The beginning of a new year is a time when people look to the future with hope and anticipation, a time to remember what God has called us to and to renew our energies in following His will for our lives. The apostle Paul tells us that we were created by God to do His good works, and where there is suffering, we are to be the hands and voice of Jesus Christ as we reach out in love to those around us. The team at the Emanuel Hospice in Oradea continue to do just that as they travel around Bihor county in northwest Romania to care for the sick and dying with practical, emotional and spiritual support.
On a recent visit to Oradea I was privileged, once again, to spend time with the hospice nurses, travelling from village to village to meet with those patients fortunate enough to be in the care of the Emanuel Hospice. There are many others who are not so fortunate and due to the inevitable waiting list they are left to fend for themselves, often with only immediate family to support them.
As I sit in the car travelling to our next visit, I am struck by the amazing dedication of these nurses who spend hours driving for the sake of one patient; just to spend time with somebody whose hope has dwindled, to show them they are loved, to support their family, and to administer vital pain relief or other medical treatment.

We pull up outside a school and Estera, the hospice social worker, dives inside and re-emerges pushing 12 year old Marco (above right) in his wheelchair. As he is helped into the front seat he chatters excitedly to Lidia, the nurse who cares for him, and I soon learn that his excitement is partly due to the fact that he has never ridden in the front seat of a car before! Marco has cancer and following surgery two years ago, has a metal brace holding his left leg together. He has seven brothers and sisters and they live in a one room home nestling under an electricity pylon, with their parents, and as we arrive the children bustle around Lidia laughing and playing. The purpose of the visit today is to change the dressing on his leg, but whilst there we also deliver food bought with funds from our Harvest for the Hungry project, and Lidia and Estera spend time talking with mum and dad. The extent of the love and respect the whole family have for Lidia is obvious; Daniel, their youngest, was named by her!

When we return to the offices, Marinela Murg, (right) the Director of the Emanuel Hospice, asks who we visited and it is obvious that she knows and loves each person. She tells me about a patient who was baptised just before passing away, a life saved through the witness and love of the team. What is more apparent is her burning desire to follow God's will and glorify His name in and around Oradea.
As we talk, Marinela tells me that she thinks she may have found some land to buy. I already know from previous conversations that Marinela feels called to further develop the Hospice service with a day centre and eventually, if resources allow, a unit with a few beds. Having spent the day visiting ill children and exhausted parents, I can see immediately how a respite facility will greatly benefit those under Hospice care. In addition to the immense need for respite care, Marinela is aware that beds would also be a major benefit for providing an improved Hospice service. The main hospital in Oradea has only six allocated palliative care beds, whilst the county hospital has none, with plans to allocate ten beds sometime in the future. Unfortunately, there is no legislation in Romania for palliative care, nor a national strategy for development of these services.

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