More Marghita Days

This was a BIG weekend for the residents of Marghita. The 41st annual Marghita Days took place. We wrote a little about it a few days ago, but wanted to give you a better idea of what it was like. Enjoy the pictures below!

Local lady selling her wares at the giant street market.

Super fun inflatable slide....the Casa Alba kids loved them!

Pork chops anyone?

Oh yes, the music, dancing, and partying went on until 3:30 am every night.

The amazing grand finale (view from our balcony)

Marghita Days

This weekend we are experiencing our first Marghita Days. Every year during the last weekend of September the town we live in hosts a three day festival. During these three days they close down the main street, build a huge stage, bring in carnival rides, and set up all kinds of vendors. The celebration brings out all of the residents from the town as well as the neighboring villages.
It's amazing how many people show up. The streets are packed all day and all night. The festival goes on for literally three days and three nights. Even as this is being written music is blaring from three blocks away and it's nearly midnight! Some of the missionaries were telling us that the music goes on until two or three in the morning. We really hope it doesn't or we will be quite cranky come Monday morning.
Yesterday, we thought it might be a good idea to take Alex, a boy from Casa Alba, out and have him enjoy the festival. Think about it, what young boy can resist bumper cars or giant inflatable slides. Well, Alex would have nothing to do with it. It took quite a bit of convincing and bribing to even get him off the sidewalk. He has been told so many times not to walk in the street that he refused to do it even though the whole town was doing it.
Finally, he saw the airplane simulator and decided he would try at least one ride. After debating which of us should do it, Rocio got on with him. The simulation lasts about four minutes, but it has about a twenty person capacity and we were worried about him pitching a fit once the doors were closed. We are pleased to report that he had a blast. There was a bit of a wimper when the doors closed and it was pitch black, but once the video started it was all giggles and smiles! Here is a picture of what the ride looks like and our brave boy getting on.

Friday Market

As we mentioned before, Fridays are the days when the big market takes place.  There is a huge lot next to one of the orthodox churches where a bunch of vendors meet every Friday to sell their wares.  We've been wanting to share some pictures of the market with you but we always forget the camera when we go.  Today Rocio was on a mission.  She said she had to get pictures of the market for her friend Maribel and this post.  So off we went in 50 degree weather and rain to the market.  We got there a little late so we were unable to take a picture of Rocio's beloved "cheese ladies", little old ladies who make homemade cheeses and other dairy products to sell each week.  They really look old world with their dress and wares.  Alas, they were gone.  The selection was also scarce, but we are sure it was due to the weather.  We hope to share more pictures in the future.  

As we were walking back we had a short discussion about the Market.  How exactly do you describe the Market to someone who has never been?  It's truly an experience.  So we put our two heads together and this is the best we got: imagine a swap meet (or Flea Market) and a Farmer's Market combined; set in rural Romania.  That is our Market.  Hopefully these pictures give you a better idea.  

Please note: We are NOT exaggerating about the weather, even the Romanians are bundled up!

Weather

So last week we were both praying for some rain in order to cool down the heat wave we were experiencing.  We should have been a little more specific.  God answered our prayers in triplicate.  For the last four days all we have had is rain!  And the temperature has dropped down to the low 60's-mid 50's DURING THE DAY!!!  

Although we are very grateful for the cooler temperature we also have a bit of concern.  For starters we are worried about what winter will be like this year.  You see, we are both from California and what we are experiencing right now is what we consider "winter".  Now if what we believe to be "winter" is only the beginning of autumn, then these two kids might have a bit of a struggle dealing with the real Winter.  Needless to say we are looking at our winter clothes and wondering if we packed enough.  

We are also adjusting to rain.  We mean rain, not the drizzle once every blue moon we experience in SoCal, but the kind that comes down in sheets for hours.  We now understand the purpose of rain boots.  Never quite appreciated them at home.  It's not all bad though. We are excited to see how the seasons change.  We didn't really have much of a change of seasons in Southern California.  For now, however, we hope for a change to a little warmer Fall weather.

