Okay, it is a little mean but I cannot resist sharing this photo with all of you...
And here you have the Servant Team, etc.
And here you have the Servant Team, etc.From left to right it is John, Kate, me, Ryan, Nate and Gabriella.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
pre-birthday entry
The dear Englishmen and Rachel have returned to the UK. I really miss them already. On Friday the children prepared songs to sing them and each member of the UK team received a special speech from one of the children. I shed tears of joy in seeing the blessings flow from both the children and these dear servants.
Eric, one of the UK team, asked me the other morning, "And how's your health and temper this morning?". I enjoyed this ever so much given the English accent and his dear ways. In honor of him I shall start incorporating this saying into my everyday greetings.
Friday evening we had a BBQ using the newly constructed grills, which where one of the many projects completed by the UK team. So good to have continents and worlds collide as we had Romanians, Americans, Brittan's, and Gabriella from Brazil around the tables. Seemed to me that the world was as it should be. I felt quiet again just observing and preparing to say goodbye. Rachel reminded me of a thought I often have as well - in heaven we will not say goodbye and there we'll be together, all and forever with Him who made us. Something to look forward too. Lenutsa told me that I am an enigma because I don't talk but she sees me thinking all the time. I think that I am changing here - never had someone say such a thing of me.
In the last week, I have been able to help plan with the team ministering to young mothers and their babies. They are currently visiting 4 mothers with babies or who are yet to give birth. It has been good to put some of my social work knowledge to use in helping develop progress/tracking forms and general brainstorming. You can be in prayer for these mothers as they have difficult circumstances to overcome. And also pray for creative wisdom for the team b/c these are complicated situations. For example, one mother is yet to give her baby a bath and is 4 or 5 months old. The baby doesn't eat often and seems to not be thriving. Yet this mother loves her baby. How can she be helped? Loving encouragement and instruction are the beginnings hopefully but there is needed intervention from the Lord.
Saturday we took another trip to the countryside and spent the day in a village with Valis' parents. We were a herd with 7 adults and 4 children (kids from the center came with us as well). All day we played board and card games and ate yummy snacks. Later the boys played frisbee in the road until they pitched it over the neighbors fence one too many times. A little boy came out and played nearby, curious. I took a picture of him so hopefully I can add that later as I do not have my camera today. We also saw a lady with lavender hair! Took her picture too but haven't decided if it is mean to post it (might have even been mean to take her picture but ...).
I became terribly car sick on the ride back and that has reminded me of a silly thing here in Romania which makes public transportation less than pleasant at times. There is a belief, especially among the older generation, that a breeze will make you sick. So...any time someone (especially old ladies) feel breeze on their face they order the window closed. Every maxi-taxi and bus has windows but they are rarely open. Add to this perfumes, men who have been working all day, bad breathe, swerving traffic and a warm day ... and there you have a recipe for great nausea! I am slightly exaggerating the severity but you get the idea. I am trying my best to learn, to be patient, and just laugh about this cultural difference but it is hard not to just want to throw your hands in the air and scream - for of course, in my mind this makes no sense at all! But ... still I must respect. However, I have two feet and so most places I prefer to walk. And that is the end of that story.
So... my BIRTHDAY is tomorrow! And I will be 29 - no REALLY, 29. Have two gifts from friends to open which I brought with me all wrapped from the States - have resisted peeking. Hopefully, I will be able to arrange a little gathering of people to watch a movie or some such fun. We shall see. I also will have to buy treats for everyone to serve after lunch. And, I am excited for the kids to sing to me. I was a little worried having a birthday so far from home but I think it is going to be okay. Still I will miss celebrating with my peeps.
I am beginning to sense how difficult it is going to be to leave here in a few months, uggg. And life back in the states will seem so strange. jobs? cars? a house? and school? I want to be open to wherever the Lord would lead me. I came knowing that I would want to continue seeking God's purpose and place for me to serve Him. Still uncertain as to where that will be. More often than not these thoughts and decisions are not as filled with anxiety as one may expect. And yet I have my moments of fear. You may all help me to pray.
Eric, one of the UK team, asked me the other morning, "And how's your health and temper this morning?". I enjoyed this ever so much given the English accent and his dear ways. In honor of him I shall start incorporating this saying into my everyday greetings.
