Weekly update 37/25 Engels

A limited update this week. The reason is that the author returned home last night from the aforementioned motorcycle holiday. Following that, there was a working visit to the farm in Marghita, including a motorcycle ride from Breaza and back. The entire trip was a fantastic experience; we crossed beautiful areas in Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Albania, and Serbia. It sounds like an adventure, and at times it certainly was. The weather was good, and we didn't have any bad luck. For those interested, I'll share a photo album in a future installment.

The visit to Attila's farm was good; I'm glad we did it. Just as Csaba and I were there, Jorg Breddermann was loading vegetables and potatoes to take to Ukraine. He had been loaded the week before in Broek op Langedijk and had delivered this load first. This man does something very special; he sees the need and simply does it despite all the risks. He firmly believes that a higher power protects him in this. He's not optimistic about the outcome of the war; there's unanimity to defeat the Russians. However, there's also division, and not everyone is willing to risk their lives at the front. The goods he delivers are transported by van to areas where the need is greatest, including those near the front lines and the soldiers there.

Here's a link to photos of the loading in Broek op Langedijk on September 10th.

Here's a link to photos of the loading in Marghita on September 17th.

Here's a link to photos of activities on the farm.

On Friday morning, September 19th, we prepared the motorcycles for shipment and loaded them into Phoneo's van. We also visited the carpenter whose house was partially burned down. The damage has been partially repaired, with the help of villagers. Talk about old-fashioned craftsmanship, and you'll find it in this man; it's wonderful to see.

Here's a link to a photo album.

On Friday afternoon, we also visited Toth Attila and his wife Adele, who run the children's home in Peris, among other places. They are an inspiring and admirable couple; they have done and are doing a great deal for the people there.

The political and economic situation was also discussed. The new government wants to implement reforms and overturn sacred cows. The government apparatus has expanded so much that it has become unaffordable. The fact that every village still has a mayor and his attendant officials is outdated, inefficient, and far too expensive. It also doesn't help in the fight against the difficult-to-control weed: corruption. Unfortunately, there are still people who can't resist the temptation to abuse their power.

For now, energy prices have risen dramatically due to the abolition of the price ceiling, and the price ceiling for certain foodstuffs will also be lifted, so life has become considerably more expensive. Increasing wages and benefits at the same pace is no longer possible. More and more companies are closing down or relocating their operations to other countries. In the neighborhoods where Toth Attila works, there's certainly plenty to do, especially in the summer, with construction work and day labor jobs, but now there's much less. In short, it's a downward trend, and those who are already struggling are the first to suffer.

What we do with our transports and everything related to it is and remains important work that helps many people.

On Saturday, September 20th, Csaba took me by bus from Phoneo to Cluj Napoca airport. He then drove on to Marghita and took vegetables and potatoes back to Breaza. We both finally arrived home around 7:30 PM, though now with a considerable distance between us.

Here's a link to some photos.

All the known contacts where our belongings end up have sent messages and photos, which I'll post next time.

Gerard_Jan and Miranda Schuur recently visited Romania and created a photo album.

Here's the link to this beautiful photo album.

The truck that was loaded last Wednesday, September 17th, in Broek op Langedijk will be unloaded in Breaza next Monday, September 22nd.

Fortunately, we've received offers from several parties, and our stock is holding up nicely.

Next Tuesday, the motorcycles, along with a shipment of wheat flour, for the end-of-year package campaign will be loaded in Marghita, and this shipment will arrive in Broek op Langedijk on Thursday or Friday.

Next Wednesday, September 24th, we'll be loading a trailer that will go to Marghita, where it will be partially unloaded and then reloaded with potatoes and vegetables for Breaza. So, two destinations.

The annual BBQ for full-time and part-time volunteers is a bit later than usual, but this year we'll be holding it on October 18th in Broek op Langedijk. Last year, it went well and was fun. We'll do on the same way again.