History

Our mission to Romania began in 2007 when we went to Chisele t, south east Romania. We helped in the rebuilding of homes for Roma families whose houses had been totally destroyed when the River Danube flooded very badly the previous year.
By September 2010 we had sent 15 teams (45 different people) and had helped to rehouse 10 families.

We then moved our work to Rasnov where 160 deprived Roma families lived beside a river, which for most of them was their sole water supply and toilet!
During four visits in 2011 we managed to build a complete new house and add a sizeable extension to another.

In 2012 we worked on building another extension to a house and some of our people helped in the local Schoala with English lessons.
In 2013 we built a new home for a family who had been living in a one-roomed wooden shack and we also supported an after school project at the local Schoala to improve literacy and ran a week-long summer camp for 25+ Roma children.,

2014 saw us taking a new direction as we looked to form new partnerships for our work in Romania. We spent the year visiting several organisations who were already well established and working in the country to see where we could best “fit in” and where our resources and expertise would be most effective. During this time we built a communal shower/toilet block for a community in Rapa and a house for a needy family in Apalina and sent several people over various weeks throughout the summer to help Little John's House with their Summer camp.
By the end of the year after much prayer and discussion the decision had been made to Partner with Phoneo a Dutch organisation working in the region in and around Reghin.

Strategy for 2020

To provide mission teams [4-6 persons] to help Phoneo with building and other practical work for up to 3 separate weeks between April and September and to help with other work opportunities, where appropriate and as required eg. Selah school, Adapost homeless shelter etc.
To form mission teams from all three of our churches and elsewhere, whilst encouraging not-yet-Christians to also take part and witness our Christian faith/love in action.
To raise sufficient funds to cover our mission costs [transport, food and accommodation in Romania; work/travel insurance; transport to/from Luton airport].
To hold at least one fund-raising event each year and ask those going on mission trips to pay a minimum of £400 towards their personal costs.
To pay for necessary building materials [currently estimated to be c3000euros per each complete house built] and as required for repairs.
To donate 250euros per month to Phoneo for family support [food, clothing, medicines, wood for fuel, transport to school/doctors, etc] – currently provided to us from the Lantern and St Barnabas mission funds.
When possible, to respond to any special requests from Phoneo and which would then normally be taken by mission team members when they are visiting Reghin.
To maintain strong links with Phoneo so we are able to always provide the appropriate levels of support.

19 February 2020

Phoneo construction team

Little John's House, Cisnadioara

We also decided to maintain contact with Little John’s House and sent a team there in August 2015 to help with their Summer School.

To see our future plans for this year click here