REMM Journal--#4

Since it seems to take me at least a week between posts, this REMM Journal summary will continue for a while at least. I think I am going to combine a couple days here.

Monday & Tuesday, June 9-10.



Monday was a quiet day. We started our work at the clinic, but saw relatively few patients--13, I I think. I did some basic triage--blood pressure, pulse, and some basic health questions that outlined what the visitors wanted the doctor to address. The most interesting thing that happened was listening to the irregular heartbeat of a woman who came to the clinic. "Lub dub, lub dub.........dub, lub dub, lub............dub, lub dub, etc."

We continued to sort some medicines, and organized everything for our trip to Stei on Tuesday. In the afternoon, I went to the orphanage, Casa Josef, that is run by REMM. There I helped dismantle some of the play equipment that had become unsafe for the children to play on. The wood, over four year's time had rotted and become infested with termites. After that, we played with the girls in the orphanage for a bit and then walked home.

Taking down the playset.

Playtime at Casa Josef

All of the girls who stay at Casa Josef are of pre-school/kindergarten age and are of Gypsy/Roma heritage. I asked Anca, Peter and Ana Lucaciu's daughter, who is staying in Romania this summer with her son, Lucas, if these children would be taught or retain some of their heritage/language. In the U.S., we often hear that discussion in regard to bi-racial adoptions in the U.S. She replied that there really wasn't anything being done to make links with girls' Gypsy heritage. It wasn't considered to be important.

Pamela (Pami)

I struggle with that a bit. I understand that the Gypsy/Roma people have a reputation as being beggars, dishonest, and living on the good graces or misfortunes of others. Casa Josef exists because of the high number of abandoned children that come from the Roma people. On the other hand, as a Christian, I wonder how faith in Christ could transform hearts to him and redeem the good parts of their culture that I observed--colorful dress, beautiful language and music, among other things. I guess the most important thing is that these girls are safe, well-adjusted, and loved. I only wonder how many of them will seek their "roots" when they grow older, and how difficult it might be for them to find that they are looking for.

After supper, the evening was spent watching Romania play France in the Euro Cup Soccer/Football tournament. The match ended in a tie. I loved how the whole town seemed quiet and still, but when the home team scored a goal, voices and cheers echoed above fences and walls.

As for Tuesday, we traveled about 40 minutes to a small town called Stei. If I were to guess, Stei was about the size of Beius. We saw 60+ people. I worked triage once again. One of our translators for the day was Mihai (Mike) Inasel. He is 16, and is fluent in English, speaking with little to no discernible accent.

Pastor George and our help at Stei.

Mike at the headquarters for the Mountain Rescue Team

Mike is a climbing/caving enthusiast. Romania is renowned for its miles and miles of caves. Seeing my backpack and some of the gear I had along, he saw that I liked being outdoors as well. He peppered me with all types of questions about hiking and climbing. I don't have a lot of expertise, but we had a good time talking. He noticed my Nalgene bottle in my pack. He commented that he really wanted one, but that they were impossible to buy in Romania. I offered, but he wouldn't take mine. I will make arrangements for him to have one.

Dinner in Stei. Wow!

We had a fantastic meal of paprika/BBQ chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, and a treat that I loved, "placinta cu branza." It was a croissant type pastry with a mildly salty cheese woven into the pastry. Wow. I think I ate four.

During a break, Mike walked me through the town and showed me the headquarters of the Mountain Rescue Team that Mike belonged to. He is assisting this team, belongs to a climbing/caving club, and is training to be certified. I enjoyed getting to know Mike a little.

It was a good, busy day. Sleep will come easy tonight.

Getting old, and so is everyone else...

Sometimes you like to convince yourself that your age is static and unchanging. You look in the mirror everyday and you really don't see any changes, so you deceive yourself into thinking that you look pretty much the same as you always have.

That is, until you go to your 20th high school class reunion. Nuts. I'm getting old. It's not that everyone looked decrepit or anything. The people that were there looked good, nary a wheel chair or walker to be seen. One qualifier, all of us there, with the exception of those who married spouses younger than us, were clinging to the relative youth of our 30's and in a short year or two, will be dragged kicking and screaming into middle age.

