July 2007

In April a small fifth group went to Cluj to continue work on the new children’s home. Having painted half the interior walls white during the two visits last year (the other half being done by the Young People from Lymm Baptist Church in Cheshire) we started to put some colour into the bedrooms. During the April visit 12 bedrooms had one wall painted in ‘crème’ (a very pale coffee colour), green and banana! Like crème, the banana was a very pale version!!
Since our last visit in August 2006 the central heating and plumbing had been put in, and the stairs and main corridors tiled. Romanians were tiling the bathrooms whilst we were there. This work meant that some of the paintwork needing touching up.
Also in April a staircase was built into the loft with the long term aim of converting the loft into accommodation for visitors and electrical work completed.

John who led the group said that from the outside there appears to be very little progress over the last two years as the rendering and painting of the outside has still to be started, but inside there has been a lot of progress and the end is in sight. Whilst we were there in April quotes were obtained for the outside work so I am hoping that when I return In August there will be a big change on the outside as on the inside. It is hoped the new home will be finished for early summer 2008 when the existing home will be 10 years old.

As always we had a very warm welcome from the children in the home. It is good to see them as most of them face the challenges of teenage years. Last year Christie, a six year old arrived at the home and it was good to se the way he has settled in the home and been accepted by the others despite his age difference.
It is humbling to share with many Romanians who have such joy and faith despite being poor.