By Monika Qerimi -
MWB Albanian Field Manager

Monday, 17th March, 2008

As you may have learned from the news Saturday, March 15th, at about midday in a village called Gerdec, halfway between Durres and Tirana, near the only airport of Albania, there was a gigantic explosion of thousands of tonnes of explosive, artillery shells and other heavy ammunitions. The blast created a real catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions. It was a mini 9/11 for Albania.

According to formal statistics there are about 10 thousand tons of artillery shells and other munitions in Albania that need to be eliminated. In the area of Gerdec there is a factory for the disarming of heavy artillery shells. Unfortunately, the factory functioned by breaking all the rules and technical conditions which are normally very strict in this type of activity. From the testimonies of the inhabitants of the area and employees that managed to survive, it is said that the factory resembled more to an agricultural enterprise. The employees were totally untrained.

Preliminary reports speak of 10 dead and of more than 300 injured. It is dreaded that the number of human casualties will be several times higher considering that there were dozens of women and children, most of them illegal from this poor area, working there. Immeasurable are the material losses; dozens of houses destroyed or dismantled and innumerable small businesses ruined.

Thousands of inhabitants from Gerdec and the surrounding area were evacuated. The Durres-Tirana highway was blocked for the whole day. Many inhabitants found shelter in the bunkers of communist times. The city streets of Durres and Tirana were deserted as the people were at home glued to their TV, waiting for news and updates. The whole country lived hours of anxiety, panic and despair that can be compared to the news of September 11th.

Sunday, Fatos, our logistics manager, Valdet, our communications manager, our drive Arben and myself traveled as near the area as we could get. It was impossible to get close because of the police blockades. We did, however, witnessed the panic and disorientation of the people, and the unfortunate lack of organization.

The hospitals of Durres and Tirana continue to be ready to deal with hundreds of injured. The entire hospital personnel have been on call since Saturday midday.

The buildings of two holiday centers/hotels for the military in Durres beach were turned into welcoming centers for people who have remained homeless. They only have the clothes they have on.

Today, (Monday), we prepared a load of clothes and sent it to these centers. The mayor himself called and was glad to learn that we were organizing this distribution. He also sent representatives from the city hall to help this distribution arranged by all our staff for these 100 people that have found shelter in the buildings. Other distributions will be arranged in the coming days, making use of the Gift-In-Kind items we have in the warehouse because the number of people needing shelter continues to grow.

It is not easy to say precisely what we can do for them at the moment. Actually we hope that the situation gets clearer so that we can evaluate better what we can do. In the meantime we continue to stay in contact with the local government. Even the staff of the first lady asked our support for this emergency.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The prime minister called today a day of mourning. Every activity stopped for one minute at midday. Besides covering all the funeral expenses, the government for the moment, will also accord a sum of 2 million leks (approx. 16 thousand dollars) per each family that has had a victim.After the resignation of the Minister of Defense yesterday, the pressure from the press, the opposition as well as of the people in the area continues to mount. On the other hand, Berisha says he or his government do not intend to resign. The number of victims has reached seventeen, while the research operations in the area continue side by side with the operations of cleaning the surroundings from the exploded or unexploded ammunitions.

The first arrests related to the tragedy have also been carried out. Three people, managers/owners of the private companies that dealt with the deactivating of the missiles (or whatever they are called), were arrested today. Other arrests are expected.

Panic persists everywhere in the country and people still fear that this incident may be repeated in other areas in the village of Rromanat (that is quite near Durres).

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

A little over 100 persons have found their way to the two facilities in Durres organized to receive the homeless temporarily affected by Saturday’s (March 15, 2008) ammunition depot explosion near the cities of Durres and Tirana.

At present, our Albanian colleagues, working together with the local authorities, have started distributing clothes, blankets and other ‘Gift In Kind’ donations to the growing hordes of people seeking shelter at these centers.

In the coming days, the situation will hopefully become clearer as to how MWBA can best assist in this critical situation.

If you desire to help our efforts in this crisis, you may do so by clicking “Donate Now”.

