Brubaker's In Romania

2008-07-13T01:37:00.002-04:00

Brother Daniel, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Mihalt, along with the Director of the school in that village. We appreciated the assistance of both!
This mother and her young son who is partially handicapped were the recipients of one of the food parcels which was bought with the offering money we received each night of the Bible School. They seemed very appreciative.

2008-07-13T01:08:00.002-04:00

Pictured here is the American team along with some of the Romanian teachers and interpeters.
Davey Swartz and Vali, putting up posters inviting the children to Summer Bible School in Mihalt.S
Singing with the children.
Some of the parents and Grandparents who came for the ending program in Mihalt.

2008-06-26T14:05:00.002-04:00

Ligia called this morning, inviting us to come and watch them extract honey from their 200 bee hives. This was too good to miss, so we made a few calls to rearrange our plans and headed out to the village of Colibi! The whole process of how a colony of bees reproduces and works together to produce honey, shows the wisdom of our Creator. Above: One of the neighbor ladies who helped gave us a good laugh as she posed for a picture by licking honey from one of the many frames!

Cornel's brother and a neighbor man, taking the frames from the hives, while bees buzz all around them.
Daryl, taking a turn at cranking the extractor. Cornel's brother showed us male bees, female bees and the queens.
The whole "Honey Crew!" Cornel and Ligia, brother George and his wife, two neighbor ladies and a neighbor man. A very interesting day! We also enjoyed a barbeque when the work was done.

2008-06-24T14:20:00.002-04:00

While board members Pete Gingerich and Marvin Beiler were here there were many meetings. Pictured here from left to right: SLM's accountant Reuben, Horatiu, Adi, Pete, Gabi and Marvin.
Below: Cornell showing Pete some of his bee handling equipment.

Marvin and Pete with Dr. Lydia, her husband Otto and two boys, Lukas and Marc. It was Dr. Lydia who first gave Daryl an ultrasound and advised us to go for a further consultation to Cluj.
We enjoyed having them in our home Saturday night for a pizza supper.
On Sunday we enjoyed the kind hospitality of the Daniel Gruian Family. The rabbit and chicken was great along with all the other food!

2008-06-08T14:55:00.002-04:00

Dad and Mother Brubaker, Jane, Myron, Barry and Andrew spent a week with us. We enjoyed giving them a taste of life in Romania!
Dad spoke Sunday night at the Hapria Church, with Gabi interpeting. Jane went to Straja with the team on Friday evening and gave a flannelgraph lesson.

While Dad, Daryl, Myron and the boys went with Gica to tour a 600 cow dairy in Turda, Mother, Jane and I did some shopping in Alba.

2008-06-07T07:23:00.002-04:00

These two widows from the Hapria Church (sister-in-laws) came to Daryl asking how old his mother is? One of them is 78, the other is 87. Although we cannot communicate very well, they shake our hands warmly each Sunday.
Pastor Daniel and his wife Deborah, who are expecting their first child in July!
Adi, Ariana and their two children - Sara and Andrei on the steps of the Hapria Church.

Ionel and Ana Todor, also members of the Hapria Church. Mama Ana (as everyone calls her) makes wonderful yogurt which she generously shares with us, along with eggs, strawberries or anything else has.

2008-05-22T14:08:00.002-04:00

Beautiful mountain scenery!
Adi, his wife Ariana made the 4 hr. trip to Brosov this week to pick up the "wheelchair man" and his wife who are from Teleac. He and his wife both have Muscular Distrophy and need to go once a year to Brosov for 4 weeks of treatments. He is pictured here, seated just inside the van with his wife in the red blouse, as they say "goodbye" to others who have received treatment as well.

2008-05-21T01:52:00.002-04:00

With the help of the youth girls of Hapria Church, we had a supper for the widows of Hapria. Of the approximately 500 villagers of Hapria there are 52 widows. Not quite all attended and we took plates to those who would have liked to come but are housebound. Jeni Nicula, one of the ladies from the Hapria Baptist Church was our speaker for the evening. Most of these ladies are Orthodox, so this was a wonderful opportunity to remind them of God's special care for widows and the importance of choosing salvation through Jesus Christ.