Friday evening we had a BBQ using the newly constructed grills, which where one of the many projects completed by the UK team. So good to have continents and worlds collide as we had Romanians, Americans, Brittan's, and Gabriella from Brazil around the tables. Seemed to me that the world was as it should be. I felt quiet again just observing and preparing to say goodbye. Rachel reminded me of a thought I often have as well - in heaven we will not say goodbye and there we'll be together, all and forever with Him who made us. Something to look forward too. Lenutsa told me that I am an enigma because I don't talk but she sees me thinking all the time. I think that I am changing here - never had someone say such a thing of me.
In the last week, I have been able to help plan with the team ministering to young mothers and their babies. They are currently visiting 4 mothers with babies or who are yet to give birth. It has been good to put some of my social work knowledge to use in helping develop progress/tracking forms and general brainstorming. You can be in prayer for these mothers as they have difficult circumstances to overcome. And also pray for creative wisdom for the team b/c these are complicated situations. For example, one mother is yet to give her baby a bath and is 4 or 5 months old. The baby doesn't eat often and seems to not be thriving. Yet this mother loves her baby. How can she be helped? Loving encouragement and instruction are the beginnings hopefully but there is needed intervention from the Lord.
Saturday we took another trip to the countryside and spent the day in a village with Valis' parents. We were a herd with 7 adults and 4 children (kids from the center came with us as well). All day we played board and card games and ate yummy snacks. Later the boys played frisbee in the road until they pitched it over the neighbors fence one too many times. A little boy came out and played nearby, curious. I took a picture of him so hopefully I can add that later as I do not have my camera today. We also saw a lady with lavender hair! Took her picture too but haven't decided if it is mean to post it (might have even been mean to take her picture but ...).
I became terribly car sick on the ride back and that has reminded me of a silly thing here in Romania which makes public transportation less than pleasant at times. There is a belief, especially among the older generation, that a breeze will make you sick. So...any time someone (especially old ladies) feel breeze on their face they order the window closed. Every maxi-taxi and bus has windows but they are rarely open. Add to this perfumes, men who have been working all day, bad breathe, swerving traffic and a warm day ... and there you have a recipe for great nausea! I am slightly exaggerating the severity but you get the idea. I am trying my best to learn, to be patient, and just laugh about this cultural difference but it is hard not to just want to throw your hands in the air and scream - for of course, in my mind this makes no sense at all! But ... still I must respect. However, I have two feet and so most places I prefer to walk. And that is the end of that story.
So... my BIRTHDAY is tomorrow! And I will be 29 - no REALLY, 29. Have two gifts from friends to open which I brought with me all wrapped from the States - have resisted peeking. Hopefully, I will be able to arrange a little gathering of people to watch a movie or some such fun. We shall see. I also will have to buy treats for everyone to serve after lunch. And, I am excited for the kids to sing to me. I was a little worried having a birthday so far from home but I think it is going to be okay. Still I will miss celebrating with my peeps.
I am beginning to sense how difficult it is going to be to leave here in a few months, uggg. And life back in the states will seem so strange. jobs? cars? a house? and school? I want to be open to wherever the Lord would lead me. I came knowing that I would want to continue seeking God's purpose and place for me to serve Him. Still uncertain as to where that will be. More often than not these thoughts and decisions are not as filled with anxiety as one may expect. And yet I have my moments of fear. You may all help me to pray.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Perfect Days
Hi friends!
Saturday we went on our "Death Hike" and I must say it did not live up to its name for I found it to be very much the opposite. We woke up very early, 4:45 am and walked to the tram station and rode a tram to a bus stop. Then we smashed ourselves into a maxi-taxi (which is what they call something that looks like an over sized minivan) and rode the fairy boat across the Danube. Then we smashed ourselves even tighter into another maxi-taxi and rode for a long time through winding roads and watched the sun begin to rise. I was a bit sick but still doing all right. When we reached the village we bought snacks and were freezing cold and wanted to start walking just to warm ourselves.
The countryside is so rugged and unspoiled. At the base of the mountain there was a herd of goats and a shepherd walking up the hill. Very picturesque.
We took our time climbing as there were 14 of us and we had all day long. Still we reached the top the mountain by 10 am and so we nestled in for naps and rest. The wind was cutting but the view was lovely and you could find rocks to shelter inside. Laughter and quiet silence and happy conversation. We stayed for several hours and ate lunch together before the descent. The creature delight was finding a baby turtle. A lovely day.
