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Hope for Life Ministries mission is to meet the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. The organisation is committed to meeting the needs of under-privileged people through the delivery of practical every day items and necessities. These are updates on the work of Hope for Life Ministries and the parish and communities' involvement. Taken from the Church Magazine. 1993 Hope for Eastern Europe Urgent Appeal for Romania -October 1994 Hope for Eastern Europe Romania appeal -April 1994 Hope for Eastern Europe Next Journey to Romania -August 1994 Hope for Eastern Europe Journey to Romania -August -Part 1 1994 Hope for Eastern Europe Journey to Romania -August -Part 2 1994 Hope for Eastern Europe Journey to Romania -August -Part 3 1995 Hope for Eastern Europe 'Hope for Life' 1995 Hope for Eastern Europe Journey to Romania -August 1995 Hope for Eastern Europe Life in Romania -August 1995 Hope for Eastern Europe -December Journey in Faith to Romania -Pamela Gratton 1996 Hope for Romania -Journey to Romania -Pamela Gratton 1996 Hope for Romania -update -Pamela Gratton -October 1997 Hope for Eastern Europe: A Look Back -Pamela Gratton -February 1997 Hope for Eastern Europe: Sending out Medical Supplies -Pamela Gratton -August 1998 Hope for Eastern Europe: Update -Pamela Gratton 1998 Hope for Eastern Europe: February 1998 Journey to Romania -Pamela Gratton 1998 Hope for Eastern Europe: Urgent Appeal -Pamela Gratton 1998 Hope for Eastern Europe: Looking forward to the August 1998 Mission -Pamela Gratton 1998 Hope for Eastern Europe: Report on the August 1998 Mission -Pamela Gratton 1999 Hope for Eastern Europe: Introducing Dina Tintean -Pamela Gratton 1999 Hope for Eastern Europe: Update -Pamela Gratton 1999 A Passage from India -Dina Tintean 1999 Hope for Eastern Europe Update -Pamela Gratton 2000 Hope for Eastern Europe Update -Pamela Gratton 2000 Hope for Eastern Europe Planning for the May Mission to Romania -Pamela Gratton 2000 Hope for Eastern Europe Report on May Mission to Romania -Pamela Gratton 2000 Hope for Eastern Europe Mission to Armenia -Pamela Gratton 2000 Letter from Romania - Dina Tintean 2001 Hope for Eastern Europe Update -Pamela Gratton 2001 Visit to Romania -Richard Robinson 2002 Hope for Eastern Europe Update -Pamela Gratton 2002 Hope for Eastern Europe Update -Pamela Gratton 2003 Hope for Life Ministries -Pamela Gratton Urgent Appeal for Romania -October 1993 (October 1993 edition of the magazine) David Fox and his wife Beryl are planning another trip to Romania in the Autumn and are appealing for medical supplies, toiletries, food (tinned and packet), toys, baby equipment and clothing, plus donations of money towards medical supplies and fuel costs. The last trip in May was their first journey with medical supplies and food. It proved to be a great success. David and his team were led to a different part of Romania by the Lord, to a Christian hospital, medical centre, orphanage, old peoples home and many needy homes. The warmth, hospitality, faith and love from the very poor people overwhelmed and touched the hearts and minds of David and his team. He first realized the urgent need for medical supplies on his previous trip during the Christmas period, when they delivered toys, food and clothing for the children On his return he shared with Les and Pam Gratton his experiences of that journey and the previous trips he had undertaken. They gave the work to the Lord in prayer, and remarkable things began to happen. St Thomas' Church began to support David and Beryl. They were invited to St Thomas' Church in May when David gave his testimony concerning his trips and how he was first led by the Lord to work for Romania. The evening proved to be a memorable one, and David's testimony touched the hearts and minds of all those present. The congregation responded very generously with medical supplies, food and donations. The fund for this appeal from St Thomas' Church realized a total of £575 and many supplies were given. Les and his son Mark, God willing, will be joining the team as co-drivers on the next trip. Donations and link workers for this appeal are urgently needed. Pamela Gratton Romania Appeal -April 1994 (April 1994 edition of the magazine) My heart overflows with grateful thanks for the wonderful response that we received for our Bosnia/Romania appeal. Our Lord has really blessed this work. Twelve churches from the Chesterfield area responded to this appeal and twelve supermarkets willingly provided collection points where donations of food, medical supplies and toiletries could be left. The appeal was a huge success and a tremendous blessing, especially for the food. A large consignment went to Bosnia via 'Organisation Christmas Child', (Wrexham, North Wales) organised by Julie Jordan?Brown and Jane Simmonds, and the remainder adequately met the needs of the Romanian trip in November. Six vehicles ? three from the Hope Valley and three from Ashbourne, led by David Fox and John Stanton made the journey. My husband Les volunteered as a co?driver for this journey. Over £3,000 was eventually raised for the specialised medical and fuel costs ? a real blessing. The whole journey was committed to God in prayer and, no matter what difficulty arose, whether it be mechanical failure or weather conditions, there was always help at hand. Our Lord met every need. Through an appeal for a volunteer to move some hospital beds from Leicester up to Derbyshire, our Lord has linked us up with Rodica Bradbury, a Romanian?born pensioner aged 72, who urgently needs to get thirty eight tonnes of medical supplies, food and clothing over to the poor and sick people on the Russian border of Romania. There are thousands of cancer victims, lepers and gangrene sufferers who cannot afford medical treatment. Imagine living a life of torture because you have no money! Rodica has appealed to us for help as she has no money for fuel costs and no vehicle. All the money she receives in Leicester goes into a hospital fund. She has pledged to spend the rest of her life helping these forgotten victims and building a hospital. Carleton Badger and myself are planning to make the journey with her to see what conditions are really like. We have launched an appeal here in Chesterfield to support the journey and help complete the hospital. We urgently need committed link?workers who are willing to collect supplies and fund raise. If you are interested please contact me. We also welcome donations of money no matter how small. Please pray for these people and the work and see what our Lord has to say to you personally. