22/12/14
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION 2 ROMANIA
As Christmas approaches, spare a thought for those many people throughout the world who are suffering as a result of conflict, disease or, as are those we know in Romania, from discrimination by the authorities and their Romanian neighbours. May His blessing be with them all and with the many charities who work so hard to help relieve their plight.
Of course, we pray especially for Phoneo in Reghin and Little John’s House near Sibiu and that they will be able to provide much seasonal cheer to those dear people they serve. We were able to send a Christmas gift to each and we know Phoneo are using it to provide extra food for some thirty families; to do something special during their Christmas celebrations in church and to give a little extra money to eight of their Romanian helpers who otherwise would struggle to save for something special for Christmas. NB. 10ins of snow forecast for the coming weekend!!
We were able to give these gifts as a result of the dinner/dance at St Barnabas on 29 November. Thank you so very much to all those who supported the event and I know that it was greatly enjoyed by everyone. We are so grateful to the many people at St B’s who helped to make it such a success - they are too numerous to mention by name but, suffice to say, the music was very entertaining, the food was great and the film which Dave Hobson made in Romania in September was truly brilliant. If you’ve not seen it yet then do key in to this link - http://yout.ube/5z7XPqmLrgU . If you’ve not been to Romania it will surely open your eyes and on the same page you can view more pictures taken by Darren Baker in Reghin this year – so give it a go!
Now on to 2015!
Since my last newsletter Phoneo have decided their top priority will be the Selah school project and agreeing that the children’s education is of prime importance, we have said we would very much wish to become involved, along with several other groups. Currently the school is housed in a small restored shed that simply can’t house any more children. Phoneo are currently very active in buying the land, getting planning permission and raising funds [40000euro]for a new building with 4 small class-rooms, kitchen and dining area, showers and space to change clothes and for storage. They hope to start building in April. The following extract is from their 2013-8 Business Plan:
Selah Junior school assistance project
Selah Junior is situated in Petelea and focusses on children of primary school age whose home situations make it very difficult for them to develop a good school routine and to keep up at school. The kids that are admitted to this program all come from very poor families where the parents are not able to provide school supplies and school clothing. Many of the parents have had hardly any education themselves or are completely illiterate which makes it impossible for them to support their children in doing their homework [in Romania homework is an essential part of the school system, starting from the lowest classes]. All of these children have difficulties with the Romanian language, this is due to the fact that their native language is Roma – a language completely unrelated to the Romanian taught and used in schools. Selah Junior helps these children with school supplies and clothes and helps them prepare for school each day. Besides this, the children receive extensive assistance with their homework and remedial teaching. The children also receive meals at the project.
Previously, we have invested in two individual educational projects in Chiselet and Rasnov - which failed when the girls concerned left school to get married. We admit these mistakes and realize now that the Selah project really is the way to make a difference.
Myself and a couple of others are planning to visit Romania before Easter to discuss and decide exactly what we shall be doing with our new partners and to finalize dates. There is so much going on but our resources are limited so we have to be careful not to over-commit ourselves.
We shall be arranging more fund-raising events in due course [details to follow] but very importantly, we need to know of anyone, of any particular skills [or none!], who is at all interested in going out to Romania in 2015.. It is hoped the teams will be visiting Phoneo in late April/early May, June and September and to LJH in August. You will not be committing yourself at this stage but we do need to know so please get in touch with Walter Meyer [01202887187] or myself as soon as possible. NB. Don’t forget, it’s not just about building work!
We will be arranging an open evening in February when all your questions can be answered.
Now it just remains for me to thank everyone for your support to date, to wish you a very Joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Now will you please pray for the busy few months ahead and..
· give thanks for the successful dinner/dance which has provided extra funds for Phoneo and LJH as they celebrate Christmas.
· for LJH – that their Land Appeal will be completely successful.
· for Phoneo – as they progress the Selah school project – land acquisition; planning permission; funding [inc applications for “official” funding]. Also, for the other teams who have said they will help – that visit dates can be suitably co-ordinated.
· for the preliminary visit in March - good health, good weather and His guidance as we discuss the year ahead.
· that sufficient persons come forward to help. Any skills are very acceptable but we do particularly need some experienced builders.
and as always:
· that all we are doing is in accordance with His will.
We can make our plans but the final outcome is in God’s hands. Proverbs 16 v1 [TLB]
With every blessing John Clift [01202 884043]
NB. If you no longer wish to receive copies of this newsletter, please let me know.