2008-05-12T11:37:00.002-04:00

Pictures from our day in Colibi: Ladies in traditional dresses on their way to a concert of Romanian Folk music. It was ear-splitting - we didn't stay long!
A restored Romanian SUV
Ligia Strentam with her 88 yr. old father-in-law, George, as he tells us the story of his conversion.

2008-04-12T13:41:00.002-04:00

Two little Gypsy girls

This is Ciobi, the Gypsy King, being interviewed by the press.

Gypsy girls in their traditional dress on the steps of the Gypsy Church.
During the parade some of the girls and women rode in carriages. We stopped on the bridge to throw small wreaths made of Weeping Willow boughs into the river. This was to honor the many Gypsies who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

2008-04-12T13:32:00.002-04:00

Beni Lup from Walk Through the Bible, instructing Pastors and anyone intested in being a more effective teacher.

2008-03-18T14:24:00.003-04:00

And now some pictures from sewing day in Hapria: Pictured here is Valentina. She is the lady who warmed my heart when I met her on one of those first , scary days in the grocery store, when she came up to me and said "God bless you!" She is a widow and a faithful church member. She also cuts hair, and does a very nice job, I might add.
Many of you will recognize Cornelia (Iosif's wife) threading a needle for Chia, another widow lady from Hapria. Two rainy day sweethearts! Lois, holding the umbrella, is Iosif and Cornelia's youngest. Timmy is Diana and Ghita's little boy.
We completed 4 large comforters and several smaller ones as well. I believe the day was enjoyed by all!

2008-03-18T14:00:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures from the very first afternoon Bible School in Telna! Telna is a mountain village 10-12 miles from Alba Iulia. Tani is the Pastor of the Baptist Church there. The team is made up of Gabi, Dana, Teo, Maria, Alina and Thomas. There were 37 kids who came out! Please pray for these young people who are giving of their time and talents in this way. Pray too that the children would continue to come and learn about Jesus.

2008-03-11T15:14:00.002-04:00

Pastor Tani stopped by, flower in hand, to welcome us back to Romania. He speaks almost no English, so Thomas translated for us.
Vio asked me if she can come and work for me someday. She also mentioned that she needs to go to the dentist in Sebes. I made her a deal - if she wants to work for me one afternoon, I would take her to the dentist. "Oh," she said, "I would work for you even if you couldn't take me to the dentist!" These girls challenge us at times with their generous hearts! Reggie came also. We cleaned in the guest house and did a stack of ironing. I was so grateful for their help!

2008-03-10T13:18:00.002-04:00

Recently Dr. Elvira and Corina Fat have been permitted to enter the public schools here in Alba to teach a Biblical perspective on sexuality. They have been doing this on a volunteer basis. These are high school students. Elvira and Corina tell us that they are very interested and attentive. What an opportunity!

2008-03-04T14:13:00.002-05:00

We received a warm "welcome home"from our friends in Romania! Gabi, Dana, Horatiu, Gina, Adi and Dr. Elvira met us when we arrived in Alba and we enjoyed some wonderful Romanian soup together. It is great to be back!

Gabi, Adi and Daryl are repairing the plow to be used for spring garden plowing.

2007-08-21T02:06:00.000-04:00

Marvin, Reghina and Vio husking corn. We put up over 150 packs. It was a fun day with lovely weather, beautiful Incredible corn and plenty of good help!
Christy, Vio, Reghina, Vali and Ada - cutting off corn for the freezer.
Christy Beiler with her parents at a farewell party we had here in our courtyard. She will be missed by all!
Yet another "Goodbye!" This time to Leland and Alma Miller who have served here for two years. They too will be missed.

2007-07-31T02:05:00.000-04:00

Cristian and Mihaela Gal and two daughters from Tinaud who graciously invited us into their home. We enjoyed learning to know them!
A picnic lunch with the Hapria folks. Children, playing in the water with Iosif perched on a rock behind them.

2007-07-15T10:20:00.000-04:00

This year's Bible School team includes: (clockwise, from back) Kim Yoder, Jason Zook, Donna Swartzentruber, Davy Swartz, Willard Petre, Heidi Mast, Carlita Zook, Erica Mast, Brittany Slabaugh, and Thomas Brubaker.
A picnic on Saturday with the team. Kim, checking the kabobs.