Response to Kosovo’s declaration of independence in February has reminded the world that the former Republic of Yugoslavia is still very volatile. Strong ethnic feelings lie just under the surface and political forces are maneuvering without much world media attention. During and following the war of the early 1990’s, refuges fled persecution and violence.

Nearly four million people from the former Republic of Yugoslavia have come to depend on international emergency assistance since late 1991, when the horrific term “ethnic cleansing” was heard around the world.The term “refugee” is broad, but in Bosnia, for those people that Mission Without Borders reaches, the more appropriate term would be “internally displaced persons.” Due to the violence that they were exposed to during the war, they were forced to escape and find a new place where they could live without being afraid for their lives. As their numbers increased each day, refugee camps were the only alternative for them back in the 90’s.

Life in the camps was, at that time and still is, very hard. The intention of all the people living there was to leave as soon as the fighting and violence stopped and return to their homes. However, they have found it impossible to do so for many reasons. An example is the Drljo family, who were not able to return home because it’s located in an area of Bosnia that is ethnically “cleansed” - meaning that they would live in an environment where almost all the population is Muslim. Being Christian would expose to all sorts of maltreatments by their neighbors; their children would have to attend a school where the curriculum is written for Muslim children. Their chances for employment would be minimal since they would hardly get a job in an environment where the majority of the population (Muslim in this case) is still unemployed. Many families were so traumatized by the horror they witnessed and experienced that the idea of going home is too frightening. When refugees are asked why not return home the reply is literally:”I would rather die in the camp than return to the place that once I called home.”

Mission Without Borders is touching the lives of many of these internally displaced people on a practical and daily basis.

Your support helps make this possible.

Twenty-five Norwegian students traveled to Moldova, not sure whether or not the donors’ monies ever reached the people in need. They returned to Norway all fired up about the effectiveness of the Mission Without Borders’ operations and the high qualifications of the Moldovan staff.

After 32 hours of plane, train and bus rides, the students arrived in Crihana Veche, South Moldova. There they met with a local church congregation. They divided up into smaller groups to visit the families that attend the church. One student reported, “John (John Groza is MWB Moldova’s– Field Director) took me and four students to face poverty that none of us was prepared to meet. Suddenly we find ourselves in a yard where old, rusty tools are left where they last were used and where crap and dirt is everywhere. The people who live here have given up. Soon we understand why. Inside the old shack of a building, we meet with a mother and her 16 year old daughter. Her husband commited suicide a few months ago and she has a terminal disease with about two more months to live. Her younger son lives in the nearby orphanage. We listen to her story and try to ask some questions, but what can we say? So we end up standing there silently.”

During the next three days all of the students undergo similar experiences while visiting orphanages and poor families. They grain first-hand knowledge about the desperation among some of the families and children in Moldova. And they come understand why Mission Without Borders has an extremely important job to do.

On the plane ride back home one boy said: “Before this trip, I was very skeptical about Mission Without Borders because it is a Christian organisation. But now, after seeing the work you do, I think it is big plus that MWB is a Christian Organisation. These poor people need help, but more than that, they need hope.”

In a debriefing session another student commented, “Now, we are certain that if you give money to Mission Without Borders, the help reaches those who needs it.”

Operation Winter Rescue is the annual delivery of warm clothing, shoes and the necessities to ward off the freezing temeperatures experienced right throughout our field countries in winter.

In Bosnia, the Operation Winter Rescue items were received in the second half of December and included MANY blankets, beaniess, shawls, warm jackets, boots and other items. The hand-knitted items where all from Australia and repersented a huge blessing to the poor desperate to survive the freezing temperatures.

In the first day of January the deliveies began. Thousands and thousands of people benefited from the deliveries - the elderly, sick, families, orphans and the disabled!

Numerous volunteers were busy sorting out and getting the items ready for delivery..

20 % of the items went to our Community Centres program, in Glamoc and Zenica, 20% to Families in the Families in Crisis project, while 60 % was given to the Churches throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As always, this campaign came at the perfect time when the temperatures were well below freezing and people were in desperate need of warm clothes and shoes. The pastors were happy to receive the wonderful items and were now able to reach more people within the remote villages and places in their communities.