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION 2 ROMANIA
As Christmas approaches, spare a thought for those many people throughout the world who are suffering as a result of conflict, disease or, as are those we know in Romania, from discrimination by the authorities and their Romanian neighbours. May His blessing be with them all and with the many charities who work so hard to help relieve their plight.
Of course, we pray especially for Phoneo in Reghin and Little John’s House near Sibiu and that they will be able to provide much seasonal cheer to those dear people they serve. We were able to send a Christmas gift to each and we know Phoneo are using it to provide extra food for some thirty families; to do something special during their Christmas celebrations in church and to give a little extra money to eight of their Romanian helpers who otherwise would struggle to save for something special for Christmas. NB. 10ins of snow forecast for the coming weekend!!
We were able to give these gifts as a result of the dinner/dance at St Barnabas on 29 November. Thank you so very much to all those who supported the event and I know that it was greatly enjoyed by everyone. We are so grateful to the many people at St B’s who helped to make it such a success - they are too numerous to mention by name but, suffice to say, the music was very entertaining, the food was great and the film which Dave Hobson made in Romania in September was truly brilliant. If you’ve not seen it yet then do key in to this link - http://yout.ube/5z7XPqmLrgU . If you’ve not been to Romania it will surely open your eyes and on the same page you can view more pictures taken by Darren Baker in Reghin this year – so give it a go!
Now on to 2015!
Since my last newsletter Phoneo have decided their top priority will be the Selah school project and agreeing that the children’s education is of prime importance, we have said we would very much wish to become involved, along with several other groups. Currently the school is housed in a small restored shed that simply can’t house any more children. Phoneo are currently very active in buying the land, getting planning permission and raising funds [40000euro]for a new building with 4 small class-rooms, kitchen and dining area, showers and space to change clothes and for storage. They hope to start building in April. The following extract is from their 2013-8 Business Plan:
Selah Junior school assistance project
Selah Junior is situated in Petelea and focusses on children of primary school age whose home situations make it very difficult for them to develop a good school routine and to keep up at school. The kids that are admitted to this program all come from very poor families where the parents are not able to provide school supplies and school clothing. Many of the parents have had hardly any education themselves or are completely illiterate which makes it impossible for them to support their children in doing their homework [in Romania homework is an essential part of the school system, starting from the lowest classes]. All of these children have difficulties with the Romanian language, this is due to the fact that their native language is Roma – a language completely unrelated to the Romanian taught and used in schools. Selah Junior helps these children with school supplies and clothes and helps them prepare for school each day. Besides this, the children receive extensive assistance with their homework and remedial teaching. The children also receive meals at the project.
Previously, we have invested in two individual educational projects in Chiselet and Rasnov - which failed when the girls concerned left school to get married. We admit these mistakes and realize now that the Selah project really is the way to make a difference.
Myself and a couple of others are planning to visit Romania before Easter to discuss and decide exactly what we shall be doing with our new partners and to finalize dates. There is so much going on but our resources are limited so we have to be careful not to over-commit ourselves.
We shall be arranging more fund-raising events in due course [details to follow] but very importantly, we need to know of anyone, of any particular skills [or none!], who is at all interested in going out to Romania in 2015.. It is hoped the teams will be visiting Phoneo in late April/early May, June and September and to LJH in August. You will not be committing yourself at this stage but we do need to know so please get in touch with Walter Meyer [01202887187] or myself as soon as possible. NB. Don’t forget, it’s not just about building work!
We will be arranging an open evening in February when all your questions can be answered.
Now it just remains for me to thank everyone for your support to date, to wish you a very Joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Now will you please pray for the busy few months ahead and..
· give thanks for the successful dinner/dance which has provided extra funds for Phoneo and LJH as they celebrate Christmas.
· for LJH – that their Land Appeal will be completely successful.
· for Phoneo – as they progress the Selah school project – land acquisition; planning permission; funding [inc applications for “official” funding]. Also, for the other teams who have said they will help – that visit dates can be suitably co-ordinated.
· for the preliminary visit in March - good health, good weather and His guidance as we discuss the year ahead.
· that sufficient persons come forward to help. Any skills are very acceptable but we do particularly need some experienced builders.
and as always:
· that all we are doing is in accordance with His will.
We can make our plans but the final outcome is in God’s hands. Proverbs 16 v1 [TLB]
With every blessing John Clift [01202 884043]
NB. If you no longer wish to receive copies of this newsletter, please let me know.