September 2023
Dear Friends
Just a brief update as we have mission teams going out to Romania this month …
We are making final preparations for the 8 people visiting Reghin from 16-23 & 23-29 September. They will be working on foundations for 2 homes in separate villages we haven’t worked in before.
Week One will be Walter Meyer (St Barnabas), Perry Grist (The Lantern) and Cailtin Searle (The Lantern) and Euan Murray.
Week Two (6 days) will be Perry Grist, who is there for both weeks, Peter & Jenny Owen (The Lantern), Oliver Cornish (The Lantern) and Nigel Dickson (John Clift’s son-in-law).
It is the first Mission to Romania trip for Cailtin, Oliver and Euan and we’re hoping they will find it a rewarding and humbling experience like the rest of us do and may be want to go again.
Weather permitting, we hope to complete the foundations ready for mission groups from the Netherlands to complete much needed homes for impoverished Roma families so they will be better sheltered from the worst of the oncoming winter and have a new safe and secure home.
Whilst in Reghin, Walter and Peter will be meeting with our friends in the Phoneo leadership team and will discuss their plans for next year and how we can be involved.
Please can you pray for:
Peter Owen
Mission to Romania Team
Newsletter 4/2022
Dear Friends
In our last newsletter, we mentioned about “Dogs without collars” (DWC) – a band of vicars who love rock music who were playing at St Barnabas last month and it was a very entertaining and enjoyable evening. We were also able to share about our Mission to Romania work and DWC kindly donated the net proceeds – an impressive £687 – to Mission to Romania. This will help fund a new home for a young family in desperate need of a weatherproof home to keep them warm in the -15°C Romanian winter. We are so grateful for the kind generosity of DWC for providing this support.
At our latest meeting, the Mission to Romania team focused on our plans for next year. We have kept the contribution from those joining our working parties next year at £400. This covers all transport, accommodation and meals while on a trip in Romania. Next year’s mission trip dates agreed with our mission partner Phoneo are scheduled for 13-20 May; 16-23 September and 23-30 September 2023.
To enable this to happen we require more volunteers. This is a great opportunity and whilst we especially need volunteers with some building skills, anyone with the enthusiasm and a will to serve others will be very welcome - and there will always be other opportunities besides building work.
If you are at all interested in getting involved then do please prayerfully consider whether it may be volunteering, donating or praying. For more info, please contact Stephanie Buckley [01202 686862] at the Parish church; Walter Meyer [07967 622 992] at St Barnabas; Peter Owen [07973 690 240] or myself [01202 884043] at the Lantern. We plan to have a briefing meeting in January or February.
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
Please pray for us all [Phoneo and ourselves] in that everything we do we shall be following the voice of our God really closely.
Thank you for reading this newsletter and please do tell any others you know who may not have heard about our work.
Wishing you all a very joyous Christmas, good health throughout the New Year and very best wishes from all the RAG team [Walter, Peter, Vanessa, Lizzie, Stephanie, Steve and myself].
With every blessing
John Clift [MTR Secretary] 10 December 2022
Dear Friends
Just a brief update as we have mission teams going out to Romania this month …
We are making final preparations for the 8 people visiting Reghin from 16-23 & 23-29 September. They will be working on foundations for 2 homes in separate villages we haven’t worked in before.
Week One will be Walter Meyer (St Barnabas), Perry Grist (The Lantern) and Cailtin Searle (The Lantern) and Euan Murray.
Week Two (6 days) will be Perry Grist, who is there for both weeks, Peter & Jenny Owen (The Lantern), Oliver Cornish (The Lantern) and Nigel Dickson (John Clift’s son-in-law).
It is the first Mission to Romania trip for Cailtin, Oliver and Euan and we’re hoping they will find it a rewarding and humbling experience like the rest of us do and may be want to go again.
Weather permitting, we hope to complete the foundations ready for mission groups from the Netherlands to complete much needed homes for impoverished Roma families so they will be better sheltered from the worst of the oncoming winter and have a new safe and secure home.
Whilst in Reghin, Walter and Peter will be meeting with our friends in the Phoneo leadership team and will discuss their plans for next year and how we can be involved.
Please can you pray for:
- Give thanks for each of those in the teams going to Reghin shortly – that they will bond well together and have a great time.
- For protection and good health beforehand and whilst in Romania; for safe travel and good working conditions throughout their stay.
- For all our Phoneo friends as they welcome us once more and face up to the day-today problems on a 24/7 basis.
- The Roma families – that through Phoneo and our support, they will seek to become closer to God and then reach out to their neighbours.
Peter Owen
Mission to Romania Team
Newsletter 4/2022
Dear Friends
In our last newsletter, we mentioned about “Dogs without collars” (DWC) – a band of vicars who love rock music who were playing at St Barnabas last month and it was a very entertaining and enjoyable evening. We were also able to share about our Mission to Romania work and DWC kindly donated the net proceeds – an impressive £687 – to Mission to Romania. This will help fund a new home for a young family in desperate need of a weatherproof home to keep them warm in the -15°C Romanian winter. We are so grateful for the kind generosity of DWC for providing this support.
At our latest meeting, the Mission to Romania team focused on our plans for next year. We have kept the contribution from those joining our working parties next year at £400. This covers all transport, accommodation and meals while on a trip in Romania. Next year’s mission trip dates agreed with our mission partner Phoneo are scheduled for 13-20 May; 16-23 September and 23-30 September 2023.
To enable this to happen we require more volunteers. This is a great opportunity and whilst we especially need volunteers with some building skills, anyone with the enthusiasm and a will to serve others will be very welcome - and there will always be other opportunities besides building work.
If you are at all interested in getting involved then do please prayerfully consider whether it may be volunteering, donating or praying. For more info, please contact Stephanie Buckley [01202 686862] at the Parish church; Walter Meyer [07967 622 992] at St Barnabas; Peter Owen [07973 690 240] or myself [01202 884043] at the Lantern. We plan to have a briefing meeting in January or February.
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
- Your ongoing prayers for peace in the Ukraine and the whole region.
- For His wisdom, guidance and protection for the Phoneo team [and others] who are working so hard to help all those in such desperate need and for their continuing outreach to Roma families in and around Reghin.
- That over the coming months sufficient volunteers will come forward to enable us to form well balanced teams to visit and help Phoneo next year.
Please pray for us all [Phoneo and ourselves] in that everything we do we shall be following the voice of our God really closely.
Thank you for reading this newsletter and please do tell any others you know who may not have heard about our work.
Wishing you all a very joyous Christmas, good health throughout the New Year and very best wishes from all the RAG team [Walter, Peter, Vanessa, Lizzie, Stephanie, Steve and myself].
With every blessing
John Clift [MTR Secretary] 10 December 2022
Newsletter 3/2022
Dear Friends
Our first team to visit Reghin in 3 years had a successful trip last month. Although we often send 2 larger teams who build a home for a Roma family across 2 weeks, this time as the team was much smaller, they were asked to help insulate a large unused area in the church to provide a warm and dry meeting place for the Roma youth.
It is so important for the youth to have a suitable place to meet as it helps to keep them engaged in the Christian faith under the encouraging influence of the church before they may get involved in other activities – so the team were very happy to help. It was very humbling for the team to see some of the youth visit and how happy they were to see progress on a new meeting place for them.
Everyone worked really hard but still found time to watch our Queen’s funeral on the Monday and to meet up with friends old and new from the Phoneo team. Relationships remain as excellent as ever and Phoneo are very much hoping we can send more teams next year [and beyond] for there’ll always be plenty for us to do.
Our next visit won’t be until April/May but it’s important that we start planning now and our most important requirement is to have more volunteers – especially those with some building skills but also anyone with enthusiasm and a will to serve others. There will always be other opportunities besides building work.
Reghin is 100km from the Ukrainian border and has been unaffected by the situation in Ukraine. Phoneo’s supporters in the Netherlands are supporting the Ukrainian relief effort by providing humanitarian aid for Ukraine and some Ukrainian refugees are staying temporarily in the church in Reghin before moving for longer term accommodation elsewhere in Europe. We continue to pray for the complete ending of hostilities within that whole region. Any visits would only go ahead providing it is completely safe to do so.
If you are at all interested in getting involved then do please prayerfully consider your position be it volunteering, donating or praying and get in touch with either Stephanie Buckley [01202 686862] at the Parish church; Walter Meyer [07967 622 992] at St Barnabas; Peter Owen [07973 690 240] or myself at the Lantern, for further information.
“Dogs without Collars” is a band of vicars who love rock music, performing and raising funds for charity. They are playing at St Barnabas church in Bearwood on 11 November from 7.30pm and have kindly said all proceeds from the evening will go to Mission to Romania. It would be great if you can join us for an entertaining evening – you can find out more, or book through the link below:-
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dogs-without-collars-back-in-dorset-tickets-424165619787
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
and in conclusion:
Thank you for reading this newsletter and please do tell others you know who may not have heard about our work.
With every blessing
John Clift [MTR Secretary] 16 October20
Dear Friends
Our first team to visit Reghin in 3 years had a successful trip last month. Although we often send 2 larger teams who build a home for a Roma family across 2 weeks, this time as the team was much smaller, they were asked to help insulate a large unused area in the church to provide a warm and dry meeting place for the Roma youth.
It is so important for the youth to have a suitable place to meet as it helps to keep them engaged in the Christian faith under the encouraging influence of the church before they may get involved in other activities – so the team were very happy to help. It was very humbling for the team to see some of the youth visit and how happy they were to see progress on a new meeting place for them.
Everyone worked really hard but still found time to watch our Queen’s funeral on the Monday and to meet up with friends old and new from the Phoneo team. Relationships remain as excellent as ever and Phoneo are very much hoping we can send more teams next year [and beyond] for there’ll always be plenty for us to do.
Our next visit won’t be until April/May but it’s important that we start planning now and our most important requirement is to have more volunteers – especially those with some building skills but also anyone with enthusiasm and a will to serve others. There will always be other opportunities besides building work.
Reghin is 100km from the Ukrainian border and has been unaffected by the situation in Ukraine. Phoneo’s supporters in the Netherlands are supporting the Ukrainian relief effort by providing humanitarian aid for Ukraine and some Ukrainian refugees are staying temporarily in the church in Reghin before moving for longer term accommodation elsewhere in Europe. We continue to pray for the complete ending of hostilities within that whole region. Any visits would only go ahead providing it is completely safe to do so.
If you are at all interested in getting involved then do please prayerfully consider your position be it volunteering, donating or praying and get in touch with either Stephanie Buckley [01202 686862] at the Parish church; Walter Meyer [07967 622 992] at St Barnabas; Peter Owen [07973 690 240] or myself at the Lantern, for further information.
“Dogs without Collars” is a band of vicars who love rock music, performing and raising funds for charity. They are playing at St Barnabas church in Bearwood on 11 November from 7.30pm and have kindly said all proceeds from the evening will go to Mission to Romania. It would be great if you can join us for an entertaining evening – you can find out more, or book through the link below:-
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dogs-without-collars-back-in-dorset-tickets-424165619787
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
- Your ongoing prayers for peace in the Ukraine and the whole region.
- For His wisdom, guidance and protection for the Phoneo staff [and others] who are working so hard to help all those in such desperate need and for their continuing outreach to Roma families in and around Reghin.
- That over the coming months sufficient volunteers will come forward to enable us to form well balanced teams to visit and help Phoneo next year.
and in conclusion:
- Please pray for us all [Phoneo and ourselves] in that everything we do we shall be following the voice of our God really closely.
Thank you for reading this newsletter and please do tell others you know who may not have heard about our work.
With every blessing
John Clift [MTR Secretary] 16 October20
Newsletter 2/2022
Dear friends
We continue to be assured by Phoneo, our mission partners, that the security situation remains safe and stable in Romania, in spite of the ongoing troubles in neighbouring Ukraine. So, after nearly three years we are about to return to Reghin to give much needed practical help and spiritual encouragement to our dear friends there.
Walter Meyer will be leading a team of five, all of whom have been several times previously, for the week of 17-24 September and our prayers now are that each stays fit and well; that they enjoy good weather whilst out there so as much as possible can be achieved; and of course, that the security situation doesn’t deteriorate.
If there is anyone who would like to join this trip it’s not too late but do please contact either Peter Owen or myself at the Lantern; Walter Meyer at St Barnabas or Stephanie Buckley at the parish church for further details, as soon as possible. Hopefully there will more opportunities during the coming years but a couple more now with some DIY experience, would be very useful and very much appreciated.
Another desperate need may be for a driver to take the team to Luton airport in the early hours of Saturday 17 September, arriving there by 5am! If you, or anyone you know, could volunteer to do this it will be a real blessing. NB. The return trip on 24 September is covered.
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
Thank you for reading this important, albeit short newsletter but if you’d like to know more then do please get in touch [see above for contacts].
With every blessing
John Clift [MTR Secretary]
Dear friends
We continue to be assured by Phoneo, our mission partners, that the security situation remains safe and stable in Romania, in spite of the ongoing troubles in neighbouring Ukraine. So, after nearly three years we are about to return to Reghin to give much needed practical help and spiritual encouragement to our dear friends there.