2007-07-14T10:23:00.000-04:00

The portable shelters that we purchased were put to good use since we had several rainy nights in Henig. We were in a grassy meadow and so there were cows, sheep, chickens and a horse nearby.
Each night the children bring their offering and we purchase some groceries to share with a poor family. This lady was reluctant to take the groceries, saying she did not want to take food from the children. Here Gabi and Teo are trying to convince her that the children really wanted to share with her!

While walking through the village of Henig I snapped a picture of this couple sitting outside their house, enjoying the cool of the evening and the daily paper. They were pleased! I plan to get a 5 by 7 made and take it to them.

2007-07-09T15:28:00.000-04:00

Summer Bible School in Henig - 2007 The Priest refused to let the Bible School team use either the school or cultural center, so Gabi and Willlard decided to try some tent-like shelters, placing them out in a large grassy area. They worked great. One little problem, the cows came home - right between our classes! Of course some of us "stepped in it!" We had a totoal of 25 students! Gabi led the singing and Pastor Daniel will have a devotional every night. An 81 yr. old villager was curious and stopped by to chat and to see what was going on.

Brittany Slabaugh, from Hillsville, VA, teaching her class in the village of Henig. To her left is her interpreter, Maria.

The other Bible School this week is held in Bucerea. There they had a total of 28 students. We feel like we are off to a good start, and for this we Thank the Lord!

2007-06-25T12:40:00.000-04:00

An evening with the girls! Reghina, Coco and Sibi at the kitchen table, cutting up veggies for soup and salad. Reghina made a wonderful soup (Supa de fasole) made with beans, smoked pork ribs, peppers, onion and carrots. Garlic bread, salad and icecream completed the meal. Afterward we played ping-pong and a table game. This afternoon on the way home from the mkt. I found a stray kitten and brought it home. Daryl was not real pleased, but the girls were..... especially Reghina !

Coco said it was her day - she beat Thomas in two games of ping-pong and was also the winner in the game of dice! THE WINNER - with Christy at the picnic table

2007-06-16T05:14:00.000-04:00

A veiw of the inside of the church in Fenes.
George Stremtan, lay pastor (on the right) and a brother from the church in Fenes.
This house was recently purchased in the mountain village of Fenes for a church building. This village has approximately 1000 people and this is the only evangelical meeting place. Considerable debt remains and renovations will be needed. If anyone would like to help with this project, or you have questions about it, contact us by e-mail. Or you can get in contact with SLM board member, Pete Gingerich.

2007-06-12T02:00:00.000-04:00

Georgie and Thomas giving the van it's Saturday afternoon shine!
Maria and her 4 children. Please pray for this family, especially that Andre, the father would sense his responsibility to provide for his wife and children. Some of the HOPE girls doing up strawberries that they and Christy had picked from Tudor's patch in Hapria. It was good to have William here for two weeks in May!

2007-06-12T01:24:00.000-04:00

Vasile Tofan and Alin Cucu at the farm of Emanuel Christian Center, a ministry to exconvicts. Alin and Vasile with their wives at a small park in Braila, next to the Danube River.

The modest living quarters of the inmates who come to the farm. While it is not fancy, they said it is better than prison conditions. They are making plans for improvements as the Lord supplies the funds.

2007-05-22T04:22:00.000-04:00

Paveluc from Hapria, recently refurbished (new paint, bushings, bearings, etc.) the Wood-Mizer sawmill that was donated by an individual from the states several years ago. In this photo Paveluc is seen with his father and brother

Paveluc and his wife Maria. They have two daughters and are members at the Baptist Church in Hapria. The operation of this sawmill is a joint venture that we are hoping will result in a profitable business for him and his family.

2007-05-15T03:49:00.000-04:00

Pastors Rodean (and son)and Daniel along with Daryl and Thomas in front of the Baptist Church in Campeni.

Overlooking the town of Campeni A horse-drawn plow used by mountain farmers

Pastor Rodean visits weekly with an 84 yr. old sister who lives near the top of the mountain. It takes approximately 45 minutes to hike to her house.

2007-05-15T01:27:00.000-04:00

Daryl, with his favorite color tractor, at the farm show in Cluj.
Leland, and some of the Hapria boys at the top of the Rock of Criva.