Campaigns like these strenghten the already solid ties between Mission Without Borders and the local churches and our joint prayer is that the Operation Winter Rescue campaign will continue into the future for the benefit of the many people in need.

Child Rescue International (CRI) is the child sponsorship program of Mission Without Borders

Update February 2008

In Moldova, Romania and Ukraine our Child Rescue International Child Sponsorship/Christmas Gift distribution Project surprised a lot of children with special Christmas gifts from sponsors - like you!

We all know that giving is better than receiving and this was demonstrated while the Christmas gifts were handed out to the children. Words cannot convey how amazing the experience was for the MWB Coordinators and Volunteers… Children’s hearts were overflowing as they found the chocolates, school supplies, socks, the gloves, scarves, and underwear etc. The affect of this generosity had an amazing impact on the mood of the Home. They could not express their gratitude enough for these wonderful perfect presents!

Constantin (10) lives in Carpineni Children’s Home in Moldova. He was over the moon when he, and many other of his fellow students, were surprised with the overwhelmingly wonderful Christmas gifts! Nothing can give one more satisfaction than to see a poor child’s eyes sparkling with happiness! Constantin studies in third grade and has a five year old brother Ion who also lives in the Home. Constantin and his brother have lived in the Home for a year. Even though they come from Carpineni village, they never go home. “At home we did not have food, cloths and wood to warm the room we lived in. Life in this Children’s Home is better. It is warm. We learn good things. We are provided with tasty meals, warm clothing and shoes”, said Constantin. Their mother, Feodora, suffers from Schizophrenia and lives with their 15 year old brother Grisa. Their mother is frequent patient in the Psychiatric Hospital in Chisinau. Their father died and their mother’s second husband divorced and abandoned the family. It is sad to hear that a smart child like Constantin had never heard of Christmas before coming to Carpinenu Home a year ago… His memories of birthdays were not a whole lot better. When the brothers remembered their birthdays, they told their mother and she would buy them an ice cream. Constantin does not have any possessions from home. All they arrived at the Children’s Home with was their kindness and sense of respect for their fellow students and carers…

This Christmas, accompanying the Christmas performance, the children were offered a box of sweets and Constantin and many of the other children enjoyed special gifts from their sponsors. The presents and the love expressed with were received with glee and joy!

Constantin’s shared with eyes smiling, “If my sponsor were close by, I would give him a hug and a kiss to show that I love him, too!”

While overwhelmed with joy, it was priceless to see was how Constantin and many of the other children earnestly ensured no child missed out, sharing sweets with their friends, brother and sisters…

As soon as Constantin saw this wonderful gift, he asked his brother’s teacher if Ion could join him as he opened the gift. He asked Ion to choose what he wanted from the box. Not surprisingly Ion grasped hold of the wonderful sweets and toys. As a challenge to us and our children, Constantin’s joy in receiving the parcel was only a small measure of the joy he expressed when he knew his brother could also benefit from this wonderful Christmas gift!

 It is hoped to keep the Christmas Gift Distribution an annual tradition – a wonderful way to bring joy into the lives of your precious sponsored children. It is just another we can show them you care and they are precious to you and to the Lord!

Please be assured that if you were unable to purchase one of these Christmas gifts, those who were able to, provided extra funds to ensure children did not miss out on experiencing the joy of Christmas.

For those who were able to provide a gift for their sponsored children, you will find enclosed a thank you card from the children – a special reminder how much your gifts meant to each one of them!

Thank you for your support of our Child Rescue International Child Sponsorship Program. Your support throughout the year is a life-saver for these kids. I am sure your prayers are joined with ours that each and every child in the Children’s Homes of Eastern Europe would come to know of the love, joy and hope we can experience when we discover the love of our Heavenly Father.