Walter Meyer will be leading a team of five, all of whom have been several times previously, for the week of 17-24 September and our prayers now are that each stays fit and well; that they enjoy good weather whilst out there so as much as possible can be achieved; and of course, that the security situation doesn’t deteriorate.
If there is anyone who would like to join this trip it’s not too late but do please contact either Peter Owen or myself at the Lantern; Walter Meyer at St Barnabas or Stephanie Buckley at the parish church for further details, as soon as possible. Hopefully there will more opportunities during the coming years but a couple more now with some DIY experience, would be very useful and very much appreciated.
Another desperate need may be for a driver to take the team to Luton airport in the early hours of Saturday 17 September, arriving there by 5am! If you, or anyone you know, could volunteer to do this it will be a real blessing. NB. The return trip on 24 September is covered.
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
- Your ongoing prayers for peace in the Ukraine and the whole region.
- For His wisdom, guidance and protection for the Phoneo staff [and others] who are working so hard to help all those in such desperate need and for their continuing outreach to Roma families in and around Reghin
- With boundless thanks for those going on this next trip – that they bond well; for their protection and good health; for good weather in Romania; His guiding hand upon them at all times.
- Please pray for us all Phoneo and ourselves] in that everything we do we shall be following the voice of our God really closely.
Thank you for reading this important, albeit short newsletter but if you’d like to know more then do please get in touch [see above for contacts].
With every blessing
John Clift [MTR Secretary]
Newsletter 1/2022
Dear friends
As Covid restrictions lifted, we were starting to consider the feasibility of restarting trips to Romania after a 2 year break due to Covid. However, the shocking developments in neighbouring Ukraine have brought fresh uncertainty and we pray for a swift and peaceful end to hostilities.
From the early days of the new conflict, Phoneo, our mission partners in Reghin, have been actively involved in providing humanitarian aid through their church contacts in Ukraine.
As the crow flies, the Ukrainian border is just under 100 km from Reghin – though well over twice as far by road to the nearest crossing point. Our Romania team has met a couple of times this year and once we knew they were undertaking this humanitarian work, we agreed immediately to send €1,000 from our reserves to go a little way towards their huge costs, but have only very recently learned more detail about what exactly they are doing.
Covid in Reghin seems to be behind them generally speaking; they are all safe and ‘doing well’. Team members are constantly travelling up and down from Reghin into Ukraine and currently at their church they are supporting a refugee mother and her six children - they’ll be moving on this week as a more permanent place has been found for them in Holland but more Ukrainian refugees are expected to arrive in the near future.
Last week, Phoneo delivered 12500kg of potatoes, yes 12500 kg, and almost all of that has already been taken to a hospital on the front line in Charkov, which is sheltering and feeding 350 people, and supplies are being sent on to those in need in Kyiv. Phoneo and their helpers feel blessed to be able to provide this help and work with many other amazing people.
We’ve been wondering how we can help further but are assured that the biggest need Phoneo have right now is prayer! There is also a desperate need for donations towards food as there is an incredible need in the communities which have been bombed.
Phoneo say life in Reghin is safe but understand our hesitation about potentially sending mission teams in September. They feel their current situation is secure and helpers would be very welcome.
So, are there any of you out there who’d like to be involved in a mission trip in September? There is a desperate need to fix broken walls, roofs etc as well as plenty of lighter, urgent jobs to be done.
For more information, please speak to Walter Meyer [St Barnabas], Stephanie Buckley [Parish Church] or Peter Owen and myself at the Lantern.
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
John Clift April 2022
MTR Secretary
The Ukrainian mum and her children receiving gifts at the church in Reghin where they can now feel safe.
Dear friends
As Covid restrictions lifted, we were starting to consider the feasibility of restarting trips to Romania after a 2 year break due to Covid. However, the shocking developments in neighbouring Ukraine have brought fresh uncertainty and we pray for a swift and peaceful end to hostilities.
From the early days of the new conflict, Phoneo, our mission partners in Reghin, have been actively involved in providing humanitarian aid through their church contacts in Ukraine.
As the crow flies, the Ukrainian border is just under 100 km from Reghin – though well over twice as far by road to the nearest crossing point. Our Romania team has met a couple of times this year and once we knew they were undertaking this humanitarian work, we agreed immediately to send €1,000 from our reserves to go a little way towards their huge costs, but have only very recently learned more detail about what exactly they are doing.
Covid in Reghin seems to be behind them generally speaking; they are all safe and ‘doing well’. Team members are constantly travelling up and down from Reghin into Ukraine and currently at their church they are supporting a refugee mother and her six children - they’ll be moving on this week as a more permanent place has been found for them in Holland but more Ukrainian refugees are expected to arrive in the near future.
Last week, Phoneo delivered 12500kg of potatoes, yes 12500 kg, and almost all of that has already been taken to a hospital on the front line in Charkov, which is sheltering and feeding 350 people, and supplies are being sent on to those in need in Kyiv. Phoneo and their helpers feel blessed to be able to provide this help and work with many other amazing people.
We’ve been wondering how we can help further but are assured that the biggest need Phoneo have right now is prayer! There is also a desperate need for donations towards food as there is an incredible need in the communities which have been bombed.
Phoneo say life in Reghin is safe but understand our hesitation about potentially sending mission teams in September. They feel their current situation is secure and helpers would be very welcome.
So, are there any of you out there who’d like to be involved in a mission trip in September? There is a desperate need to fix broken walls, roofs etc as well as plenty of lighter, urgent jobs to be done.
For more information, please speak to Walter Meyer [St Barnabas], Stephanie Buckley [Parish Church] or Peter Owen and myself at the Lantern.
Now will you please join with us in prayer:
- Your ongoing prayers for peace in the Ukraine.
- For His wisdom, guidance and protection for the Phoneo staff [and others] who are working so hard to help all those in such desperate need and for their continuing outreach to Roma families in and around Reghin
- For His guiding hand upon us as we deliberate and carefully consider how and when we can go back to Romania and that suitable volunteers will come forward to enable us to form well-balanced working teams.
- Please pray for us all in that everything we do we shall be following the voice of our God really closely.
John Clift April 2022
MTR Secretary
The Ukrainian mum and her children receiving gifts at the church in Reghin where they can now feel safe.
Newsletter 3/2021
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Surprised, yes it’s only a few weeks since I last wrote but with our minds on the latest Covid situation we continue to pray for our partners in Romania and for any effect it may have on our future plans.
Firstly though, many thanks to all those who came to our very enjoyable quiz last month and especially to Irene Selway whose devious questions racked our memories, after a most enjoyable Moby Mick’s fish and chip supper. It was a successful evening, netting over £300 and possibly a couple of new recruits for next year!
When I last wrote, the Covid situation in and around Reghin was one of the least affected in Romania and in spite of restrictions Phoneo were being able to continue with most of their activities. By late November, Covid numbers were declining throughout Romania and their work was still not being affected to any great extent. Preparations for Christmas were in hand and the children were starting to get more and more excited about the upcoming celebrations. As in previous years, we’d been able to send 500euros, along with family support for the first half of 2022 – all of which we know will be put to good use. Praise God they’ve been able to complete a double house built by the recent German visitors – two more families now protected from the worst of the imminent winter – well done.
Earlier this month they were welcoming Brian Long of Awakening Europe to a weekend conference along with members of their new church in Cluj Napoca – a city some 100kms east of Reghin. We don’t know much about their activities beyond Reghin but will find out more next time we’re able to visit!
Provisionally we are hoping we will be able to visit next May but if the current Covid situation continues to deteriorate it may have to be postponed. Obviously, we don’t expect anyone to commit themselves in the present circumstances but it will still be very useful to know of anyone who may be interested in joining a team, either in May or September.
All and anybody will be most welcome – we mix our teams, those with some building skills alongside those unskilled manual labourers and others who simply have a willing heart and just want to get involved. For more information, please speak to Walter Meyer [St Barnabas], Stephanie Buckley [Parish Church] or Peter Owen and myself at the Lantern.
Will you now please join with us in prayer:
MTR Secretary 13 December 2021
Newsletter 2/2021
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Hi everyone it’s been a while since we were last in touch and though Covid put paid to any hopes we may have had to visit Reghin this year your RAG team have met several times and are looking forward to normal service being resumed in 2022. Just a few days ago we learned that the Covid situation throughout Romania had deteriorated very badly so imagine our delight when we heard from Reghin today that their region is one of the least affected and, though families are again facing more restrictions, they are still able to meet and find ways of coping.
In fact, they’ve been very busy with, amongst other things, a visit by a YWAM team from Berlin and for the first time a team of 27 from a church in Hamburg. As Ilja says “ it’s so special to see their hearts joining with ours [like we also experience with yourselves]”. A major change is taking place at Adapost which in future will be run by another organisation who have more operational experience in this field. As a result Richard Dickson is joining with the Immanual Foundation although Hoini, his wife, is staying with Phoneo. Overall, everyone is very happy with this new arrangement and are enthusiastic.
Previously, Phoneo had enjoyed a busy and hot summer, albeit without any visitors until recently and the gift we sent them in lieu of building costs has been put to good use:
They held a very successful childrens’ camp in July with nearly 100 children making the most of some lovely weather and coming to know more of our Lord Jesus. In Ilja’s words “Camp was amazing! Such a blessed time and the kids loved it!”
The Brancovanesti house renovation has been going well with the building already providing a valuable facility in that village [August].
At last they have accrued enough funds [12000euros] to purchase another van - a suitable one having just been collected from Holland. So essential to transport the children throughout their ever-widening work area [and ourselves and other visitors to/from the airport!]. In September we sent another 1000 euros which enabled them to reach their target.
Quiz Night at the Lantern at 7pm on Saturday 13 November. Not only will it be a fun evening but you’ll learn more about our future plans so, please book, chose food and pay at www.thelanternchurch.org/what-s-on where you will find the relevant information.
We are endeavoring to send three work teams to Reghin next year and our provisional planned dates are mid-May and two more in September. All and anybody will be most welcome – We mix our teams, those with some building skills alongside those unskilled manual cheerful labourers an those that have a willing heart and just want to get involved. For more information please speak to Walter Meyer [St Barnabas], Stephanie Buckley [Parish Church] or Peter Owen and myself at the Lantern.
Will you now please join with us in prayer:
• For a successful quiz evening
• That suitable volunteers do come forward to enable us to form three well balanced working teams [and another team leader]. Although it is still a long way ahead, we need to start planning and to hear from anyone now who is interested [and of any others they may be aware of].
and from Phoneo:
• For resolution of the continuing problems associated with the purchase of the building in Petelea – that once these are overcome good progress can be made on its conversion into a community centre.
• For the Romanian schools to re-open again and for permanent staff for their Selah project.
• For His protection and good health for all their families and their teams.
• For the church and home groups – that they can continue to meet and people will really meet with Jesus.
and in conclusion [in Phoneo’s words]:
• Please pray for us all in that everything we do we shall follow the voice of God really closely.
With every blessing and good wishes from each of the RAG team [Walter, Vanessa, Lizzie, Stephanie, Peter, Steve and myself]
John Clift
MTR Secretary 26 October 2021
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Surprised, yes it’s only a few weeks since I last wrote but with our minds on the latest Covid situation we continue to pray for our partners in Romania and for any effect it may have on our future plans.
Firstly though, many thanks to all those who came to our very enjoyable quiz last month and especially to Irene Selway whose devious questions racked our memories, after a most enjoyable Moby Mick’s fish and chip supper. It was a successful evening, netting over £300 and possibly a couple of new recruits for next year!
When I last wrote, the Covid situation in and around Reghin was one of the least affected in Romania and in spite of restrictions Phoneo were being able to continue with most of their activities. By late November, Covid numbers were declining throughout Romania and their work was still not being affected to any great extent. Preparations for Christmas were in hand and the children were starting to get more and more excited about the upcoming celebrations. As in previous years, we’d been able to send 500euros, along with family support for the first half of 2022 – all of which we know will be put to good use. Praise God they’ve been able to complete a double house built by the recent German visitors – two more families now protected from the worst of the imminent winter – well done.
Earlier this month they were welcoming Brian Long of Awakening Europe to a weekend conference along with members of their new church in Cluj Napoca – a city some 100kms east of Reghin. We don’t know much about their activities beyond Reghin but will find out more next time we’re able to visit!
Provisionally we are hoping we will be able to visit next May but if the current Covid situation continues to deteriorate it may have to be postponed. Obviously, we don’t expect anyone to commit themselves in the present circumstances but it will still be very useful to know of anyone who may be interested in joining a team, either in May or September.
All and anybody will be most welcome – we mix our teams, those with some building skills alongside those unskilled manual labourers and others who simply have a willing heart and just want to get involved. For more information, please speak to Walter Meyer [St Barnabas], Stephanie Buckley [Parish Church] or Peter Owen and myself at the Lantern.
Will you now please join with us in prayer:
- We give thanks for a successful quiz evening
- That suitable volunteers do come forward to enable us to form well balanced working teams [and another team leader] for next year.
- For a satisfactory outcome to the continuing problems associated with the purchase of the building in Petelea – that once these are overcome good progress can be made on its conversion into a community centre.
- For His protection and ongoing good health for all their team members and people in their church.
- That the church and home groups can continue to meet and people will really meet with Jesus.
