Wednesday
April 13th 2011
Today
has been a really good but quite exhausting day. It started quite slowly with a
leisurely breakfast, then the lorry got to the border
late morning and arrived at Cefa just in time for lunch.
Both Michel and his son Thomas were quite shocked at the state of the roads in
Romania – in fairness there is a noticeable deterioration once you cross the border from
Hungary into Romania.
The
unloading was first thing this afternoon and took about 3 ½ hours by the time
everything was removed from the trailer. It all took place very well – it was
good to see the people from the various charities at the unloading. Michel and
Thomas were very impressed at how well we load the trailer, especially at how
well every single little space is stuffed full [I cannot take credit for that, that credit must go to George and Sam and Bill]. Our
drivers (it is their first ever trip) were impressed at how well organised it
all is.
Then
Patty and I began packing the food parcels for the pensioner distribution.
Fortunately Michel and Thomas came to help or we would never have had time for
a most welcome but very quick cup of coffee before going to the pensioner
distribution at the Cefa Baptist church. About 30
pensioners were there – all so very grateful to receive the packages. One
little old soul had walked a long way to come to the meeting – she had a bad
back and a walking stick so we took her back home with her parcel and were
amazed at how far she had walked to collect it. It says how highly valued the
food parcels are.
On
the way back we visited 2 gypsy houses to deliver food parcels – one to Monti who wept with joy and prayed and blessed us
fervently. Michel was really moved at how poor the conditions were in the mud
brick 2 room house and could not believe anyone lives
in such poor conditions. His son Thomas said nothing – I think he was lost for
words. When we went to a family living in 2 rooms with 7 children, Michel was
quite shocked and compared it to our affluent throw away society.
Over
the meal that we shared at Casa Mabel tonight Michel kept repeating how moved
he was by what he had seen.
Tomorrow
they must leave to return to France. Michel’s wife is improving after her
accident and is due to be discharged from hospital tomorrow; her sister will
care for her till Michel gets back to St Malo on
Saturday.