FREEZING TEMPS. & PEOPLE IN DESPERATE NEED

Please pray for Romania - specifically the estimated over 2,000 people who are buried in their homes, in 12-15 feet of snow.  They have spent days without water, food or wood needed to heat their homes (they are completely shut in).  The highways are closed and the military is in the process of helping as many as they can.  Most of these people are elderly and very poor.  Helicopters are bringing supplies into the higher elevated areas.

As of the posting of this article, approx. 65 have been found dead this week.  There have been many deaths this past month, especially amongst children and elderly in homes without heat and without the funds to purchase wood or coal to burn.

here is our local news report (in Romanian but you get the picture from the film footage).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAyToxJOSAM&feature=youtu.be

That is a hole down to his front door!
A neighbor helped dig it out to reach them.

We feel helpless as we wish we could reach these people; unfortunately, they have closed all highways into these areas and are using bulldozers to attempt to unbury these people and their homes. Note:  The hardest hit areas are in the east (we are west) - areas that are 7-10 hours from us by car (and inaccessible right now).

THE URGENCY:  Another snow storm is upon the country and it could make this desperate situation even worst.  Over 2,000 still need to be unburied from the snow that is already upon them.  The other situation that will make this even graver is if the snow melts before they can move it out, it will be a massive flooding mess.

Thanks to the many who have sent us email and FB messages inquiring how we are.  We are blessed to be in a city (and home) with natural gas lines (and central heat).  We have had temps the past couple of weeks, well below zero (talk about brain freeze, if you don't wear a hat!) and it is expected to continue this week....

Our City of Cluj

MORE PHOTOS OF OUR WINTER HERE IN ROMANIA (THESE WERE TAKEN AT THE BLACK SEA, CONSTANTA, ROMANIA):

Yep, looks like something out of Narnia

So, where are those polar bear club people?
No one showed up for a swim !?!

Anyone know where Al Gore is hiding out?
We are thinking he should give back that
Nobel Peace Prize he won for Global Warming
(yah! right!)

Wonder if they even have a detailing product
that is going to help this car....

Bucharest Streets had to be plowed to
form a street and a path to walk.

WHAT IS ALL THIS "NOISE" IN ROMANIA ABOUT?

There was a big uprising this past month in Romania - said to be the biggest since the Fall of Communism back in December 1989.  Thousands upon thousands of Romanian people gathered in protests in various cities throughout Romania; upset with the government and demanding change.  This went on for almost two weeks - riots and violence broke out (protestors were not violent in Cluj, where we live) - most news stations reported the violence was mostly due to the police desiring to silence the protestors and not the protestors attacking police.  Many people still have protest flags in their windows and more small scale protests continue; but the severe cold weather that has hit us, may have something to do with the quieting down of the protests.  These last days of January have brought us morning temperatures of about -23C (brrrrr!!!)

We live in what is considered the most corrupt country in Europe.  The country has long been under developed, the EU monies are gone (and supposed to be paid back).  The People of Romania are tired of making small salaries and having almost no pension funds; along with the high cost of medical care, medicines, food (gal of milk is approx. $5), clothing, gasoline ($8/gal.), and the list of high costing basic necessities goes on.  The tariff tax is at 25% on imported items and 24% sales tax on most major items, makes many of them impossible to reach for the greater majority here.  And, they are tired of the corrupt system of government here (us too!).

They are angry with the government being well off (many are well off due to bribes being paid), and the majority of people struggle to survive - making it impossible to better their lives.  They are demanding the resignation of current President Basescu and want a government for the good of the people - they want change and they want it now!

We agree when the Lord says:

 "Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord."  Psalm 33:12a

We pray for the Lord to use this to bring a spiritual revival to this country.  True change begins in the heart of men (and a righteous ruling) and we pray that salvation will fall upon this country - more than riches.  We care about the well-being of our fellow man and want to see that too but it begins in the heart:

 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  Matthew 6:33

Please pray for Romania and her spiritual awakening!

Pray for God to use His church (for many who have been sleeping to arise).

Pray for Him to use Calvary Chapel to further His Kingdom here in Romania!

UPDATE 2/12/2012  The Prime Minister has resigned and current President Basescu is in the process of putting together a new cabinet and has assigned a new Prime Minister (the man who has been in charged of Romanian security).  The people of Romania are still protesting, but not on as large a scale - we believe this is mostly due to the cold temps. and that they may arise again.

Here is a news article telling more about the recent government attempt to change:
http://news.yahoo.com/romanias-government-collapses-protests-151141275.html