- For the new Romanian government – that its leaders will value justice and honesty and care more for the people than for themselves!
- Please pray for us all in that everything we do we shall follow the voice of God really closely.
Wishing you all a safe and Happy Christmas and with every blessing and good wishes from each of the RAG team [Walter, Vanessa, Lizzie, Stephanie, Peter, Steve and myself]
MTR Secretary 13 December 2021
Newsletter 2/2021
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Hi everyone it’s been a while since we were last in touch and though Covid put paid to any hopes we may have had to visit Reghin this year your RAG team have met several times and are looking forward to normal service being resumed in 2022. Just a few days ago we learned that the Covid situation throughout Romania had deteriorated very badly so imagine our delight when we heard from Reghin today that their region is one of the least affected and, though families are again facing more restrictions, they are still able to meet and find ways of coping.
In fact, they’ve been very busy with, amongst other things, a visit by a YWAM team from Berlin and for the first time a team of 27 from a church in Hamburg. As Ilja says “ it’s so special to see their hearts joining with ours [like we also experience with yourselves]”. A major change is taking place at Adapost which in future will be run by another organisation who have more operational experience in this field. As a result Richard Dickson is joining with the Immanual Foundation although Hoini, his wife, is staying with Phoneo. Overall, everyone is very happy with this new arrangement and are enthusiastic.
Previously, Phoneo had enjoyed a busy and hot summer, albeit without any visitors until recently and the gift we sent them in lieu of building costs has been put to good use:
They held a very successful childrens’ camp in July with nearly 100 children making the most of some lovely weather and coming to know more of our Lord Jesus. In Ilja’s words “Camp was amazing! Such a blessed time and the kids loved it!”
The Brancovanesti house renovation has been going well with the building already providing a valuable facility in that village [August].
At last they have accrued enough funds [12000euros] to purchase another van - a suitable one having just been collected from Holland. So essential to transport the children throughout their ever-widening work area [and ourselves and other visitors to/from the airport!]. In September we sent another 1000 euros which enabled them to reach their target.
Quiz Night at the Lantern at 7pm on Saturday 13 November. Not only will it be a fun evening but you’ll learn more about our future plans so, please book, chose food and pay at www.thelanternchurch.org/what-s-on where you will find the relevant information.
We are endeavoring to send three work teams to Reghin next year and our provisional planned dates are mid-May and two more in September. All and anybody will be most welcome – We mix our teams, those with some building skills alongside those unskilled manual cheerful labourers an those that have a willing heart and just want to get involved. For more information please speak to Walter Meyer [St Barnabas], Stephanie Buckley [Parish Church] or Peter Owen and myself at the Lantern.
Will you now please join with us in prayer:
• For a successful quiz evening
• That suitable volunteers do come forward to enable us to form three well balanced working teams [and another team leader]. Although it is still a long way ahead, we need to start planning and to hear from anyone now who is interested [and of any others they may be aware of].
and from Phoneo:
• For resolution of the continuing problems associated with the purchase of the building in Petelea – that once these are overcome good progress can be made on its conversion into a community centre.
• For the Romanian schools to re-open again and for permanent staff for their Selah project.
• For His protection and good health for all their families and their teams.
• For the church and home groups – that they can continue to meet and people will really meet with Jesus.
and in conclusion [in Phoneo’s words]:
• Please pray for us all in that everything we do we shall follow the voice of God really closely.
With every blessing and good wishes from each of the RAG team [Walter, Vanessa, Lizzie, Stephanie, Peter, Steve and myself]
John Clift
MTR Secretary 26 October 2021
Newsletter 1/2021
Dear Friends
Trusting you all continue to keep safe and well and that many of you by now will have had your first successful Covid inoculation vaccination.
It’s a rather different situation in Romania where their vaccination programme isn’t by any means as far advanced.
However, the latest news this week [15 March] is that they [Phoneo] “feel very blessed with the way the corona situation is being handled in Romania - basically allowing them to still do all their work pretty well unhindered. The Romanian government looks very locally and only closes down more strictly in those areas where it really is needed. Schools are unfortuntely not yet fully open but besides that life has returned pretty much to a new kind of normal”. There have been several other emails containing good news which I’m pleased to share with you:
At the end of January we heard that Covid numbers in Romania had been going down for several months and that our Phoneo partners were living without any major restrictions and hadn’t heard of any new cases locally. The year had started with an awesome time of fasting and prayer together; Casa Ana [for the youngest children] enjoying nice new programmes but also God touching the children in new ways; Adapost had opened up again with Richard [Dickson] and his wife Hoini who had previously been helping a poor man with urgent repairs to his small home in Batos, one of the outlying villages; the state schools had been closed [see above] and so Selah school [that we’d helped to build in 2017-18] was providing education for the kids – which is a huge blessing for them all. Also, they are in throes of purchasing a building in the large community of Petelea – they have the money but the vendor is giving some problems! We pray especially for Gina who seems to have recovered from her accident last year – as she continues to build up relationships with many of the families and – that she will soon be able to come to UK for a long-awaited and well-earned break.
Ilja, my Phoneo correspondent, wrote of how quickly the children grow up and how happy she is when one of them finds a good husband/wife and are then relatively happy and secure. Others though are an ongoing worry but Phoneo recognize that nothing invested in them will be in vain! She also wrote – “Last week one of the girls who used to come to Casa Ana and is now twenty and has three children told us her testimony – She had been in the hospital and her treatment didn’t go well and there were several complications. But through all of that she experienced God so close to her. Now she is back home and asking to be baptized……very happy”.
The RAG team mission leaders have had two informal zoom meetings this year and at the first it was felt to be very unlikely that we’d be able to send any working teams to Reghin this year. Although we’ve heard of a German team visiting Reghin this autumn, our feeling is that with the travel/quarantine situation remaining unclear it will be difficult to recruit team members at relatively short notice and so, the likelihood is that our next working visit will be in the spring of 2022. Meanwhile, we shall continue to support Phoneo financially, as our circumstances allow, and as always with prayer. We ourselves will seek guidance through prayer for direction and focus this year and to prepare an appropriate programme for next. Whilst there is the possibility of running a fund-raising event this coming autumn, it’s still too early to make any firm plans. At our most recent meeting it was agreed that we’d give Phoneo a further 3000euros [which would otherwise have been spent on for building materials]. This has been very gratefully received and will be shared between their three main priorities right now which are:
Will you now please join with us in prayer:
John Clift
MTR Secretary 24 March 2021
01202 884043
Dear Friends
Trusting you all continue to keep safe and well and that many of you by now will have had your first successful Covid inoculation vaccination.
It’s a rather different situation in Romania where their vaccination programme isn’t by any means as far advanced.
However, the latest news this week [15 March] is that they [Phoneo] “feel very blessed with the way the corona situation is being handled in Romania - basically allowing them to still do all their work pretty well unhindered. The Romanian government looks very locally and only closes down more strictly in those areas where it really is needed. Schools are unfortuntely not yet fully open but besides that life has returned pretty much to a new kind of normal”. There have been several other emails containing good news which I’m pleased to share with you:
At the end of January we heard that Covid numbers in Romania had been going down for several months and that our Phoneo partners were living without any major restrictions and hadn’t heard of any new cases locally. The year had started with an awesome time of fasting and prayer together; Casa Ana [for the youngest children] enjoying nice new programmes but also God touching the children in new ways; Adapost had opened up again with Richard [Dickson] and his wife Hoini who had previously been helping a poor man with urgent repairs to his small home in Batos, one of the outlying villages; the state schools had been closed [see above] and so Selah school [that we’d helped to build in 2017-18] was providing education for the kids – which is a huge blessing for them all. Also, they are in throes of purchasing a building in the large community of Petelea – they have the money but the vendor is giving some problems! We pray especially for Gina who seems to have recovered from her accident last year – as she continues to build up relationships with many of the families and – that she will soon be able to come to UK for a long-awaited and well-earned break.
Ilja, my Phoneo correspondent, wrote of how quickly the children grow up and how happy she is when one of them finds a good husband/wife and are then relatively happy and secure. Others though are an ongoing worry but Phoneo recognize that nothing invested in them will be in vain! She also wrote – “Last week one of the girls who used to come to Casa Ana and is now twenty and has three children told us her testimony – She had been in the hospital and her treatment didn’t go well and there were several complications. But through all of that she experienced God so close to her. Now she is back home and asking to be baptized……very happy”.
The RAG team mission leaders have had two informal zoom meetings this year and at the first it was felt to be very unlikely that we’d be able to send any working teams to Reghin this year. Although we’ve heard of a German team visiting Reghin this autumn, our feeling is that with the travel/quarantine situation remaining unclear it will be difficult to recruit team members at relatively short notice and so, the likelihood is that our next working visit will be in the spring of 2022. Meanwhile, we shall continue to support Phoneo financially, as our circumstances allow, and as always with prayer. We ourselves will seek guidance through prayer for direction and focus this year and to prepare an appropriate programme for next. Whilst there is the possibility of running a fund-raising event this coming autumn, it’s still too early to make any firm plans. At our most recent meeting it was agreed that we’d give Phoneo a further 3000euros [which would otherwise have been spent on for building materials]. This has been very gratefully received and will be shared between their three main priorities right now which are:
- Alterations to a small house they’ve acquired in the village of Brancovanesti – to be used for homegroup and other church meetings.
- If restrictions are fully lifted by then, to take children to a summer camp - a regular annual event.
- Replacement of the Casa Ana van which has developed “terminal” problems.
Will you now please join with us in prayer:
- Dear Lord God thank you for all the Phoneo team and the Roma communities they have supported in and around Reghin over many years, which has given hope and opportunities to young and old alike. Most of all we thank you for their faithful witness of our Lord Jesus and their preaching of the word of God for salvation as you have watched over them. Continue to protect them all from this coronavirus pandemic.
- For resolution of the problems associated with the purchase of the building in Petelea – that once completed good progress can be made on its conversion into a community centre.
- Give thanks for Gina for her recovery and that she’ll be able to visit family and friends in UK.
- For His guidance through prayer for our direction and focus this year and as we consider an appropriate programme for 2022.
- That suitable volunteers do come forward in due course to enable us to form well balanced working teams as soon as we feel it right to go – it seems there’s plenty for us to do!
- Please pray for us all in that everything we do we shall follow the voice of God really closely.
John Clift
MTR Secretary 24 March 2021
01202 884043
Newsletter 2/2020
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Trusting you are all keeping safe and well.
Since I last wrote [6 April], when lockdown had only just commenced, there’s been little to report from this end. The quiz night obviously couldn’t take place and we shall attempt to arrange another one in due course. Also, there has to be a real doubt that we’ll be able to go ahead with our planned ceilidh evening in October but you’ll be kept posted on that one.
Restrictions in Romania have been somewhat similar to our own although they appear to be two or three weeks ahead as their rules are relaxed. A real answer to prayer has been that in spite of early concerns, none of the communities in which Phoneo operate in and around Reghin have been infected with COVID-19. Everyone had to isolate and so the families had no income until restrictions were eased towards the end of May. The £2500 we were able to send to Phoneo was very much appreciated and along with other donations enabled them to keep families supplied with food parcels throughout their isolation. Like ourselves, those Phoneo people who stayed on in Reghin now have much tidier and productive gardens and everyone seems to be completely up-to-date with their household chores! If only the Roma families we support had decent homes and gardens to look after!! Though unable to visit the Roma families, they kept in touch [Facebook etc] with one another and have enjoyed Sunday worship on-line and also weekly prayer time on Wednesdays at 5pm [our time] – why not click on to Facebook [Biserica Iosua Reghin] yourselves? On 18 May they were able to meet up again [with restrictions] and start planning and on 2 June were given the good news that all their programs [including the kids and Adapost] could finally re-start. At this same time, the Roma people have been allowed to go back to work again so the hope is that income will improve in most families – some may go abroad eg. to help with fruit-picking etc; others go foraging in the forests for wild mushrooms which they can sell.
In response to their request, it was with much sadness that I had to advise Phoneo that at this stage it is very unlikely we’ll be able to visit them in September. Two teams were planned to go then but nearly all those who’d already put their names forward felt it inappropriate to make any commitment at this stage and so both visits have been cancelled. Phoneo are extremely disappointed as there is quite a lot of building repair work outstanding, but we sincerely hope our successful partnership can resume in early 2021 and that meanwhile the Romanian winter is kind to everyone. There, this last winter was very mild but recently they’ve suffered from some torrential thunderstorms – you know, those which nearly always seem to miss us here!
The RAG team have recently agreed that the money we won’t be spending on building materials in September should be sent to Phoneo for them to use on their current priorities – though we have asked for some to given to help Adapost[ [Richard and Hoini], as they open up again after a lockdown spent redecorating the Adapost premises.
Now though will you please join with us in prayer:
His guidance and wisdom for each one of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers - that each of you remain safe and well; that this pandemic will soon be overcome.
With every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 30 June 2020
NB. On 16 June I received this photo – of a happy and safe Roma family, post lockdown.
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Trusting you are all keeping safe and well.
Since I last wrote [6 April], when lockdown had only just commenced, there’s been little to report from this end. The quiz night obviously couldn’t take place and we shall attempt to arrange another one in due course. Also, there has to be a real doubt that we’ll be able to go ahead with our planned ceilidh evening in October but you’ll be kept posted on that one.
