Unpacking thoughts and suitcases-revision

IT has now been almost 2 weeks since I have been home and I figured it was time I wrapped up this trip with some thoughts and insights although I am quite sure my insights have already been discovered...probably many times over even.

I think I will break this down into a few sections including travel tips, education, and photos.  I am sure I could ramble on but I do value your time and appreciate that you have followed this journey with me.  Just to see this blog get approx. 400 page views blog-gles my mind (ok...bad pun but it fit)   :)

First and foremost I am very grateful to EuroAid Canada and its executive director, Kevin Campbell for  allowing me to join him on this journey to explore and see the wonderful works they are doing with agencies that so desperately need the help.  Without him I would also not have so much humour and from such a seasoned traveller to boot :)  Be sure to check out their website for more info (new website will be planned at a future date too...hopefully sooner rather than later).  

TRAVEL TIPS:
I have come to the conclusion that if you are tall or larger or both then international travel better be a passion for you because the practicality of it is something to be desired.  If you are in this position and need that little bit more room and have not got the cash nor justification to go first class then get yourself an exit aisle seat or bulkhead.  Now this is important...keep your knees and elbows out of the aisle if you have an aisle seat as I am almost positive that whacking passenger joints is a contest for flight attendants worldwide.  I have had this issue domestically and internationally and why they cannot tell you to move your knee or elbow before hitting it with a trolley is beyond me.  I am sure they rack up points that they tally up online and see who gets the most points per week or month.  And before I am told it is my responsibility please realize that this has happened while sleeping too so excuse me for not training my body to stay in a very closed in space for an entire flight.  Ok...that rant is over.

Never ever eat flight food that is called pasta feta on Lufthansa as it is just a really bad idea...trust me.  The dessert was good though.  And if you start eating something that just does not taste so good...stop eating even if you are hungry.  You will thank me for this tip.

It may seem that all my tips are based on flights but that is probably because I see so many glitches in the system.  IF the airline industry was the matrix we would all know we were in it  :)

Do not eat food that has to be washed in countries not known for the health of their water supply.  No offence Romania but me not having a fresh salad for so long is your fault plain and simple.  Dukoral is a good idea to have before a trip like this and may prevent certain issues for you but simple wisdom and sticking to cooked foods is your safest bet.  I did however enjoy your architecture in Cluj so you get a pass for that.

If you have the option to take a train through the mountains or drive it...take the train.  Travel by car from Cluj to Oradea was hair raising at times and to think that all that separates you from the next lane is pothole 2 feet wide is not a secure thought to have...although Kevin did think he saw a gift shop in one of those pot holes.

If you have long car rides do yourself a favour and nap when you can unless you are driving as sleep is something your body may not be adjusted to yet from your former time zone and Skyping with your loved ones back home is more important than sleep (at least it was for me).  I did miss my family I must admit.

Be sure to have bottled water on hand at all times for brushing teeth and hydration of course.

I still don't know why there are two options for flushing toilets but I think one is for power flush and the other is for tinkles only.  Don't know but that is what I think.

Make sure you carry your chargers with you on your carry on in the event you have to stay overnight in a hotel (paid for by airline of course) so you don't have to resort to using archaic technology to simply do your social posting or catch the news.  And yes...this did happen to Kevin.  I gladly extended one of my extra chargers out of pure pity to the man I thought had it all figured out when he said that he did not need his luggage for any reason at the airport and to send it on down to Bucharest :)

I have many more tips I could go on about but it boiled down to being wise and simple and aware of your surroundings at all times.  Always carry yourself strong in Romania as there are many just perched to leap on a what they see as a wounded gazelle.  I would not recommend travelling Romania alone for a number of reasons but the best reason not to travel alone is for security and comradery...plain and simple.

EDUCATION:

After the fall of communism the onset of the free market means rush hour traffic everywhere.  It does also mean more varieties of cars to look at while stuck in traffic too.

Poverty appears to have systemic issues no matter where you go in the world and through programs that develop self esteem, direction and opportunity...those are the societies that will win at least some of the war on poverty.  It will take some time still for some countries to recognize their poor and do something about it but realize that there are a number of agencies filling in those gaps and supporting them is a great idea through your prayers and obviously financial help.

