Mission Trips

Leeds, England registered UK Charity No.1087961
Kingsport, USA charitable non-profit # 86-0957704
Oradea, Romania registered Charity No.14839712

 
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The Smiles Foundation Mission Trip - June 2009 ‘Sleepless in Cihei’

My wife Lynda visited Romania with The Smiles Foundation in 2001 and it was during this same trip that the team first met up with a little boy, Victor, begging in the streets of the city. The rest they say is history. Since that meeting, Lynda has visited Romania about six times and I have always been happy to support and encourage her with these visits. She, along with Kevin Hoy and Maria Cimpoca finally managed to persuade me to visit Romania for a few days last year for the grand opening of the Tileagd complex. I had a great time and was happy to see the work of The Smiles Foundation close up. However that was it for me, this was Lynda’s project and I was happy to leave her to continue visiting Romania. That was until on the evening prior to departure Kevin was outlining what those attending on a full mission trip would be doing the following day. I was devastated, I wanted to stay, I wanted to do so much more and vowed that I would return in the not too distant future. So it was, on Saturday 6th June I left Lynda at home this time and travelled full of excitement and expectation to Romania with my friend Ian, another first time mission tripper. Ian has supported Smiles as long as me but would admit that he has never truly grasped exactly what it is all about. We landed at Budapest airport and were immediately met by Octavia, Ilie, and four other mission trippers, two of whom, Chris and Pat I had met previously. Two of the group Joyce and Dale were Americans and having persuaded the border guards that they did not have swine flu we were allowed access into Romania. Twenty minutes later and we had arrived at the mission centre in Cihei to be warmly greeted by the small team of staff and helpers awaiting our arrival including, Kevin, Maria, Nina and a young lady called Lizzie whose English accent was amazing. It was only while having supper that we discovered that Lizzie was actually from Chesterfield, England, and was spending four weeks with the foundation helping out as and where required! The mission centre in Cihei is an amazing place in which to unwind after a long journey or indeed relax after a hard day out ‘in the field.’ Tired but happy to be here I am sure all slept well that first night. Sunday 7th June. After breakfast we all set off to Tileagd for worship in the church. It was a real privilege to be part of the congregation whose desire to see God moving in this community was obvious for all to see. Many of the congregation stood up to pray during worship and we were led in song at one point by Ghuri playing the accordion and singing his own praises to God. (It didn’t matter that the singing wasn’t very musical!!) One disabled teenager prayed very movingly about her own family situation, and even amidst real tragedy and pain she was able to find the strength and courage to praise God. She was an inspiration to us all. Rarely have I left an act of worship so certain of God’s presence actively at work. Inspired by our worship we headed off for the village of Salard. Nothing Lynda had previously described or the photographs I had seen before, prepared me for what I was to see and hear about. Kevin parked up on a corner of the village, obviously a very poor village and informed us that we were about to enter the poorest part of the village. I thought I was already in it! As we walked down the next street we were faced with what I can only describe as some of the most unimaginable houses I have ever seen. I use the word houses as people are incredibly managing to live here, but to say these are houses does not provide the true picture. Built from mud and straw bricks, with roofs covered with ill fitting covers, plastic sheeting to try and keep out the rain supplemented by rags and mud and gravel floors should not really be called houses. It was truly heartbreaking to see families of up to twelve seeking out an existence in such conditions. In one home which was no more than 10 feet square lived a young couple with a new-born baby. Unbelievable. To try and describe the scene with words is impossible and photographs only paint a tiny part of the overall picture. As I walked into a family home, without water or electricity and saw hundreds of flies filling the room, I could barely take in the scene. As they say, seeing is believing, but even being there and witnessing such things was for me, incredibly difficult to take in. I do not know how these families survive, in winter it must be unbelievably cold, in Summer germs must thrive and as for the communal toilet, WELL I DIDN’T GO THERE! But of course sadly for the families living here, they must. The families that do live here deserve more, thankfully The Smiles Foundation is doing what it can when resources allow to help people like those living here in Salard. I am aware that church groups in the UK have taken up the Container Challenge. Already in Salard, two containers donated by churches are being used as alternative accommodation until funding allows for new housing to be built. One resident was very proud when he showed our group inside his new home. This has given him great hope and encouragement for the future and it was wonderful to see the positive effect this was having upon him and the rest in the community who are praying for the day when their ‘container’ arrives. What a visit this had been. A real eye opener for all the team. It was difficult to leave these good people behind and return to the comfortable surroundings of the mission centre. I am sure that this made us all feel truly privileged for all that we have and possess. It also made me realise that with all these blessings in my possession I can personally do more for people such as those in Salard. I did not sleep quite so comfortably tonight! Monday 8th June. Four more members of the team arrived from Northern Ireland. Four teenagers, Peter, Laura, Rachel and Eileen