Tuesday
January 3rd 2017
Buna dimineata - that is Good morning in
Romanian. I got back from Romania a few days before Christmas having
distributed the Christmas shoeboxes, food
parcels etc. with Mustard Seed Jersey.
On our first day we gave out food parcels to
those in great need, very much the poorest of the poor. It was great to know
that the food we'd purchased with money from Jersey was going straight into the
hands of those who needed it.
In the village the pensioners came along to the
meeting to collect the food, one came in a horse and cart, a few had bicycles ( which had come from Jersey), but the majority were on
foot, some walked with sticks. But a couple of the neediest were unable to walk,
so after we'd finished the main distribution we piled into the van and went to
the houses.
On this occasion our guide was another
pensioner. As we arrived at the very poor homes, it was clear she was well
known to the housebound and they greeted her warmly.
After short home visits we left, but I believe by our presence as well as the
food we gave, we spread Christmas cheer.
The final food parcel was for our guide for she herself is a needy pensioner. Through the translator she
told us that she is very grateful to God for her health and to us for our help,
and she explained that she wants to express her gratitude in acts of kindness
and so she visits the house bound pensioners a couple of times each week to
offer help if needed.
New year is often a
time for new resolutions - can I suggest a good one: Be grateful for the
benefits we enjoy and resolve to help those less fortunate than ourselves on a
regular basis.