Vali and meSome have asked exactly what it is that I am doing here in Romania and with Word Made Flesh. A day is spent hanging out with kids in art classes and English lessons and playing outside, and we help with random projects that need completed around the center. But most of the time it is just life in a big family. I don't have a "job" that is mine and I am no one important. But I am loved. The staff are here not for the employment but because they want to give their lives for their friends. It is a different mentality than making your rent money. And life is lived in way that reflects the existing and coming perfection of Christ and his kingdom. It is a haven and refuge.
Last night I made dinner for the Englishmen (and English Rachel too) and for everyone interested, American and Romanian alike. Word spread that I could make Mexican food and the pressure was on. It took two days to procure all the ingredients and I had to make enchilada sauce from scratch but it turned out to be a feast and it was such fun making food for everyone. Chocolate chip cookies topped us off and I was kicked out of the kitchen and not allowed to do dishes. (I wasn't eager since I had spent nearly 4.5 hours cooking, even though I loved every minute.) These have been good days.
Vali and Lau (a Romanian couple I may have mentioned before?) invited the Servant Team to the countryside and Valis' mom's home on Saturday. I am really looking forward to getting out the city yet again.
Must head to chapel. Everyone write-I love hearing from you.
Makes you not seem so far away.
Much love,
e
Monday, September 17, 2007
Pictures
A horse and cart seen often around the city - used to transport anything and everything. Horses stay on properties with families and you can smell them behind the gates. They are often left to graze on street corners with patches of weeds and are always skinny.
The Danube! Not a great picture but a very great river and famous too (just in case you didn't know, hmmm). This Saturday we are going on what they have deemed the "Death Hike" through the mountains you can see in the distance. Hoping I make it. You'll know where to look if I don't turn up.
Stefania and Me - this is the neighbor girl who has helped me along with Romanian. She is 17 and from another city (was here visiting her great grandmother). We had to say goodbye last week, boo-hoo. This is us out in 100 degree weather during my first week here.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Lows and Highs
"The roads are rugged, the precipices are steep, there may be a feeling of dizziness on the heights, gusts of wind, peals of thunder, nights of awful gloom - fear them not. There are also the joys of the sunlight, flowers such as are not in the the plain, the purest of air, restful nooks, and the stars to smile thence like the eyes of God." - Pere Didon
(Kate, Val, Sue, Me)
(Val and I)
A woman in England, knowing they were coming here, had given 100pounds ($200) b/c she felt that there might be a need. But she instructed that if there were no needs to bring back the money straight away. One of the little girls here at the center, Ginina, has started a "Good News" club in her back yard. She gathers about 9 kids and tells them stories about Jesus that she has learned here at the center. She sings them songs and pretends to play the guitar on a old tennis racket. The children take turns reading verses from the bible. Sue and Val were able to go and visit her club while they were her. Sue prayed and decided that the money should go to buy Ginina a real guitar (Ginina is learning to play here at the center). Little did she know that Ginina and her counselor had just been praying together the week before that the Lord would provide a guitar for her! OH, how Jesus answers prayer. It is even more amazing b/c the woman who gave the money in England is a music teacher who instructs in guitar! What a blessing it will be for her to know how the Lord chose for the money to be spent.
An evening last week, I was walking to the bus stop with Rachel and Anna and Magda (all WMF staff). We met some children at the corner who we know and talked to them. As we were talking two policemen came walking around the corner across the street. The children saw them and bolted and the police ran after them. We followed. They chased the children up into a stairwell of a building and we could hear yelling and crying from the street. Anna ran up into the building and the rest of us stayed and began praying before going up too. As we neared the top of the stairs I could see tear stained faces that were terrified and one of the boys was on the floor covering his face. Both officers were screaming and the children were sobbing and shouting back in defense. Anna tried calmly to reason with the officers and Magda joined her trying to at least get the children to stand up properly to talk with the police. Rachel and I prayed in the stair well believing that the last thing needed was American involvement. I was scared for the children. Never have I seen faces so frightened. As it turns out they were being threatened by the police because it is illegal to beg. They were saying things like, "We will take you to the juvenile center right now!" The children regularly are sent out by their parents to beg on the streets. We stayed with them and the children had to give the names and addresses of their parents and were eventually allowed to leave. Most of the time children beg and the police do nothing. Other times situations escalate. I was not sure how to process having been so close to this event. I was never scared, except for the children. One of the staff thought that if we had not been there the police might have beat the children. In any case, I am thankful that I was allowed to be present, to pray, to grieve for the pain these children suffer at the hands of their parents and their society just for being poor. It gives me greater compassion.