God Bless,

Michelle Dorey

During 2007, ten families - beneficiaries of the F2F program in Bosnia received donations of cows from their sponsors. Those families were not the only ones who benefited from these donations – the local community benefited as well. For families who were given the gift of the cow, this represented a huge step on their way to self-sufficiency - one of the central aims of Mission Without Border’s Family-to-Family Program.However, the benefits were not limited to the individual families. For the local community it meant an increase in cattle-breeding as well as decreased number of poor families.

Besides these factors, there is one result that is truly inspiring, the most important result of this blessing. Every week, at least one of this blessed with a cow for their family comes to Mission Without Border’s Community Centre in Glamoc, to deliver several kilos of cheese to be used in feeding the poor elderly and disabled beneficiaries of the Soup Kitchen.

Having visited there last April, the Glamoc Community Centre is offering a lifesaving ministry to the poor, elderly and disabled of the town. The debris of war still litters the town, the unemployment rate is over 70% and by far the majority of the population is elderly and has been abandoned by their children and grandchildren who long left in hope of finding jobs and a life elsewhere. They feel forgotten and abandoned and the state of Bosnia is do next to nothing to help them. For many of the elderly, their entire diet consists of the daily meal they receive at the Soup Kitchen.

Therefore the addition of wonderful fresh cheese from the families now enjoying the produce of their new family member- is priceless.The cheese is used in meals consisting of pasta or maize flour and it is nutritious for the beneficiaries of the Glamoc Feeding Centre.

It is perfect evidence that the beneficiaries of our Programs, such as those in the Family-to-Family Program, have learnt not just to wait and take, to also to give and help others! By doing so, they show love and compassion towards those less fortunate than themselves!

A challenging and inspiring for us Australians, isn’t it!

If you would like to join MWB’s Family-to-Family Program, but sponsoring a family and/or give the gift of something as prized and priceless as an animal aiding them on their way to self-sufficiency - contact us, or visit this website for more information or to see some families waiting for sponsorship now!

God Bless,

Michelle Dorey

National Director

WHAT AN EXCITING YEAR WE HAVE AHEAD OF US!

Thanks to your generous donations, we filled three containers in 2007 – with the items already blessing thousands of children, families and elderly in our programs

RIGHT NOW, as they endure the depths of the Eastern European winter. The message from our International Leadership and those staff and volunteers in the field countries is an overwhelming “Thank you and well done”. The quality of the items we have sent are top class and all items have been so useful and such a blessing. Here you will see some of the beneficiaries of the container that has blessed the poor of Albania. Many have asked when the next container is leaving Australia, and can they continue to send in their lovingly knitted items? Keep sending them in! The minute the next container is full, it will be sent immediately, and we will start packing the next one.

We would still love your knitted items: large and small blankets; jumpers - we have a particular need for older children and adults; hats; scarves; beanies and bedsocks.

Our field countries have also continued to ask for knitting yarn and needles, as well as craft items – all for use by children in the Vocational Training in the Children’s Homes as well as for the families and elderly who would love to sew and knit for themselves, but do not have the money for supplies.

WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO HEAR FROM COMPANIES WHO HAVE EXCESS STOCK they would like to donate. We have designated lists of what will be useful to our field countries and beneficiaries – but would love to talk with any company contacts, who have excess stock their company is willing to donate. This area of our ministry is growing rapidly – Pumpkin Patch and King Gee Clothing are two of a growing list of companies donating their excess stock – wonderful donations that will bless thousands!

FOR COLLECTION POINTS, we need more people willing to come forward as collection points. We have a small list at this stage.

If you have items for collection – everything must be new please, please contact either:

1. Our office (02) 9793-8100 or by email Australia@mwbi.org

2. Sheryl Rumball in Sydney, our amazing volunteer who coordinates the collection of our ‘Gift in Kind’ from companies and individuals:

Sheryl Rumball Phone 0432952762 or sherylrumball@hotmail.com.

3. Jenny Grainger in Melbourne who is playing a wonderful role in collecting our ‘Gift in Kind’ and also acting as a spokesperson for our ministry Phone (03) 9795 6141 or jennymarg@hotmail.com

I look forward to sharing the news and photos soon, of where the items in the container we sent from Sydney in September have gone, and how they have blessed thousands of needy children and families! Please check our website for up to date information on this area of our ministry - www.mwb.org.au.