Gearing up for the hike!

2007-05-15T00:48:00.000-04:00

Picnic scenes: One of the flocks of sheep which dot the hillsides of Hapria. A beautiful sunset over Hapria.

Leland and Alma took Daryl and I, Gica and Maria to a gorge near Turda. A pleasant day together!

2007-05-15T00:28:00.000-04:00

Dr. Elvira recording information from the villagers in preparation for an eye exam. Villagers waiting in line outside the church in Zlatna which was turned into an eye clinic.

Dr. Bob Miller, from Hartville Ohio in action. Corina (with back to the camera) helped to translate. They estimated that they examined approximately 800 people!

2007-04-23T14:49:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from our all day sewing! Pictured are Marioara and Ana with the comfort they just completed.
These two ladies, Leana and Carolina, knotted two comforts by themselves today and seemed to have a good time doing it! Once when I started to help them they soon let me know that they wanted to do it themselves. I quickly found something else to do!

Gata! (done) They were very pleased to take them home.

2007-04-21T13:11:00.000-04:00

The children of Straja, in costume, presenting their Easter program for parents and church members! Gabi, Dana and Teo give of their time and energy each week to teach these children Bible lessons. Teo and friends!
An 80 yr. old shepherd we met up in the mountains, and Thomas. He hung around awhile to chat. It is not likely he has too many visitors!

2007-04-21T12:55:00.000-04:00

Tudor, a farmer from Hapria is watering his strawberry crop with a travelling gun irrigation system. Pictured here is a field of canola which we pass on the way to Sebes. The large, flat fields give Daryl the urge to farm. I guess it is just in his blood!

A shepherd moves his sheep thru the main street in Hapria, on their way to greener pastures.

2007-04-07T14:10:00.000-04:00

Ligia called the other day and invited us to come to their garden since they would be there working all day. Pictured is Cornell in the middle of the radish patch in their greenhouse. This weekend they will be standing market for the first with lettuce, radishes, onions, garlic and parsley. Here are their tomato plants - there must be thousands! They also have pepper and eggplants started. We came home with fresh lettuce, radishes, garlic and new onions! Once again we are stopped at the railroad tracks, waiting for the train on our way home from Hapria into Alba. The cows too are used to this interruption and are waiting patiently along with us!

2007-03-28T01:40:00.000-04:00

Another birthday - and this time it is Violetta's! We celebrate birthdays at the weekly Bible Study held every Thursday night at the Cetate Church. Pictured are Tinca, Violetta, Vali, Reghina and Coco.
The next two pictures are of game night held every Friday night out in Hapria. Ping pong is always on the menu, along with Carrom and card games. This night also includes a snack and short devotional. Most of these boys are from non-Christian homes. Gabi, Dona and Teo have a good relationship with these boys and try to encourage kindness, fairness and good sportsmanship as we play with them throughout the evening.

2007-03-21T08:54:00.000-04:00

Pictured are the ladies of the Hapria Church with some comforts that we completed when the board ladies were here. Julia Graber, who specializes in such things, helped to make this possible!

The last picture is of some of the HOPE girls with their towels. Jane Brubaker embroidered a towel and washcloth for each of the HOPE youth when we were home in November. We included the washcloth in their gift bags at Christmas, but the towels came in a shipment that just arrived last week. As you can see, the girls were very pleased! Thanks Jane!

2007-03-20T01:29:00.000-04:00

The board met one morning with the mayor of Hapria to get his perspective on the local economy and discuss the future of agriculture in the village. Pictured from left to right: Daryl, Pete Gingerich, Glen Barnhart, the Mayor, Vernon Kauffman, Leland Miller and Paul Graber.

2007-03-20T00:26:00.000-04:00

Each time I have been to the hospital in Alba Iulia there has been an abandoned baby. This one was a twin. His mother took the larger of the two and left this one.

Julia Graber with a young mother and her newborn baby.
While the board was here we took the opportunity to pass out baby bundles. Pictured from left to right: Ariana (Adi's wife) the head nurse (who has been at this hospital for 40 yrs!) Coleen Barnhart, Pauline Gingerich, Sharon Brubaker and in front: Alma Miller and Molly Kauffman. We included the book "God Knows My Size" the story of Silvia Tarniceriu. The staff and the new mothers are very receptive and appreciative. We included some baby blankets for use in the hospital.