and along with the rest of us they were thrown into the deep end as today we were planned to deliver food packages to families on the care project. We split into two teams and set off to our respective families. The family care project is the cornerstone of The Smiles Foundation's work and during the day our team visited seven separate families in both the city of Oradea and outlying villages. Angie the social worker was our guide for the day and she described to us some distressing tales of people in great need. Delivering these monthly food packages has proven to be a lifeline for over 200 families in the area, many of whom would not have survived without the care and support of Smiles. Many of those we visited had children, others were elderly and the visit of supporters to these individuals really does brighten up their day. Even though at times communication was a little difficult I believe we all smiled at the right time and showed concern when it was needed. As with Salard the previous day, the living conditions for many of those we visited were desperate but the welcome we received from them was second to none. I am sure I received more from those we visited, simply through the joy on their faces as we arrived than I could ever hope to pay back. It was also really encouraging to hear of family success stories; families who through the help of Smiles, are becoming self-sufficient and this is fantastic to see. Sadly there are so many who continue to need help. During these visits, Chris Calow an optician, ably assisted by his wife Pat (and not so ably by Ian and myself) undertook the task of providing eye tests to members of families who needed this type of care. One eye test conducted in an alleyway next to the ladies house led to a number of other eye tests as curious neighbours descended upon us. It was marvellous watching Chris and Pat at work and their enthusiasm for the task and their love for all those they dealt with was an inspiration to us all. Thank you both for putting up with the ‘jokers in the pack.’ This had been another challenging and inspiring day. I was worn out and emotionally drained and it was only Monday. What did God have in store for me and the team on Tuesday. Again I slept fitfully. Tuesday 9th June. An easy day? A visit to Gepui to see the community centre and farm project. This was more like it now, no challenging or harrowing tales to deal with today. The centre is a brilliant facility providing day care for the elderly, additional schooling for the village children and a centre for all to share. Lovely. The farm project is wonderful, growing all kinds of vegetables for use within the project, a pig who was ready to give birth to about ten piglets, (wonder if she made it ok (yes she did see this link... ) ) and a machine that de-cobs corn to make food for the chickens. That was great fun. Yes a lovely day. Then we had the opportunity to visit some families in Gepui. We visited a lady of 84 who cares for her 16 year old mentally and physically disabled granddaughter. Both are in need of care now but it is galling to hear that they receive no help whatsoever from the state. The support of Smiles with food and social care is the only help they receive. To think that in Europe 2009 people are left to struggle in this way was difficult to comprehend. I have never felt so helpless, and as I stood over the little girl rubbing her cheek I am not ashamed to admit that this big ‘Northern’ lad shed a few tears. I need to do more for Violetta (the girls name) and her gran. That night following devotions at our team meeting I expressed my hurt at the injustice of it all. What can I do to help? Of course I in my strength can do little but in God’s power who knows what may be possible. I do hope that the dream of Smiles to build the ‘Joint facility of Love’ a centre for disabled children and nursing home for the elderly can become a reality. That would solve the problem of Violetta and her grandmother in one fell swoop. Food for thought! I did not sleep a wink that night! Wednesday 10th June. I needed to get things out of my system today and so put my name down to do some construction work or should I re-phrase that, de-construction. Three of the team, Dale, Eileen and Rachel decided upon the easy option of painting a few doors while Laura, Peter, Ian and myself opted for demolition! We were taken to a village about 45 mins drive away, given picks, spades and sandwiches and shown the building we were to start demolishing! Oh dear! It was huge, well it was to us anyhow. In blistering heat we went about the task with relish but soon had to stop for a water break. This was going to be difficult. Maria had told us it was light construction work! I owe you one Maria! Mud and straw bricks are easy to knock down, right? Wrong! We had a real day of hard graft ahead of us but carried cheerfully on. Eventually the roof tumbled and so too some of the walls. At the end of the day we felt that we had done a worthwhile task although I’m unsure if our Romanian ‘task master’ thought that! Eventually the whole area here is to be cleared for new housing to accommodate families in need. I hope to visit again to see the finished result and will be proud to know that with my friends we have all had a small part to play in providing care for others. When we returned to the house where the rest of the team were painting we heard them laughing and listening to music. We were filthy, they were spotless, apart from paint in their hair. A small price to pay for helping others to achieve their dreams of new homes however. This was the toughest day physically and for some the journey back to the mission centre was just a step too far, sleep coming easily to some within minutes! (I never knew girls could snore so loud!) In spite of great tiredness I myself didn’t get to sleep until 1.30am due to the loudest thunderstorm I have ever heard! Thursday 11th June. A visit to the Tileagd school and nursery. The complex is absolutely magnificent and is a tribute to all who worked so hard to see the dream of the facility become a reality. We were privileged to be invited to attend the nursery