We flew out to a place called Iași, a city in eastern Romania that hosted the Emmaus Europe Regional Assembly. Over 250 people from Emmaus communities and groups in 17 countries across Europe attended the event. The Assembly included workshops, talks and votes for different roles within the Emmaus movement.
The hotel and food were amazing and as well as the Assembly, we went out on a few trips. We went to an Emmaus shop in Iași and two Emmaus communities. The first community we visited was out of the city, right out in the wilds – proper rural. They were self-sufficient basically – building, making, growing and farming everything on-site. They had their own polytunnels, ducks, geese, chickens, pigs and a cow, and they also had a little shop on-site.
The other community we visited was in Iași itself and was for mothers and their children. It was like a sit-up really. The way of life out there compared to the way we live in the UK is very different. It was a really eye-opening experience. I know there’s poverty over here but it’s nothing like what people are experiencing over there. The people were amazing though – very friendly and welcoming – it was good.
For the companions here at Emmaus Merseyside, it’s hard for them to imagine what life is like in Romania because they haven’t seen it for themselves. Seeing that different way of life first-hand and sharing the experience with others since I’ve been back was useful.
Overall the trip was amazing – I couldn’t fault it. I’d like to thank everybody involved for letting me go to Romania and see another part of the Emmaus way of life.