Restrictions in Romania have been somewhat similar to our own although they appear to be two or three weeks ahead as their rules are relaxed. A real answer to prayer has been that in spite of early concerns, none of the communities in which Phoneo operate in and around Reghin have been infected with COVID-19. Everyone had to isolate and so the families had no income until restrictions were eased towards the end of May. The £2500 we were able to send to Phoneo was very much appreciated and along with other donations enabled them to keep families supplied with food parcels throughout their isolation. Like ourselves, those Phoneo people who stayed on in Reghin now have much tidier and productive gardens and everyone seems to be completely up-to-date with their household chores! If only the Roma families we support had decent homes and gardens to look after!! Though unable to visit the Roma families, they kept in touch [Facebook etc] with one another and have enjoyed Sunday worship on-line and also weekly prayer time on Wednesdays at 5pm [our time] – why not click on to Facebook [Biserica Iosua Reghin] yourselves? On 18 May they were able to meet up again [with restrictions] and start planning and on 2 June were given the good news that all their programs [including the kids and Adapost] could finally re-start. At this same time, the Roma people have been allowed to go back to work again so the hope is that income will improve in most families – some may go abroad eg. to help with fruit-picking etc; others go foraging in the forests for wild mushrooms which they can sell.
In response to their request, it was with much sadness that I had to advise Phoneo that at this stage it is very unlikely we’ll be able to visit them in September. Two teams were planned to go then but nearly all those who’d already put their names forward felt it inappropriate to make any commitment at this stage and so both visits have been cancelled. Phoneo are extremely disappointed as there is quite a lot of building repair work outstanding, but we sincerely hope our successful partnership can resume in early 2021 and that meanwhile the Romanian winter is kind to everyone. There, this last winter was very mild but recently they’ve suffered from some torrential thunderstorms – you know, those which nearly always seem to miss us here!
The RAG team have recently agreed that the money we won’t be spending on building materials in September should be sent to Phoneo for them to use on their current priorities – though we have asked for some to given to help Adapost[ [Richard and Hoini], as they open up again after a lockdown spent redecorating the Adapost premises.
Now though will you please join with us in prayer:
- We thank our God that for His presence with us here, for our protection from the ongoing pandemic and that we never forget those so much less fortunate than ourselves.
We give thanks for answered prayer – that those Roma communities in which Phoneo operate have been protected from COVID-19. That job opportunities will now open up again to provide sources of income and provision for the families.
- We give thanks for all the Phoneo staff and especially Ronald and Paulina, Ilja, Angela, Gina, Paula, Richard and Hoini – for God’s continuing protection upon each one of them as they resume work in the surrounding communities.
His guidance and wisdom for each one of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers - that each of you remain safe and well; that this pandemic will soon be overcome.
With every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 30 June 2020
NB. On 16 June I received this photo – of a happy and safe Roma family, post lockdown.
Newsletter 1/2020
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
It’s April already and so sorry not to have been in touch at all this year but, as you can imagine, the plans we were making ground to a halt with the onset of COV-19. A team were getting ready to travel to Reghin in May and we were all excited about resuming our partnership with Phoneo for the seventh successive year. Air tickets were about to be booked and further meetings had been arranged but obviously we have had to go into “lockdown “, just like everything else.
When Richard Dickson wrote a few days ago, the situation in and around Reghin was not good with the neighbouring city of Targu Mures quite a hot-bed of the virus, its hospital over-flowing and already one nearby Roma community had become infected.
Adapost, the centre for the homeless in Reghin, which Richard and Hoini had opened up again in January, was just becoming established with 12 or so regular guests, but had to close down three weeks ago.
Since 25 March all the Phoneo staff have been barred from visiting “their” communities and whilst at that time no-one had been infected, we continue to hope and pray for everyone as due to the overcrowded conditions one infection would spread like wildfire. Another huge concern is that none of the families have any income during this shutdown – there are no opportunities for day work and even begging becomes impossible! Phoneo have set up a system that would allow families to collect food [using a voucher system] from their local shops – which still remain open. As soon as we knew of this, our leadership [RAG] team unanimously agreed to donate 2500euros which was in our bank for the purpose of buying building materials this year - which now seems highly improbable.
There are two teams programmed to go out in September [12-19 and 19-26] and we wonder if they will be able to travel - but only if the virus has completely cleared and if those who’ve volunteered still wish to go.
There was to have been a quiz night at the Lantern on 13 June but, needless to say, that has been cancelled, but we’re hoping a planned Ceilidh at St Barnabas in October will be able to go ahead.
Can I now quote Ilja [writing on 26 March] – “For now, this is the time to trust God, believe in His provision and show his peace to all those around and those with whom we are able to maintain contact”.
So will you now please join with us in prayer:
His guidance and wisdom for each one of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled, in due course.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers - that each of you remain well and that this pandemic can soon be overcome.
With every blessing for Easter and always.
John Clift
MTR Secretary 6 April 2020
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
It’s April already and so sorry not to have been in touch at all this year but, as you can imagine, the plans we were making ground to a halt with the onset of COV-19. A team were getting ready to travel to Reghin in May and we were all excited about resuming our partnership with Phoneo for the seventh successive year. Air tickets were about to be booked and further meetings had been arranged but obviously we have had to go into “lockdown “, just like everything else.
When Richard Dickson wrote a few days ago, the situation in and around Reghin was not good with the neighbouring city of Targu Mures quite a hot-bed of the virus, its hospital over-flowing and already one nearby Roma community had become infected.
Adapost, the centre for the homeless in Reghin, which Richard and Hoini had opened up again in January, was just becoming established with 12 or so regular guests, but had to close down three weeks ago.
Since 25 March all the Phoneo staff have been barred from visiting “their” communities and whilst at that time no-one had been infected, we continue to hope and pray for everyone as due to the overcrowded conditions one infection would spread like wildfire. Another huge concern is that none of the families have any income during this shutdown – there are no opportunities for day work and even begging becomes impossible! Phoneo have set up a system that would allow families to collect food [using a voucher system] from their local shops – which still remain open. As soon as we knew of this, our leadership [RAG] team unanimously agreed to donate 2500euros which was in our bank for the purpose of buying building materials this year - which now seems highly improbable.
There are two teams programmed to go out in September [12-19 and 19-26] and we wonder if they will be able to travel - but only if the virus has completely cleared and if those who’ve volunteered still wish to go.
There was to have been a quiz night at the Lantern on 13 June but, needless to say, that has been cancelled, but we’re hoping a planned Ceilidh at St Barnabas in October will be able to go ahead.
Can I now quote Ilja [writing on 26 March] – “For now, this is the time to trust God, believe in His provision and show his peace to all those around and those with whom we are able to maintain contact”.
So will you now please join with us in prayer:
- With very thankful thanks that we in the UK have the resources, skills etc available during this crisis but above all that God in is charge and our complete trust is in Him always.
- We remember those throughout the world who are not so well equipped and specially we commit to your protection our partners in Romania along with others we‘ve been privileged to help in earlier years – in Chiselet and Rasnov.
- Most especially we pray for Ronald and Paulina, Ilja, Angela, Gina, Richard and Hoini and all other Phoneo staff - allay their frustration, calm their fears and enable them, like us, to make the most of this enforced isolation.
His guidance and wisdom for each one of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled, in due course.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers - that each of you remain well and that this pandemic can soon be overcome.
With every blessing for Easter and always.
John Clift
MTR Secretary 6 April 2020
Newsletter 5/2019
Dear Friends
Time flies and it hardly possible that nearly two months have passed since our teams returned from two very successful visits helping Phoneo in and around Reghin at the end of September.
Although one person had to drop out at the last minute, both trips went well and our prime objective of completing one house, which on this occasion was in Batos - a village some 6kms outside Reghin, was achieved [just!] and the family who moved in immediately, were very thankful. The weather could have been better, particularly during the first week, so the opportunity was taken on the wettest days to help tidy up and prepare the Adapost building in readiness for its re-opening [more later]
Walter, who spent the whole fortnight there, kept well and said “it had outshone all his previous trips”. Four team members were making their first visit and each would like to go back. Of those, Stephanie Buckley spent some time with Gina [who has Lantern connections], took the opportunity to get involved in several other Phoneo activities and came back absolutely thrilled at what she’d seen and been able to do.
Following from that, she has accepted our invitation to join the RAG [leadership] team and from now on, will be our representative at the Parish church where we’ve not had anyone for several years. A real answer to prayer!
Thank you so much to all those who supported our ceilidh evening on 19 October. Our apologies to anyone who was disappointed that there was no live music as had been advertised but nonetheless Jo Dore led an excellent evening which, along with the ploughmans supper, was seemingly very much enjoyed by everyone. And, to cap it all, we raised over £500 towards next year’s expenses!
Yes, we’re already planning for 2020 though it may a little different as Phoneo have decided not to build any new houses until at least September. There will still be opportunities to do running repairs on existing homes [there is so much need] but we hope to encourage more people to go along and help, for example – family visiting, Bread to Live [supporting some of the very poorest families], Selah school, home groups – and much more.
If you are at all interested contact Walter Meyer at St Barnabas [07867622992]; Stephanie Buckley at Parish Church [01202 686862]; or at the Lantern Peter Owen [07973690240] or myself [01202 884043] as soon as possible.
I’ve mentioned Gina and if anyone would like to see her recent newsletter on the Testimonies page
As for Richard Dickson – he’s very much better and getting married to the lovely Hoini on Sunday 15 December. They’ve known one another for some while now, got engaged last month and are about to take on the huge responsibility of running Adapost, the centre for the homeless in Reghin. These past few months have been very busy for them as they help to prepare the Adapost building and get a house ready to live in themselves and we pray they are able to pace themselves properly.
One final thing – before we visit Romania next year we plan to have an open prayer meeting one evening every month. We started last week and though there were only ourselves [the RAG team] and two others we feel we should persevere. You’ll be given plenty of notice so if you would like to join with us then do please come along to provide your support and encouragement.
Now though will you also please pray:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled.
Thank you for your continued support and may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, good health and every blessing throughout 2020.
John Clift
MTR Secretary 29 November 2019
Dear Friends
Time flies and it hardly possible that nearly two months have passed since our teams returned from two very successful visits helping Phoneo in and around Reghin at the end of September.
Although one person had to drop out at the last minute, both trips went well and our prime objective of completing one house, which on this occasion was in Batos - a village some 6kms outside Reghin, was achieved [just!] and the family who moved in immediately, were very thankful. The weather could have been better, particularly during the first week, so the opportunity was taken on the wettest days to help tidy up and prepare the Adapost building in readiness for its re-opening [more later]
Walter, who spent the whole fortnight there, kept well and said “it had outshone all his previous trips”. Four team members were making their first visit and each would like to go back. Of those, Stephanie Buckley spent some time with Gina [who has Lantern connections], took the opportunity to get involved in several other Phoneo activities and came back absolutely thrilled at what she’d seen and been able to do.
Following from that, she has accepted our invitation to join the RAG [leadership] team and from now on, will be our representative at the Parish church where we’ve not had anyone for several years. A real answer to prayer!
Thank you so much to all those who supported our ceilidh evening on 19 October. Our apologies to anyone who was disappointed that there was no live music as had been advertised but nonetheless Jo Dore led an excellent evening which, along with the ploughmans supper, was seemingly very much enjoyed by everyone. And, to cap it all, we raised over £500 towards next year’s expenses!
Yes, we’re already planning for 2020 though it may a little different as Phoneo have decided not to build any new houses until at least September. There will still be opportunities to do running repairs on existing homes [there is so much need] but we hope to encourage more people to go along and help, for example – family visiting, Bread to Live [supporting some of the very poorest families], Selah school, home groups – and much more.
If you are at all interested contact Walter Meyer at St Barnabas [07867622992]; Stephanie Buckley at Parish Church [01202 686862]; or at the Lantern Peter Owen [07973690240] or myself [01202 884043] as soon as possible.
I’ve mentioned Gina and if anyone would like to see her recent newsletter on the Testimonies page
As for Richard Dickson – he’s very much better and getting married to the lovely Hoini on Sunday 15 December. They’ve known one another for some while now, got engaged last month and are about to take on the huge responsibility of running Adapost, the centre for the homeless in Reghin. These past few months have been very busy for them as they help to prepare the Adapost building and get a house ready to live in themselves and we pray they are able to pace themselves properly.
One final thing – before we visit Romania next year we plan to have an open prayer meeting one evening every month. We started last week and though there were only ourselves [the RAG team] and two others we feel we should persevere. You’ll be given plenty of notice so if you would like to join with us then do please come along to provide your support and encouragement.
Now though will you also please pray:
- Give thanks for the safe return and successful time enjoyed by each of those who visited Reghin in September. That in spite of less than perfect weather, they were able to complete one house and make very good use of the wet days.
- That Walter and Peter were able to have fruitful discussions with Phoneo as we both look forward to next year and our future partnership together.
- Give thanks for the successful and enjoyable ceilidh evening in October.
