The last week has been an extension of the previous week with few exceptions. One notable exception is that the weather improved in the latter part of the week and things have started drying out. That makes traveling, whether by foot or vehicle, much easier. Speaking of traveling, we actually had the van back for a day or so.



On Tuesday we picked it up from the mechanic, but it still needed to have the injectors tuned. We had noticed a diminished level of power for a newly rebuilt motor that could not be attributed to a break in period. We had to wait a day for the injector guy and in that period we were able to go to the store and replenish all the supplies for cooking for the school and ourselves. While we were gone it began raining in Iasi, so we figured there was snow in Schitu Duca. The trip home up out of the city would have been impossible if we had waited much longer.



We made it to Schitu Duca and the road that led to the school. Unfortunately that road involves a somewhat steep grade that the van could not negotiate. To make matters worse, the van was turned during our unloading and would not restart. By the time we carried all the supplies the last 500 meters to the school it was 10:00 pm.



The next day gave us an opportunity to start the vehicle after a few repairs that we should not have had to make. Among the problems still waiting to be fixed were some with the electrical system and alternator. The next day we went to the injector guy and then had to leave because the new battery was not strong enough to restart. The guys who rebuilt the motor on the other side of town had one for us to use. Approximately six hours later after two trips to the junkyard and replacing the injector and testing the pump we had the vehicle back, or so we thought.



During that period we noticed an oil link from the motor. A failed seal was to blame and it needed attention. So back to the mechanic we went and it should be completed again by Monday afternoon. And so it goes.



Sunday was interesting for David and I. We grabbed an early ride into Iasi, hailed a cab, and then were picked up by the pastor and his wife of a church some 30km out of town. This arrangement allowed us to be at the church in Chocolesh by 9:00 am. The church has been going on here since the early 1950s, but only since the 1970s has it been with government approval. During the 1960s, its pastor was coaxed into the woods for a meeting and was murdered. You can figure out the rest. We went home with a couple from the church for lunch and enjoyed their hospitality and then returned home.



On a brighter and culturally anachronistic note: I thought I had seen or thought of most uses for old CDs. They do make good coasters, wall decorations, and things to hang from your mirror. The right people can even turn them into objects d'art. One villager in Romania needed reflectors on the back of his horse drawn wagon for night travel. What genius!! The picture of new being used with old was just too good. You call it a music disk that no longer works; we call it a perfect reflector for the wagon. Another man's trash will surely be someone else's treasure.



We will be flying home later this week. Maybe there will be another post for you to view. Pray for us as we return and continue to pray that we can express and apply our experiences here in ways that each of you can understand. Our trip here was to encourage and to serve. We have done that in a variety of ways. Make sure you ask us about the "variety" of our service.



Dragoste, (Love)

John & Lana