Thank you for your partnership! One child, one family at a time, we are making a difference!

God Bless

Michelle Dorey

Mission Without Border’s Ukraine had cause for celebration recently as a former beneficiairy of Mission Without Border’s ministry to Children’s Homes, was baptised in the waters in Korets’ village. 

They invited many people to come and share this joy, because Yuriy is a vivid example of God’s work through different projects of Mission Without Borders. 

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Yuriy is from a poor and dysfunctional family. He ended up in Myzhyrychi Boarding Home, not because of health problems, (like other children) but through his parents’ lifestyle choice. There, he was among the first to enlist in the Mission-organised Sunday school. He liked spending his time learning about how God loved all people and children, in particular.

“Yuriy always stood out, being actively involved in the skits and dramas in Sunday School, and was always saying that he wanted to be a Christian,” says Olga, his Sunday School teacher.

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Five years ago, in one of our camps called “Morning Star”, Yuriy accepted Jesus into his heart. Ever since, Yuriy has had a strong desire to be baptised and serve the Lord.

First though, he had to finish his technical education. Later on he married Luba, a girl from Zdovbytsya Children’s Home, who indeed, also met Christ through the Home’s Sunday School program.  Now, both have begun ministering at the local church in Myzhyrychi and are expecting a child. “My dream is to preach and for Luba and I to be involved in ministry in the Children’s Homes,” said Yuriy.  They also gladly shared with great excitement how a few months ago, they lead an elderly man to the Lord, who has now passed away and is with his Saviour.

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This short story is a wonderful reminder that everything we do- whether providing for the physical, emotional or spiritual needs of children, is all vital. When we see lives transformed, like Yuriy’s and Luba’s, it encapsulates the essence of Mission Without Border’s Mission and Mandate- “Reching People for Christ”.Pray with us that many more children would come to understand they are loved and precious to their Heavenly Father who is reaching out to them with the gift of Salvation through His Son Jesus.

Families are at the heart of what we do. If we assist the families, we show them someone cares, we can provide for their needs for today and help them work toward self-sufficiency for their future. This provision also saves some children from relinquishment to Children’s Homes, because their parents simply do not have the resources to feed, clothe and provide a home for them.

So how do we help, and do we make a difference? If you were to describe Mission Without Border’s holistic care of a family, the Stavila family is the perfect example of a family whose life has completely changed! Moldova is a desperately poor agricultural country and the desperation of many families who believe their best chance of survival is to send their husbands and sons to the big cities of Moscow and St Petersburg to find work in the lucrative construction industries. This dream is fraught with tremendous danger and stories of success are rare. The Stavila family saw sending Pavel, their young husband and father, to Moscow as their only option. Thankfully, we were able to provide them with the assistance they needed to turn their lives around for the better. Self-sufficiency is no longer a pipe dream- it is a reality they are relishing!

Why in this post-communist country is life so hard? Surely freedom means opportunity and democracy encourages entrepreneurs! On the contrary, Moldova is a desperately poor, landlocked, agricultural country. Hope and opportunity are hard to find and this is soul-destroying for many. Furthermore, most Moldovan villages are scarcely populated these days. Common stories abound of the desperate struggle of abandoned children left in the care of their ailing grandparents, as their parents joined the swelling numbers of those seeking employment abroad, while many elderly citizens are barely surviving; now adult children have left for employment elsewhere.

Happy, self-sufficient, surviving young families in Moldovan villages are rare. There are little or no employment options and for those without opportunities elsewhere, they try and eek what living they can out of the struggling agricultural industry. It is extremely disheartening to see your efforts turn to nil and as a ‘breadwinner’ see your young family struggling to survive. It is no wonder husbands, wives and parents turn to alcohol as a way to escape! The problem of alcoholism in Eastern Europe is far-reaching and the affects on the families are devastating!

