So we waited until the next stop and hoped off. We got tickets for the next train heading back to Medias, which was 2 and a half hours later. We then went to a restaurant that would not serve us food (despite our efforts). So we found a stand selling junk food and enjoyed a banana and a bag of popcorn for supper. Finally we were back on our train. This time we made sure to let the locals around us know we needed Medias. They helped us to know when to get off, and this time when we pulled up there were lights. I guess we were sitting near the front of the train not the back which would have seen the dark. Then we got in a taxi and showed him the address we were to go to. He dropped us off and we went up to the gate and rang the door bell. We waited and waited with no luck. Jesse jumped up and thought about jumping over the gate, but not being 100% sure we were at the right place, or if this place had a dog, or if Jesse would break a bone jumping over we decided against it. So we decided to start walking until we could find a taxi or hotel. We ran into a wonderful lady who did not speak English, but understood "taxi". She then used her cell phone to call us a taxi. She was so trusting she even asked me to hold her purse while she called.
The taxi took us to a hotel. It was 10:30 at night by this time, so all the internet cafes were closed. Peter, the man who runs the organization we are volunteering with had sent me his cell phone number by e-mail, but of course I did not write it down. So we slept at the hotel with no hot water, sheets that felt like paper towel, smelled like smoke and alchohol, but did have a lovely free breakfast. The next morning we spent 2 hours walking around Medias looking for an internet cafe. No luck. They are all closed on Saturday. Our hotel did not have internet, so we went to a 4 start hotel and tried to bribe them to let us use their internet, they said only if we stayed the night. So we prayed and hopped in a taxi and headed back to the address where we had been the night before. Were we ever happy when a girl opened the gate and said in English are you the people who were suppose-to come last night? Then we saw Peter come out of the house. I guess the doorbell was broken the night before but had been fixed that morning. So it was rough start in Romania, but has been amazing since.
On Sat. night they had a welcome reception for all the Canadians who were in town for the wedding (one of the orphans I had worked with was marrying a Canadian). We even knew a couple who was there, small world! The wedding the next day was BEAUTIFUL. At Romanian receptions people get up and sing songs to the couple and the rest of the people listen.. if they want. Lots of talking while people were singing, but that is normal we are told. Being here has been like a retreat. We have our own room, and free laundry, but more than that the people are just amazing. Just as I had remembered. We feel so welcomed, and we can really see God working through people as they pray and work with the orphans and street kids.
Jesse has spent the week building a house in a village near here with a couple Romanians, and 3 guys from Vancouver. I have helped sort and count donations, and helped with the street kid program. They teach the kids how to read and write, play games, make crafts, do dramas, sing worship music etc. In one of the families who has taken in 2 orphans the mom is pregnant and having a very difficult time. She just got out of hospital and is on complete bed rest. Yesterday I spend the day making meals that her husband can freeze and reheat. I have been out there twice, yesterday with Jes. They are wonderful people, and we plan to get together with them at least once more before we leave. We were at their house until midnight last night. I am sure Jesse and the husband will be tired as they work today.
I am joining a lady to a nearby village this afternoon to work with the kids. Being here again and seeing the people who are SO poor, but so happy really reminds me of how much we have at home. I am amazed at the things we take for granted such as smooth paved roads that we like to complain about. Yesterday we pushed our van out of the mud as it had been raining. Jes and I are unsure exactly what day we will leave, or where we go from here, but we will update everyone once we know. We plan to leave some time next week.
3 comments:
Guess how much I want to be in Romania with you guys???? LOTS!!!!
Oh man, that little boy with the massive guitar is the CUTEST thing I've ever seen!!!
Denis is his name, and originally I thought, he's not 'that' cute, but then I heard his squeaky little voice...
We were told that he used to have quite a bad mouth when he first showed up to the Mission in the small town of Lunca, but after being barred for a week for swearing.. lets just say he's a fast learner.
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