Tour Leader’s Blog

Yesterday was the funeral service for my father, Omar R. Martin, at the Chambersburg Mennonite Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Janet and I received a call that my Dad was very low while we were on tour in Romania. We left the tour in the capable hands of Ed Epp, my co-leader who finished leading the group, and arrived in Pennsylvania a week ago.

Rev. Omar R. Martin

I was grateful that I could be with my father for four days prior to his death and stayed with him through three nights. He asked me to preach his funeral sermon which I found to be a challenge, but also a great privilege.

Some TM alumni may have met my Dad on one of our tours or during his many years of ministry in the Mennonite Church. My father, 88 years old, was a retired minister and bishop in the Church, who also had a successful farming career. We all rejoice because of his faith and hope, and that he is now in heaven with my mother and brother.

~ Wilmer Martin

Yesterday we had a glimpse into the rich culture and history of Hungary. In the morning we visited the training farm of Hungary’s equestrian team. This team has won 13 world championships. We saw a display of traditional horsemanship including carriage rides, bareback tricks, archery and spear-throwing while riding, and horse ballet. We were served a traditional Hungarian meal from products grown on the farm while listening to a Gypsy band. In the afternoon we had a tour of Budapest and learned the city’s history. The group enjoyed the scenic views of Budapest from the top of Fisherman’s Hill. It was graduation day for high school students and we saw parades of new grads singing Hungarian folk songs.

Today was May Day - a holiday throughout Europe. We started the morning with a boat cruise down the Danube. We saw many families walking and biking - enjoying the beautiful sunny holiday. In the afternoon we drove 20 kilometres to a little artisan village along the Danube. After a wonderful Hungarian meal in an open air cafe, we walked through the village. Tiny stores displayed and sold pottery, crystal, lace, and traditional art work. Hungarian families biked and strolled with us while the Danube flowed alongside the village.

Tomorrow our adventure in Romania and Hungary comes to an end as we travel home. We have seen in Romania a country emerging as an economic force - hope for the future. We ended by visiting Hungary and seeing the changes it’s experienced since it emerged 10 years ago. We will have to return to see the ongoing progress in the years to come.

~ Ed Epp

The group made it to Budapest today. We enjoyed the spectacular scenery of Transylvania. The last few days have been full. On Sunday we attended the Philadelphia Evangelical Church where they were celebrating Orthodox Easter. Ed brought greetings on behalf of the seven churches represented by the group. There were several sermons and spontaneous prayer.

On Monday we heard the amazing history of CAPA and its contribution to the business development of Romania. Dale Beachey brought greetings to CAPA from the MEDA Board. Transylvania - actually all of Romania - is emerging into an economic powerhouse. It’s exciting to witness this first hand.

~ Ed Epp

Today we visited CAPA microfinance work in Iasi. This was the MFI that MEDA helped start. From modest beginnings the Iasi office are now very successful with over 20 million dollars in loans! We visited one client who made glass windows and furniture tops. His business grew by 400 percent last year. He now hires 12 people. We witnessed the global economy at work with Abe Fehr from Leamington making a potential contact to source specialized glass from him at prices much lower then those Abe had from Germany. We had a late lunch with the Capa staff and were amazed with their energy and dedication.

~ Ed Epp

The Visit “Transylvania Emerging” (Romania and Hungary) with MEDA tour arrived in Bucharest yesterday. Upon arrival in Romania we were impressed to see how the country is changing since becoming a member of the EU. Ed Epp is the leader serving as the story teller. He has traveled here many times as MEDA staff and has a deep appreciation for the people, their culture and their desire to succeed. He said, “I have been inspired by the Romanian people I worked with through CAPA. The program has been a huge, huge success due to their hard work and commitment. They have been an inspiration to me.”

This morning we toured the Royal Palace in Bucharest, the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon). Wilma Bailey toured the Pentagon as a student and was pleased to tour the Palace today. Our young guide spoke good English and described the change that is slowly emerging since the country became a Democracy.

We enjoyed the afternoon drive across the mountains to Brasov. We saw snow high in the mountains and spring flowers in the meadows. Murray Martin was impressed at the good roads we enjoyed compared to the roads we traveled last year on our tour in Tajikistan. We were reminded of the EU funding commitment and the will of the people to succeed. We look forward to meeting the local people in the programs.

~ Wilmer Martin