Happy New Year!

A happy new year to everyone,

from the Szakal family.

Airport incident

Bucharest, Otopeni Airport, 30 December 2007, 11:27 am.
A Tarom flight after getting the permission to take off hits a van which was stopped by at the airport runway. All people aboard frightened, the plane already had 250 km/h speed. Due to the skilful pilot the plane managed to stop finally. Within one and half minutes everybody left the plane succesfully at the emergency exit. As a result of the accident the plane was seriosly damaged. The van was destroyed entirely. There were no casualties but most passangers were extremely frightened, and considering sueing the airport.
This was a very serious incident as the airport officials noted. Still many questions remaining, and especially: how can a flight get permission to take off while the runway is not clear? These things happen in Romania...

Merry Christmas!

Today is Christmas day. Been in church with the family, both morning and evening services attended. Christmas gifts received by the kids last night, when we all went to bed very late.
In the evening it was a Christmas concert in the church (probably the same as last year), and quite a lot of people were there (more than usual).

On this day we pray for John Roche, may the Lord heal him, and have a succesful operation, and also for Peter Tolson, let the Lord give him quick recovery after the operation.

I am also thankful for the gifts we received, for all the Christmas greetings.
May God bless all the team members!

Team Visit

The team visit was good, was short, was done. Did a lot of shopping, especially for the hospital, than bought presents for the patients, and for the school. Nina also joined the team from early morning till late night (wonder she knows any limits). The head nurse had a needing list like usual, but this time was different, food weren't the most important. Most important was the electrical bulbs and fluorescent tubes and also pots for the kitchen. We managed to buy all, plus extra food what she remembered later on that she needs, plus the gifts for the patients.

Had an evening in Brasov, where is a beautiful Christmas tree in the centre.

We visited the school in Mina, which is going through a transformation: after having all new double glazed doors and windows, now they have new central heating system installed with new radiators. Good for them.

Team arrival

Laura and Andy arrived safely, in time. The road conditions however were quite difficult as there was a lot of fog, and often very dense fog. Stopped at Busteni at the Caraiman restaurant (very nice rustic one) for a meal.

Quite warm in the flat as the new radiators were hot, and they were pleased about it.

And there is a new radiator in the toilet as well.

Some changes in the flat

Today as I been in Mina, I brought out the food for the team, turn on the fridge, checked the flat turned on the heaters. As in the past few weeks a new central heating system is being installed they went up to the flat and fitted new radiators there. The old ones were removed, and now there is a radiator in the kitchen, a radiator in the big bedroom, a radiator in the living room. The secured room remained as it was: "cold". Actually it was not too bad in the flat, perhaps from now on it will be warmer up there, which may encourage you to come in the winter time too. The door between the kitchen and the living was removed and missing...perhaps they know where it is. I asked the ladies from downstairs to make sure it will be clean by Saturday afternoon.
Downstairs in the hallway there is a small new radiator, I wonder if it will be enough.
I also discovered that quite often the sewing ladies use the flat as a drying room for many clothes and bedding. I told them to disappear by tomorrow. But this is not the first time I find it.
Now as the hospital has new fridge and freezer, perhaps they will ask the team to get some meat for an empty freezer is useless...am I right? I don't know, I just asked the head nurse to be there Monday morning for a meeting. I could not find a water heater bottle.
Have to go now to the doctor, as Amadea has fever.
Looking forward to meet the team tomorrow.

6 December in Mina 1 Mai

6 December is the St. Nicholas day in Romania. People used to exchange gifts too. Well, the hospital, this year had a great St. Nicholas day. I met in Brasov elder G. Val Lofgreen, Karen Lofgreen and Patricia Beer, from the central office of the Mormon mission in Bucharest, Romania. We went to the Metro and purchased a Whirlpool washing machine, an Indesit fridge and a Zanussi freezer for the hospital. With a hired van we transported to the Hospital and gave them as present. They were very happy. Here are some photos when we unloaded all in the snowy Mina.

This is the road to Mina

And this is the surgery in winter