Education and direction for children is paramount in this free world society and anyone who thinks otherwise...can but I think they are wrong (my opinion mind you).  It is important to feed the body but you must also feed the brain and the soul too.  It is the only holistic approach that works and you can't do one without the other.

Mentorship is absolutely critical for any ministry.  IT is not just about passing on the torch but also engaging the next generation so they can add their flavour and knowledge to the mix to not only make it relevant but to keep the agency from going stale.  Seeing organizations with leaders who do not have people to carry on afterwards if something happens should never be a reality and yet it exists if you can believe that.  The tireless efforts of these passion driven workers needs to continue through others or the work that has been started and all those relationships simply fade away.  Just an observation.

Once again I could go on but looking at his from a consultant angle can get tedious for some but hopefully a little humour has helped.  Now for some pictures to wrap it up:

The fact the "S" is folded over to reveal what I often think of technology was just too funny and ironic at the same time as I relied on technology for communication to my family and it is the means by which many find opportunity in Romania.

IF you go to Krakow, Poland and see Wawel castle make sure you actually spend time going through it...but pictures of it seem nice don't they?  :)

The impressions left on me about Auschwitz will live with me forever but I cannot thank my guide for that but rather my own reflections and knowing what I do about this place.  Never, ever forget that this can happen again albeit through different methods.  Intolerance, ignorance and hate quickly escalate when patriotism or nationalism is on the line and falling into this trap can happen so easily so be on your guard at all times.

Paying for your own death unknowingly...I can't even fathom that

Check your food and take pictures of it as that is what bloggers do.

This child is perfectly equal in the eyes of God and yet she is easily forgotten.  

Life without purpose, direction, self esteem and values leads to poverty but it does not mean we stop caring and don't reach out and help...many have left this for a better life and for that alone do the workers there press on.

Yeah....no.  Keep the daytime job Kevin :)

While I did take many photos of the work being done there is something about seeing the impact and fruit of the labour of these workers and the donor's gifts wisely put to use.

I considered it an honour to have had the opportunity to meet these workers in Medgidea as well as the Marcus' in Tulca and the countless others who offer their time and love to help those who don't have a voice and who simply need help.

Only one key chain of more that fit the projects in Medgidea.  Who will these keys be passed onto next.?

Once again...could have posted more photos but you have journeyed with us for a while and so the end must come although I could write a book.

When all is said and done it is my family that I am most grateful for.  The love and uniqueness of every member in this family kept me going.  Alex with his innocent view of life and his care and interest to what I was doing (we will be presenting to his class and maybe his school because of his voice...thank you Alex).  Josiah with his unwavering support in the family in whatever was needed...including much humour (gets that from me)...you are an amazing "almost" man. And my Becky whom I missed immensely and whose love showed through in so many ways and still does...words are not possible (especially for the most amazing homecoming everrrr).

Always be grateful for your family, friends and those who support and encourage you for that is what you need to do a trip like this.  I came back having a deeper appreciation of what I do have and learning that while I have changed from this somewhat...those changes and the many things gleaned from this for all of us was an experience.

Thank you to all of you for following this part of the journey with me and do feel free to forward this blog on and/or comment if you like too.  

Reflecting on Oradea, Tulca and Cluj, Romania

Ok so let me set the stage for the next leg of the trip.  We drove 3 hours from Medgidea to Bucharest airport to catch a flight up to Munich and then another flight back down to Romania (Cluj).  Do not understand for the life of me how that happened but it did.  Anyways, the drive from Cluj to Oradea was 2.5 hours through windy roads through the Carpathain mountains filled with potholes that we swore we saw gift shops in. :)

One of the programs that CASA (Christian Agency for Social Change, Romania) does is to teach sewing so the women can build self esteem and hopefully increase their opportunity to gain employment or start their own business which has happened.

Another CASA program is teaching basic computer skills to participants in their programs.  Through valued donations of computers from people this is made possible.

