Winter Wonderland

Well, there was no white Christmas, but it has been snowing for the last 3 weeks. This is Lenuta and me shovelling snow again! NO MORE SNOW PLEASE!!!

A Romanian, American, Scottish Burns supper!

After being back from furlough for a week and still in Scottish mode, I organised a Burns supper with my team to celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns, probably the most famous Scottish poet. We had all traditional speeches, I gave the Immortal Memory, Mark gave “the Toast to the Lassies” and Hayley the reply. Ghita carried in the Haggis to “Scotland the Brave” played on the bagpipes via the computer!! Maybe the first time in history that the Haggis has been carried in by a Romanian!! Americans and Romanians alike tried some Haggis along with mince, tatties and peas followed by bannocks and cheese, shortbread and tablet. After the speeches and letting food go down, I tried to teach them some Scottish dances. Hilarious!! “The Gay Gordons” proved a bit too complicated for some, so then we tried the “St. Bernard’s Waltz” and “The Dashing White Sergeant”, both of which seemed to be a bit easier. Two of our boys (graduates) were outside shovelling snow, but managed to finish just in time to learn “The Dashing White Sergeant”. It took some gentle persuasion, but once they got in full swing – there was no stopping them!!

A Scottish Furlough

I have been back from my furlough for nearly two weeks now and in some ways it seems so long ago. I had great time with my parents and friends. I managed a lovely wee visit to Monifieth, near Dundee to visit my friend Mary who bought a wee cottage nearly two years ago, which I hadn’t seen. I met two new wee people, Finlay and Alexander who are both gorgeous and were born since my last visit home. I went to the beach (all wrapped up in winter woollies, I might add) for a brisk walk after lunch with my friend Lorna. A shopping trip with my friend Kirsty to the January sales and many wee cups of tea and lots of cakes, breakfasts, lunches and dinners out with many other friends. I had several opportunities to formally speak about my work here in Romania. Firstly, I spent an afternoon talking to some lovely ladies from Milngavie. On the Saturday before I came back to Romania, Val (who came to Romania on a tenderfoot trip last May for the first time), hosted a fundraising lunch in her home for around 70 people. After a couple of meetings, a BIG shopping trip, and a crazy night preparing Romanian food in Val’s kitchen, the lunch was HUGE success. On the evening of Sunday 8th January, many people from my church and others in the area gathered to hear about my work in Romania over the last year. I know from the conversations I had afterwards, that the stories of the children I work with, touched their hearts. Thank you Lord, for giving me the opportunity to touch the lives of these wonderful children, for your Kingdom. Thank you ALL so much for making my visit home such fun.
Me and my Dad

Lorna and me on our walk at Prestwick beach

A beautiful Scottish Sunset (Prestwick beach)

Colleen (Finlay's mum) and Lynzy (Alexander's mum) and me

Me with Flinlay and Alexander - they are too cute!!

Mary and me

Me and my mum

Diggin' in to some Romanian food

The Romanian fayre!

Wanda, Carole and Val - the 3 chefs!

Christmas fun!

This has been a week of parties!
The first was on Saturday at one of our orphanages near Bucharest, when the kids watched Christmas Cartoons and ate popcorn, biscuits and drank hot chocolate. It was a bit messy, but they all enjoyed the afternoon.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons we held parties at the other orphanage. We had many fun games like trying eat bread and honey from a string without using your hands, pass the parcel, make a snowman using a member of your team and toilet paper! Each party started with the H2H staff singing some Christmas Carols and ended with the kids decorating sugar cookies and eating as much frosting as they could!!

Christmas performances

Last week we kicked off the Christmas celebrations with not one but two performances in one day. The kids from the band performed at a school in Bucharest and at a museum not far from there.

After the performances on the way back to the orphanage we went into the city to see the Christmas lights. It was a bit chilly but lots of fun.

After the performances on the way back to the orphanage we went into the city to see the Christmas lights. It was a bit chilly but lots of fun.

Thanksgiving

As usual this month, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the Teamhouse with our graduates and this year a team form Buhler, Kansas. About 70 people were there including staff. Traditionally people eat turkey and this year was no exception, funnily enough it always seems like Christmas to me!!

fun times with staff

Every Saturday morning, we meet as a staff and have bible study together, as well as getting information about upcoming teams and events. This year we have been divided into smaller groups and each month one of the small groups has to organise a fun activity to do on one of the Saturdays instead of the bible study. Last week we all went to the monastery on the Island in Snagov, where the body Vlad Tepes is buried. They have now a bridge over to the Island. It was a lovely day although a little chilly. After touring the monastery, we sat next to the lake and ate lunch.