Still struggling with language. Most days I want to cry about it at some point. We are trying different tactics and study methods so hopefully some of that will help me. But please, please, please ... pray for me! Romanian is not my favorite language in all the world, no it is not.
Magda goes to a Brethren church here in Galati. She asked the Servant Team to come and present and sing a few songs at her church Sunday night. Women are not allowed to speak in the service and you must wear a head covering. I must say that my pride was indeed pricked and I found the situation of Ryan (Servant team member) speaking for all of us trying as well (only b/c I wanted to speak for myself). But ... it was yet another lesson in submission to one another and Ryan represented us well. We sang three songs for them and it was lovely to talk with people from their church. While I was singing two little girls drew a picture for me. They handed it to me while Ryan was talking. It was so cute! I was singing in a Princess Jasmine type outfit! I told Magda she needed to do a bit more work on her little "Brethren" girls since they drew me with my belly button showing! The services are very long. All together I spent almost 6 hours in church on Sunday between morning and evening services. Yikes! I was very fidgety. Nate (Servant team member) and I tried to see how many words you can make out of the letters of my name during the sermon. In case you should wonder there are more than 40 on our list. We were very naughty.
On Saturday!!! Fun fun fun! We were able to pick grapes and try to make jam! I had such a fun time getting all messy and squishing beautiful grapes with friends. None of our jam really gelled up well but it tasted so good. The kitchen was filled with people and purple and the smell of warm wine. Things do not get much better on Saturday - except I missed you all!!!
Well ... I should get some emails returned to some of you. Hope you enjoy reading. I have added a few pictures throughout the blog and moved things around so take a look see!
Love,
E.
p.s. these are the grapes that we harvested!!! taste like candy, mmmmmm, yummy.
Here I find myself without all the things I find most valuable in myself. I cannot communicate. I have no position of responsibility or leadership. I am not needed or desired for my "wise advice" or knowledge in a particular area. Just me. And I have to trust that all the souls around will accept me for that alone. My particular belovedness as God's daughter. During our first week here we read a book by Henry Nouwen called, In the Name of Jesus. This quote seems to sum up how I have felt. "I was suddenly faced with my naked self, open for affirmations and rejections, hugs and punches, smiles and tears, all dependent simply on how I was perceived at the moment." It has been good to sit still and struggle through the difficult process of being identified in a deeper way within the love of the Lord. I have not arrived. But each day, faithfully, the Lord is speaking to me about being still, His comfort, my own beauty before Him, and there being no need to know the future - He is taking care. As I describe these things do not believe that I rest fully in them yet. I am more quiet but still there are days when I would want to escape, days when I do not trust.
Last Sunday our Servant Team was able to go out to a village called Piscu for a baptismal service at a Pentecostal Church. These services are long and women sit on one side and men on the other. Women wear head coverings. The church was started by a pastor from Galati who lead the service and many of the Galati congregation came to lead music and be present. One of them spoke English and interpreted for us. Three new believers were baptized and it was encouraging to hear their stories. My favorite was an old man of 81 who declared that the Lord was His and had given kindness and patience for his many wasted years without Christ. He stated how the love of God had won his heart. It made me cry just to hear the love in his voice.
Two older ladies from Great Britain came to stay for a week with us here in Galati. Their names are Sue and Val. Sue helps to raise money for the center her and Val is here note taker as she gathers inspiring stories. Oh how I adored these women!!! I cannot explain to you how they have encouraged and inspired me with their stories and gifts. I was very sad to say goodbye to them. They were intrigued by my love of the English accent and spent some time trying to teach me phrases from the Black Country, Yorkshire, and the like. Val inspired me to like myself despite my faults since she was crawling with them but they didn't seem to bother her a bit - bossy and sometimes noisy. I learned not too worry so much about how I am being perceived. From Sue I learned the daring lessons of a woman who has made her life count for the poor. We played gambling dice games together and they would tell me how very boring I was every time I didn't want to take a chance on my increasing my score for fear of losing it all. At their departure Val gave me a card that she has always carried in her bible and inscribed verses and encouragement for me on the back. It was especially meaningful later as I realized she had left me with Psalm 18 - a particular favorite of mine that the Lord uses often in my life. Sue left me with a huge hug and prayer in her arms. Such lovely, beautiful women.