The girl on the left in this family is in high school and hopes to be a chef and because of this CASA is able to help this family with basic necessities although the father is very abusive when he drinks and his wife (background) has seen a rough life...and she is not even 40 yet.  Could not believe this.

We drove to 3 homes which took almost 3 hours to do.  The dedication of this team is unmistakeable even if their driving is scary at times:)

The grandmother in this home takes care of her grandson because the grandson's mother abandoned her completely.  Very little to offer and yet she does what she can and CASA helps where they can.

This is the main room where at least 6 of the people CASA is helping out live live.  I think Kevin was just as shocked as me as we saw the social issues facing many of the people.  We look at ways to refinish our larger living spaces and decorate to the nines while others simply scrape by.  Be grateful for what you have and realize the value of that freedom to pursue opportunity here.  This visit has made me appreciate not only my family more but also to be content whether I remain the same, have a little less or gain more.  In no matter what state I shall be happy.

The mental issues and disability issues in Romania is extensive and so many are left to social agencies to find ways to help.  The Romanian government is very slow in acknowledging much of these issues and so the lives of many are left to the kind hearted actions of a small number of organizations like CASA to fill the gap.

Yeah we smile for the photo but don't think for one second that we don't feel the burden to help alongside some of these wonderful workers trying to make a difference for so many.

Next up was Tulca which was about 45 min from Oradea.  This location serves as a learning centre for many of the children locally who would have nothing without the help of those who work to see these precious kids get an education and hopefully a kickstart in life to become something more than their present lives.

Stepping into this classroom seems quite modern but it has taken a lot of work to get there and do not think for one minute that this is what it typically looks like for school for children in Tulca.

Just because she looks like a typical schoolgirl do not let that fool you.  There is much poverty and through donations and tireless work many of these kids' lives will be transformed and they in turn will make a difference to others...and so on.

Meet Sean and Sylvia Marcus (couple on right) and Liview (I know I am not spelling that correct) and Kevin who just happened to get in this one :)  It is these three who make all the difference to these children and are building a future for them.  And if you think it is glamorous think again.  They only get half the money for these projects supported.  The other half this couple has invested is their own pensions...and that is yearly not one time.  Their ongoing dedication is seen by their commitment of resources and time and energy.  While many ponder what vacations and travelling to do as retired couples...they are doing the work to serve those in need.  Don't get me wrong...nothing wrong with vacations or travelling.  This was just an observation.  

 

IT was the generous donation of school supplies from family and friends back here that resulted in us being able to distribute much needed supplies to the teacher of this class(far right) as well as to the children whose faces lit up too....but not too much as they were learning :)  A smile here from me because the generosity of some back home made the difference for some here...and that would make anyone smile.

Sharing a simple but yummy meal of soup and bread and juice with the leaders of this project.

More school supplies.

Along this trip we have had to stop for horse drawn carts, dogs and yes...even sheep.  and you thought traffic was bbbaaaad here (sorry for the pun but had to) :)

On our drive back to Cluj we saw some huge houses.  Turns out that this is that town famous on YouTube for massive gypsy houses being built.  Before you think life is grand for all here realize this is a select few and the means in order to do this was most certainly derived from corrupt measures.  Since it is important for people to see wealth by the way these houses look it was not uncommon to find out most of the rooms are unoccupied or used as they cannot afford at this time to heat them or have hydro.  But the means to do these elaborate mansions is nothing to boast about.  Some will send their children to other countries in the EU to beg tourists for money and then send it back home.  IT is deplorable the measures some put their children through in order to satisfy their own desires.  

Ok so I have a thing for old doors...and big ones at that.  This one is in Cluj near the centre.

 Belivee it or not the lower part of the building in the background is a KFC

Absolutely stunning architecture on some of these buildings.

               The picture on the left is a street shot of one of the main roads in the centre of Cluj (the university district so it is pretty hip...if that is even a cool word to use anymore lol.  On theright is is a cafe built into archways of the building.  Too cold that night but summer here would be fantastic

Kevin definitely looks weary as we leave the 7th flight in 11 days.  Just one more after this stop in Munich and we are home.  8 flights in 11 days...madness.

