10 days and counting

It always seems that on every visit time creeps up on us and all of a sudden it is 10 days until we head back to the Isle of Man. we have a list of things to do before we leave and trying to plan here is not always easy!. today we went to the town hall in the village to complete some paperwork. we were there for around 2 hours and will have to go back again as the procedure has changed and we need to get other papers prepared before we can finish the paperwork which we thought would have taken only a few minutes!
This evening we had our Romanian home group here, it was good to have time & fellowship together and we watched an inspiring DVD about the work of Jackie Pullinger. I think her work and achievements put our day of minor frustrations in perspective.

back in Dorohoi

It was great to have a couple of days off and we are now back in Dorohoi. This evening there were 10 of us for dinner (our Romanian Home group & others), we had a great time & are all getting ready to be back at work on Monday.
Annette, great to see you listed as follower to this Blog:), Marcia, David & Ian too.
Is anyone else following, if so I would be interested to know

La Multi Ani

La Multi Ani- the greeting to say Happy New Year in Romanian.
We are enjoying a couple of days off, staying with our friends Ian & Sue at Volovat near Radauti.

Christmas decorations

This makes a really special decoration in our Dorohoi home. The heart frame I bought with birthday gift money from Chris's parents. The decorations are hand crafted by Chris's mother (except the Hope & Peace words" & the pink cross which a gift from another friend. The centre piece is a beautiful piece of Handanger embroidery which was our christmas card from Mum & Dad for this year. It is all much too pretty to put away when the rest of the decorations come down

Christmas Holidays

We have had a great few days over Christmas, attended Church services at Varfu & Dorohoi, meals out at various friends, watched some of our Christmas gift DVD's and visited many of the families we help. Chris has been back at work yesterday & today compiling a stability book for a pilot vessel. Another work day tomorrow hitching up the trailer and off to buy some firewood.

It is still a real struggle for many families here, social support is almost non existant, and even those with casual labouring jobs are laid off for 2-3 weeks over Christmas. It is normal for us to visit families with little or no food in the house & meagre supplies of wood to burn. We have had a good few inches of snow, the main roads are kept clear but most of the side roads and lanes are packed ice.

Astaz un copi ni s-a nascut

Today a child to us is born!

Christmas Eve and we went carol singing with the younger members of Varfu Campului church. We started at 1600hrs and ended at 0230hrs the next day. We visited an old peoples home, lots of small houses in the villages, friends and the pastor. You can see some of the time at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qko-Y-lZQ_o
A late brunch and opening of Christmas presents then a childrens service at Dorohoi Baptist Church. Wishing you all very happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

3.50am Chris is home

Chris is back I had a smooth drive through the snow to collect him from Suceava, and his coach drive form Bacau was good too, A careful coach driver:). Minus 11 as we drove home. going to get few hours sleep then down to Botosani in a few hours, putting up a Christmas tree in the childrens hospital and giving out gifts.