- For His blessing on Richard and Hoini – for their wedding on 15 December; their future happiness together and good health
- For renewed success for Adapost as it re-opens its doors to the homeless and needy in Reghin. For wisdom and clear guidance for Richard, Hoini and others who will be helping.
- For Gina as she brings hope, help and His love to the Roma families which she visits
- For our many Phoneo friends especially their leaders Ronald, Pauline and Ilja as they change their focus and give more encouragement to the Roma families – that through them and our support, they will seek to become closer to God and then reach out to their neighbours in love.
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled.
Thank you for your continued support and may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, good health and every blessing throughout 2020.
John Clift
MTR Secretary 29 November 2019
Newsletter 4/2019
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Thank you so much to all those who supported our quiz night back in June. We all had an excellent evening, whilst wondering where our quizmaster Irene had dragged up some of the questions! [only joking Irene – you were great]. At the end of it all, we were able to bank £266 to go towards the building materials which we’ll be needing in due course.
Well, as autumn approaches here so we are making final preparations for the ten persons who will be visiting Reghin from 14-21 & 21-28 September. As hoped and prayed for, we shall be sending two well-balanced teams though unfortunately one person has had to drop out at the last minute with health issues and so we’re now frantically looking for someone else to come forward in these next few days.
Walter Meyer is staying on for both weeks to “supervise” the work and he’s agreed not to overdo things in view of his recent health problems. The others [who will be keeping an eye on him], are Peter and Jenny Owen [the Lantern], Nigel Dickson [our son-in-law], Martin Tucker [a newcomer at the Lantern], Stephanie Buckley [Parish church] and Luke Franklin [one of Walters sons] with two of his friends from Redhill in Surrey.
Their aim will be to build one complete house for a particularly impoverished family and if the weather stays fine there should be time to carry out emergency repairs on other homes so that several more families as well will be better sheltered from the worst of the oncoming winter.
It’s very pleasing to be able to report that Richard Dickson is now very much better and all being well, he’ll be teaming up with them for some of the time along with Nicolai, a good Romanian friend who has helped in the past but who now isn’t too well himself and so will also be restricted to “light duties”.
Whilst in Reghin, Walter and Peter will be having important discussions with Phoneo about their plans for next year and how we can be involved.
Hopefully, you’ve already noted in your diaries that our next social event will be a Ceilidh which is being held at St Barnabas’s on Saturday 19 October, commencing at 6-45 pm. The arrangements are now complete and we very much look forward to welcoming guests from all three of our churches, as well as others. It should be a fun evening with entertainment being provided by Jo Dorey and her band – they were well received when they performed at New Wine back in August and have run several popular Ceilidh evenings at St B’s in the past.
We do need to know numbers in advance for catering purposes so please book before 14 October on the Lantern web-site or at either of three church offices, or speak to one of the RAG team – the cost is a modest £10 per person [£5 for those under 16] which includes a ploughmans supper and soft drinks – payment will be on the door.
Now will you please pray for:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 9 September 2019
Newsletter 3/2019
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
My apologies this has taken so long to reach you but everything seems to be slowing down – including me!
Hopefully our recent very wet spell here is nearly over though we‘ve been very fortunate compared with some parts of the UK – unless you happen to be a gardener here, in which case you’d probably have welcomed more slightly more rain!
Romania had it in abundance last month and unfortunately it was particularly awful when our team was visiting Reghin. Those who’d been before say they’d not previously seen it so bad with access to some parts of the Roma communities made extremely difficult due to the flooding and shocking state of many of the roads[?]. Nonetheless, in spite of violent storms, complete with hailstones the size of golf balls, they still managed to complete the outside rendering of three houses [out of the five they had hoped to finish]. A truly great effort from each of the five team members – two of whom had never been before. They bonded well together, had a great time and really looked after each other, especially their leader Walter, who had insisted he was OK and though he maybe shouldn’t have been there, was able to guide and encourage the others, without getting very involved in the physical hard work. We thank our God for their safe return and a successful week. The help and support from Richard D, who at that time was still only 70% recovered from illness, was very much appreciated.
The next event on our calendar is the annual quiz evening being held at St Barnabas’s next Saturday [29 June], commencing at 6-45pm. We shall be starting with a fish and chip supper [some alternatives available] and then Irene Selway will be hosting the quiz and between rounds there’ll be the opportunity to hear more about our work in Romania and how anyone can help – by joining a team, financially and, by means least, through prayer.
We are now starting to make preparations for our next visits which are planned for 14-21 and 21-28 September. The aim is to have two well-balanced teams of 4-5 persons in each and so far, we definitely have half the required number though there are several others expressing a keen interest. They are being invited to a short meeting in the Lantern Hub from 8-9pm on Monday 8 July and if there is anyone else who’d like to know more, then you too will be very welcome to come along. Workwise, there may be some rendering still to complete but otherwise we’re expecting to build at least one more new home for a very needy family – and to bring them and their neighbours, hope through our witness. Also, there should be opportunities to see more of Phoneo at work in and around Reghin.
Now, advance notice of another social event – on Saturday 19 October we shall be having a ceilidh, again at St Barnabas. So please put that date in your diaries now and join us as we have fun and look back on another successful year helping our partners Phoneo.
Now will you please pray for:-
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 20 June 2019
Newsletter 2/2019
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Spring is officially here and nowhere is it more welcome than in the Roma communities around Reghin!
Many thanks to those of you who were able to come to our open meeting on 16 February. A Saturday was obviously not particularly convenient but we still had a very good time which resulted in at least two new volunteers. Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel the planned March trip but have three, possibly four people going out from 12-19 May – more details in due course.
Some Lantern members were privileged to hear David Stickland speaking to us last month about SERVING. He summarised his talk with these five points:
John Clift 01202 884343 or johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
Peter Owen 07973690240 or peterandjenny@btinternet.com
Walter Meyer 078678622992 or waltmeyer58@googlemail.com
There still places available on the two visits which are planned for September [14-21 and 21-28].
If you aren’t able to go but would still like to make a valuable contribution, Phoneo always need more children’s underwear, socks and track-suit bottoms [3-12 year olds], NEW ONLY PLEASE, also school bags and toiletries – but please no tooth-brushes. If you would like to donate any of the above, or cash for them, it will be appreciated so much. Please give any items to either of the above or hand in at your church office before Sunday 5 May.
Gina has written recently about amazing events happening in some of the Roma family’s lives with many being touched by a spirit of repentance. Also, they are currently looking for premises in the Petelea area of Reghin with a view to creating a community centre – the aim is not just to serve the people but to encourage them in serving one another.
Richard Dickson had also been having a great and very busy time but a couple of weeks ago he developed pneumonia but after two lots of antibiotics is now making good progress. We pray he’ll soon be fully recovered and that then he’ll take it easy for a while.
Some of you may have met Peter Vos who paid a brief visit here a back in 2016. He headed up Adapost, a well-used centre for the homeless and the lonely in the middle of Reghin Sadly he died very suddenly just a couple of weeks ago, which came as a great shock all who knew him especially the Phoneo staff. We join with them in praying for his wife, his two young children and the future of Adapost.
Finally, we shall be having another quiz night at St Barnabas on Saturday 29 June - more details to follow but please put the date in your diaries now.
Now will you please pray for:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 24 March 2019
Newsetter 01/2019
Dear Friends
If you’re at all interested in our work in Romania,or may be thinking of joining us on a trip this year [16-23 March, 11-18 May, 14-21 and/or 21-28 September], you will be very welcome. There is no commitment by coming – you’ll just hear from others who’ve been before and find out more of what it’s all about. You’ll also be very welcome if you already support our mission or are interested in doing so in the future.
We do hope you can join us but will need to know numbers for catering in advance - please confirm if you are planning to come by contacting either of the following asap:
John Clift 01202 884343 or johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
Peter Owen 07973690240 or peterandjenny@btinternet.com
Walter Meyer 078678622992 or waltmeyer58@googlemail.com
Whether you are able to come or not, will you now please pray for:
and as always:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Thank you so much to all those who supported our quiz night back in June. We all had an excellent evening, whilst wondering where our quizmaster Irene had dragged up some of the questions! [only joking Irene – you were great]. At the end of it all, we were able to bank £266 to go towards the building materials which we’ll be needing in due course.
Well, as autumn approaches here so we are making final preparations for the ten persons who will be visiting Reghin from 14-21 & 21-28 September. As hoped and prayed for, we shall be sending two well-balanced teams though unfortunately one person has had to drop out at the last minute with health issues and so we’re now frantically looking for someone else to come forward in these next few days.
Walter Meyer is staying on for both weeks to “supervise” the work and he’s agreed not to overdo things in view of his recent health problems. The others [who will be keeping an eye on him], are Peter and Jenny Owen [the Lantern], Nigel Dickson [our son-in-law], Martin Tucker [a newcomer at the Lantern], Stephanie Buckley [Parish church] and Luke Franklin [one of Walters sons] with two of his friends from Redhill in Surrey.
Their aim will be to build one complete house for a particularly impoverished family and if the weather stays fine there should be time to carry out emergency repairs on other homes so that several more families as well will be better sheltered from the worst of the oncoming winter.
It’s very pleasing to be able to report that Richard Dickson is now very much better and all being well, he’ll be teaming up with them for some of the time along with Nicolai, a good Romanian friend who has helped in the past but who now isn’t too well himself and so will also be restricted to “light duties”.
Whilst in Reghin, Walter and Peter will be having important discussions with Phoneo about their plans for next year and how we can be involved.
Hopefully, you’ve already noted in your diaries that our next social event will be a Ceilidh which is being held at St Barnabas’s on Saturday 19 October, commencing at 6-45 pm. The arrangements are now complete and we very much look forward to welcoming guests from all three of our churches, as well as others. It should be a fun evening with entertainment being provided by Jo Dorey and her band – they were well received when they performed at New Wine back in August and have run several popular Ceilidh evenings at St B’s in the past.
We do need to know numbers in advance for catering purposes so please book before 14 October on the Lantern web-site or at either of three church offices, or speak to one of the RAG team – the cost is a modest £10 per person [£5 for those under 16] which includes a ploughmans supper and soft drinks – payment will be on the door.
Now will you please pray for:
- Give thanks for each of those in the two teams going to Reghin shortly – that they will bond well together and have a great time. That He will have gone before them to prepare the way; for protection and good health beforehand and whilst in Romania; for safe travel and good working conditions throughout their stay.
Guidance and wisdom for Walter and Peter as they have discussions with Phoneo about next year and our future partnership.
- Give thanks for the successful quiz evening back in June and the fun time had by all.
- Give thanks that Richard Dickson is now feeling so much better and that he continues to enjoy his work with Phoneo as he considers his future in Romania. Also, for Gina Forbes and for His protection and guidance on both of them at all times.
- For our forthcoming Ceilidh evening at St Barnabas’s on 19 October. That it will be well supported and that everyone will enjoy a good time of fun, food and fellowship.
- For all our very good Phoneo friends especially their leaders Ronald and Pauline, and Ilja as they welcome us once more and face up to the day-today problems on a 24/7 basis .
- The Roma families – that through Phoneo and our support, they will seek to become closer to God and then reach out to their neighbours.
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continue to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 9 September 2019
Newsletter 3/2019
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
My apologies this has taken so long to reach you but everything seems to be slowing down – including me!
Hopefully our recent very wet spell here is nearly over though we‘ve been very fortunate compared with some parts of the UK – unless you happen to be a gardener here, in which case you’d probably have welcomed more slightly more rain!
Romania had it in abundance last month and unfortunately it was particularly awful when our team was visiting Reghin. Those who’d been before say they’d not previously seen it so bad with access to some parts of the Roma communities made extremely difficult due to the flooding and shocking state of many of the roads[?]. Nonetheless, in spite of violent storms, complete with hailstones the size of golf balls, they still managed to complete the outside rendering of three houses [out of the five they had hoped to finish]. A truly great effort from each of the five team members – two of whom had never been before. They bonded well together, had a great time and really looked after each other, especially their leader Walter, who had insisted he was OK and though he maybe shouldn’t have been there, was able to guide and encourage the others, without getting very involved in the physical hard work. We thank our God for their safe return and a successful week. The help and support from Richard D, who at that time was still only 70% recovered from illness, was very much appreciated.
The next event on our calendar is the annual quiz evening being held at St Barnabas’s next Saturday [29 June], commencing at 6-45pm. We shall be starting with a fish and chip supper [some alternatives available] and then Irene Selway will be hosting the quiz and between rounds there’ll be the opportunity to hear more about our work in Romania and how anyone can help – by joining a team, financially and, by means least, through prayer.
We are now starting to make preparations for our next visits which are planned for 14-21 and 21-28 September. The aim is to have two well-balanced teams of 4-5 persons in each and so far, we definitely have half the required number though there are several others expressing a keen interest. They are being invited to a short meeting in the Lantern Hub from 8-9pm on Monday 8 July and if there is anyone else who’d like to know more, then you too will be very welcome to come along. Workwise, there may be some rendering still to complete but otherwise we’re expecting to build at least one more new home for a very needy family – and to bring them and their neighbours, hope through our witness. Also, there should be opportunities to see more of Phoneo at work in and around Reghin.
Now, advance notice of another social event – on Saturday 19 October we shall be having a ceilidh, again at St Barnabas. So please put that date in your diaries now and join us as we have fun and look back on another successful year helping our partners Phoneo.