2007-03-15T01:34:00.000-04:00

Eve and her father

Pictured here is a gypsy girl by the name of Eve, who has been crippled from birth. Her mother had sent word to the Bible Class team who comes to Berhgin and Straja every Friday afternoon, that she would like them to include her daughter and give her the opportunity to get out of the house and spend some time with other children. While she is crippled, she does have some strength in her legs and was able to walk with support from Teo and Gabi.

Please remember in your prayers these young people as they go out weekly to tell Bible stories, sing and share God's love with these children. The team includes Gabi, Dona, Teo and Leland and Thomas.

2007-03-02T00:27:00.000-05:00

Spring is around the corner and it is time to pass out seed packages supplied to us by CAM. Leland was in charge of this project and Daryl, Thomas and some from the Hapria church helped to pass them out in Straja and Henig. These packages include corn, cucumbers, bean seed, etc, and also gospel literature. Most people were very appreciative. Over the next few weeks we will be passing them out to several other villages.

2007-02-27T02:14:00.000-05:00

Daryl and Adi spent a day with Pastor Tani Nemas who pastors several village churches. In the first picture he and Adi are on the steps of the church in Telna

The next picture is Pastor Tani with one of his oldest members, Victoria Adams from the village of Bucerdea. Before the revolution she suffered much persecution from the preist, the mayor and villagers for her Christian testimony. For 20 years she prayed for a church to be established in her village and finally in 1990 her prayers were answered! She is given 50.00 a month by SLM, 30.00 of which is donated by a family in the states. If anyone is intrested in contributing the remaining 20.00 a month, please let us know.

The last picture is of Pastor Tani on the steps of the church in Sard. He pastors 4 different village churches and has a heart for his people. He too, is partially supported by your donations.

2007-02-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

Adi and Daryl visited with Pastor Cornel Iancu and his wife (pictured) one morning this week. He pastors 5 village churches, many of them attended primarily by the elderly. The younger generation seems to be leaving the villages for the larger cities to find employment. Many go to Italy and Spain to find work. The second picture is the church in Ohaba, one of the five he pastors.

2007-02-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

Pictured are some of the HOPE youth who were here for Sunday lunch: (left to right) Daniella, Sali, Iulia, Thomas, Marius, Cosmin, Tibi and Ghorge. Food disappears with a gang like this! We enjoyed having them.

2007-02-13T11:21:00.000-05:00

Our speaker for the 3-day minister's conference was John Coblentz. Approximately 30 ministers and some of their wives were in attendence, with some of them coming in from out-lying villages. We appreciated so much the help of the Hapria Church people in working together along with us to make this possible. Pictured are: John, with Gabi translating; the audience; a chat during break and the Hapria ladies who cooked on Wednesday and Thursday. From all reports John's teaching ministry was very well received.

2007-02-03T14:40:00.000-05:00

The first Saturday of every month there is a livestock sale in the village of Drumbar. So if you need a hog to butcher or a small one to raise in your back yard, come and negotiate. Mostly there are cows, hogs, sheep and an occasional goat. The livestock is usually brought either in a small trailer or the trunk of a Dacia. Thomas counted 8 pigs in the back of the station wagon with the green tailgate!
The pig in the last picture was squealing "wee,wee,wee,wee all the way home!

2007-02-01T12:18:00.000-05:00

Sharon had her 50th birthday last week ,so I had a little party for her at very nice Romanian resteraunt in Ighiu which is approxmately ten minutes from Alba. Cristy made the cake. I think she recieved at least six flower arrangements. We are thankful for the years God has given us and that we are enjoying good heath.

2007-01-15T14:04:00.000-05:00

Once again it is time to visit the recipients of the family sponsorship program. The family in the first photo is from Sard, a village near Alba Iulia. The father has a physical disability, and the mother has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. They have 12 children.

In the second picture Adi visits with a Christian widow lady from the village of Fenes which is up in the mountains about 30 minutes from Alba Iulia. The church meets sometimes in her home. There are few Christians in this village.

