Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
June and July are now almost behind us and after the dreadful weather last month, it seems that summer is with us at last – until I saw the forecast for next week!. Good weather in Romania has enabled work on the new Selah school to continue apace with outside rendering complete, inside plastering now in hand and a heating system [with wood-burning boiler] being installed so that the building is becoming more and more “liveable in” – I quote!. As well as the local labour force, several teams from Holland have also been there to help but we expect there to be still be a lot of fitting out and tidying up to do before it starts being used at the end of October. Initially it will start with the 16 students from the existing school but it is hoped to expand up to 40 – depending on how quickly more teachers can be recruited.
Since I last wrote we’ve have the Referendum and are now wondering what effect, if any, “Brexit” will have on our work and the costs of visiting Romania. Obviously the changing exchange rate has put up some costs already but so far there hasn’t been any significant increase in air fares. llja, my correspondent in Reghin, describes the situation as weird but only time will tell how weird it is and anyway, we all know that our God is in charge!
Air tickets are booked for the 7-person team, led by Richard Naish and Peter Owen, who are going to Reghin from 17 - 24 September. Others in the team are Richard Dickson, Nick Cresswell, Vanessa and Holly Ashby and Kirsty Wigmore. The following week, Walter Meyer will be leading a second team but we still need one or two others to join him. If you, or anyone you know, would like to go [24 Sept – 1 October] and join this team then please don’t leave it until the last minute but let either Walter [01202 887187] or myself know immediately. If the Selah building is complete by then we’ve been asked to help prepare a play area – to level the ground and build some play equipment – swing, slide play-house etc – an interesting challenge! Also, there always more small family houses to be built so no likelihood of anyone becoming bored!
On 9 July we held a very successful skittles evening at the Bearwood Community Centre – an excellent venue where we were made most welcome. The 46 or so who attended all had an enjoyable time; we managed to get our message across [or so we thought!]; and to cap it all we raised nearly £250. Thank you to each and every one of you who came along and supported our work – it’s a great encouragement.
That money [and a bit more!] is being used to purchase school clothing and footwear for those who’ll be attending Selah. Each morning when the children arrive, they’ll first have a good wash and then change into their school uniform before lessons commence. If anyone feels they would like to donate specifically for this purpose then your gifts will be very welcome. Cheques [payable to CMPCC ([Romania)] or cash to me please or via the Lantern office or you can donate via Paypal on our web-site.
This could be your last chance to deal with me as I shall be giving up the MTR treasurership role shortly but am very pleased to say Peter Owen has joined the RAG team and will be taking over as soon as our bank can sort out the details. I’m hoping to stay around as the team’s secretary – as long as they’ll have me!
Finally, don’t forget that we’rer planning to have a more relaxed version of the dinner dance held a couple of years ago at St Barnabas church, on Saturday 8 October. More details nearer the time but do put this date in your diaries NOW.
With every blessing
John Clift [01202 884043]
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
June and July are now almost behind us and after the dreadful weather last month, it seems that summer is with us at last – until I saw the forecast for next week!. Good weather in Romania has enabled work on the new Selah school to continue apace with outside rendering complete, inside plastering now in hand and a heating system [with wood-burning boiler] being installed so that the building is becoming more and more “liveable in” – I quote!. As well as the local labour force, several teams from Holland have also been there to help but we expect there to be still be a lot of fitting out and tidying up to do before it starts being used at the end of October. Initially it will start with the 16 students from the existing school but it is hoped to expand up to 40 – depending on how quickly more teachers can be recruited.
Since I last wrote we’ve have the Referendum and are now wondering what effect, if any, “Brexit” will have on our work and the costs of visiting Romania. Obviously the changing exchange rate has put up some costs already but so far there hasn’t been any significant increase in air fares. llja, my correspondent in Reghin, describes the situation as weird but only time will tell how weird it is and anyway, we all know that our God is in charge!
Air tickets are booked for the 7-person team, led by Richard Naish and Peter Owen, who are going to Reghin from 17 - 24 September. Others in the team are Richard Dickson, Nick Cresswell, Vanessa and Holly Ashby and Kirsty Wigmore. The following week, Walter Meyer will be leading a second team but we still need one or two others to join him. If you, or anyone you know, would like to go [24 Sept – 1 October] and join this team then please don’t leave it until the last minute but let either Walter [01202 887187] or myself know immediately. If the Selah building is complete by then we’ve been asked to help prepare a play area – to level the ground and build some play equipment – swing, slide play-house etc – an interesting challenge! Also, there always more small family houses to be built so no likelihood of anyone becoming bored!
On 9 July we held a very successful skittles evening at the Bearwood Community Centre – an excellent venue where we were made most welcome. The 46 or so who attended all had an enjoyable time; we managed to get our message across [or so we thought!]; and to cap it all we raised nearly £250. Thank you to each and every one of you who came along and supported our work – it’s a great encouragement.
That money [and a bit more!] is being used to purchase school clothing and footwear for those who’ll be attending Selah. Each morning when the children arrive, they’ll first have a good wash and then change into their school uniform before lessons commence. If anyone feels they would like to donate specifically for this purpose then your gifts will be very welcome. Cheques [payable to CMPCC ([Romania)] or cash to me please or via the Lantern office or you can donate via Paypal on our web-site.
This could be your last chance to deal with me as I shall be giving up the MTR treasurership role shortly but am very pleased to say Peter Owen has joined the RAG team and will be taking over as soon as our bank can sort out the details. I’m hoping to stay around as the team’s secretary – as long as they’ll have me!
Finally, don’t forget that we’rer planning to have a more relaxed version of the dinner dance held a couple of years ago at St Barnabas church, on Saturday 8 October. More details nearer the time but do put this date in your diaries NOW.
With every blessing
John Clift [01202 884043]