Wheelchairs for Ploiesti

We took a 40-minute train ride early in the morning.  The station felt just like a scene from Harry Potter.

After a few introductions and short speeches, everyone gathered out in the parking lot to learn how to maneuver in their new chairs. There are very few places in Romania that are wheelchair-friendly.  Therefore it is essential that the recipients receive training and become very skilled in order to get around. The Church gives them the chairs; Motivation Romania gives the training - a great partnership.

The girl in the red jacket was born with her condition.  Two years ago, she was entirely dependent on her mother (standing behind her) to feed, bathe, and dress her.  Now, with the help of her physical therapist (the lady in the long gray sweater on the left) she feeds, and dresses herself and can even stand and take a few steps.

This man had a stroke 2 years ago that left him completely bedridden.  For several reasons, he would never have received a wheelchair without the help of the Church. You can see the gratitude on the faces of the recipient, his wife and son.

This man was picking apples up in a tree when he fell and broke his back. He is learning how to transfer from his new wheelchair to a regular chair.

This fellow was in a car accident.  He is learning to maneuver up and down ramps and even those stairs!

Today 15 wheelchairs were given to some grateful, deserving people- 15 out of 250 that will be distributed in the next little while.  This was the best day of our mission so far! 

Getting our Bearings

With Mission President Lundberg and Sora Lundberg at Parc Cismigiu - the site where, on February 9, 1990, Elder Russell M. Nelson dedicated the country of Romania for preaching the gospel. President Lundberg brings all new missionaries here and reads the dedicatory prayer. One quote from the prayer: "Significant is the symbolism of the meaning of the word, Cismigiu "one who carries water." Thy prophet Isaiah spoke of these latter days when he said, "In the wilderness shall waters break out." Today that prophecy, in part, is fulfilled. The wilderness is a spiritual one. Thy servants bring water to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We come with the gospel of Thy Beloved Son. Whoso drinketh of that water shall never thirst again."

Pointing the camera in another direction - we see a park maintenance man with his wooden-wheeled pull cart.

We spent our first week orientating ourselves to the Metro (underground), tramvai and bus systems. We made contact with a number of non-government organizations (NGO's) to set up appointments to review projects already underway. We have been well received by those in Romania. There is much to do to relieve those in need: the young, the old, and the unfortunate. We need to just take one step at a time and try to make a difference in the lives of the people.

We attended a fireside on Saturday March 19, 2011 commemorating the 20th anniversary of the first person baptized in Romania. Her name is Doina Biolaru.  When she was baptized, there were 8 humanitarian missionaries and 4 elders in Romania. Now there are 9 couples and 88 young missionaries.  We are the only humanitarian missionaries in the group.

A Glimpse of our Mission Training Experience

Reporting to the MTC Feb. 28/11

The traditional missionary photo.

Our District: L to R: Gough's (Peru), Wolsey's (Romania), Badger's (Marshall Islands) Barnard's (West Virginia). Each couple has a different kind of mission assignment - Wolsey's are the only humanitarian missionaries in this group.

A visit to Welfare Square in Salt Lake City

A wall of clothing - baled and ready to wrap and distributed around the world.

A Neo-natal resuscitation training kit - donated to the trainees so they can, in turn, train others.

Two styles of wheelchairs that we will be distributing in Romania.

Flags representing countries that the Church has helped.

14-hour days of being "fed with a fire hose" - taking its toll! 

Salt Lake City airport Mar. 11/11 - off to Romania