Last Sunday our Servant Team was able to go out to a village called Piscu for a baptismal service at a Pentecostal Church. These services are long and women sit on one side and men on the other. Women wear head coverings. The church was started by a pastor from Galati who lead the service and many of the Galati congregation came to lead music and be present. One of them spoke English and interpreted for us. Three new believers were baptized and it was encouraging to hear their stories. My favorite was an old man of 81 who declared that the Lord was His and had given kindness and patience for his many wasted years without Christ. He stated how the love of God had won his heart. It made me cry just to hear the love in his voice.
Two older ladies from Great Britain came to stay for a week with us here in Galati. Their names are Sue and Val. Sue helps to raise money for the center her and Val is here note taker as she gathers inspiring stories. Oh how I adored these women!!! I cannot explain to you how they have encouraged and inspired me with their stories and gifts. I was very sad to say goodbye to them. They were intrigued by my love of the English accent and spent some time trying to teach me phrases from the Black Country, Yorkshire, and the like. Val inspired me to like myself despite my faults since she was crawling with them but they didn't seem to bother her a bit - bossy and sometimes noisy. I learned not too worry so much about how I am being perceived. From Sue I learned the daring lessons of a woman who has made her life count for the poor. We played gambling dice games together and they would tell me how very boring I was every time I didn't want to take a chance on my increasing my score for fear of losing it all. At their departure Val gave me a card that she has always carried in her bible and inscribed verses and encouragement for me on the back. It was especially meaningful later as I realized she had left me with Psalm 18 - a particular favorite of mine that the Lord uses often in my life. Sue left me with a huge hug and prayer in her arms. Such lovely, beautiful women.
(Kate, Val, Sue, Me)
(Val and I)A woman in England, knowing they were coming here, had given 100pounds ($200) b/c she felt that there might be a need. But she instructed that if there were no needs to bring back the money straight away. One of the little girls here at the center, Ginina, has started a "Good News" club in her back yard. She gathers about 9 kids and tells them stories about Jesus that she has learned here at the center. She sings them songs and pretends to play the guitar on a old tennis racket. The children take turns reading verses from the bible. Sue and Val were able to go and visit her club while they were her. Sue prayed and decided that the money should go to buy Ginina a real guitar (Ginina is learning to play here at the center). Little did she know that Ginina and her counselor had just been praying together the week before that the Lord would provide a guitar for her! OH, how Jesus answers prayer. It is even more amazing b/c the woman who gave the money in England is a music teacher who instructs in guitar! What a blessing it will be for her to know how the Lord chose for the money to be spent.
An evening last week, I was walking to the bus stop with Rachel and Anna and Magda (all WMF staff). We met some children at the corner who we know and talked to them. As we were talking two policemen came walking around the corner across the street. The children saw them and bolted and the police ran after them. We followed. They chased the children up into a stairwell of a building and we could hear yelling and crying from the street. Anna ran up into the building and the rest of us stayed and began praying before going up too. As we neared the top of the stairs I could see tear stained faces that were terrified and one of the boys was on the floor covering his face. Both officers were screaming and the children were sobbing and shouting back in defense. Anna tried calmly to reason with the officers and Magda joined her trying to at least get the children to stand up properly to talk with the police. Rachel and I prayed in the stair well believing that the last thing needed was American involvement. I was scared for the children. Never have I seen faces so frightened. As it turns out they were being threatened by the police because it is illegal to beg. They were saying things like, "We will take you to the juvenile center right now!" The children regularly are sent out by their parents to beg on the streets. We stayed with them and the children had to give the names and addresses of their parents and were eventually allowed to leave. Most of the time children beg and the police do nothing. Other times situations escalate. I was not sure how to process having been so close to this event. I was never scared, except for the children. One of the staff thought that if we had not been there the police might have beat the children. In any case, I am thankful that I was allowed to be present, to pray, to grieve for the pain these children suffer at the hands of their parents and their society just for being poor. It gives me greater compassion.
Still struggling with language. Most days I want to cry about it at some point. We are trying different tactics and study methods so hopefully some of that will help me. But please, please, please ... pray for me! Romanian is not my favorite language in all the world, no it is not.
