Coal Mine

These are photos of the coal mine in Petrila (less than 2 miles from where we live); which officially closed in 2016.  JeJe worked in this coal mine for 3 years as an electrician.  Coleen lived in an apartment just one block away from this mine, when she first moved to Romania in Feb. 1997 (20 years!).  JeJe's grandfather uprooted his mother and her siblings, to relocate from Satu Mare (along with other relatives) to work the mines.  All of JeJe's uncles are retired coal miners.  The area we currently live in, surrounds the base of the mountains here - each city has a coal mine.  This coal mine in Petrila goes many miles down underground.  Angela Merkel (and the EU) decided that Romania needed to close its coal mines - forcing us to now purchase coal from Poland (???).  Sadly, it took the jobs and economy from this area.  Many men have left their families behind to work in other countries, in some cases whole families have relocated. JeJe's brother is currently working in the last mine that will close this year.  There are plans in the works to make the Petrila mine a UNESCO heritage site - this would bring some jobs and possibly tourism into our area. We live in a beautiful mountain area, but the people here need jobs and hope - the hope that only Jesus can bring; not in material things that perish.  Pray with us for the people of the Jiu Valley - that they would come to know and trust Jesus personally.