As many of you know I head to Brasov Romania twice a year to work. Each trip has been an adventure and this one started before I even left. With the Iceland Volcano there was doubt on whether I would leave. I did. This trip I flew on Lufthansa instead of British Airways which allowed me to be one of first passengers to fly into a very empty Frankfurt Airport.

Usually my volunteer experience starts when I arrive in Romania, but this time it started in the Airport. I always appreciate so much what I have been given but after seeing the hundreds and hundreds of cots in the airport and the food center the airport had set up for those who could not afford a hotel or meal I realized how totally lucky and blessed I am. I only had to spend 12 hours in airport due to delay but that is nothing with some of the folks I had met who were there 3-5 days. Even on the flight over from North America I was talking to guys who had been on business trips and away from families for the same 3-5 days. (thanks Lufthansa for a great trip and great service in getting me on new flight and taking awesome care of me!)

Arrived in Brasov late but all was set up for me where I stay by Sarah who did a great job.

Day 1 started with Mark Biech from Hope for the Nations Romania and an update on the latest for the Foundation and what he is doing. After 10 years here he and Coreen are really doing some amazing things. We talked about the House Makeover that I am doing with him next week, which will be the last. The HFTN group is moving in a bigger and different direction with their plans and work over here. Its exciting and good. Just means that no more makeovers so now to work on different direction for my trips over here. Mark and I talked about some of the different options and I will be working on those.

Then it was dinner with the girls and the kids. On my first trip over here we were lucky to meet some amazing ladies who work in Brasov Childerns Hospital. Recently they have set up thier own Romanian foundation, Firm Foundations Romania, an offshoot of Hope for the Nations Romania. With the change in direction of main organization it was time for the girls to take on the Hospital as a sole project. In addition to the thousands of volunteer hours they spend at the hospital and coordination of volunteers one of the main fund raisers they have to do is to supply the 40,000+ diapers per year. The government does not supply then so the group must raise money each year to do. It costs about 12,000 euros each year minimum or $1,500 per month to buy diapers (they are always looking for a single sponsor to take this on or a group who would do it. if you feel that God is moving you to donate then click here and see what you can do. thanks so much for this!).

Seeing the 3 kids Steffi has adopted or is in process of is always a highlight. Roxi is 7 now and Costel and Beca are 5. Beca is just moving out of 2 year old clothes at 5 now! she is such a delicate little spirit. Always lots of fun to be with them.

Did my first shift of the trip at the hospital yesterday. Wow, it always is so tough yet so rewarding. The first little guy I got to spend time with is handicapped and has 4 fingers on his left hand and on his right hand the thumb and forefinger were one. But what a smile, what a heart. Got him to laugh and smile during the one hour I got to play and hold him before we had to move on to a different room on a different floor. Holding and playing with the kids is always so rewarding, sad, exciting, depressing etc. They are all great kids who just do to circumstances don't have all that the world has to offer. But they have the joy of the Volunteers like Mary, Sarah and Steffi who run the organization and coordinate the volunteers that come here from around the world. I like it because it keeps it real for me. It allows me to remember my purpose here on earth and all that God has for me. Its not about the sales (they are nice as they allow me to bless others) the awards or the position (city council is nice but its hard to work so hard and be attacked by a small minority for doing the right thing. if only those who were in opposition and against all the good that is being done could spend one week, one day, one hour in the hospital, in the village, at farm 11 or farm 10, they would see the pettiness of some of the battles or some of the silliness of the opposition). I am glad to be moving from success to significance ( for more on that check out www.halftime.org )and be able to give back.

Saturday is a new day and I am headed to Comanesti for the night to see my friends who run the Habitat for Humanaity affiliate there (but first its guy day with Costel. He has two sisters and two aunts - too many ladies in his life! - but we do guy day. We have hiked a mountain, ate fast food and more. today will be breakfast and then off to play park and play with some cool riding toys).The gang in Comanesti do amazing work. I was able to work with them in Oct 2009 and they are building many homes for the less fortunate. They have done some innovative things in providing houses for those that would otherwise not be able to afford them. Should be fun to catch up and see what is going on and plan for my fall trip here with Steven, Len and Rob. I am looking forward to introducing them to all the great folks and projects over here.