Magda goes to a Brethren church here in Galati. She asked the Servant Team to come and present and sing a few songs at her church Sunday night. Women are not allowed to speak in the service and you must wear a head covering. I must say that my pride was indeed pricked and I found the situation of Ryan (Servant team member) speaking for all of us trying as well (only b/c I wanted to speak for myself). But ... it was yet another lesson in submission to one another and Ryan represented us well. We sang three songs for them and it was lovely to talk with people from their church. While I was singing two little girls drew a picture for me. They handed it to me while Ryan was talking. It was so cute! I was singing in a Princess Jasmine type outfit! I told Magda she needed to do a bit more work on her little "Brethren" girls since they drew me with my belly button showing! The services are very long. All together I spent almost 6 hours in church on Sunday between morning and evening services. Yikes! I was very fidgety. Nate (Servant team member) and I tried to see how many words you can make out of the letters of my name during the sermon. In case you should wonder there are more than 40 on our list. We were very naughty.
On Saturday!!! Fun fun fun! We were able to pick grapes and try to make jam! I had such a fun time getting all messy and squishing beautiful grapes with friends. None of our jam really gelled up well but it tasted so good. The kitchen was filled with people and purple and the smell of warm wine. Things do not get much better on Saturday - except I missed you all!!!Well ... I should get some emails returned to some of you. Hope you enjoy reading. I have added a few pictures throughout the blog and moved things around so take a look see!
Love,
E.
p.s. these are the grapes that we harvested!!! taste like candy, mmmmmm, yummy.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Some funny stories ... and more
I have decided that today's theme needs to be "embarrassing things that have happened to Elizabeth since arriving in Romania". I know you all will enjoy.
On the first night at Irina's home (host home) I tried to take a bath. This is tricky for two reasons. One being that all hot water in the city of Galati was not working. The other was because of the bath itself. I was supposed to stand in the tub with what I think was a baby tub filled with cold water suspended across the top and dipper hot water from a pot boiled on the stove from the floor to get the right temperature. Tricky. I even was trying to wash my hair. So ... tired from travels, a bit lost being dumped at a strangers home, trying to figure out getting clean - the bathroom light turns out with me standing in the tub wet. AHHH! So, a little laugh, a little whimper, I call out Irina's name - nothing. I feel my way out of the tub, wrap myself up in a towel, and start to feel for the light switch and discover it is on the other side of the door. I crack it open and there are three people right outside in the living room. The neighbors had come over and not realizing had switched off the light that is on the outside of the bathroom. Oh, apologies apologies and all with me standing nearly naked not understanding one word. After my "bath" more apologies from Maria and her granddaughter Stephania who are staying next door to take care of Maria's mother who is recovering from an illness. Incidentally, Stephania, 17, has become a very dear girl. She speaks English and is in town from time to time. We have had some good walks and talks. Now the hot water is back on in Galati and baths are a little less complicated.
Irina really likes to wash my clothes. I have tried three times now to make her let me but she will not relent. However, with Stephania's help the truth came out about a few things he other night. Irina started to giggle and told Stephania something which she translated to me as Irina had taken my picture, and then she said something about my underwear (which hang in our front window to dry on wash days, gotta love that!) and I started to get very worried. Then, ohhh, no no no. No picture. A mistake with my laundry and the color had been changed in my underwear and she tried to change it back. But, it was left too long and now they are ... well, sort of brilliant white with funny stripes at the top. She went and fetched them from their hiding place. (I had thought that some were missing a few days before.) I laughed so hard but then she started holding them up and pointing out how each and every part was clean. The bleach had stayed to long and now there were tiny holes everywhere. Irina decides that she is going to stitch them up, no problem, no problem. I cannot explain to you the panic of having someone stitch my underwear but she would not hand them over. I tried. Stephania tried. Yesterday, stitched underwear were carefully layed on my bed. There you have it. I am not allowed much pride in this place. Good for me I am sure.
Besides this I have mixed up Romanian and called the nuts on trees buggers from your nose (which sent one of the kids from the center into a fit of laughter that I thought would never end). I have been told "I love you" by drunk Romanian men in the chess park. I have been told not to even attempt saying the word "tomorrow" in Romanian b/c it just sounds like a very bad word in their language every time I say it and I can't get it right. I think this is about it so far. I am sure there will be many more instances of embarrassment and awkwardness to come, part of the adventure.
