Weekly update 46/25 Engels

Packing the Christmas parcels went well again this year. We've been doing this for thirteen years now, and with over 100,000 parcels later, we have the necessary experience, but it's still a challenge. Everything has to be perfect, the inventory has to be up to par, orders have to arrive in Broek op Langedijk on time, etc. Not to mention, there have to be enough people to help with the packing. Looking back, we can say that it went smoothly and in a pleasant atmosphere this time as well.

On Monday, November 17th, we set up the conveyor belt and placed the goods to be packed in their proper places.

Here's the link to a photo album.

On Tuesday evening, November 18th, the youth club of the Reformed Church in Broek op Langedijk made the first 920 parcels.

On Wednesday, November 19th, we made the necessary adjustments and finalized the finishing touches for the next two packing days.

On Thursday, November 20th, the time had finally come: the volunteers started
pouring in at 8:00 AM. After a cup of coffee, a welcome, and instructions, the conveyor belt started moving. Production quickly reached a high speed, reaching a top speed of 600 per hour, or 10 per minute (!). The catering team, led by Hesva, provided excellent service once again. It was a wonderful day, producing a whopping 2,880 parcels. Of these, 1,320 were immediately loaded into a trailer and began their journey, some by train, to Romania.

Here's a link to a photo album.

This happened again on Friday, November 21st. Despite the slippery conditions, around eighty volunteers came to help. The collaboration between all these people, with their very different backgrounds and life experiences, is wonderful to see how well it works. We were able to load a trailer immediately, 33 pallets containing 1,320 parcels. After lunch, the conveyor belt had to run for another hour, and then it was all over. The cleanup was done in record time. Most of the volunteers were back home early in the afternoon. Thank you all for your contributions, and we hope to see you again soon.

Here's the link to a photo album.

Thursday morning, a message arrived from Marin in Band. It was about a family with four children. The father had just been released from prison; the offense was stealing scrap metal. Stealing is, of course, illegal, but a prison sentence of eighteen months seems excessive in this case. The family lived in a small house; to build it, they had taken out a loan from a cattle dealer. They still owed €400, but due to their lack of income, repayment had stopped. The cattle dealer then had the house demolished. Not that the hut was much, but they were homeless nonetheless. The whole village is outraged, but out of some kind of arrogance, he did this just before winter.

The family moved in with relatives who have a small house measuring three by three meters. Sleeping with seven people isn't possible; at least three of them would have to go outside and spend the night around a campfire. The family earns €110 per month in social assistance. Two children don't have ID cards, so they officially don't exist. Marin plans to change this; if they get sick, for example, they won't be entitled to healthcare.

Through Marin, they also receive food and clothing, and most importantly: building materials have been ordered. Weather permitting, they'll start building a four-by-four-meter house on Monday. The cost of materials is €3,100, and thanks to sponsors, we were able to provide that. At least they'll be warm and dry again. Marin continues to monitor and support the family.

Here's the link to a photo album.

Generally speaking, people in these kinds of communities aren't all kind and helpful to each other. There are always those who try to take advantage of poor and often ignorant people.

Furthermore, Marin and Enico have provided meals twice this past week, sharing food parcels. Sarah has a new door, a different bed, and a new floor. The community is showing a bit more interest in her.

Here's the link to a photo album.

Soon, the Christmas packages we made will also be distributed. I and several of our volunteers have done this in these kinds of neighborhoods. To say the least, it's a special experience with surprising encounters.

Henk Muller has returned from Pakistan and has since arrived back in Romania.

Here's the link to a photo album.

In Breaza, the relief supplies from the Netherlands are in great demand.

Here's the link to a photo album.

The trailer we loaded on November 12th was unloaded in Marghita on Tuesday, November 18th. The last two trailers, which traveled by train from Venlo to Oradea, arrived at their destination much faster than before.

Here's the link to a photo album.

Viorel and Elena from Deaj have had another busy week. This series of photos with a brief explanation clearly illustrates why it's important to support these people.

Here's the link to a photo album.

Joszi from Tirgu Mures and his team have also done a great job. The photos speak for themselves. Some of the Christmas packages are also going to them, but distributing them is no easy task under the current weather conditions.

Here's the link to a photo album.

Next Wednesday, November 26th, two trailers will be loaded, and another will arrive on Thursday, November 27th. All the Christmas packages will then be destined for Romania. The people at our depots and many others have a wonderful, but not easy, job to do.

There are 5,700 of them, so many people will be happy to receive such a lovely package. Thank you again to everyone who contributed and made this possible.