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May the grace of our Lord be with you, Home Team! We were at it again today. The plan at the beginning of the day was to visit two villages for our final medical clinics. We again work as a team to get ready for the day, spend time together reading and discussing scripture and praying together. We headed up to Stephanschamari with plans to stay half a day and move out to Sheptanovembre in the afternoon. Today is the first day it is actually raining as we start our day. This is also the first day we do not have a building to set up in. So we have our first experience of setting up a tent as well as the gazebo. This is a difficult day to journal about. As a team, we were overwhelmed by the rain and mud, the sights, smells and sounds. As soon as we pulled up in our car and van, we were surrounded by children without coats or shoes in the rain, mud, muck and mire. They just want our attention and bombonae (sweets/candy). The volume soon becomes extremely loud along with the tugging, pulling and pleading eyes. Soon we have our tent and canopy set up and begin seeing clients. It became very apparent that the medical needs of the village would not allow us to move on to a second location. So about 2pm, we took a short break for lunch. During this time, the team members who had not been around the village took time to tour this community. Stephanschamari is tucked up on a hill surrounded by the city of Sighi and thick foliage. All the foot and cart paths were slick thick mud with the odor of manure. Near the entrance of the village is a flat area to park and the well with spigot the city finally put in for the Gypsies. But behind the initial stick frame buildings we find about seven families living in one room shacks made from scraps of wood and covered in clear plastic for a roof. The amazing thing was that even in this state of poverty, one woman invited us into her “home.” She had it so tidy with a glass of flowers on the “table” and a small amount of Romanian lace over the door. As a team, we are completely overwhelmed and moved with great compassion. During this time, we participate in the conversation with David and Norman about the possibility of building a row of block houses for these families. David works with Norman and Linda building and repairing homes, cars, etc along with the regular feeding programs and hairwashing programs in several villages. A recent newspaper article mentioned that David would be building the houses even before he had even been asked! This is the beginning of God’s favor on this project. On Thursday morning, David will take one adult from each home to Town Hall to book an audience with the Town Mayor officially asking for permission to build. He will also be pursuing assistance for Town Hall to provide all the materials for the homes if Project Romania provides the labor. This is a big undertaking, and we need to continually hold David up in prayer as he moves forward with this project. We also visit the house the Auburn Romanian 2004 Team built last year. The house is still standing and the family continues to be grateful for the expression of care and concern by this American team. During our lunch break, Abe, Linda and David served a bread and pasta lunch to the children. Another indescribable sight of hungry children having a warm meal. We return to work in the medical clinic finally seeing over 120 patients. Again, extra family members slip in to be seen by Doc Steve and at least receive vitamins, a salvation tract and a greeting of “Jesus loves you” in Romanian. By now, Val and Laurie are getting more comfortable in using simple Romanian phrases to give instructions and encouragement along with our interpreters. At Rod’s encouragement, I (Val) will include a little bit of personal perspective and insight. Today my heart was completely filled with compassion for the people of this village. Here they are in the middle of town, and yet they have little or nothing. In reflection, this is the hardest day for me personally. The volume of noise and yelling, the pushing and shoving to be seen by Doc Steve, and interaction between other team members and the kids, along with the visible poverty and squalor, moves me to tears! Watching Andrew at about a solid 250 pounds become human monkey bars and the “rope” for tug-o-war, and yet also gently tending to and befriending 14 year old Marios who crippled with cerebal palsy. Marios is barely treated in a human manner by his family. Andrew, along with several other team members, removed themselves to behind the tent to contemplate what has been seen and physically sob over the injustice of it all. But in all of this, God has allowed me, allowed us, to partner with Him to bring a gentle touch, kind word, love, compassion, and above all dignity to these beautiful people. As a nurse of over 20 years, I have seen pretty much everything, but this has really moved me… We conclude out time in the village by making a follow up appt to return on Wednesday to assist with redressing a severely infected middle finger on one of the men of the village. He had cut his finger while working on cutting down a tree. He had received minimal medical attention at the local hospital. When he arrived to see Doc, he simply wanted his finger amputated on the spot. It was truly a mess. With much prayer and great care, we cleaned the finger up as best as possible, and began antibiotics as well as simple Tylenol for pain relief. The younger team members returned to Laslea and Tabitha House with David to complete one of the walls for the new teen center. Then all the guys and Amy returned to the Family Center for a basketball tournament. Let’s just say, “A good time was had by all who participated in the clinic and tourney.” When we all returned to the house, we crashed after such an overwhelming day. Please pray for these villages, young Marios, Norman, Linda, Andrew and David as they continue to give care for these people.
In His Love, |