Not all hope is lost however, and the Stavila Family is one such case where success is very much in their grasp! The Stavila family consists parents Pavel and Ana, and children Marcel (7) and Emanuela (4). They are a simple, modest, hardworking family with skills in agriculture. Despite their dreams and desire to work the land, and sell what they produce, they were not able to realise their dream because of sheer poverty. Thanks to enrolment and assistance from Mission Without Borders, their lives have turned around and their future looks bright!

Prior to enrolment, they believed their only solution was for Pavel to go to Moscow to earn money, but now he is able to stay with his family and earn a living! If before they did not have goals for the future, now they know what they want! If before they spent most of their free-time watching TV, today they make reading and studying the Bible a priority! If before disunity threatened their family, now they have shared thoughts, dream, ambitions and goals.

In Mission Without Borders, we have a S.E.E.M. framework for assisting families. The Coordinator, in consultation with the family, sets Spiritual, Educational, Emotional and Material Goals. For the Stavila family, it is overwhelmingly obvious that this structural help has totally changed their life!

Knowing now that God is Almighty and Merciful, their efficiency improved and a peace and assurance now dwells in their hearts and home. “We are happy that we have been offered the chance to know God and live a better life. Even our neighbours have noticed the wonderful changes in our home and lives”, remarked Pavel gladly. Now involved in their local church, they love the adult Bible Study and the children love attending Sunday School! In the evenings, the family enjoys spending time in God’s Word, singing songs and prayer. Their Bibles, gifts from MWB, are treasured, well-worn possessions, and Marcel and Emanuela love to show off their beautiful Children’s Bibles. “I love my Bible. It is so beautiful and colourful. I cannot read well yet, but we ask our Mum to read the stories to us. We have even learnt several verses by heart. We enjoy praying before going to bed. I ask God to protect my family.” Marcel said proudly. Big family highlights include the Christmas and Easter parties they attend with the other beneficiaries!

In addition to this Spiritual food and encouragement, there is no doubt the material support offered to the Stavila family has played an enormous role in assisting them to gain self-sufficiency. They firmly believe God led MWB’s representatives to their home. “Our life has completely changed, and in everything we do, we know that God protects and watches over us.” said Ana. Previously, Pavel had graduated from Agricultural College and hoped to find a good job, but with no employment opportunities available in their area, he was feeling discouraged and feared for how his family would survive. With our help, he is now able to put everything he learnt into practice. His family lives on 3 hectares of land, given by his grandparents. He is overwhelmed with thankfulness for the tractor they received while enrolled in our program. “I never dared to dream that I would have a tractor and the ability to live off the land in a self-sufficient way! I am now sure that with God all things are possible! I am so thankful for MWB’s support. We are encouraged to continue on with self-sufficiency and have we great plans for our future!”

Due to the large parcel of land they own, the skills they possess and the resources our programs have provided, the Stavila family have managed to grow all the feed necessary for the livestock they now own. They are now in a position to raise and sell additional livestock, which will provide them with the resources to care for their family and make necessary improvements to their very humble home – such as replacing the roof and digging a well to ensure they have a constant supply of water close by. “I am now courageous and hopeful about our future because I see God’s Hand at work in our family” said Pavel. Ana also plays a significant role in their busy farm projects and has instilled in her young children a love for work and helping where they can. Four-year-old Emanuela loves caring for the baby chicks, and looks after them with great authority and care! The Stavila family now considers it a privilege and joy to share what surplus they have to bless those less fortunate.

Mission Without Borders has had a tremendous affect on their lives – first by changing their minds and hearts and then by encouraging them with moral, spiritual and material support.

Mission Without Borders is unique in its holistic care for families. The program is successful, but only functions with your support. The need of families is enormous and as the winter closes in, families suffer all the more. Please consider helping the families in our care. Your gifts will ensure our programs continue and urgent needs are met, and Family Sponsorship is a wonderful way you can care for a family on an ongoing basis.

The Stavila Family was a family many thought was hopeless, without drive, ambition and opportunity for self-sufficiency; a young family destined for long-term struggle. Now, having made great strides toward self-sufficiency, their future lies ahead with hope and independence. Many more families would desperately love the opportunity to receive the structural help the Stavila Family received – your gift today to Mission Without Borders will ensure many more families can face their future with confidence and tools for self-sufficiency! Moldova is a country in need, but each of our six field countries are all overwhelmed with families desperate for our assistance!

