Mollie Magee - Official Site

MISSION STATEMENT FOR FAIRVIEW WOMEN IN CHRIST
Fairview Women In Christ is open to all women. Our purpose is to bring glory to God. Our prayer is to shine His light and to share His love through our words and actions. It is the goal of FWiC to see women develop an intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, FWiC desires each woman to grow in faith and affect the lives of others.

FAIRVIEW BRETHREN IN CHRIST PRESENTS
“IN THE HANDS OF THE POTTER”

The Fairview Brethren in Christ Church of Englewood, Ohio invites all women in the Northmont community and the surrounding area to attend, “In the Hands of the Potter” on October 21st at 10:00 a.m. Fairview Brethren in Christ Church is located at 750 Union Blvd. in Englewood. This exciting workshop will give each woman an opportunity to work with clay. An art instructor will give demonstrations in basic hand building techniques. Participants are asked to wear old clothes and bring ideas for creating a clay sculpture. The women’s group is planning to glaze the projects at the November 18th meeting. Come and join other area women for a special time of encouragement, making new friends, and just plain fun!
All women in the community are encouraged to attend and to bring a friend, relative, neighbor, or co-worker. The cost of this workshop is $5.00 per person. Cost covers all supplies. Advance registration is required.

Trip-June 17-June 24, 2004 - Romania
Mollie, Mark and Matt Magee

On June 17th we began our journey. We arrived in Bucharest at 2:40 p.m. and soon boarded a train to Cluj, 7 hour journey. That makes our travel a bit over 24 hours. After arriving at our hotel, we got some much needed rest. Tomorrow would begin our experience of a lifetime.

The first thing we noticed about Cluj was that it seemed like the U.S. 50 years ago. The public parks were full of families enjoying the afternoon. We soon learned that it was tradition for families to take afternoon or early evening walks together. There was a cotton candy stand at the entrance of the park and the tasty sweet treat cost only $.25. Nearby, a hotel had a large pond where people could rent row boats or paddleboats. It reminded us of the old NCR recreation park.

Visiting Laura - For our 1st World Vision home visit, we were taken to a foster home to meet baby Laura. This beautiful 4 month old little girl, Laura, was abandoned at birth. Her mother was young and poor and had no way to care for the child. World Vision placed Laura in a foster home with an energetic Romanian Grandmother, Luci, who surrounds Laura with love, attention and care. The future for Laura will be to find a family to adopt her or to restore her to her mother. World Vision would like to help the mother and provide her with training and support to enable this little girl to be with her biological mother but the young mother has refused help so far. International adoptions are not an option right now because Romania is not permitting them at this time. So baby Laura will be placed in a Romanian home hopefully soon. I wanted to bring her home.ƒº

Gypsy Family - One morning we drove far away from the city of Cluj and took dirt roads to visit a gypsy family. This family of 6 children lived on a small piece of land in a one room shack. As we pulled up, the oldest boy (9) could be seen hammering boards on a roof. The Dad told us that he was working on a room addition using old stones and bricks that he carried by horse drawn cart from an old abandoned building. They wanted to make sure we knew they had a horse. The room addition was like a kid¡¦s fort. It was pieced together and didn¡¦t look very secure but the Dad was trying hard to make it work and was proud of his efforts. His wife was busy caring for the children and the new baby. There were many flies and the children were wearing heavy clothes to keep the bugs off their skin. The house had no running water and no toilets. Behind the house was a water hose running from a well and then also some outhouses. They had a couple of piglets and a dog, too. We noticed that this tiny piece of property was surrounded by green farmland and crops. We asked if they had any of the land or garden and the Dad explained that a rich farmer owned the land and they couldn¡¦t afford to buy any and also that the crops we not available to them. He smiled and said that when no one was looking, they would occasionally grab some ears of corn. World Vision was trying to help this family by providing some necessary supplies and medicines. This family will need a lot of help and hopefully they would stay put so they could receive some additional help.

Youth Transitional Program - One program that got our attention was called the youth transitional program. In Romania, children in orphanages are there until they are 18 years old. At the age of 18, they are let go. World Vision recognized that these children were ending up on the street so they are starting a transitional program which takes 18+ teens and puts them in a foster home to learn vocational skills and/or finish their education. We were taken to a teen transitional foster home where 2 young (ages 19-20) were finishing their training as tailors. The girls showed us their gorgeous suits and dresses. We were taken to their workshop and they let us see their newest projects. They gave us a lovely tablecloth and napkins set to bring home. Olga, the oldest, had been in an institution (orphanage ¡V they call it institution) for 11 years. We asked her to describe it and she said it had lots of rules and regulations. She also said that children never had human contact from adults. So for 11 years she never knew hugs or affection. She said she was so happy now and it showed. While showing us her outfits she was bubbly and never stopped smiling. Both girls have dreams of owning their own shop someday but will be very happy to work in a factory later this summer after graduation. Without this transitional program, these girls and teens like them would be living on the street as beggars or prostitutes. Now they have hope for a much brighter future.