On a more serious note. Monday I was able to go and visit a girl in a home for women in danger of abandoning their children or living on the streets. It is a government home in a converted orphanage. The girl that we were visiting has a 4 month old baby and she herself lived on the streets for many years. She is doing fairly well. She cannot stay for longer than a few more months at the center. Although it was hard to see her lack of gentleness with her son there were other encouraging signs of her good mothering. Her son smiled when she walked by and gave good eye contact. He is healthy and growing. The girl is a stubborn mother, used to taking care of herself and doesn't accept advice easily so we had to just watch and praise her for the good things she is doing in caring for her child. P lease pray for her. She is in need. I am not sure that I am supposed to share names at this point but the Lord knows her.
I am still struggling with language, yesterday being the most frustrating day so far. Today being difficult as well. I really want to give effort to learning. Need prayers.
I have had two very encouraging conversations with staff here today. Ron (Am staff) and I talked about families and friends and how relationships are effected by living in another country this morning. And Magda (Romanian staff) and I talked about culture differences and personality. Conversations I enjoyed. Both much needed. Kind timing from the Lord.
Soon school will start and there will be more structure to my days. Today, I was able to request some of the things that I have interest in participating in - young mothers, art and music classes, street children, health classes, and a few other things. Exciting!
more to come soon - e.
On the first night at Irina's home (host home) I tried to take a bath. This is tricky for two reasons. One being that all hot water in the city of Galati was not working. The other was because of the bath itself. I was supposed to stand in the tub with what I think was a baby tub filled with cold water suspended across the top and dipper hot water from a pot boiled on the stove from the floor to get the right temperature. Tricky. I even was trying to wash my hair. So ... tired from travels, a bit lost being dumped at a strangers home, trying to figure out getting clean - the bathroom light turns out with me standing in the tub wet. AHHH! So, a little laugh, a little whimper, I call out Irina's name - nothing. I feel my way out of the tub, wrap myself up in a towel, and start to feel for the light switch and discover it is on the other side of the door. I crack it open and there are three people right outside in the living room. The neighbors had come over and not realizing had switched off the light that is on the outside of the bathroom. Oh, apologies apologies and all with me standing nearly naked not understanding one word. After my "bath" more apologies from Maria and her granddaughter Stephania who are staying next door to take care of Maria's mother who is recovering from an illness. Incidentally, Stephania, 17, has become a very dear girl. She speaks English and is in town from time to time. We have had some good walks and talks. Now the hot water is back on in Galati and baths are a little less complicated.
Irina really likes to wash my clothes. I have tried three times now to make her let me but she will not relent. However, with Stephania's help the truth came out about a few things he other night. Irina started to giggle and told Stephania something which she translated to me as Irina had taken my picture, and then she said something about my underwear (which hang in our front window to dry on wash days, gotta love that!) and I started to get very worried. Then, ohhh, no no no. No picture. A mistake with my laundry and the color had been changed in my underwear and she tried to change it back. But, it was left too long and now they are ... well, sort of brilliant white with funny stripes at the top. She went and fetched them from their hiding place. (I had thought that some were missing a few days before.) I laughed so hard but then she started holding them up and pointing out how each and every part was clean. The bleach had stayed to long and now there were tiny holes everywhere. Irina decides that she is going to stitch them up, no problem, no problem. I cannot explain to you the panic of having someone stitch my underwear but she would not hand them over. I tried. Stephania tried. Yesterday, stitched underwear were carefully layed on my bed. There you have it. I am not allowed much pride in this place. Good for me I am sure.
Besides this I have mixed up Romanian and called the nuts on trees buggers from your nose (which sent one of the kids from the center into a fit of laughter that I thought would never end). I have been told "I love you" by drunk Romanian men in the chess park. I have been told not to even attempt saying the word "tomorrow" in Romanian b/c it just sounds like a very bad word in their language every time I say it and I can't get it right. I think this is about it so far. I am sure there will be many more instances of embarrassment and awkwardness to come, part of the adventure.
On a more serious note. Monday I was able to go and visit a girl in a home for women in danger of abandoning their children or living on the streets. It is a government home in a converted orphanage. The girl that we were visiting has a 4 month old baby and she herself lived on the streets for many years. She is doing fairly well. She cannot stay for longer than a few more months at the center. Although it was hard to see her lack of gentleness with her son there were other encouraging signs of her good mothering. Her son smiled when she walked by and gave good eye contact. He is healthy and growing. The girl is a stubborn mother, used to taking care of herself and doesn't accept advice easily so we had to just watch and praise her for the good things she is doing in caring for her child. P lease pray for her. She is in need. I am not sure that I am supposed to share names at this point but the Lord knows her.
