This post is also available in: Romanian
We were glad to host this summer our friends from Switzerland. They were a special group from two Christian communities: YWAM Wiler and Riverlife Church Bern.
Their presence in Romania and involvement in our projects and programs invigorated our ministry. Their involvement with Charis team in helping people in need shows how beautiful it is to partner and fulfill the mission of bringing Christ to the community in a practical way. Their involvement in the program “2 Cultures 1 God” has once again proved that when you are in Christ, the cultural peculiarities of your nationality or ethnic group are just puzzle pieces that come together to help build the Body of Christ.
It was extraordinary to see the way they interacted with the Gypsy children, how they played with them, treating them as their own. It was motivating to see their generosity in making food packages for 140 Gypsy families and their joy and relaxation while distributing them. It was delightful to see them preparing individual packages and greeting cards for the elderly people living at Dumbrava-Tinca, and distributing them with so much love. It was a pleasure to see them working with passion in several practical projects in Charis. It was amazing to join their daily devotional and worship time and also to see them serve in a Hungarian Baptist Church.
Together we experienced what Mother Theresa used to say: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things!”
Daniel Ciupe
General Manager of Charis Foundation
Charis Project Updates
1. BE ACTIVE
Together with the group from Switzerland we organized a day camp for the Gypsy children living in Tărian, a village near Charis. We played together, sang, had lunch and shared a Bible story. We organized contests for them. At the end of the day camp, each child received a gift. We can say that this was an enjoyable experience.
See photos on our Facebook album here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.941562449324316&type=3
2. AGAPEO: The Wonderful Dumbrava
Together with our friends from Switzerland, we spent a wonderful time with the people living in the nursing home from Dumbrava and Tinca. We enjoyed interacting with more than 100 people that live there. We sang with them, we talked to them. We brought gifts for each person and food for their canteen. It was a time to enjoy but also a time to meditate.
3. OPEN DOORS
We enjoyed in this period to have groups and visitors in Charis that could use the facilities that we have.
BBSO Small Groups: More than 150 people, members of small groups from Hope Baptist Church, spent a weekend in Charis; they played together, ate and spent a relaxing time. It was a real pleasure to complete this year of Bible study in this way.
The visit of Gabi and Mark: traveling from Atlanta USA, was another special moment for us. Gabi is a Romanian woman who has been living in the US for over 15 years. Before leaving Romania, she was for a few years a member in Charis Board. They really wanted to spend a few days in Charis as a family. We enjoyed spending time with them.
A small Group from BBSO: they celebrated Thanksgiving Day in Charis. It was a time for prayer and fellowship. It was a time to socialize and share thoughts. It was a time to eat and play together.
4. CHARIS RETREAT CENTER
The work in Charis Center is ongoing in various directions. The animal farm was a daily activity – we feed the goats and the chickens. We constantly maintain the park and the green spaces, and keep the grass cut.
The apiary with five bee families was another task in which we were involved. We harvested the honey and prepared the bee hives for winter. We also took care of the fruit and vegetable farm. Therefore, we were able to do tomato juice, jam, apple juice, and grape juice.
We focused on the vegetable greenhouse. Here we had to repair the foundation and the wooden and glass structure that have been damaged by the storm in June 2016.
We want to make the Children’s Playground more attractive. Therefore, together with the group from Switzerland we started working on a small pond with a fountain.
5. NEHEMIAH
We started a new collaboration with the Gypsy Church from Telechiu. Together with the group in Switzerland, we visited the Gypsy community from Telechiu and distributed 140 food packages for the families from that community. Twice a month we served in that church through preaching and with musical group.
We were also involved in the modernization of the church, particularly in the acquisition of the windows and a door. We also started to discuss about a long-term collaboration that would involve a training school for church workers and support offered to the children from that community.
PRAYER REQUEST:
- From October to December (while we are on holiday), the operative and executive activity from Charis will be managed by Rebeca, Petrică and Daniel. Pray that God will give them strength and wisdom in solving all the problems that may come up.
- Some of the orphan boys that have been part of Charis program now work in Italy, Austria, Belgium, Germany and UK. Sany, who is working in the UK is facing serious adjustment problems. Pray that God would give him wisdom in managing this situation.
- The Gypsy church from Telechiu is served by pastor VIOREL and elder GAȘPAR, two simple men with a lot of passion for God’s ministry. Pray that God would bless their ministry and take care of their needs.
NEEDS
We have been involved in modernizing the Gypsy Church from Telechiu, especially in the purchase of windows and the entrance door. We have paid so far 600 Euros, but we still need 600 Euros which we have to pay by mid-December.
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