The Seagulls Have Landed

This week we had a particularly special treat at the foundation. A group called The Flying Seagull Project, from London, England, visited the different projects. Believe us when we say this group rocked our socks off! Before we share the amazing things they did let us tell you a little bit about the group.

The Flying Seagull Project was started by Ash, an actor and children's entertainer, and they are currently touring many of the orphanages and gypsy villages throughout Romania. This group fundraised in order to come here to put smiles on the faces of children whose lives are a constant struggle. We love their motto: "We're after your laughter!" This group travels and lives in the van pictured below as they go throughout the Romanian countryside making children happy.

This group visited FCE, our foundation, for three days. They put on three programs for the Casa Alba and Silvia kids, which they just loved. The first day they played team building games and made different crafts. The four of them did great considering they know very little Romanian. The second day was all about music. They brought different percussion instruments and had the children explore them. And by exploring we mean banging them until they were exhausted! Finally on the third day they put on a sort of circus act. They performed magic tricks as well as juggled and twirled dishes. The best part was that they let the kids attempt to juggle and twirl dishes. It was so much fun! It was an amazing experience for the children at Casa Alba who don't usually have the chance to explore the arts. All the kids LOVED it.

The Flying Seagull Project also visited Cadea and they rocked! It was amazing! They put on the same type of circus act and the people at Cadea loved it. The smiles and laughter lasted all afternoon. It was amazing to see how these young adult enjoyed themselves. Pure joy was on everyone's faces. They were especially amazed with the magic acts. One of them said, "I've seen magic on TV, but I didn't think people could actually do it. Ash did it right in front of me. It is real!" It was amazing! The Flying Seagull Project was such a blessing to us! We wish them the best as they continue on making many more Romanian children smile.

The Flying Seagull Project Crew

Antal and Georghe Rocking Out

Cerasela Banging Away

Our Cadea PerformersGroup Picture at Cadea

To Budapest We Go

Car, Train, Bus, Metro, Metro, Bus, Train, Car

That was my journey today.  Budapest and back in thirteen and a half hours is tiring.  Why you might ask.  It wasn't a big craving for goulash, I (Rocio) had to go to the US Embassy in order to get finger printed as part of my citizenship process.  And believe it or not this was the fastest and least expensive way to travel.

Todd was a star.  He drove twice to Debrecen in order to get me to and from the train station.  He was a bit worried that I would get lost since I do tend to be a bit absent minded at times.  Yet God is great and I didn't have any major problems.  I was also a bit nervous because the Hungarian language is so complicated and I had so many changes to make in transportation.

Thank you so much to all of you had us in your prayers.  We truly had God's hand on us throughout the day.  Let me tell you how God watched over us.  In order to get to Debrecen we must cross the Romanian-Hungarian boarder.  Todd drove a foundation car and had a special letter from the foundation authorizing him to drive that car.  The car's registration and insurance is always kept in the glove box.  As we crossed into Hungary this morning they asked us for the car's paperwork.  Todd opened the glove box and handed it to the guard.  Five minutes later we crossed into Hungary.  Upon arriving in Marghita a few hours later the people in the foundation could not believe we got through.  They told Todd that someone took the insurance out on accident the day before and never replaced it.  Legally, the guard should never had let us cross the border.  Praise God that he did not notice that paper was missing!  I also know that it was only through His grace that I did not get lost today and was able to make all my connections back to Debrecen without a hitch.  Thank you all so much again for your prayers.  God really showed up for us today, as always.

A few of our favorite things....

Sorry we disappeared for a bit.  We had no internet for a few days.  Thought it would be fun to share with you a few of our favorite things about living here so far.

• Being able to taste the watermelon before we buy it to make sure it's really yummy.
• Seeing a million stars while walking at night and knowing God knows each of their names.
• Lightening and thunder storms
• Groggy cuddles with Alex and Cerasela early in the morning
• Learning what fruit trees look like and seeing them bloom
• Friday Markets where you can buy anything from homemade cheese to goats and tennis shoes
• Kzonac pastry (pastry covered with honey and nuts) shop just below our apartment
• Singing "Wheels on the Bus" with Pink room kids
• Full broadband internet
• Beca, the foundation's carpenter, who can build anything you can draw (including our super comfy new bed)

Just Praise Him!

