bar-b-q before packing ready for an early start for the airport. All the team had parts to play in the programme, and will be delighted to tell their story – do ask!
High Street
Long Crendon
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP18 9AF