For those able to encourage families on an ongoing basis, family sponsorship through our Family-to-Family program is a wonderful partnership changing lives. Sponsors often feel attached to ‘their’ families and love to play a part in seeing their situations improve and encourage them as they work towards self-sufficiency.

If the Stavila family had not had the benefit of Mission Without Border’s programs- made possible by gifts from supporters like you, they would be facing a grim winter. We must turn countless families away every day that need our help – your support today will enable us to say yes to those families waiting. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear many more success stories!

by Cristina Ranca - Romanian Program Manager

The 75 seats were not sufficient for all people who attended the new church on its day of dedication: residents from Romani de Sus village and the surrounding region, pastors from Vilcea, a few members of a brass band from Tirgu Jiu county, the vice president of the Regional Pentecostal Community, the Mission Without Border’s coordinator Iosif Cercelaru, as well as three other MWB Romania Staff and our two special colleagues from New Zealand, Robert and Pamela Imlach.

We counted over 120 people attending the church service.

Among those at the service were the two kindergarten teachers in the village. There was great excitement surrounding  around the immenant Christmas event for all 240 children in the village.

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Ionatan Voina presented a short history of the church in Romanii de Sus: the first Christians came from Tirgu Jiu 35 years ago and planted a church there. The church went through difficulties for many years: the believers would gather in their homes because they never had a church building. Few other missionaries visited them, and since they were almost illiterate, they could not read the Bible. However, their faith prevailed, because above doctrine and theology, they had the strongest weapon: prayer.

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Thirteen years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Karlsen visited them from Norway. They saw how the people in Romanii de Sus lived: out of the 1100 people in the village there were very few having a job, commuting to 40 kilometers. They earned their living by picking berries and mushrooms from the forest – part of them was sold, part was used for their own consumption. Another source of income was making baskets or rudimentary agricultural tools. They have their gardens, some chickens and maybe a pig; the wealthiest have a cow or a horse. Although it is modest, the church building stands out in between the small and almost collapsing homes. The Christians there are very proud to finally have a church.

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I witnessed 83 years old Lenuta Porumbescu walking inside the church for the first time. When climbing the few steps with the help of her stick, she leaned against the wall and started to cry. I thought she was in pain and wanted to help, but her tears were actually tears of joy as she was thanking God “for keeping her alive to see that day.”  I was humbled to hear that 88 years old Ioana Ciucioi walks 4 kilometres to church from the nearby village “because she is able to.” Seeing her so small and frail, I imagine how church takes her almost the whole day: after 2 hours of church service, she needs to walk back another 4 kilometres. 

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It was a festive day and all speakers expressed their joy and honor to participate in the event. Robert Imlach had a very good message about the church as a building versus the church as a body. He quoted from 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20:“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body”.and 1 Peter 2: 4-5:”As you come to Him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

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Victor Tudorache, the vice-president of the Regional Pentecostal Community concluded the service with a Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the Temple (1 Chron. 6) urging the believers to keep the purpose which the church was built: that this place should always be a place prayer of praise and worship, and a place where Christians learn how to live their lives once they leave to their homes, families and neighbors. He also said the closing prayer, asking for God’s blessing upon the Church in Romanii de Sus.

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One of the cooks-to-be wanted to bring her gift and participate with something for that day. Her husband came back from Spain where he earned some money in construction. Her offer consisted in a meal for all visitors. Together with the other cook participating in the cooking course, she had the final exam in cooking. In January they will finally have the diploma in their hands, so they are prepared.After the church service, all the villagers attending received a little gift consisting of some hygiene supplies from MWB. The OCL parcels were distributed the day before, and we plan to implement OWR there in January. Thus Thursday, at the children’s Christmas celebration, we will have a gift for all 240 children in the village, and early next year we hope to start delivering warm meals. The life of the people in Romanii de Sus is starting to change!