Casa Delureni
Casa Delureni
Casa Delureni – “House in the Hills” – is a guest house set in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, central Romania. It is run by the White Cross Mission, with five farms, for the benefit of orphans rescued from the grim conditions of the “care” of the former Ceausescu regime. Living in conditions of extreme privation and neglect, the physical and emotional development of these youngsters was probably permanently stunted. Apart from “get-aways” and retreats, the Guest House runs ongoing courses (eg art, natural history, bird watching, etc). The aim of the Mission is to give these youngsters as independent and fulfilling a life as possible as they grow up. In April this year Rev. Olive took part in the inaugural Retreat, with others from this area. The following report is reproduced, with kind permission, from “Five Alive”, the magazine of the Redruth group of churches.
On Monday 14th April 2008 seven of us left for a “Retreat” in Romania. After a long day and getting to know the rest of the group we landed in Bucharest in Hungary at 4.15 pm. We then had a rather long ride to Casa Delureni, the guest house, and met Margaret and Graham who came earlier for the official opening of the guest house.
Our first morning we were all up early out on the balcony looking at the stunning views and enjoying the absolute peace and tranquillity of this beautiful place. After breakfast prayers and readings were taken by Rev. Olive Stevens and LWL Margaret Johnson and this continued throughout our stay. After our reflections our days were filled with wonderful trips for those who wanted to go. One trip was to a tiny monastery up in the mountains. At the capital, Oradea, we visited two further monasteries; one being very new and large and built in 1993 was called the Saint Cross Monastery – the paintings inside and out are something one will never forget. The other was tiny in the same grounds and built in the 17th Century. Both are cared for by 63 nuns and 3 priests.
Local markets were visited as was the Baile Felix Spa which was enjoyed by many of us. We had many trips, one of which was to the mountains – a bumpy ride but well worth it when we spotted snow on the tops in the distance. The lake and waterfalls had a beauty of their own. This day was made extra special by having our picnic lunch outside a cabin owned by our lovely driver, Octavian.
Two of the five farms we visited prepared a lovely meal for us. It was a joy to meet the youngsters who were fascinated with our cameras and wanted to be photographed. The farms are owned by the White Cross Mission who run them and care for the youngsters with the help of wonderful house mothers who teach them home, life and farming skills.
One of the most important parts which made the retreat so enjoyable was the hospitality received from our hosts and the friendliness of the local people. The guest house was spotlessly clean and our rooms were airy with lovely views and en suite facilities. The food was delightfully displayed with soup, main course and a sweet twice a day plus a choice of breakfasts. If we had a whole day out they made us a packed lunch.
Editor: Transylvania – that’s where Dracula comes from, isn’t it? (Yes). Romania, a backward east European country, right? (Maybe, but beautiful and with much history). Ceausescu’s regime – a long time ago now, surely? (Ended 1989 actually). What’s this got to do with us now? Recently Rev. Olive hosted a couple of these youngsters here in Camborne – they came to Evensong and Firbank’s Follies. Aged about 12 to 13, as I thought, they were attentive and respectable. I was stunned to be informed that Ann was actually 23 and Cornelius was 27, and during an outing a local restaurant had assumed from their appearance that they qualified for children’s meals. Such is the effect of their appalling background.