Greetings from Romania
The morning started for Glenys and Deirdre as usual with breakfast at the home of Geta and then on the minibus that had picked up about 10 children on the way; arriving at the church (Basilica) just a few minutes later.
The children, approximately 40 today, ranging from ages 14 to 3 ½ are very well behaved and sit in the front pews whilst the team set up the flannograph and music.
Today the story of Moses continued with crossing the Red Sea. Sabin our pastor welcomes the children, and two or three of the parents of the very small who stay at the back of the church. He leads us in prayer in Romanian and although we cannot understand the words, we know that God does and that is good enough.
We start with songs that they have learnt through the week and today the new song was ‘How did Moses cross the Red Sea?’ Mihaela our host and translator helps the junior and older children, asking for translation of words and explanations. Glenys helped by Sarah provides the music and encourages the singing. Deirdre stands in front of the infants and very young children to help them with actions and sounds as we go through the songs. Particularly today with ‘God gave us a special book’, which they have mastered very well and then How did Moses cross the red sea, with swimming, rowing, driving, flying, etc. One little boy (5 yrs) who has been very reticent (and slightly frightened of ‘Moses’ on the first day) today was attempting to sing a few of the repetitive words – success I think!
Today Deirdre led the children through the Memory Verse : John 6 v 35 I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again.
Mary and Ken then tell the part of the story for the day, explaining with the help of Mihaela that Moses and the people were looking at the Red Sea, with no crossing and great fear. How with God’s help the sea parted, the people crossed and the Egyptians perished; taught them how God provided water, manna and quail. After this the infants go along with Glenys and Deirdre to do crafts for an hour, today colouring in the Red Sea and folding it over the Egyptians. They coloured in windmills and then put them together – and they worked – so delighted the children. At 12 o’clock the minibus comes back and parents and grandparents take home the children, all seeming very happy with huge smiles.
This afternoon, having had an excellent lunch again with Florenca and Mihaela we went in the minibus to a weather recording station a few miles away to see the data being put through the computer to inform the national weather centre at Bucharest. We ate apricots from the trees, saw jam being made and saw the hosts’ chickens and rabbits. The early evening is used preparing for the next day and then a well prepared dinner with as usual a surprise ‘pudding’ This evening a sweet puffed up dough for which Sarah has asked for the recipe. Glenys and Deirdre leave for their accommodation, half a mile away and the rest of the evening is spent chatting or finalizing tomorrow’s work before bed. God Bless to all and Nopte Bouna (Good night).
Deirdre, Glenys, Sarah, Mary and Ken
BA's alternative mode of transport JIC