Daycare - We visited a World Vision run Day Care in Rosieni in the Mociu community. The center set in a rural area in the middle of a field surrounded by some large shade trees. The children were seated at some kiddy tables playing with clay. They liked showing us their clay figures and baskets. The center was 2 rooms, brightly painted and supplied by Women of Vision ¡V a women¡¦s group of World Vision. I soon took out my wooden soprano recorder and my tin whistle and began to play. The children clapped and danced. The teacher gave them some little instruments (drums and wood sticks) to play. It was so much fun. Soon the children gathered around us and sang some songs. Next, they were showing us their work in writing, reading and math. Mark, Matt and I were touched by how hard they worked and how much it meant to them. World Vision has developed this Day Care in a community that had nothing. These children never had an opportunity for schooling and now they can come together to play and learn. This was also an important time for the parents because many of them were not able to work because they could not leave the children. These children have playmates and a kind-loving teacher to see everyday. Most of the children get up early and walk to the center and walk home but it is with great joy that they make this journey!

New School - We visited a new school in which helped finance part of the heating system. The school will be ready for the Fall and will enable children to attend school in their community without going away to boarding schools in larger towns.

Christian Club - Next we visited a Christian Teen Club. There was a young teacher who organizes programs, field trips and activities to educate children in religion. Any teen wanting to attend is welcome. Currently, the children were making ICON blocks, organizing a lending library and making scrapbooks on Romanian Churches. The teens and the teacher presented us with one of the ICON blocks as a way to remember them. It was so special.

Joseph and the Greenhouse ¡V Another drive through the countryside led us to another rugged dirt road to Joseph¡¦s house. Joseph lived in a block house, one of the few we saw, and had an interest in plants and gardens. World Vision recognized his interest and helped Joseph develop his own business. He was supplied with materials and instructions on building a greenhouse. The greenhouse was amazing. The healthy plants were a source of pride for Joseph. Recently, Joseph had been injured in an auto accident but was quickly recovering. He apologized for not being able to build his 2nd greenhouse. We were so impressed by his attitude and determination. He took us to a well nearby the greenhouse and explained that he dug it himself. He carries water to all the plants. His family helps him, too. I asked if I could take pictures and he quickly got his family to get in some pictures, too. He was such a joy to be around. Joseph sells the vegetables and starter plants as a source of income.

Meeting our Sponsored Family -

One afternoon we pulled in to the teen recreation center with a few staff members and were soon greeted by some very familiar faces, our sponsored family. Mr. Mocean, appeared frail and was very quiet a first. Florina, a junior in high school, had just arrived home from school. Mihai, the 10 year old boy, had ridden with us for part of his way home from boarding school. The oldest daughter had to stay in Cluj at school for exams.

We looked at their faces knowing that without sponsorship these sweet people would not be a family today. The mother died before they were sponsored because she didn't receive medication for epilepsy. Mr. Mocean, who had lost his job and was unable to get this medicine for his wife or even provide for his family, blamed himself for her death and was unable to do anything. He stayed in his house and didn¡¦t eat well or care about life anymore. This family was going to be split up and the children were to be farmed out to relatives all over the place. World Vision sponsorship enabled this family to stay together. We have been blessed to sponsor the Mocean Family.

At one point of our meeting we gave some simple gifts to each one. Mr. Mocean, a pocket watch- He cradled it in his hand like a new toy. He said it was the most beautiful gift he'd ever received. We showed him how to fasten it on his trousers but he said it was much too precious to wear like that. He would treasure it forever! Also, he had always wanted one.

To Florina -a cross necklace for her and one for Ancu (older sister). She was really excited because the girls always write us about how much God and church means to them especially since their Mom died.

Mihai - Matchbox cars - He just stared at the cars and our Matt talked to him about the different ones. He was astonished at their bright colors and bold designs.

Then we gave the whole family some walkie-talkies and everyone had so much fun playing with them; even the World Vision staff got in on the fun. This was a real hit!

Later, after our lunch, we talked and of all the comments we all remember Mr. Mocean's comments about World Vision, our family, his children and their future. He said, "Thank you for helping my family. They are all doing so well and we are all together. The older girls go to school in the city because that's where school is but Mihai goes to boarding school because I'm not able to care for him by myself. I am getting better (he smiled). You've shown much love to my family. ***I know now they are able to be whatever they want, but all I want is for them to love God, be honest and trustworthy people! If they are these things then I will be glad!"
We were so touched by his comments.

Mr. Mocean stood and kissed my hand and this quiet, shy man began talking to Mark and Matt about everything. None of us wanted this time to end. We all knew that our paths may never cross again except through letters and pictures. After hugs and kisses for Florina and Mihai, we had to be on our way. I fought off the tears and made it into the van. It was a quiet ride back to Cluj.

There are markers in all of our lives pinpointing moments of change. This trip was a marker in our lives that will help us see more clearly and to speak more directly to the needs to people. We have worked with World Vision for over 6 years. Our ministry is to educate people about what World Vision is doing to meet the needs to people worldwide and to invite people to partner with us by sponsoring a child or family. We are constantly amazed at what our work is accomplishing to change peoples lives, to build communities and to give hope to the ones having none. Our 14 year old son, Matt, will always remember this trip. He met his little sponsored brother, Mihai, that lives in a country so different than ours. This trip has made our cable T.V., cell phone, game system, and computer, seem so much less important than before.

Where do we go from here? We share our story. Where there is poverty, we see promise; problems, we see opportunities; despair, we see hope. We are so blessed to live in this country and with that blessing comes responsibility. That responsibility is to make a difference! To schedule Mollie Magee to come and share with your church, please contact Mark Magee at mmagee@intergate.com.

James 2:18- Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by what I do.