Seriously, we had a good time. High school seems both like it happened only yesterday, but that yesterday was a long time ago. I'd like to think we've grown up with growing older. I won't lie, some of the old grudges and tensions that occurred at PCHS 20 years ago were still there, just under the surface. Out of a class of 70 and change, there are bound to be some personality conflicts. Yet, for a few hours, we were mature enough to let the past be the past and be glad we could be together again.

Walking in the room, I saw faces that reminded me of words that I said and things that I did that I wish I could take back or erase, as easy as the delete key on my keyboard. I also remember the words and actions of others that hurt me, as well. Fortunately, graduation day comes and you can leave a lot of your false starts and regrets behind. You establish an identity that barely resembles who you tried or thought you wanted to be.

Cheers to the PCHS Class of '88. Be well, all. I hope to see many of you again down the road some day, at another reunion. We can share pictures of children, and good grief, some of us will have pictures of grandchildren. Holy crap. I'm old.

REMM Journal--#3

Romania Trip, June 2008

(It's been a few days, but the journal continues...)

Sunday, June 8

Traveled to the town of Stei this morning for church. The drive was beautiful and the first time we were able to see the countryside in the light. Fields and pastures. Villages in the distance decorated with the silver, onion bulb spires of Orthodox churches. Mountain on the horizon.

I had my first opportunity to preach. I used the text of Joshua 24, where Joshua challenges the people to serve the Lord. In what had to be a first, Peter Lucaciu, told me that next time I could preach LONGER. On one hand I felt bad that the sermon length was left wanting, but it made me chuckle that for once, I was encouraged to preach a longer sermon. I sang "Christ Alone." Pastor George was our translator during the service and a great host. Here's a video of short clips from our visits to Stei. (We returned later in the week for a clinic.)




We traveled back to Beius for Sunday dinner and rest. I later went with Gaylen, Nicole, and Jackson for dessert at "The Bridge." Trying to be disciplined, I stuck with sparkling water (Water with gas, as they say...), they had desserts. If I ate as much as I could her, I would come back home heavier than when I left, if I'm not already. To be honest, I think I will be back at "The Bridge" often, and I will be eating. These desserts are too good to pass up.


I would like to exercise and run, but my unfamiliarity with the territory and the busy, narrow streets make me hesitant to go out alone. Andrea, Peter Lucaciu's daughter, made me laugh when I shared my concerns about running. She commented, "Yeah, and if a Romanian would see you running, he would say, 'What is that guy running away from?' No one in Romania runs."

We went to another village, Tinca, for the PM. There is a settlement of Gypsies (the Roma) on the edge of town. Words can't simply describe our experience there. The people are darker complected, almost Middle-Eastern in appearance. The women are dressed in colorful clothing, always wearing skirts and scarves. Living conditions appear to be much poorer than the average Romanian.


We worshipped at their church. I was very moved. I preached again--longer this time--and the pastor of the church, another Pastor George, had an altar-call. Apparently he was very moved and touched that I called them brothers and sisters in Christ. The Roma people experience discrimination and exclusion from Romanian society, so to have me as a representative of a team from the States to call them family was important. They were pleased that we would come and operate a clinic for them as well.


During the altar call, many came forward and almost everyone in the church were bowed on their knees as he prayed. Many were weeping. The service itself was powerful, even though I understood only what Peter translated for me. The singing was amazing. They sang some songs with familiar tunes, but their own native music--for lack of a better term--has some of the turns and phrasing of Arabic music. Beautiful.


We will be returning soon for a clinic. Can't wait.

We came back home to Beius for Saramale--a Romanian specialty of seasoned beef or lamb wrapped in a vinegar soaked and boiled cabbage leaf. It reminded me of some of the food that I've eaten in Lebanese and Greek restaurants. Very good.

I finished today spiritually refreshed, affirmed in faith, and glad to be where I am at this moment. I am truly thankful for the fellowship of believers.