We would like to introduce ourselves: Inge is Danish and Fritz is Swiss. We are newly retired and enjoy having more free time for each other, relatives and friends and being able to take trips whenever we feel like it. We converted afresh to the Christian faith many years ago in the very same place, where we have our house today: in the beautiful Interlaken in Berner Oberland, Switzerland. Since then more than 30 years have past. We spent those years in different continents. Fritz worked in Ethiopia and India as a kitchen chef in international hotels and finally 24 years in Singapore, where he was the master chef for the Singapore Airlines flight catering for 18 years. We have three grownup children and a grandson.

During the month of December 2005 we stayed in Tirgu Mures Romania. The majority are Hungarians although the main language is Romanian. Apart from that a great number of Gypsies live there, but also some German and Jewish speaking people.

Fritz

For me it was an interesting month. I upgraded menus in a very good hotel and many parties where held due to Christmas and the New Year. I was delighted to learn how friendly and cooperative the staff where towards me. New menus where at once translated and tried out. The cooks where very helpful and willing to learn new things. I think it is important that the gastronomy is raised to a good standard. Many firms from abroad are investing in local businesses. Romania is a beautiful country with many resources. The opportunities for the right sort of people are many.

Inge

I used the time to practice the Romanian language and meet up with people. As Fritz speaks Italian, it is less complicated for him, somehow he always manages. My strongest impression during our stay was that the Romanian people need to pray hard for their country and its leadership. One day Fritz and I where sitting in the Mc Donalds when two women came and sat next to us. We quickly found out that they where believers. I felt strongly to share my impression. We came to know that one of them was a professional journalist and had been involved in collecting signatures for a Christian candidate. She is a miracle because she had a fall from a four story apartment building and only broke her feet.

"International Christian Aid", is a Swiss organization from Berner Oberland working with the poorest people in that area, the Gypsies. When we are there, we follow up on what is going on and are friends with a number of people. Their church meetings always touch our heart. The Gypsies are very open to the gospel, but most of them have problems in various ways to see their family through. There are also other organizations foreign as well as local doing the same kind of work. The poverty in Eastern Europe is beyond comprehension among the poorest.

We bought a plot of land 2 years ago, 7000 m3 with many fruit trees 7 km from the center of the town. The land is on a slight hill between an old typical Romanian village next to a grocery shop on the one side and on the other side next to a row of newly build houses. The road is good and there is canalization, electricity and gas as well as bus connection.