Now will you please pray for:-
- Give thanks for the safe return of our team last month. That, in spite of very wet weather, they still managed to complete the rendering of three more houses and also do several minor repairs elsewhere.
- Following their visit, Richard Dickson who has been quite poorly with a throat/ mouth infection following dental treatment. Anyway, he wrote last week to say he’s now feeling very much better and thanks everyone for their prayers. Also for Gina and for His protection and guidance on them both at all times.
- For our forthcoming quiz night at St Barnabas’s on 29 June. That it will be well supported and that everyone will enjoy a good time of fun, food and fellowship.
- For our meeting on 8 July – that more of the right people do come forward to fill vacancies to enable well balanced teams to go out in September.
- Wisdom and discernment for our partners Phoneo, especially for their leaders Ronald and Pauline, as they develop new plans for 2019 and face up to the day-today problems on a 24/7 basis .
- The Roma families – that through Phoneo and our support, they will seek to become closer to God and then reach out to their neighbours.
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 20 June 2019
Newsletter 2/2019
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Spring is officially here and nowhere is it more welcome than in the Roma communities around Reghin!
Many thanks to those of you who were able to come to our open meeting on 16 February. A Saturday was obviously not particularly convenient but we still had a very good time which resulted in at least two new volunteers. Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel the planned March trip but have three, possibly four people going out from 12-19 May – more details in due course.
Some Lantern members were privileged to hear David Stickland speaking to us last month about SERVING. He summarised his talk with these five points:
- Serving others is an antidote to pride and self-centredness – it builds humility
- You will learn new skills
- It will be fun
- You will, over time, feel closer to God
- You will build deeper connections with those you are with.
John Clift 01202 884343 or johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
Peter Owen 07973690240 or peterandjenny@btinternet.com
Walter Meyer 078678622992 or waltmeyer58@googlemail.com
There still places available on the two visits which are planned for September [14-21 and 21-28].
If you aren’t able to go but would still like to make a valuable contribution, Phoneo always need more children’s underwear, socks and track-suit bottoms [3-12 year olds], NEW ONLY PLEASE, also school bags and toiletries – but please no tooth-brushes. If you would like to donate any of the above, or cash for them, it will be appreciated so much. Please give any items to either of the above or hand in at your church office before Sunday 5 May.
Gina has written recently about amazing events happening in some of the Roma family’s lives with many being touched by a spirit of repentance. Also, they are currently looking for premises in the Petelea area of Reghin with a view to creating a community centre – the aim is not just to serve the people but to encourage them in serving one another.
Richard Dickson had also been having a great and very busy time but a couple of weeks ago he developed pneumonia but after two lots of antibiotics is now making good progress. We pray he’ll soon be fully recovered and that then he’ll take it easy for a while.
Some of you may have met Peter Vos who paid a brief visit here a back in 2016. He headed up Adapost, a well-used centre for the homeless and the lonely in the middle of Reghin Sadly he died very suddenly just a couple of weeks ago, which came as a great shock all who knew him especially the Phoneo staff. We join with them in praying for his wife, his two young children and the future of Adapost.
Finally, we shall be having another quiz night at St Barnabas on Saturday 29 June - more details to follow but please put the date in your diaries now.
Now will you please pray for:
- The team going out in May - for their good health and that He will go before them to prepare the way. That all arrangements are able to be completed soon.
- Richard Dickson and Gina – for complete healing for Richard and His protection and guidance on them both at all times.
- The right people to come forward to fill vacancies and form well balanced teams to go out in September.
- Fun and good fellowship at our forthcoming quiz evening
- The family of Peter Vos and for the future of the Adapost centre
- Wisdom and discernment for our partners Phoneo, especially for their leaders Ronald and Pauline, as they develop new plans for 2019.
- The Roma families – that through Phoneo and our support, they will seek to become closer to God and then reach out to their neighbours.
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary 24 March 2019
Newsetter 01/2019
Dear Friends
If you’re at all interested in our work in Romania,or may be thinking of joining us on a trip this year [16-23 March, 11-18 May, 14-21 and/or 21-28 September], you will be very welcome. There is no commitment by coming – you’ll just hear from others who’ve been before and find out more of what it’s all about. You’ll also be very welcome if you already support our mission or are interested in doing so in the future.
We do hope you can join us but will need to know numbers for catering in advance - please confirm if you are planning to come by contacting either of the following asap:
John Clift 01202 884343 or johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
Peter Owen 07973690240 or peterandjenny@btinternet.com
Walter Meyer 078678622992 or waltmeyer58@googlemail.com
Whether you are able to come or not, will you now please pray for:
- those Roma families who’ve been struggling to keep warm in subzero temperatures, though thankfully it’s now a little warmer.
- the Phoneo staff, especially Ronald and Pauline, as they implement plans for 2019.
- our plans – that sufficient volunteers come forward to enable us to send well-balanced teams on the dates already agreed with Phoneo.
and as always:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
With many thanks and every blessing
John Clift
MTR Secretary
Newsletter 6/2018
Dear Friends
My apologies that it’s been quite a while since I last wrote but by now I trust most of you will heard what a very successful visit we had in Reghin at the end of September –
In the end, we weren’t able to get a replacement for Nigel but the four who went, namely Peter and Jenny Owen, Walter Meyer and his son Luke, had a truly great time. They were blessed with good weather most of the while and with help from Richard Dickson and several others already out there, were able to complete another whole house and equip it with a wood-burning stove – so another very appreciative and happy family will be able to enjoy a much more comfortable winter.
Over the past year we have had one or two worrying moments but Walter and Peter made time to talk to several of the Phoneo staff whilst they were out there and as a result really good relationships were confirmed and now we’re really looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with them next year.
As Peter put it – “we successfully built a complete house as well as bridges”
Dates already agreed for 2019 are 16-22 March, 11-18 May and 14-21/21-28 September, though how many teams go out will depend on numbers available. One thing we’ve learned this year is that with the extra skills and help now available locally, 4-5 person teams at a time are all we need. However, we must have one or two more persons with some building experience so do please mention it to anyone you know who you feel may be interested.
Our own Gina and Richard are both very actively involved with Phoneo and when Gina wrote recently she said how she now feels much more settled and how she quickly fell back into working with the Roma after a visit back to UK in the summer. As they prepare for winter it’s becomes very busy as warm clothes, boots , food parcels and wood for fuel are distributed to the many families who are in dire need.
If you would like to read more, her newsletter can be found on our Testimonies page
Thank you for reading this and please don’t hesitate to forward any comments.
With every blessing
Dear Friends
My apologies that it’s been quite a while since I last wrote but by now I trust most of you will heard what a very successful visit we had in Reghin at the end of September –
In the end, we weren’t able to get a replacement for Nigel but the four who went, namely Peter and Jenny Owen, Walter Meyer and his son Luke, had a truly great time. They were blessed with good weather most of the while and with help from Richard Dickson and several others already out there, were able to complete another whole house and equip it with a wood-burning stove – so another very appreciative and happy family will be able to enjoy a much more comfortable winter.
Over the past year we have had one or two worrying moments but Walter and Peter made time to talk to several of the Phoneo staff whilst they were out there and as a result really good relationships were confirmed and now we’re really looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with them next year.
As Peter put it – “we successfully built a complete house as well as bridges”
Dates already agreed for 2019 are 16-22 March, 11-18 May and 14-21/21-28 September, though how many teams go out will depend on numbers available. One thing we’ve learned this year is that with the extra skills and help now available locally, 4-5 person teams at a time are all we need. However, we must have one or two more persons with some building experience so do please mention it to anyone you know who you feel may be interested.
Our own Gina and Richard are both very actively involved with Phoneo and when Gina wrote recently she said how she now feels much more settled and how she quickly fell back into working with the Roma after a visit back to UK in the summer. As they prepare for winter it’s becomes very busy as warm clothes, boots , food parcels and wood for fuel are distributed to the many families who are in dire need.
If you would like to read more, her newsletter can be found on our Testimonies page
Thank you for reading this and please don’t hesitate to forward any comments.
With every blessing
Newsletter 5/2018
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
This latest newsletter is to remind you that our last team of 2018 goes out to Reghin early this coming Saturday [22 September]. Led by Walter Meyer, who’ll be making his 19th visit, the others are his son Luke, who lives in Surrey, and Peter and Jenny Owen from the Lantern. A couple of months ago we had expected to be sending several more but for differing reasons they’ve had to drop out and now in this past fortnight another has become unwell and told he can’t fly. Efforts to get a last minute replacement have so far proved unsuccessful but we keep praying and if it’s God’s will then someone may still come forward.
Whatever, we are hoping that when these few team up with Richard Dickson and others already out there, that they’ll manage to substantially complete one more new house on the plot we helped to purchase last year – weather permitting!
Richard seems to have settled in well and has been very busy throughout the summer helping to paint Phoneo’s new church building. He’s also been helping a family in Apalina for whom several people here have donated towards the cost of necessary building materials – our very special thanks to them.
Gina, has been home for a few weeks but is now back in Reghin where she has helped set up another small home group, started a weekly prayer group and is looking forward to everything that lies ahead.
Whilst in Reghin, Walter and Peter who are both members of our RAG team, will be taking the opportunity to have face to face discussions with Phoneo staff about the way forward – how they see us fitting into their plans for the future etc, etc.
NB. Just a few hours ago, amongst other things, I heard good news from Ilja of Phoneo:
and as I asked last time:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
Thank you for reading this and please don’t hesitate to forward any comments.
With every blessing
John Clift [01202 884043]
johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
MTR Secretary 18 September 2018
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
This latest newsletter is to remind you that our last team of 2018 goes out to Reghin early this coming Saturday [22 September]. Led by Walter Meyer, who’ll be making his 19th visit, the others are his son Luke, who lives in Surrey, and Peter and Jenny Owen from the Lantern. A couple of months ago we had expected to be sending several more but for differing reasons they’ve had to drop out and now in this past fortnight another has become unwell and told he can’t fly. Efforts to get a last minute replacement have so far proved unsuccessful but we keep praying and if it’s God’s will then someone may still come forward.
Whatever, we are hoping that when these few team up with Richard Dickson and others already out there, that they’ll manage to substantially complete one more new house on the plot we helped to purchase last year – weather permitting!
Richard seems to have settled in well and has been very busy throughout the summer helping to paint Phoneo’s new church building. He’s also been helping a family in Apalina for whom several people here have donated towards the cost of necessary building materials – our very special thanks to them.
Gina, has been home for a few weeks but is now back in Reghin where she has helped set up another small home group, started a weekly prayer group and is looking forward to everything that lies ahead.
Whilst in Reghin, Walter and Peter who are both members of our RAG team, will be taking the opportunity to have face to face discussions with Phoneo staff about the way forward – how they see us fitting into their plans for the future etc, etc.
NB. Just a few hours ago, amongst other things, I heard good news from Ilja of Phoneo:
- Foundations for the new house are going in and should be ready for our team next week
- “Richard is finding his way better and better”
- The Selah school team are doing great - accreditation still not finalized though not a problem but relationship with local authorities is really good.
- Walter, Luke, Peter and Jenny – for safe travel, good health and His protection and guiding hand upon each of them all the time. That He goes before them to prepare the way
- Good weather [not too hot/not too wet], so that another house can be completed before the onset of winter
- Walter and Peter – as they discuss the future with Phoneo staff
- Continued protection and safety for Gina and Richard as they undertake the work God has called them to do with Phoneo in Romania.
and as I asked last time:
- wisdom and discernment for all the Phoneo team as they continue to support the Roma communities in and around Reghin, where there are so many different demands on their limited resources.
- the Roma people - that they have safety, peace, good health and that many will come to know Jesus.
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
Thank you for reading this and please don’t hesitate to forward any comments.
With every blessing
John Clift [01202 884043]
johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
MTR Secretary 18 September 2018
SEPTEMBER 04TH, 2018
Newsletter 4/2018
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
First of all, a very warm welcome to Mike Tufnell and his family as they kick off another new season at the Lantern. Mike, we look forward to briefing you about our activities and maybe one day you’d like to join with us on a future working visit to Reghin!
In my last newsletter I wrote that it was hotting up here [meteorologically] as well as on our mission front but no-one quite expected that we’d have had hardly any rain since that time. It’s been somewhat similar in Romania although when Walter led a team there in May they did encounter quite a wet time which prevented them completing a whole house, as had been hoped. Nonetheless, they all had a great time together and arrived back home safely with one, a first-timer, who couldn’t stop saying what an amazing experience it had been! Unfortunately, since returning, Walter has again been unwell. Thankfully he’s on the mend and we’re all praying that he soon makes a full recovery and so will be able to go again in September, albeit in just a supervisory role.
The June team of Ian, David and Sandy, whilst only small in numbers, more than made up for that with their enthusiasm. As planned, they teamed up alongside Richard and Ollie and helped with more building work. Whilst there, they saw for themselves some of the appalling conditions in which many of the Roma families are living and whilst our hearts cry out to all these dear people we have to recognize that there are so very many difficult situations in the communities and that Phoneo, who are doing all they can, are only able to do so much and in fairness to everyone we have to let them and God determine priorities.
