The team are all doing well and spending most of their time giving out gift bags to orphans and the poor. We have been to 2 orphanages, a special needs school, a small rural school, and a hospital for psychiatric patients. The orphans have received the gifts with joy. They were also so excited to see Santa. Sometimes we would driving along the road with Santa in the front seat of the van and people would react like it was the Santa Claus parade! It was also interesting how some orphans and elderly seemed comforted by the presence of Santa Claus. The contact with the orphans has been very moving. It is also sad to hear of some of the circumstances that they are coming from. In addition we have heard some “life stories” from our orphan volunteers which have been both sad and hopeful. The team has done an amazing job. The days have been long and tiring starting at 7am and ending at 10pm. Tonight is the last night with the orphans. Tomorrow the team takes the train back to Cluj to have meetings and clean-up before flying out early Saturday morning for Amsterdam-Toronto. Thank-you for your support. Bob, for the team

We arrived safely Saturday night but were minus 12 of our 29 hockey bags! Fortunately they followed us on the next flight about 3 hours later. Today (Monday) we got cleared of Swine Flu at a health clinic and went to give out fruit at a local elderly care center. Tomorrow we are off to a special needs school and then go to the Ilisua orphanage to host a Christmas dinner. The team is doing well and are really connecting with the orphan volunteers! thanks for your support! -Bob Fukumoto

The Christmas team of 14 people left Toronto on Friday and arrived safely in Cluj on Saturday. Their purpose is to bring Christmas to over 300 orphans and needy people who don’t normally get to experience anything with family. They will be returning from their trip on November 28, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers while they are away.