2007-01-10T13:26:00.000-05:00

This afternoon Adi, Daryl and Thomas picked up a sack of potatoes in Hapria before heading out to Straja to cut wood for a widow lady there. Daryl said conditions were some of the worst he has seen so far. The women is not a Christian. She seemed grateful for the potatoes and their help with the wood.

2007-01-10T01:53:00.000-05:00

After serving over 5 years in Romania, Ada Dienner is headed home to her family in PA! It is obvious that she has made quite an impact on the lives of many here, especially the HOPE Youth. She will be greatly missed by all of us, but we are glad for the short time our terms of service here overlapped. And, Lord willing, she will be back!

2007-01-05T15:38:00.000-05:00

Christmas carolling in Romania is a tradition that last for three days. It begins Christmas eve and continues till the day after Christmas. These were some of the groups that sang at our house. Gabi, Dana and friends,Cornel and family from Sebes,and the youth and young married from the church at Hapria.

2006-12-15T04:27:00.000-05:00

In Romania it is time to butcher the big pig that has been getting fat in the courtyard. Adi invited Daryl to join them on butchering day. The Romanians burn the hair off and then wash the pig with warm water and a brush. The last picture is one of Ariana cleaning the casings.

2006-11-03T14:38:00.001-05:00

We woke up this morning to the first snow of the year! It was beautiful, but didn't last too long. It has been unseasonably warm up until now. Pictured are Thomas and Marios, one of the HOPE youth, with Thomas's sled.

2006-10-29T13:24:00.000-05:00

Pastor Daniel, his wife Deborah and an older sister in the church. Deborah is in nurses training. She knows English well and often translates for us in church. We enjoyed a delicious meal with Daniel and Deborah one night last week in their apartment!

2006-10-29T12:41:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed learning to know Dave and Alice Pickett from England, pictured here with Horatio and Gina. Dave is Pastor of the Church in England that sponsored Karisma Kids. Horatio and Gina were the directors. The Picketts were here to finalize the transfer of the Karisma Kids facility to SLM.

2006-10-29T06:45:00.000-05:00

Adi, Ariana and their children Sarah and Andrei, posing at the Harvest Celebration in the Hapria Baptist Church. Adi is on staff with SLM. We depend on him for a great deal and appreciate his assistance. Ariana is a medical Doctor and plays the keyboard at church.

2006-10-29T06:26:00.000-05:00

A concrete pumper in Sebes. We see these frequently at construction sites in Romania.

2006-10-22T14:19:00.000-04:00

This horse and wagon was parked in front of the store in Hapria.These men don't need a rollback to haul junk cars.

2006-10-22T09:08:00.000-04:00

Birthday party guests: Dona, Georgie (bro. of Maria and Georgiana) Georgie, and on Thomas's left - Vali, Maria and Gabi.

2006-10-10T07:10:00.000-04:00

Ligia and her son Iosif, passing out cozonac and Christianl literature on her birthday at the market in Sebes.

2006-10-10T06:29:00.000-04:00

We were privileged to be invited by Iosif's parents, Ionel and Ana, to help harvest their grapes on Monday. Their vineyard is planted on a hill overlooking the village of Hapria. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the new experience! We also are enjoying the fruit of the harvest - fresh grape juice and jelly!

2006-09-27T14:03:00.000-04:00

SLM's potato harvest - 2006

From 21/2 acres we harvested approximately 13 ton of potatoes to be shared with those in need. We thank the Lord for a good crop!

2006-09-27T13:12:00.000-04:00

Lunch break in the potato patch.

2006-09-26T15:20:00.000-04:00

This Romanian holstein gave over 22000 lbs. milk with 4.12 fat .

2006-09-26T14:41:00.000-04:00

Gica andLeland
A few pictures from a small ag show here in Alba over the weekend

2006-09-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

Horse and wagons are still a means of transportation for many people in Romania.

2006-09-21T14:24:00.000-04:00

This is Cornell, Ligia and family from Sebes. We asked them to give us a short program at the Widow's Supper. They sang together, then Ligia shared some of their experiences as a family and how the Lord provided for them during difficult times. We met this family shortly after we arrived in Romania. She translated for Daryl at the Baptist Church in Sebes.