Whilst Ollie, by mutual agreement with Phoneo, has now returned home after two months, Richard is getting more and more involved and by all accounts is really settling in well, as is Gina.
Back here, over sixty of you enjoyed a very successful quiz evening at St Bs on 16 June – the questions were hard but fair [!]; the food was excellent – with very grateful thanks to Richard N; and we benefitted to the tune of over £900 all of which will go towards family support and more building materials in Reghin. So, very many thanks to all who supported this event and especially those who donated towards the auction of promises and those who bought “a lot” - we trust you’ve been able to enjoy it – please let us know. Hopefully too, you all went away with a clearer vision of what we are doing and that you’ll continue to support our efforts. It’s not just your money – your prayers are so very important to everyone involved.
It’s quiet here now but Phoneo are entering a very busy period as they organize and take part in several summer camps for the kids. What we must never forget is that we only get involved out there for 2 or 3 weeks per year whilst they are very busy 24/7, all the year round.
We shall be going back for the week 22-29 September and, all being well will help to complete one last house on the plot we contributed towards last year. We had a very full team but for one reason or another, folks have had to drop out so if there is anyone who’d like to share in this “amazing experience” than do please get in touch with either Walter Meyer [07967622992] at St Bs or Peter Owen [07973690240] or myself [01202 884043] at the Lantern.
Now will you please pray for:
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
Thank you for reading this and please don’t hesitate to forward any comments.
With every blessing
John Clift [01202 884043]
johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
MTR Secretary 12 July 2018
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
First of all, a very warm welcome to Mike Tufnell and his family as they kick off another new season at the Lantern. Mike, we look forward to briefing you about our activities and maybe one day you’d like to join with us on a future working visit to Reghin!
In my last newsletter I wrote that it was hotting up here [meteorologically] as well as on our mission front but no-one quite expected that we’d have had hardly any rain since that time. It’s been somewhat similar in Romania although when Walter led a team there in May they did encounter quite a wet time which prevented them completing a whole house, as had been hoped. Nonetheless, they all had a great time together and arrived back home safely with one, a first-timer, who couldn’t stop saying what an amazing experience it had been! Unfortunately, since returning, Walter has again been unwell. Thankfully he’s on the mend and we’re all praying that he soon makes a full recovery and so will be able to go again in September, albeit in just a supervisory role.
The June team of Ian, David and Sandy, whilst only small in numbers, more than made up for that with their enthusiasm. As planned, they teamed up alongside Richard and Ollie and helped with more building work. Whilst there, they saw for themselves some of the appalling conditions in which many of the Roma families are living and whilst our hearts cry out to all these dear people we have to recognize that there are so very many difficult situations in the communities and that Phoneo, who are doing all they can, are only able to do so much and in fairness to everyone we have to let them and God determine priorities.
Whilst Ollie, by mutual agreement with Phoneo, has now returned home after two months, Richard is getting more and more involved and by all accounts is really settling in well, as is Gina.
Back here, over sixty of you enjoyed a very successful quiz evening at St Bs on 16 June – the questions were hard but fair [!]; the food was excellent – with very grateful thanks to Richard N; and we benefitted to the tune of over £900 all of which will go towards family support and more building materials in Reghin. So, very many thanks to all who supported this event and especially those who donated towards the auction of promises and those who bought “a lot” - we trust you’ve been able to enjoy it – please let us know. Hopefully too, you all went away with a clearer vision of what we are doing and that you’ll continue to support our efforts. It’s not just your money – your prayers are so very important to everyone involved.
It’s quiet here now but Phoneo are entering a very busy period as they organize and take part in several summer camps for the kids. What we must never forget is that we only get involved out there for 2 or 3 weeks per year whilst they are very busy 24/7, all the year round.
We shall be going back for the week 22-29 September and, all being well will help to complete one last house on the plot we contributed towards last year. We had a very full team but for one reason or another, folks have had to drop out so if there is anyone who’d like to share in this “amazing experience” than do please get in touch with either Walter Meyer [07967622992] at St Bs or Peter Owen [07973690240] or myself [01202 884043] at the Lantern.
Now will you please pray for:
- Give thanks for the safe return of our May and June teams after their successful visits.
- Walter’s health to improve so he is well enough to oversee our 22-29 September visit and for more skilled or unskilled volunteers to prayerfully consider coming forward to join this trip.
- protection and safety for Gina and Richard as they continue the work God has called them to do with Phoneo in Romania.
- wisdom and discernment for all the Phoneo team as they continue to support the Roma communities in and around Reghin, where there are so many different demands on their limited resources.
- God’s continuing provision so that MTR [our mission] can continue to provide building materials for new homes and much needed family support eg. medical needs and school meals.
- the Roma people - that they have safety, peace, good health and that many will come to know Jesus.
His guidance and wisdom for each of us so that His plans for this work continued to be fulfilled.
Thank you for reading this and please don’t hesitate to forward any comments.
With every blessing
John Clift [01202 884043]
johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
MTR Secretary 12 July 2018
Newsletter 3/2018
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Things are really hotting up – here in Dorset and with our mission activity!
Richard Dickson eventually flew out to Reghin last Monday having been delayed somewhat by a lot of personal business that he had to sort out here beforehand. He arrived safely and is already busying himself and we pray he’ll soon be completely settled in to his very different life-style. Thank you so very much for your generous gifts of childrens’ clothing – some which he was able to take and the rest is going by road next week - it is all very, very much appreciated.
Talking of getting settled, we also pray for Gina Forbes, whom some of you may have heard speaking briefly of her passion for Romania at the Lantern recently. She now has a visa and is planning to stay with Phoneo for several years. Ollie Harding has now been out there for nearly two months and will be deciding soon about his future.
Joining these three on Saturday [12 May] will a team of five, led by Walter Meyer from St Bs and Mervyn Young, his daughter Serena and her son Ben and Dean Miller, all from the Lantern. The foundations of another new house will have been completed before their arrival and the plan is, weather permitting, that this one house will be able to be substantially completed by the end of the week.
On 2 June three more Lantern members, Ian Pratt, David Staniland and Sandy Amos, will be going out for a week when they’ll join up with Richard and Ollie to continue the house building programme.
By the end of September we hope to have at least one further house finished which means the plot of land we were able to help purchase last year, will then have been filled. We already have six persons ready to go out from 22-29 September but Phoneo have said they’ll welcome as many as we can muster so why not jump on board – contact either Walter Meyer [07967622992] at St Bs of Peter Owen[7973690240] or myself at the Lantern as soon as possible if you’d like to be part in this great adventure. If you don’t believe me, then ask anyone else who’s been privileged to go out to Reghin! – or you can volunteer on our web-site – www.missiontoromania.org.uk
Back here we’re planning an MTR quiz evening with prizes at St Barnabas on Saturday 16 June, starting at 6-45 pm. As well as fish and chips there will be an auction of promises . Please put this date in your diary now - for more information and to book go to www.thelanternchurch.org/whats-on/upcoming-events or contact either of the church offices. We need to know in advance how many to expect but £10 per person will be payable on the night.
Now will you please pray for:
John Clift [01202 884043] 10 May 2018
johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Things are really hotting up – here in Dorset and with our mission activity!
Richard Dickson eventually flew out to Reghin last Monday having been delayed somewhat by a lot of personal business that he had to sort out here beforehand. He arrived safely and is already busying himself and we pray he’ll soon be completely settled in to his very different life-style. Thank you so very much for your generous gifts of childrens’ clothing – some which he was able to take and the rest is going by road next week - it is all very, very much appreciated.
Talking of getting settled, we also pray for Gina Forbes, whom some of you may have heard speaking briefly of her passion for Romania at the Lantern recently. She now has a visa and is planning to stay with Phoneo for several years. Ollie Harding has now been out there for nearly two months and will be deciding soon about his future.
Joining these three on Saturday [12 May] will a team of five, led by Walter Meyer from St Bs and Mervyn Young, his daughter Serena and her son Ben and Dean Miller, all from the Lantern. The foundations of another new house will have been completed before their arrival and the plan is, weather permitting, that this one house will be able to be substantially completed by the end of the week.
On 2 June three more Lantern members, Ian Pratt, David Staniland and Sandy Amos, will be going out for a week when they’ll join up with Richard and Ollie to continue the house building programme.
By the end of September we hope to have at least one further house finished which means the plot of land we were able to help purchase last year, will then have been filled. We already have six persons ready to go out from 22-29 September but Phoneo have said they’ll welcome as many as we can muster so why not jump on board – contact either Walter Meyer [07967622992] at St Bs of Peter Owen[7973690240] or myself at the Lantern as soon as possible if you’d like to be part in this great adventure. If you don’t believe me, then ask anyone else who’s been privileged to go out to Reghin! – or you can volunteer on our web-site – www.missiontoromania.org.uk
Back here we’re planning an MTR quiz evening with prizes at St Barnabas on Saturday 16 June, starting at 6-45 pm. As well as fish and chips there will be an auction of promises . Please put this date in your diary now - for more information and to book go to www.thelanternchurch.org/whats-on/upcoming-events or contact either of the church offices. We need to know in advance how many to expect but £10 per person will be payable on the night.
Now will you please pray for:
- Those going out in May and June – that God will go before them to prepare the way, for safe journeys, their good health, protection and fine weather so that building progress is not delayed
- More of the right people to come forward for the September trip – that no-one who wishes to go misses this final opportunity for 2018.
- Gina, Ollie and Richard as they settle into a very different way of life – for safety and God’s protection and guiding hand on each of them at all times.
- the ongoing development of the link between Selah school and St John's school Wimborne
- A successful and enjoyable evening for everyone on 16 June
- the several other new workers who are joining their Foundation this year
- the renovation/completion of their new church building which has progressed well but needs to be completely finished before the summer holiday
- their preparations for kids camp in July – the subject is “open heaven” + a youth camp the following week
- a special prayer for an even greater release of the power and presence of God who has been amazingly present in the past but they have a strong desire for even more
- that the Roma gypsies become more independent and reach out more to one another
- His continuing guidance and wisdom on us all so that His plans will be fulfilled.
John Clift [01202 884043] 10 May 2018
johnc-cobham12@tiscali.co.uk
NEWSLETTER 2/2018
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Just a brief update on a recent development.
Since I wrote to you earlier this month Richard Dickson has returned from a fortnight with Phoneo to tell us that he’s going to work full-time with them in Reghin for a year or so – travelling out in the middle of April. This is great news and I feel sure you’ll want to join with us in praying the Lord’s guidance upon him; for his protection and safety whilst in Romania and that he’ll settle in quickly.
He’ll be travelling by road and says he’ll have ample room to take desperately needed children’s clothing for 4-14 year-olds. If you are able to donate any new or good quality, freshly laundered second-hand items, will you please take/send them to the Lantern or St Barnabas church before or on Sunday 8 April, at the latest. Please, we really do need everyone’s help.
Items required for both boys and girls are:
Jeans
T shirts
Jumpers
Sweatshirts
Skirts
Tights
Socks
Pants.
With grateful thanks and every blessing.
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Just a brief update on a recent development.
Since I wrote to you earlier this month Richard Dickson has returned from a fortnight with Phoneo to tell us that he’s going to work full-time with them in Reghin for a year or so – travelling out in the middle of April. This is great news and I feel sure you’ll want to join with us in praying the Lord’s guidance upon him; for his protection and safety whilst in Romania and that he’ll settle in quickly.
He’ll be travelling by road and says he’ll have ample room to take desperately needed children’s clothing for 4-14 year-olds. If you are able to donate any new or good quality, freshly laundered second-hand items, will you please take/send them to the Lantern or St Barnabas church before or on Sunday 8 April, at the latest. Please, we really do need everyone’s help.
Items required for both boys and girls are:
Jeans
T shirts
Jumpers
Sweatshirts
Skirts
Tights
Socks
Pants.
With grateful thanks and every blessing.
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
After being promised for several days, it’s now snowing here but thankfully not as bad as elsewhere in Britain or for matter in Romania where they are quite used to half a metre or so and have had more than their fair share this winter. We are quick to complain when temperatures fall below zero but do remember those families, particularly the ones we‘re supporting in partnership with Phoneo, who only have a small wood burning stove in the corner of one room and hopefully enough fuel, to keep themselves warm. Thank you so much to the ladies of the Crafty Creations group for the lovely blankets they gave us and which are now being much appreciated by families in the Roma community at Petelea.
Since the last newsletter [December 2017] we’ve been active in getting three teams together to visit Reghin this year, culminating in an open evening in the Hub last Sunday. Very many thanks to everyone who came along – we may have been few in number but it was a very positive and encouraging meeting with three completely new faces – and the baked potatoes were delicious!
Right now we have 14 people committed to going out this year – mainly to help put the finishing touches to the three houses which were substantially completed last autumn and then to help build two more – I’m assuming on the piece of land which we helped to purchase last year, but they’ll also have the opportunity to see what else Phoneo are getting up to. The three teams will be going 12-19 May; 2-9 June and then 23-30 September and whilst this last team is already over-full there are still vacancies in May and June. So, if you’d like to join in this amazing opportunity than do please contact myself or Peter Owen [07973690240] at the Lantern or Walter Meyer [07967622992] at St Barnabas asap, for more information – or you can volunteer on our web-site – www.missiontoromania.org.uk
Interestingly, in the past week the web-site has brought two enquiries – one from Wiltshire and another from Elgin in Scotland [!] but it would be great to have few more local ones!