class leaving presentation. Having attended many similar presentations as chair of governors at a local school I knew what to expect! The tale of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ was performed by the children, even tho’ it took someone to tell us half way through that this is what the presentation was about before we realised! It was lovely to see the children performing but was an even greater thrill to see parents of the children, Romanian and Gypsy mingling together and sharing the thrill all parents receive watching their children perform. Listening to the children praying again brought tears to everyone’s eyes and even tho I did not understand what they were saying I felt proud to be part of their praises to God. A tour of the school led to me, yes even me, trying to dance with some of the children in their class. At least this gave them a laugh before we had a tour of the medical facility. This facility is a real life saver for the people of Tileagd and I reflected upon the generosity of all God’s people who have helped to provide such a wonderful place. One amazing story is here within the optical department, (apologies to Chris if that is not the correct terminology.) One of the ladies from the Gypsy community whom I understand could neither read nor write only a few years ago has been trained up to make glasses from prescriptions. She has probably had to learn to speak some English as well as a result. This is absolutely amazing and shows the great things that are happening here in Tileagd. A visit to the Gypsy village was next on the itinerary. Having visited the village only briefly last year I was amazed to see the differences in that space of time. How much more so then, has the village changed since Kevin first visited in 2001. At that point it was not safe to walk around the village, the mini bus could not be left unattended and many of the houses I understand were similar to those today in Salard. Now the community are taking pride in their surroundings. New building work is taking place, fences are proliferating and there is a true atmosphere of care and love within the village. Last year, one man was building a new house, this year he took me inside and showed me where daily prayer meetings for the villagers are now taking place. God has certainly been active in this village, changing people’s lives through the work of Smiles. The children were thrilled to see us all, especially when we gave out sweets and balls. To see the Smiles on their faces was just heart warming. We then had a trip to the Emergency Housing Unit at Meirlou. This is a facility away from the city surrounded by beautiful countryside and is a retreat for those escaping from difficult and depressing situations at home. That morning a young lady aged 17 arrived with her baby escaping a violent husband. It is so sad to think that this young person, who was the same age as three of our team was already facing a life of uncertainty and no little amount of trouble. The unit is such an important part of the Smiles Foundations work and with the love and care of the house parents there will hopefully provide a refuge to those in need for many years to come. Back at the centre and time to reflect again before we were provided with a delicious BBQ by our magnificent cook, Luci. Sleep came difficult as I had so many thoughts. Friday 12th June. Today was the Holiday Bible Club at Gepiu. A morning of preparations and drama practice followed in the afternoon with 25 children from the village attending and having great fun playing games, watching drama performed by British citizens to a Romanian script, (which was interesting) crafts, puppet show and refreshments. Sarah and her team worked really hard to ensure all those attending had a brilliant time. As the puppet show went on it was lovely to see how attentive the children were. You could hear a pin drop. It was also fascinating to watch some of the elderly who were sat at the back of the hall awaiting eye tests. They too were transfixed as the puppeteers told their tale. So what a week it had been. A week where all of the team had experienced varying emotions. I cannot close without mentioning my fellow team members. We all met only one week previously, strangers, but because of a mutual love of God, a mutual love for all that the Smiles Foundation is attempting to do we became in that week, not just mission trippers, not just friends but as one of the younger members put it, we are all one big happy ‘family.’ That is how it felt to me. Bedtime came too early but sleep did not as I was mulling over all that I had experienced during the week and also because I knew on Saturday I would have to say goodbye to my new ‘family.’ Saturday 13th June. Ian and I were the only ones leaving today. Most of the ‘family’ were staying on for another week. Saying goodbye the emotions of the whole week became too much for me. I had met people on this trip with whom I shared a great deal in such a short period of time. People who in the space of one week had shared joys in seeing the work of The Smiles Foundation, had shared tears at many of the sad stories we had heard and seen, and had shared in the work of God, doing a little for those less fortunate than ourselves. We are all part of God’s family, part of God’s plan for the people of Romania. What an absolute privilege it had been for me to share in this mission trip. So what of the future? I could say, well I’ve been there, done it and got the tee-shirt but that would be wholly unsatisfying. Yes I’ve been there, seen the desperate need for help and must do much more. I will be telling my story to others, encouraging them to help if they can and of course, I will certainly be returning in the not too distant future. If you get the chance to read this, then maybe you will join me as well. Back home I got to sleep eventually but only after telling Lynda what a fantastic time I had spent in Romania with ‘The Smiles Foundation.’ Derek Donaldson Lynda & Derek Donaldson are the Regional Development Associates for the North West of England To contact

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