Recent Correspondence

The Hand of Help office in Romania receives alot of correspondence. In large part they are letters from families in need from throughout the region, asking if we would find it in our hearts to aid them in their time of crisis, to be a ray of hope in an otherwise bleak existence. We answer every letter, some families we even visit personally and help however we can, but once in awhile we get a letter that stirs our hearts, and today we decided to share just such a letter with you. Since receiving the letter, we have visited the Damian home, and can attest to the fact that this letter is indeed factual, and they are a family in need, one who waits on the mercy of the Lord patiently.

Trip to Romania

Liliana had no idea when she woke up that God had heard her cry and a Hand of Help was on the way.  This particular day was extremely cold and windy.  When we arrived Liliana’s two children were warming themselves by the burner on their propane cook stove.  The room was full of propane fumes.  If it weren’t for the large cracks in the walls, they might have been asphyxiated.  Liliana didn’t even have a jacket.  We asked the pastor of the nearby church who led us to her house if she could sleep at the church until we could buy a woodstove, and firewood for her, which he readily agreed to.  With some warm clothes, some food, and the news of the woodstove and firewood, Liliana had a beautiful smile and praises to God flowing from her lips.  

The Heart Of Christ

Mark 1:41, “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him.”

It is easy for some to speak of Christ’s compassion in the theoretical sense.  Sermon series have been written and preached with great eloquence concerning the heart of Christ, and the compassion he exuded wherever He went.  What many have missed is the essence of the message when it comes to the heart of Christ, and the compassion of Christ.  If we are Christ’s, then we must exhibit the same nature as Christ, if we belong to Him, if we were born in Him, then our hearts must beat with as much compassion as Christ’s did for all those with whom He came into contact.

Blessings

Whether great or small, a blessing is something to rejoice in.  This past month God has allowed us to be a blessing to many families who would have otherwise been left in situations the saw no way out of.  

After much prayer and supplication, God saw fit to answer the prayers of the Ungureanu Petru family, in the village of Cristinesti in a miraculous way.  Although we had managed to gather the necessary funds to buy a home for them, the enemy fought the purchase, throwing up obstacles, from the sellers changing their minds concerning the sale of the home in question, to the electric company placing a lean on the home for unpaid bills.  The roadblocks were many, but with prayer and persistence, each obstacle was removed, until finally we were able to sign the papers, pay for the house, and now the Ungureanu family has a roof over their heads.  

Romania

The situation in Romania has deteriorated, as many feared it would since our entrance into the European Union. The hopes and dreams of a universal cure for the poverty and misery that so many are living in, has not materialized, and what’s worse the situation has grown exponentially more desperate than before.

As is always the case, the unrealistic expectations of the masses once unrealized, is beginning to breed hopelessness and despondency. Among the worse aftereffects of this situation, is the disturbing spike in suicides by fathers and mothers who are unable to feed their children, and rather than see them starve, end their lives, hoping the State will step in and provide what they were unable to, namely basic, everyday necessities.

Romania

Winter was late in coming this year.  For some, including us, it was a blessing, since it allowed us to travel into the villages that would otherwise be impossible to reach, and bring much needed supplies to those in need.  Although some hoped the cold and the snow would mercifully overlook us, when they did arrive, it was with unprecedented vengeance.  The firewood we were able to purchase and deliver before the first snowfall, turned out to be a great blessing, since the heavy snows prohibited travel of any kind for many days.  

The House That Faith Built

When I asked my father where we were going on a particularly frigid Tuesday morning, he smiled and said, ‘we’re going back to Plopenii Mici.’ Since I had already been there the previous summer, and there were a few new projects I wanted to visit, I shrugged my shoulders questioningly, and asked ‘why?’

‘There’s something I want you to see’ my father said, ‘it’s the house that faith built, it’s the only way I can describe it to you.’ We took a few food packages along for good measure, got in the car and began making the drive to Plopenii Mici. Along the way, my father filled me in on the story of a brother by the name of Istrate, who heard we were helping his cousin built a home, and came asking if we could help them as well. This Istrate family has five children, and until recently they lived in what could only be described as a mud shack.

To God Alone

We look back upon the year that is almost at its end, we take stock of all that God has done through this ministry, and all we can say, is to God alone be the glory, to Him alone be the praise. Although the year is not yet complete, we have surpassed every other year since the beginning of this ministry in the number of hungry that have been fed, the number of naked that have been clothed, the number of families that have been sheltered, and the number of projects that we were able to complete.

With every tear filled smile, with every answered prayer, with every thankful heart, our passion to do more for God is fueled, because the fruit of our labors is evident, and we know in the depths of our heart that we are practicing true and undefiled worship.

The Road Less Traveled

When we discovered a few boxes of candles among a truckload of donations we received, it was for the first time in a long time that we were uncertain as to what we should do with them. We put them in the warehouse, and all but forgot about them when while loading a few boxes of clothing for distribution, we happened upon them again. I felt we should bring them along, although at the time I did not know why. In my mind I thought I would ask some of the pastors if they knew anyone that didn’t have electricity, and was in need of candles, and thereby make a little more room in the warehouse.

A Surprising Revelation

Upon my arrival in Romania, after a six-month absence, I was greeted with some surprising news. The news to which I am referring, is that the Hand of Help orphanage, is currently the biggest non governmental orphanage operating in Romania, and our outreach to the poor is among the largest in the country. I do not write these words to boast, but simply to glory in the faithfulness and goodness of our God, and to thank you for continuing to lift up this work in your prayers.