It was extremely hot as we waited for the train, which consists of 2 carriages pulled by a diesel locomotive. The original steam locomotive is a 010-6 though is in need of a major overhaul. The configuration of the wheels seems strange considering the tight curves which have to be negotiated. It was time for us to visit the local sheds, and talk to the railway men who seemed delighted to be engaged in conversation and were surprisingly well informed on the subject of world railways.

We were pleased to meet up with one of Mihaela’s friends, who being a Christian could not do enough for us! When the train arrived, the guard also was a Christian, and spent most of the journey pointing out the features as we progressed up the mountain. The journey was a very long 2 hours, as the max speed was 45km/h and most of the time we were only traveling at 15km/h. And, occasionally the very tight bends caused us to slow even more.

The line ascends to the summit through a large number of tunnels and clings to the hillside, in what appears to be a precipitous position. As it was extremely hot, the guard opened all the windows we could; even the very back door and the side door were left open! This gave us a lovely, clear view of the tracks we had traveled over and the tunnels we negotiated. Though, it would not have met with approval of our health & safety inspectors! As the train only traveled in one way, due to the time taken to reach the summit, we descended by road the cars having been brought up by Vali, Sabin and Ovido. After a quick ice cream, we headed for home! Where we had a meal awaiting us at John & Maria’s house! John is an elder in the church and entertained us on a previous visit when he enthralled us with tails of how he smuggled bibles into the country.

Ken, Mary, Sarah, Glents & Deirdre

After another extensive lunch we came back to Vali & Mihaelas, to finalise our presentation for the evening service. The children arrived on time accompanied by their parents and they sat in their places on the stage without any problems! The senior pastor was due to speak at another Church, but cancelled it and drove the 70km to attend the service. Pastor Sabin, conducted the service with the choir making a number of contributions.

The children had sat for nearly an hour before they started their presentation. They went through the life of Moses using the daily program as a guide. The children gave a summary of each episode presented and recited the memory verse showing the result of their craft activities. At the end of our presentation we were each invited to give our reactions to the weeks work and given a bag of gifts to show the churches appreciation. One of the little girls who made the presentation, came back to us a little later and asked if she could have the bag back, and stormed back to her mother in tears.
Pastor Sabin talked to the children using the story of the snakes in the desert, as his theme. The children continued to sit despite the fact that they’d been there for over 2 hours.

There were over 40 children attending, most not from a church background- some from other churches. The parents were much in evidence with the church being comfortably full with a congregation of over 200. The Pastors were very pleased that a lady prayed out loud for the first time in a service. At the conclusion of the service everyone was invited to light refreshments in the school room, and all the children and parents stayed. We had a interesting time as everyone was keen to try out their English and we were struggling to make ourselves understood.

We had a discussion with the Pastors and Officers and they are keen to repeat the event next year favouring a New Testament theme. We were all overwhelmed by the friendliness of those we met and slightly embarrassed by the enthusiasm towards our work.

We must close as the match being relayed outdoors together with the trumpets and cheers make concentration difficult.

Ken, Mary, Sarah, Glenys and Deirdre.

Children- not all as 'present' as others!

The story of Moses continued today, including the Tabernacle. Deirdre and Glenys, took the little ones into the children’s separate work room, where the children (and some mums) completed worksheets and a spinner- to represent the 40 years the Israelites wandered in circles around the desert.

We prepared for our special evening service and Sunday school in the morning, throughout this afternoon. Everyone is feeling rather tired after a very busy week! The weather is very warm, but we have all enjoyed ourselves.

For lunch today, we went to one of the boys Paul, grandparents’ house where we had a feast of Fish, (Catfish, from the River Danube) and lovely watermelon.

Mihaela and Vali are attending a wedding reception in Timisuara, this evening so we are all about to have tea, and have a very long sleep in preparation for tomorrow – Hopefully!

Please pray that the children do well tomorrow night and give us God’s word to bring to them!

Glenys, Sarah, Deirdre, Ken & Mary

Two, pretty little 4 year olds, are the most mischievous, cute children in the group, they follow every hand action, and have learnt most of the songs like the others. Some of the mum’s who stay, have a word sheet and also write the Romanian words along aside the English ones, and also sing along with the songs – as long as you don’t look at them! Other mums join them early to pick their children up, so they can come into the church, to listen to the end of the club and are greatly amused at our antics. Miheala, gave out 53 invitations to children today for the Bible Club Special, where we will sing most of the songs, 6 children will recite the memory verses, in English. 6 other children will give a synopsis of the story in Romanian, and we hope to end up with the congregation singing ‘Tell the merry and Sad’ (the last verse.)

After the Bible club was over we went to Chris the muscian, mothers & fathers house to lunch, with 4 courses it surpassed the rest of the week, and we all felt like rolling out. This family still keep pigs and chickens, and we ate fruit from their trees, and vegetables from their garden. At home we prepared for tomorrow and lade out Sunday’s program.
Tonight was their prayer meeting/ Bible Study which we all attended and although we were told Sabin was very interesting (which he was!) Some of us were rather tired (Did it show who fell asleep on the website?) We then returned home for a lovely dinner, and a quiet evening.

On Monday, we are due to visit the first railway system ever built and run in Romania, it was built to carry the first King of Romania (King Carol) to his Palace and Casino on the River Danube, near where we are staying. The town was a coal mining town and contains the oldest theatre in Europe. It is expected to reach about 90 degrees, so we are hoping it wont be too hot!

By Sunday, we hope to have covered the main events in the whole of Moses’ life and shown the Children, ultimately the parents the great power, love, care and judgement of God.

Just pray for us, please that we will have the physical strength to continue what has been a wonderful experience. God Bless

Ken, Mary, Deirdre, Glenys & Sarah

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

English practice by older children with Mihaela