The welcome home party from Becky and the family was off the charts.  When I finally got home via Airbus they were waiting and what meets me but my Becky who jumps up and wraps herself around me so tight...and I couldn't have been more happy (and still am).  After a meal out and getting home there were posters, balloons, cards and lots and lots of hugs and kisses...even our dog was happy too.  The biggest thing I learned is to appreciate what I do have and never take it for granted.

So good to be home and be with my precious family.  I experienced a lot and learned a lot about myself in the process.  There is still some unpacking and digesting this whole trip to do but being with and loving my family is top priority right now.

I am going to do one more blog update to summarize the experience, some travel tips and perhaps some humour mixed in with some thoughts of this.  I am so grateful to all of you who have followed me on this journey and who will have hopefully learned some things along the way about a small area of land in with people who are lost but not forgotten.

One more entry to come so stay tuned....

Medgidea. A place that is lost but not forgotten.

The gypsies would steal whatever metal they could to recycle and this meant the box was completely open and exposing live wires.  Touch this and you are not coming back.  Welcome to Casa Alba.

People live here?  this was my first thought in a way that I could not fathom.

The faces tell the stories of so much pain and yet they still light up when we visited.

The children gather as well as some of the adults for a story telling session.  There were no older adults in this whole village.  I think the oldest was in his 40's.

Kevin handing out some cookies and soap to the children and adults.  So basic in our minds and a world of difference to theirs as for some these 3 cookies would have been their only meal so far today.

This is the one place to get water for this whole village of about 20 families or so.  Often times the villagers would defecate nearby here so you can imagine what gets in their water supply.

See that black smoke....burning plastic.  You cannot imagine the smell of that or what it does to your lungs and yet they need heat and will burn whatever to get it.

Some dried food (soup and oats) that provide basic sustainability for another village we visited.

See this house if you want to call it that?  It houses at least 8-10 people. 

How they can smile has me completely baffled.  We don't smile often in North America over not having some things we want or other things but they find a way to smile despite the hardship...and it is hard for them.

Here is one family that made their way out of the villages.  The husband has a job fixing ships and is bused 2 hours each way every day for work and the mother helps out at one of the projects that Open Doors runs.  And even with them working...this is their main living space what you are seeing.  The young girl in this picture however is an A student in school which is promising although she battles a form of arthritis that she needs shots frequently.

Welcome to "The White House"  This apartment building is home to over 95 families.  They would take their feces and simply throw it out the window to the garbage bin below.  We were nearly hit by some but just missed it.

This is a washroom for the building if you can even call it that.  I don't even think rats choose this.

A hollow ceramic brick with an exposed heater coil is what is used for heat and cooking.  They do what they can for the basic necessities.  

Meet Hardi and Betty Kubassek, the tirelss two person team that oversee so many projects of education and service to the poor.  Apart from the odd visitors for the year to help they are it.  They are the administrators, the people on the road, the ones who hand out the food, the ones who fix and repair things, the ones who find more ways to help....2 of them.  Betty is known as the Mother Theresa of Medgidea and Hardi balances her out as her energy to do this work is off the charts insane.  IF you can keep up with her pace you are one of the few.  Their heart for these people humbled me beyond belief and I am in awe of what they do.  I will not excuse the fact that they say it is by God's strength that they can do this and before you criticize that belief...walk even a half mile in their shoes if you can. 

So long Medgidea....you are a small spot on the map but a huge spot on my heart for your people and to those who tirelessly work amongst them..

One last look at the living quarters inside one of those huts in the villages.  This would house anywhere from 4-10 or so people and they often fought every summer about which home would be who's?  This life is unfathomable for me as they endure frigid temps and brutally hot summers.

How do I even begin to unpack what we experienced in Medgidia, Romania.   There are just no words to describe nor express the emotions that went through me while visiting these lost but no forgotten people in a very poor part of Romania.  The pictures I have included have a brief description but let 

me give you more of a picture of what we saw if I can.