2006-09-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

There were 32 widows who came to SLM's
annual Widow's Supper in Hapria tonight. Everyone seemed to enjoy the soup, bread, Chicken Croquettes, mashed potatoes/gravy, baked corn and pumpkin torte. Sure wish we could have understood all the chatter! We decorated the tables with teacups filled with fresh flowers and then gave them out as door prizes to the the oldest widow there, the youngest, etc. Although it was alot of work we felt it was a good opportunity to share God's love with others.

2006-09-07T15:13:00.000-04:00

Gica, SLM's farm manager chopping silage and putting it in a pit for winter feed.

2006-09-07T15:01:00.000-04:00

This is Georgie at our kitchen table, pouring over the help wanted ads in the newspaper. He lost his job a week or so ago. We are praying that he will soon find another. Georgie is one of the boys in the HOPE Youth Program. He stops by our house often to chat. He knows a good bit of English and is always glad to answer our questions.

2006-09-05T13:22:00.000-04:00

Daryl, surrounded by some of the HOPE youth. They are all curious about how Thomas is going to school at home. Homeschooling is unheard of in Romania. So we thought we would show them how it is done. They seemed fascinated. Now to keep Thomas fascinated.........

2006-09-05T12:44:00.000-04:00

Ada and the girls spent another day preserving food for the winter in the courtyard of our house. Here Sharon is learning to prepare salata-de-vinete. (salad of eggplant) If anyone is intrested she will share the recipe! The eggplants are smoked on the grill, peeled and allowed to drain. Then chopped to a pulp, packed in jars and processed. When you are hungry in the winter, you open a jar, MAKE mayonnaise and mix it with the eggplant along with salt and onion. Spread on a piece of good Romanian bread and you have a meal!

2006-09-05T10:08:00.000-04:00

Here is a photo of some produce we found at the Sebes market.Tomatoes,eggplant celery and watermelons. I know South Carolinia is supose to have good melons,but these Romanian melons were the best we tasted this year. They are grown in the southern part of the country not here in the Alba area.

2006-09-05T09:35:00.000-04:00

The Hapria Church is blessed with a variety of musical talent.Gabi plays the guitar his dad is playing the harmonica,Georgiana is excellent on the violin,and her sister Maria helps sing.

2006-09-05T09:19:00.000-04:00

Iosif and some of the chidren are singing as part of the sunday evening service at Hapria Sept. 3

2006-09-02T11:46:00.000-04:00

Hey! Look what mom and dad bought me! Errr..... don't I wish! This is a Smart Forfour car that sits on our street.

2006-08-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

This is Tibi, a regular at our gate! He rubs his tummy to let me know he's hungry. Peanut butter on bread is a favorite. Or he may need tools and help to fix his bike. He knows very little English, but we can communicate with him somewhat. Here he willingly helps with the dishes in exchange for a meal!

2006-08-28T11:16:00.000-04:00

A SLM vehicle crossing a river on a ferry.The ferry moves back and forth by adjusting its position to the current of the river.The ferry travels along a cable that is anchored on each side of the river.

2006-08-28T10:59:00.000-04:00

This is a elderly lady who is one of Dr.Elvira patients standing in front of her house.

2006-08-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

Dr. Elvira, checking an old women's blood pressure. Dr. Elvira (who is supported by SLM) makes routine visits to numerous villages to check on the elderly who are not able to get into town to see a Doctor.

2006-08-28T10:20:00.000-04:00

This is the main road in Hapria in the evening when the cows come home. Each cow knows where to go, its interesting to watch as they turn in at thier owners gate and the rest continue down the street. The cows are grazed on public grassland.

2006-08-25T11:34:00.001-04:00

Ada Dienner and the HOPE girls ( Elena, Laura, Regina and Tinka) surveying their garden produce. They spent the day canning soup and eggplant for the winter. They all worked hard up until 10 pm!
HOPE stands for Helping Others Pursue Excellence. This is the program in which SLM is involved, in conjunction with the Baptist Church in Alba Iulia.

2006-08-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

This is the house in Alba that will be our home while we are here in Romania.

2006-08-25T09:52:00.000-04:00

This is the church in Hapria where we attend. We will try to post more pictures of our activities later.

2006-06-27T20:50:00.000-04:00