Gina Forbes, who I mentioned last time, has settled in well with Phoneo and for the next week or two is being joined by our Richard Dickson who is helping to redecorate Phoneo’s recently acquired church building. Later this month, Ollie Harding from Bournemouth, who along with Richard Kane and myself made the very first “recce” visit to Chiselet in January 2007, is going to spend three months there working as a “handyman” and helping out with the day to day running with the Phoneo team.
Selah school have now made contact with St John’s school in Wimborne but so far no regular exchange of news is taking place – everyone is so busy, but further steps are slowly being made [after all this Romania] towards Selah becoming entirely “official”.
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
After being promised for several days, it’s now snowing here but thankfully not as bad as elsewhere in Britain or for matter in Romania where they are quite used to half a metre or so and have had more than their fair share this winter. We are quick to complain when temperatures fall below zero but do remember those families, particularly the ones we‘re supporting in partnership with Phoneo, who only have a small wood burning stove in the corner of one room and hopefully enough fuel, to keep themselves warm. Thank you so much to the ladies of the Crafty Creations group for the lovely blankets they gave us and which are now being much appreciated by families in the Roma community at Petelea.
Since the last newsletter [December 2017] we’ve been active in getting three teams together to visit Reghin this year, culminating in an open evening in the Hub last Sunday. Very many thanks to everyone who came along – we may have been few in number but it was a very positive and encouraging meeting with three completely new faces – and the baked potatoes were delicious!
Right now we have 14 people committed to going out this year – mainly to help put the finishing touches to the three houses which were substantially completed last autumn and then to help build two more – I’m assuming on the piece of land which we helped to purchase last year, but they’ll also have the opportunity to see what else Phoneo are getting up to. The three teams will be going 12-19 May; 2-9 June and then 23-30 September and whilst this last team is already over-full there are still vacancies in May and June. So, if you’d like to join in this amazing opportunity than do please contact myself or Peter Owen [07973690240] at the Lantern or Walter Meyer [07967622992] at St Barnabas asap, for more information – or you can volunteer on our web-site – www.missiontoromania.org.uk
Interestingly, in the past week the web-site has brought two enquiries – one from Wiltshire and another from Elgin in Scotland [!] but it would be great to have few more local ones!
Gina Forbes, who I mentioned last time, has settled in well with Phoneo and for the next week or two is being joined by our Richard Dickson who is helping to redecorate Phoneo’s recently acquired church building. Later this month, Ollie Harding from Bournemouth, who along with Richard Kane and myself made the very first “recce” visit to Chiselet in January 2007, is going to spend three months there working as a “handyman” and helping out with the day to day running with the Phoneo team.
Selah school have now made contact with St John’s school in Wimborne but so far no regular exchange of news is taking place – everyone is so busy, but further steps are slowly being made [after all this Romania] towards Selah becoming entirely “official”.
NEWSLETTER 7/2017
14/1/2018
14/1/2018
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Further to our last visit in September I'm delighted to be able to report that Phoneo staff, together with one or two others, have managed to substantially complete three more houses on the land which we were able to buy for them back in the summer. Outside work will have to wait until the spring but all the houses are now habitable and that means four families are able to move in before the onset of winter – a real answer to prayer! NB. Their first heavy snowfall was this last week!
Further news from Reghin is that Sandy, who heads up the Selah school team, has made contact with St John's school and is in the throes of sending an introductory package with a video and now we pray a successful link can be firmly established soon. Other good news about the school is that their final legal papers are being prepared in the hope that it can become part of the state system and then qualify for financial support.
Back here, there have been several changes in the Romania Advisory Group [RAG] which runs the mission on behalf of our three churches. Sadly, Teresa White [formerly of the Lantern] and Darren Baker and Angie Meyer [St Barnabas] have each had to resign within the past three months for personal reasons though all expect to be able to continue to support our work. We've been blessed to have recruited two new members from the Lantern, namely Richard Dickson and Lizzie Peters who will both bew very welcome. Ideally, we would also like to have a person from the Parish church – if you, or anyone you know, is interested, then please do contact me for more details
The RAG team now comprises Walter Meyer and Vanessa Ashby [St Barnabas] and Peter Owen, myself, Steve Dean, Lizzie Peters and Richard Dickson [the Lantern] and our first major task is to encourage sufficient volunteers to visit Reghin in May, June and September next year.
It's very important that we have plenty to choose from by the end of February but so far take up has been rather slow and we really do need more volunteers ASAP.
Please carefully consider this opportunity and if interested please don't leave it until the last minute but TELL US KNOW [speak to either of the team and see our web-site for the planned dates]. We are planning to have an open meeting in February by which time we shall be able to confirm exact dates, have a clear view of all work opportunities and to answer any outstanding questions.
In a recent newsletter from Gina Forbes who, if you recollect went out to Reghin with our team in September and stayed on with Phoneo, she writes of the desperate plight of many of the families they visit. I quote - "No work, no benefit, cold winters, many children – the ingredients for hunger in the Roma communities. Around us we see families struggling daily to put a meal on the table...they do not always succeed. Little babies often live on tea because the mother is unable to breastfeed".
Phoneo run a scheme called "Bread to Live" through which sponsors donate £20 per month". This money doesn't go directly to the families but they are given vouchers which can then be exchanged for food in the local shop. In return, the child whom the sponsor has chosen is encouraged to keep in contact via letters, drawings etc and this relationship encourages them greatly and helps to develop the child's worldview.
Please contact me in the first instance if you are interested and would like to know more or send an email to - breadtolive@phoneo.nl
Further to our last visit in September I'm delighted to be able to report that Phoneo staff, together with one or two others, have managed to substantially complete three more houses on the land which we were able to buy for them back in the summer. Outside work will have to wait until the spring but all the houses are now habitable and that means four families are able to move in before the onset of winter – a real answer to prayer! NB. Their first heavy snowfall was this last week!
Further news from Reghin is that Sandy, who heads up the Selah school team, has made contact with St John's school and is in the throes of sending an introductory package with a video and now we pray a successful link can be firmly established soon. Other good news about the school is that their final legal papers are being prepared in the hope that it can become part of the state system and then qualify for financial support.
Back here, there have been several changes in the Romania Advisory Group [RAG] which runs the mission on behalf of our three churches. Sadly, Teresa White [formerly of the Lantern] and Darren Baker and Angie Meyer [St Barnabas] have each had to resign within the past three months for personal reasons though all expect to be able to continue to support our work. We've been blessed to have recruited two new members from the Lantern, namely Richard Dickson and Lizzie Peters who will both bew very welcome. Ideally, we would also like to have a person from the Parish church – if you, or anyone you know, is interested, then please do contact me for more details
The RAG team now comprises Walter Meyer and Vanessa Ashby [St Barnabas] and Peter Owen, myself, Steve Dean, Lizzie Peters and Richard Dickson [the Lantern] and our first major task is to encourage sufficient volunteers to visit Reghin in May, June and September next year.
It's very important that we have plenty to choose from by the end of February but so far take up has been rather slow and we really do need more volunteers ASAP.
Please carefully consider this opportunity and if interested please don't leave it until the last minute but TELL US KNOW [speak to either of the team and see our web-site for the planned dates]. We are planning to have an open meeting in February by which time we shall be able to confirm exact dates, have a clear view of all work opportunities and to answer any outstanding questions.
In a recent newsletter from Gina Forbes who, if you recollect went out to Reghin with our team in September and stayed on with Phoneo, she writes of the desperate plight of many of the families they visit. I quote - "No work, no benefit, cold winters, many children – the ingredients for hunger in the Roma communities. Around us we see families struggling daily to put a meal on the table...they do not always succeed. Little babies often live on tea because the mother is unable to breastfeed".
Phoneo run a scheme called "Bread to Live" through which sponsors donate £20 per month". This money doesn't go directly to the families but they are given vouchers which can then be exchanged for food in the local shop. In return, the child whom the sponsor has chosen is encouraged to keep in contact via letters, drawings etc and this relationship encourages them greatly and helps to develop the child's worldview.
Please contact me in the first instance if you are interested and would like to know more or send an email to - breadtolive@phoneo.nl
NEWSLETTER 6/2017
29/10/2017
29/10/2017
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
Thank you so much for your prayers – our final team to visit Reghin this year arrived home safely last Saturday evening and having met with each of them this past week, pretty well the only word they used to describe their trip was that it was “amazing” - to be able to help in “such a very, very special place”!
Among the comments I’ve heard include “ I’ve become a completely different person” [for the better I might add!]. A lasting highlight was when the completed house was handed over to its family on the Friday – much to their joy and with thankfulness. Yes, Richard and David, along with three Romanians and the father of the family did complete the building in five days – see below:
Thank you so much for your prayers – our final team to visit Reghin this year arrived home safely last Saturday evening and having met with each of them this past week, pretty well the only word they used to describe their trip was that it was “amazing” - to be able to help in “such a very, very special place”!
Among the comments I’ve heard include “ I’ve become a completely different person” [for the better I might add!]. A lasting highlight was when the completed house was handed over to its family on the Friday – much to their joy and with thankfulness. Yes, Richard and David, along with three Romanians and the father of the family did complete the building in five days – see below:
“I went to Romania armed with boots, safety specs and a large tin of plasters and my expected mission was to help build a house along with the guys! However, when the whole team assembled in Phoneo’s office on Monday morning it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t needed on site as there were five strong chaps already in line , so my boots came off and my heart sank a little!
Instead I was asked to join the visiting team, which is a group of lovely young ladies who visit the Roma woman in their own homes. After arriving in the community by mini bus we picked our way through rubbish, horse manure and wild dogs and went into a very small one roomed house where the welcome was tangible but what I saw overwhelmed me.
The small room seemed to be full of children without any toys; the floor was very dirty bare concrete and there were flies everywhere; holes in the wall were filled with bunched up fabric to stem the draughts.
The lovely ladies spent some time chatting with and supporting mum and we all prayed for her before leaving. How they manage to get through the winter when the temperature is often
-25 degrees, only God knows.
On other days, I helped at the before and after [Selah] school project. Making biscuits without a common language or any weighing scales was quite a challenge but great fun.
There is a tremendous need for more people to sponsor the Roma children so that many more have the chance of a basic education within a caring and warm environment - in stark contrast to their home life”.
NB. It is our intention to encourage more such sponsorship and will be setting up a simple way to do so in the near future.
Neither Vanessa and Holly had much to do with the building work but as always with Phoneo, there were plenty of other things going on and so they spent most their week praying with families and helping with the kids at Selah and Casa Ana. They also managed to visit their friends at Adapost, the city centre meeting place for the homeless and, like us all, are greatly saddened that its future is still uncertain.
Gina Forbes, a friend of Ally and Dave Hobson, who had previously spent four years working with the Roma in Bosnia, also went out with the team. Now, she plans to spend a few months working with Phoneo, especially with the women and by all accounts she is settling in very well.
So there we are - our visits for this year are now over but we’ve finished on a very high note thanks to these intrepid people who each worked so hard for Him out there. Now, it’s time to start planning for 2018 so don’t be afraid to send any comments, good or bad, for it’s our wish that many others will be able to take part in this “amazing” experience. Dates are now available -please ask if you are interested.
Instead I was asked to join the visiting team, which is a group of lovely young ladies who visit the Roma woman in their own homes. After arriving in the community by mini bus we picked our way through rubbish, horse manure and wild dogs and went into a very small one roomed house where the welcome was tangible but what I saw overwhelmed me.
The small room seemed to be full of children without any toys; the floor was very dirty bare concrete and there were flies everywhere; holes in the wall were filled with bunched up fabric to stem the draughts.
The lovely ladies spent some time chatting with and supporting mum and we all prayed for her before leaving. How they manage to get through the winter when the temperature is often
-25 degrees, only God knows.
On other days, I helped at the before and after [Selah] school project. Making biscuits without a common language or any weighing scales was quite a challenge but great fun.
There is a tremendous need for more people to sponsor the Roma children so that many more have the chance of a basic education within a caring and warm environment - in stark contrast to their home life”.
NB. It is our intention to encourage more such sponsorship and will be setting up a simple way to do so in the near future.
Neither Vanessa and Holly had much to do with the building work but as always with Phoneo, there were plenty of other things going on and so they spent most their week praying with families and helping with the kids at Selah and Casa Ana. They also managed to visit their friends at Adapost, the city centre meeting place for the homeless and, like us all, are greatly saddened that its future is still uncertain.
Gina Forbes, a friend of Ally and Dave Hobson, who had previously spent four years working with the Roma in Bosnia, also went out with the team. Now, she plans to spend a few months working with Phoneo, especially with the women and by all accounts she is settling in very well.
So there we are - our visits for this year are now over but we’ve finished on a very high note thanks to these intrepid people who each worked so hard for Him out there. Now, it’s time to start planning for 2018 so don’t be afraid to send any comments, good or bad, for it’s our wish that many others will be able to take part in this “amazing” experience. Dates are now available -please ask if you are interested.