Opening doors in Bucharesti

Elder and Sora McFadden with Jeffery Franks

Remember the big rock you threw into the water and watched the ripples go out and around the splash?  We have been experiencing a tremendous ripple effect in our Public Affairs over the past three weeks set off by Elder McFadden inviting Jeffery Franks, the International Monetary Fund Director for Romania, over for dinner.  He was finishing up his  stay here in Romania and agreed to help us all he could until he went back home in Washinton, D. C.  We arranged a fireside here in our building (the night pic of church is our view from our apt.)  which was well attended and his talk was outstanding.  The members are so thrilled to know that he is L D S  and so admired by the Romanian people for his work here with the IMF.  He works closely with the Pres. and Cabinet and asked the Secretary of State if he would meet with us. He agreed so we called him and set up a meeting that went extremely well.  He was very impressed with all the Humanitarian Projects that have been accomplished here in Romania by our NGO.  (We are not recognized as a church until we reach 20,000 members; we are at 2400 thus the Non Government Organization "tag")  And...that we wanted to know what more we could do for the people of Romania.  In all this he was astounded that we came not to ask for anything but how we could help.  Then Elder McFadden suggested we help by digitizing all the birth and death records usind Roanian workers who would be paid for their work and a back-up copy would be stored in vaults in Salt Lake City.  He was not aware that that this is the only Europeon country that hasn't had this microfilming done.  The church has been trying to get this done but hasn't been able to get to the right government officials to get approval.  Mr. Arafat said the Minister of Interior would be the person and that if we would get him the paperwork he would hand  carry it to him as this should be done.  WOULD WE????  Of course we jumped on that one and delivered the paperwork agreeing that there would also be one of Elder McFadden's burritos in the mix!  Other meetings were set up with our Humanitarian Couple and a special invitation to a Gala in August that would be televised recognizing our  Humitarian efforts.  Our goal for Public Affairs is to "bring the church our of obscurity" here in Romania and the Lord is opening doors for us and the ripples are rolling.  We also landed Franks a lecture  at the University of Pitesti which resulted in news coverage including us "associates" who were with him.  We were treated to a news conference and a wonderful dinner at the historic Vila Florica afterward.  The Pres. of the Univ and the Rector along with our District Pres. were there as well.  Results were a positive front page article in the newspaper  the next day on the missionaries.  YES!  The first one to be published.  Ripples...today we delivered the BURRITO  and then met with the Chamber of Commerce. Recieved a call from him while he was on his way to the airport sayng it was the best burrito ever!    Chevron's Director of oil for Europe is also LDS and has been helpful to introduce us to other media entities.    We know each day we are led and directed by our Father in Heaven who wants the gospel spread to "every nation, kindred,......"  The missionaries here are fantastic individuals and we interact with them a great deal.

We got to participate in the "Let's Do It Romania" a giant clean-up day which let us put on our yellow "Mormon Helping Hands" T-shirts and gather up garbage for many hours.  We had such a mountain for them to haul away.  What a day!

The Muzeul National al Satului was outstanding and you see us "out standing" by a typical Romanian haystack as well as other pics of houses, fences, windmills and wells.  Such a rich heritage and wonderful people.    Another beautiful palace to be explored tomorrow.

Once again we express our love to you, our dedication to the work here and mostly for our cherished testimonies and membership in the church.  It is our Heavenly Father's Kingdom here on earth and we are so grateful to be a part of it all as he guides us and teaches us each day. 

We are well and needless to say missing you all!  However as we reached our happy halfway mark we celebrated by purchasing some of the most heavenly selection of chocolates  from an exquisite pasterie.  So many choices and sooooo good.  We are also grateful for chocolate!

Ladeverdere si va iubim,

Elder and Sora McFadden  AKA  Dave and Rosie!