RETREAT, RELAX, and REST in CHARIS RETREAT CENTER

Nowadays, there are moments when others claim our time and energy. More often than not, as we also have to fulfill the mission we have been entrusted with, we get exhausted and weary. In this context, it is important to learn and avoid the activities that drain our energy and yet make time to recharge our batteries and regain our energy.If we look closely at Jesus Christ, we identify this way of living. Jesus was also busy like we are, even busier. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” (‭‭John‬ ‭21:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬). How did He manage to meet the needs, complete his mission and still not get exhausted and remain fresh? The same author provides the answer: “he departed again into a mountain himself alone.” (‭‭John‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬). The word “again” makes us understand that Jesus had this constant practice of having some time off to rest, relax and reflect at His plans and priorities, pray and recharge His batteries.

It is of utmost importance for all of us to go somewhere isolated, a quiet place where we can relax and rest. In this context, we started to transform Charis into a God’s Garden, a place where children, young people or adults can have some time off, rest and relax in order to reload their batteries. Our garden can be found in a rural area, isolated and close to the Crisul Repede river.

We continue to create a wonderful refuge governed by tranquility, shade and verdure. Someone used to say that green brings about a feeling of relaxation, rest and silence, whereas Jane Austen used to say that “to sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment”. “Relaxation means releasing all concern and tension and letting the natural order of life flow through one’s being.”(Donald Curtis)

We enjoy the fact that an increasing number of children, young people, adults and families chose to rest and relax in Charis for a day and recharge their batteries in Charis Retreat Center, a true Garden of God, with plenty of verdure, trees, animals and birds, with parks and playgrounds, places for meditation and other spaces made for rest and socializing. We are happy to serve and help them experience David’s words from Psalm 16, verse 9:

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure”(NIV).

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Program Updates

GOD’S GARDEN

God’s Gardens the most important part of Charis Retreat Center. It integrates the vegetable & fruit garden, the beehive, the animal farm, the children’s playground, the sports yard, the walnut tree farm and the activities pavilion. Each of these components requested extended maintenance & repairing (even monthly) in order to be able to run the projects in good conditions and provide for our programs.

OPEN DOORS

From May to August we had 10 groups and over 500 people that spent a weekend in Charis Retreat Center. We were glad to offer them a nice place and a favorable context for rest and fellowship. You can see below some pictures from this project:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/194562261279540/

A CHANCE FOR ALL

The orphans boys that were part of our social integration program from 1997-2007 each made their way in life. Some in Romania, others in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands or Belgium. Nonetheless, for the majority of them Charis Foundation remains the family they come back to with pleasure and the place where they call for help and support.

In this context, through this program, we want to offer them the chance to feel at home in Charis, no matter the time or situation. What is more, we created the context for them to provide help and support to each other. At the beginning of this year, some of these boys faced problems and they needed our support. Besides the problems they faced, we were glad that we could help two of them modernize their homes.

We also enjoyed offering two other boys the possibility of spending their holiday in Charis. For us, Feri, Istvan, Daniel, Oli, Gabi, Romeo, Lajos, Aurel, Gabriel and Sany are part of Charis family.

NEHEMIAH

The Nehemiah program throughout which we try and meet some of the needs of the Gypsy community. For Easter we managed to distribute parcels with goods to some gypsy families living in a village close to the foundation. We also served a few times in the Gypsy Church from Telechiu. We prepared and distributed clothes for a large family living in the Gypsy community from Tãrian.

TWO CULTURES ONE GOD

This program includes two projects: (1) Be a volunteer in Charis and (2) Short term mission trip.

In the first project, we had a volunteer from England, Vincent, that got involved in several practical projects.

As part of our project Short Term Mission Trip, we enjoyed the presence and the serving of a group from Awe Star Ministries from Oklahoma USA. The group came to share the Gospel through theatre. They served in the Gypsy Church from Telechiu, the Day Center from Dumbrava, the Orphanage from Ineu and the Elderly Homes from Dumbrava and Tinca. Their serving and impact was extraordinary.

You can see below some additional pictures from this project:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/163109487169620/

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PRAYER REQUEST

1. A number of 22 people from Romania, UK, Switzerland and the USA are members of Charis Partner in Mission because in the last two years they have provided constant financial support for our ministry. Pray that God will increase the number of people who support Charis ministry.
2. We are glad for each volunteer in Charis ministry, but the hard part of the activities is on the shoulders of our three employees. Pray that God would give them power and protection as they serve.
3. This year, we would like to have 15 groups of people come and enjoy Charis facilities, through our program Open Doors. Pray that God will fulfill this desire.

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NEEDS

We managed to improve the water supply system, but we still need a hydrophore, a storage basin and two hydrants in Charis Center. In order to do this need at least 2,000 Euro.