You will see a picture of two of the most amazing people you will ever meet when it comes to humility and servant hearts.  They not only talk the talk but walk the walk and there is no denying the passion they have for the work they are doing amongst the filthiest conditions I have ever seen myself.  I understand that there are many areas of extreme poverty but most of those places I know of exist in warm climates so at least heat is not always an issue.  Heat is a huge issue for most of these people who live in conditions I would not put my dog in.  In one village we were in they simply have squatter shacks on a hill and have formed a community.  This community has one water outlet for the entire village and as for washrooms…non- existent.  The ground near their huts is their toilet and often the human feces is close to the water supply so just think of that for a moment.  Now if that is not enough, heating for the shacks is accomplished by burning whatever in their sobas (terracotta fireplaces with ceramic with baffles to distribute heat).  Burning whatever often includes burning plastic!  The black smoke is the tell tale sign and the smell will send you soaring.  Add to that the fact this cause black lung in many of the children there after exposure to it.  In fact, the director I travelled with had a collapsed lung after one of his trips here and staying in such a place that heated with plastic.  I cannot begin to explain the family dynamics because there are none.  Sex is seen as what is acceptable at any age over 12 it seems and it is not uncommon for a twenty something year old woman to be a grandmother or at least by the time she hits 30.  Add to this the fact that the fathers of the children vary so often and yet they all dwell together and just try to eek out a living by whatever means, many of the activities are not necessarily legal but what can you do when they have no other means.  Just one look at the children and your heart breaks.  You just want to hold them and comfort them and reassure them.  We saw some that would come to greet our truck as we visited them with food and soap.  Most of them were not clothed properly and when I saw a girl who was no more than 4 with only socks on outside in temperatures around the freezing mark I broke somewhat.  I had to hold it together in order to document and take this in order to educate others but I am human and my heart was ripped open.  I even well up as I think about it as I write this.  I thought in that moment what my Becky would do for these children if she was here and yet being a man in their village I could do nothing but observe and help with the handout.  I felt so helpless and yet we were helping.

Through all of these struggles the children still manage to smile and I could not and cannot figure out why.  They have absolutely nothing compared to our standards and yet they were playing amongst garbage, smouldering and burning plastic and often without clothes in frigid temperatures.  I can only say that much of this hope comes from the work that Open Doors Foundation is doing among these people in cooperation with EuroAid who provide many of the food and supplies for the poor.

If you think they only do feeding and distributing soap and clothes then you would be sadly mistaken though.  This team of two has done more since 2000 than anyone I have ever known.  Their tireless work and energy and passion is evident and ceases from morning to night…every day.  They educate the children and teach them and do whatever they can do to empower them to be the best they can be.  They are Christians but don’t let that title make you think they are forcing people to convert to Christianity.  While they do share and are not ashamed of that their love and personal investment of time, energy, their own money and even their health is all laid on the line for poor in Medgidia. They have done all this without wanting accolades while many try to put them on a humanitarian pedestal in the ranks of Mother Theresa.  They have the respect of the government,  and the many people who have gotten to know them. 

What does the future hold for this work?  Herein lies the challenge as many people who come to help and want to stay often leave because of the conditions that exist everyday.  Who will assume the reigns of this organization in years to come as they get older and their health does not allow them to keep pace?  I am saddened by that scenario in my mind and yet I know that I am among those who will not take up that role as it is not something I even felt remotely competent to do.  What I can do is inform, educate and engage people about this work and I will do that however I can. 

Having a heart for those whom many want to forget and toss away like garbage is something that you will feel and if you don’t feel after seeing this and experiencing something like this then you just don’t know what compassion is and that is even sadder than those living in the shacks and most rundown apartment buildings you can imagine.

This trip has done many things to me and has taught me much so far about compassion and about love and acceptance despite our differences in thoughts, attitudes and opinions.  It has also taught me about what true humility in action looks like.  But one of the biggest things I have learned is to appreciate, value and truly treasure every breath I have with my family and to put aside my own silly thoughts about things that are so insignificant and to embrace life with everything I am and have and to do that with my family and never without them.  I miss them so very much and that has really set in now as I still have 2 days till I am back home.

I will post some more pics of this visit at the end when i summarize but hopefully it conveys much of what we saw.

Off to Oradea today and then to Tulca to observe more needs being met so stay tuned.