Today was a great day!  It was busy and we were both sick, but we had a GREAT day.  Another missionary and I are working together on a program to help all the kids in Casa Alba (the orphanage) learn about the Lord.  Usually the program runs during the school year, but we decided to give the kids a preview this week so that they know what to expect in the next few weeks and get them excited about the upcoming school year.  

Today I taught the story of Jesus and Zaccheus in order to teach the kids about giving their hearts to Jesus.  We had a great time!  It was so neat to see them learn the story and talk about Jesus in their hearts.  My favorite part of the lesson was hearing them pray.  My partner started teaching them to pray last year.  We all sit in a circle and thank God for something as well as pray for the person next to us.  It was so powerful to see and hear.  

My heart melted hearing four year olds praising God for creation and then praying for their friend next to them.  Most prayers went something like this, "Thank you Jesus for chocolate, horses, and lions.  I pray that a ___ (fill in with name of person next to them) gets a mom and dad soon."  How awesome is that!  It was definitely one of those moments when Todd and I looked at each other and thought this is why we are here.  

Then my day got even better.  I was able to go to Cadea Camin for the first time since being back in Romania.  Cadea Camin is a state-run institution where older orphans live.  I have been working with this group since my first trip and it's definitely my passion for being here.  These individuals have the average age of 25 and will never leave the institution due to mental handicaps produced due to living in institutions their whole lives.  For them Jesus is their only hope and we run a weekly program to bring them that hope.  All the kids I work with were so excited to see me.  Some had even sent letters through another missionary the week before asking for me to visit them.  It was so neat to just hang out with them, love on them, and sing a few worship songs with them.  They were so happy!  An argument even broke out over which songs to sing.  What a great argument to have!  The best part was telling them that I was here to stay.  Every time I visit they always ask when will I leave again and when I told them in two years they could hardly contain themselves.  One of them, who is quite close to me, actually started crying.  I was so humbled!  It reminded me how important it is for them to have someone visit them who cares and loves them.  We are just so blessed to be here!  It truly is a privilege to serve the Lord.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." 

Psalm 13:5

Some pictures of our Zaccheus lesson today!

Who loves Jesus?

Drawing Jesus in our hearts

Along the Bumpy Road

On Sunday we were really lucky to borrow a car from our foundation and take the drive down to Salem Church, in Oradea.  Oradea is the large city roughly one hour away from where we live. Throughout our trips here we have really loved attending Salem and have hoped to make it our home church while living here.  The only problem is transportation, so when we heard that there was a car available we jumped on the chance.  Now on our last visit in March, we were pretty shocked at how bad the road to Oradea had become.  There were many potholes which made the trip quite hazardous.  When we arrived a few weeks ago people warned us that the road was worse, but even that did not prepare us for our ride.

Early Sunday morning six of us piled into a small european car (imagine a tiny Chevy Aveo) and headed down the bumpy road.  About ten minutes in we discovered the car's fifth gear did not work, which wasn't too bad since we could not go fast due to all the potholes.  We could not believe how bad the roads were!  It felt like we were playing a video game as we tried to avoid all the potholes.  This task is especially difficult since the road only has one lane going each way so you can't really avoid the potholes without swerving into oncoming traffic.  It was crazy!  Todd was driving with me in the passenger seat and the whole time we kept pointing out all the potholes.  They were huge, some of them half the size of the car!  It was definitely an adventure getting to and from church.   The drive actually took us an hour and a half (an extra forty minutes) since we had to drive so slow due to the terrible road conditions.  

Our trip also taught us something: potholes build teamwork!  We all had to work together to keep the car from being swallowed by one of the gigantic holes.  This shows you that there's always a silver lining.