I am still struggling with language, yesterday being the most frustrating day so far. Today being difficult as well. I really want to give effort to learning. Need prayers.
I have had two very encouraging conversations with staff here today. Ron (Am staff) and I talked about families and friends and how relationships are effected by living in another country this morning. And Magda (Romanian staff) and I talked about culture differences and personality. Conversations I enjoyed. Both much needed. Kind timing from the Lord.
Soon school will start and there will be more structure to my days. Today, I was able to request some of the things that I have interest in participating in - young mothers, art and music classes, street children, health classes, and a few other things. Exciting!
more to come soon - e.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
A Special Dinner
Irina(hostess) is of Romanian Orthodox religion. (I will not attempt in my limited understanding to tell you what I know of Orthodoxy. Hopefully I will be very knowledgeable by the time I come home for nearly everyone here is Orthodox and I will be exposed to much of their culture and teachings.) Irina's sister Kati came to town from the countryside (which is what they call the little villages) for a celebration of the one year anniversary of her sons death. A special meal was made and friends and family came over as well as a priest who said special prayers and gave blessings. I was invited to be a part in every way and found it such a lovely blessing to me.
After preparations are made and the table is set the priest comes to the head of the table. Each person holds a lit candle and there is an icon set on the table as well. He sings and prays and everyone makes the sign of the cross throughout. Honestly, I have such little understanding of the ceremony but found it so moving. Kati sobbed throughout. A year after his death, I thought it a beautiful way to allow her some grief for her son. She is an old woman - 71 I think and so very sweet. I cried along with her as the priest sang.
Then the priest holds up some of the cakes on the table, one being a cake made of grains which is not sweet, and the family holds onto the plate across the table as well. He then says blessings over the food in a manner like communion. The cake has candies on top in the shape of the cross. Apparently it is a very old type of cake used in these ceremonies. I was told that they took it from Byzantine times and continue in the same method. The priest pours some wine on the top and the ceremony is over.
We all were seated and began the long process of eating many courses of food. As I am feeling so much better now (thanks for all the prayers) I was able to enjoy much of the food (minus ham). Irina's grandson, Sergio, talked with me for sometime and seemed to be assigned as my babysitter/assistant. He is 15 and very considerate and patient with me. We had a long discussion about culture and Romanian and the US and Orthodoxy and Protestantism before dinner. I think heavy conversation for a first meeting. But, I was curious about so many things and it is hard to find people to answer my questions, especially willing Romanians. I was happy to find that Sergio thinks Romanian old woman are as bossy as I do. He told me tricks to deal with his grandmother, Irina. Nice to know the ins and outs of my little hostess.
The old women like to joke about me being skinny whenever I eat and complain that I don't eat enough. They make big shapes around themselves with their arms and tiny pinched gestures with their fingers in contrast and then laugh and say something about my momma when I go home and laugh and laugh. Not sure what they are getting at but that it has something to do with my mother finding me skinny when I return to the US. Not sure I will get used to being fussed over. By the way, no one needs to worry. I am not wasting away.
I had a lovely dinner with one of the American staff from the center last night. We talked about possibilities for how to spend some of my time here in Romania. I will accompany her to one of the orphanages here in the next few weeks; a rare occurrence since they are very very shy about allowing anyone foreign into their orphanages here in Romania. But, we have the excuse of visiting one of the boys who used to live on the streets. Another opportunity is to visit a national institute for poor mothers who just gave birth. I am really looking forward to seeing these places and gaining more understanding about the social issues. Please, keep praying for my time here. I want the Lord to give significance to each experience and conversation.
So ... I tried posting this over the weekend but I ran out of time at the internet cafe and didn't want to pay for more. Sorry about that.
Some people have been asking for pictures of the children to be posted. I can't take any pictures of kids from the center here until the last few weeks of my work to discourage distrust, etc. However, at some point I will get some pictures with children that we encounter everyday around the city, maybe.
Later - e.
So ... I tried posting this over the weekend but I ran out of time at the internet cafe and didn't want to pay for more. Sorry about that.
Some people have been asking for pictures of the children to be posted. I can't take any pictures of kids from the center here until the last few weeks of my work to discourage distrust, etc. However, at some point I will get some pictures with children that we encounter everyday around the city, maybe.
Later - e.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
