I have always been late and I really desire to do things on time and arrive to places on time....I know I drive Steve crazy sometimes. Well, two weeks ago we sent out our monthly newsletter about two weeks late! HA! I mentioned in the newsletter that I would post on my blog different areas of ministry in Romania.
We will not be involved in all of these areas, but just want to tell of all the work/people the missionaries of Project 127 are involved with.
Something that we hope you realize is that we hope to best share the Gospel by building trust and building relationships with those we live around and work around. We hope to be a light in a dark place.
We have been very encouraged by families here in the states, particularly missionary families, that the value we place on family and loving one another and treating each other with respect (between husband and wife and parent/child relationships) will hopefully be a huge impact for the glory of God! We wouldn't work at godly living, strengthening each other in the faith and training our children in the way they should go if the Lord had not first captured our hearts, minds and souls. We cannot do this without Him!
We hope that others see hope and joy and life to the fullest in us! We hope they see that through Christ, they too can have a light burden and an easy yoke...a Savior....a Redeemer....Jesus Christ!
3 Romanian Villages
Mierleu
*This is where our family will live. The lifestyle here is set back several decades. Few families have indoor plumbing, some people still have horse and wagon, I think everyone chops their own wood and uses a wood stove for heating the home. These are not wealthy people. The village is set in the countryside...so beautiful.
*There are several elderly and shut-ins, as well as numerous small families. We cannot wait to meet these people and see how we can share the Gospel with them and love them. We will be the only Americans in this village, but we do know two other people here that speak English.
*The mayor of this village is very open to us starting some type of Christian after-school program. Please pray for discernment and direction from the Lord! There are so many ministry opportunities right here where we will live. Oh, the kids just learned to play volleyball this summer and now they want a team. :) hmmmm...
*Mission teams who come in the summer will do Bible Clubs with all of the children.
The house we will live in :)
Topa De Sus
*Five of the poorest families in this village are supported with monthly food care packages from families in the United States. Once a week the guys will literally climb a mountain to get to some of these homes to share the sermon that was preached on Sunday! Worth the hike to take the Gospel to those who would otherwise never hear it.
*Some of the most delicious, sugary and airy doughnuts await you atop this hill from a lovely widow named Florica. She will feed you as many doughnuts as she can stuff inside your mouth. :)
*Some of the families are believers, but not all. Please pray for these families and that they would see God working in their lives.
Sintelec
*God provided a house and beautiful land in this village. The Bruski's spent much time praying about what this home and property could be used for. Here is the plan.
*The home is currently being renovated for a missionary family to live in (just got a new roof and new windows)
*Matthews Place: 12 cabins will be build behind the missionary home. Twelve of the older boys from the orphanage that we have church with will be able to move into a cabin. They will be able to live there for two years. Within those two years they will be discipled and taught a trade (carpentry, plumbing, etc.)
-In 8th grade the children take a test that basically determines their future. If they do not pass this test they are not allowed to go to University where they will learn a trade that becomes their job for them to make a living. If you are a gypsy and were not made to go to school, you are most likely not going to pass this test. This is the case for the boys who will be living here.
-This is a small first step and great opportunity for: 1) the Lord to do a mighty work in the lives of these young men. 2) to begin change for the next generation...to change the cycle from homelessness and impoverished families (begging, stealing, etc) to being able to value themselves as children of God, value family and being a provider for themselves and their families.
*The hope is that the building of these cabins would begin sometime in 2011
This place looks so great now, but this is an old picture.
Will try and update it when we arrive and see it again.
Gypsy Villages
-There is much discrimination against the gypsy/Roma people. It is very sad, but we are anxious to see how the Lord would have us help these people who are physically and spiritually destitute.
Cherichu, RO
*A Hungarian Gypsy Village including 14 families who are all sponsored with monthly food packages by families in the United States. It is a VERY cool God story of how the Bruski's were lead to this village--too long to write here--but maybe we can share it sometime.
*There is no Evangelical Church in the village. This fall as the Bruski's were stateside raising support someone from one of the churches told them that they could just send him the bill for the building of a church in this village!!! He is paying for the whole thing!! Now all they need is land. Pray for the Lord's leading and revealing where He wants His church to be!
Alex's 4th birthday
(he's a big part of that sweet story you need to hear)
Dobersti, RO
*There are over 150 Roma families living in extreme poverty here.
*A water project has been completed and has provided clean water for all of the families.
*This village is an overwhelming place to me in my opinion. There are so many people....so many children.....deep poverty. Dirty faces, dirty clothes, some naked children, run down mud shacks and what for food?? The needs just seems so overwhelming and leaves you asking, "God, where would you even have us begin?"
City Ministry
-City life lends more conveniences, but there are still great needs. There is so much prejudice against gypsies and one of the many purposes of this ministry is to share that Christ came for ALL!
-No pictures are allowed to be taken at government facilities so we have none to post.
*Government Centers:
1. Minor Center is more for juvenile delinquents. This is a great opportunity to minister to youth at risk.
*90% of the kids from the Minor Center are picked up from the police from the street -- mostly for begging or running away from the orphanage. The Minor Center can hold up to 16 kids temporarily until the courts decide upon a permanent placement -- return home, foster care, or orphanage.
*Missionaries Joy & Pat Hardin go weekly to do Bible Studies and Miss Joy recently started a weekly cooking class with the children and Bible study. The stories they share of these children's lives...well, most of us couldn't dream up. It makes me cringe and my heart ache every time I read another story of what they have been through. Innocence lost. Abandonment. Abuse. No hope. No value. Praise God for allowing the Hardin's to be "Mom" and "Dad" to so many who do not have them. The kids really do call them mom and dad--super sweet!!
*They are also able to take the kids on monthly field trips and outings as they are not allowed outside very much
2. Maternity Center is for single moms who are pregnant or already have children or both. This is a place for them to get back on their feet again. The ladies who run this facility help these women find jobs, housing and day cares for their children to live in. Most seasons during the year there are weekly Bible studies.
*The women are here for six months and then they have to move out, hopefully having found a job and apartment for their little families to live in.
*There is no written Biblical curriculum for the people. One of Cali's goals is to write two- 90 day devotionals. The first will be on the life of Christ. Our hope is that God will use His Word to once again transform lives and bring to Light who His Son is!
3. Transition Center
The government recently opened a transition center for older orphans that are done with school. This helps them from going to the street and allows them to get a job to start saving money. They have opened there doors for us and we are praying about how to best minister here.
*Homeless
Throughout the city, the homeless are seen -- digging in the dumpsters, trying to get warm next to the water pipes. At this time we do not regularly work with a particular group, but do minister as opportunities arise - food, dental work, etc.
Government Housing
*We are able to sponsor 4 families with monthly food packages and kids' clubs during summer and winter breaks. We are praying about all the opportunities here and what God has in store.
*Houses about 150 families, each in 1 tiny room and sharing a bathroom with 15 other families
*This is a dirty and dark place filled with negative influences on the children and parents face many obstacles
Orphanage
*The orphanage we primarily work with houses approximately 80 kids ranging from the age of 4 to 20. The kids are able to come to church at the Bruski house twice a week. Wedneday evenings include meal and Sundays include small groups to further discipleship opportunities.
Church
La Adapost/The Refuge
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior..
II Samuel 22:3
*We attend church at the Bruski's house with the orphans mentioned above.
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