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus, "it is more blessed to give than to receive". Thank you in the name of our Lord Jesus. Pamela Gratton Next Journey to Romania -August 1994 (August 1994 edition of the magazine) A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our last appeal, because it was a true answer to prayer. £2,000 was eventually raised to help build a hospital for thousands of cancer victims, lepers and gangrene sufferers, for whom there is no state aid. By helping build that hospital we will build 'HOPE' and that is something the Romanian people are desperately short of. The next trip to Romania is now planned for 12th August 1994. We are being led to Constanta on the Russian border of the Black sea. My husband Les, my son Matthew, my nephew Ian Charlesworth and myself from St. Thomas' church will be linking up with John Devine from Turnditch church and Marella and Richard Kuzniarz from New Life Church Alfreton. Marella is a Romanian young lady married to Richard. We will be staying with her family and friends whilst visiting the country. We are still urgently appealing for medical supplies for the leper colony which we will be visiting in Tichilesti approximately two hundred miles from Constanta. There are forty six people in the leper community all over fifty years of age. We will be preparing a parcel for each leper personally, to be delivered on the Sunday when visitors are allowed in. Marella's mum has visited the community to find out what their needs are; and they have asked if we can supply with a mobile blood testing unit and an industrial spin dryer. If you can donate any medical supplies or help financially for the specialized equipment we would love to hear from you. Please pray for the work and for our journey remembering the words of our Lord Jesus -'It is more blessed to give than to receive'. May God bless you all. Pam Gratton Journey to Romania -August 1994 -Part 1 (October 1994 edition of the magazine) It was 5.10a.m. on Friday 12th August 1994. Part of our team prepared to journey approximately 2,300 miles to convey medical supplies, equipment, food, baby supplies, toiletries, blankets, clothing and shoes overland to Constanta, bordering the Black Sea. My husband Les, nephew Ian and John Deville set off in our Royal Blue seven and a half tonne Ford Cargo lorry full to capacity - not an inch to spare, including the blood testing unit and spin dryer urgently requested by the leper community at Tichilesti, - a true answer to prayer! As I waved them goodbye and prayed that our Lord would be with them, I recalled how all this work had started and the wonderful blessings we had received from God to make this journey possible. We prayed that He would lead us throughout this journey, especially to the poor and sick, and we would have the right supplies to meet those needs. The response to this trip was overwhelming and I want to personally thank everyone for their support, prayers and encouragement which made this journey possible. You see when we truly turn completely to our Lord Jesus Christ and say "Lord I want you to be in full control of my life - I submit completely - let Your will be done and allow the Holy Spirit to move in," we really begin to experience incredible things. God's love for us works in and through us making us whole again. My life completely changed from the moment I gave myself fully to our Lord and the healing power has been incredible. The work for Romania began about two and a half years ago shortly after my daughter Julie died. It was and is a great blessing and I can't thank God enough for being there when I needed him the most. He has given me the privilege of actually serving Him and visiting the country with my family to see first-hand what conditions are really like and where the most urgent needs are. My son Matthew and myself flew out early the next morning with Mirela and Richard who had kindly arranged with their family and friends to accommodate us during our visit, and help us to get the supplies to where they were really needed. We arrived at Constanti airport at approximately 2.30pm Romanian time and were welcomed by Mirela's mum - Lilley and younger sister Valley who had kindly arranged transport to take us to their friends where we were staying for the next two weeks. Corenl and Rodica have five children - Julia 16 - Eleonora 13, Andrei 11 - Teofil who is 9 and Anndrea 3. They are a very kind, hospitable Christian family, full of love and compassion in the Lord's work, who live in a very small but homely second-floor apartment on the outskirts of Constanta. Plans were made for us to visit Basarabi church the next day where Mirela's family attend. During the service there was an opportunity for anyone to share their testimony - No-one in the congregation volunteered to speak - so I offered to share my experience of how I came to the Lord and how He had delivered me. Mirela kindly offered to translate. After the service an elderly lady shared with Mirela's mum Lilley how my testimony had strengthened and encouraged her and thanked me very warmly. It was a great encouragement for me and was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get to know this Pamela who had arrived from England, and why the Lord had sent me to Romania. The Lord's timing is always 'spot on', all the glory to Him! I was then introduced to the pastor's family and we were invited to stay for refreshments -this church had kindly agreed to receive our vehicle and supplies, helping in their distribution -especially to the leper community at Tichilesti. The Romanians are very encouraged by the fact that with our help they can now turn and help others - especially the lepers. We also planned to support and help Aids victim children, an orthopaedic hospital, and an orphanage plus many poor families in the area. Please continue to pray for Romania and the support work - remember the words of our Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." God Bless You All Pamela Gratton (This story will be continued in the next edition of Ploughshare.) Journey to Romania -August 1994 -Part 2 (December 1994 edition of the magazine) Sunday 14th August 1994 Corenl and Rodica, who kindly agreed to accommodate Les, Matthew and myself during our visit to Romania, invited Matthew and myself along with Mirela and Richard to an evening service at their church in Constanti. It gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet other British Christians - especially Joe and Chris who are working as nurses at the hospital for Aids children. Four of the children who are being fostered by a Romanian family attended the service. We were able to share with the team about their work in Romania and the purpose of our visit. Mirela has lots of contacts and friends and is obviously a very respected person in Romania. Pastor Ghita Ritisan, and his wife Irina kindly invited us for lunch on Wednesday to give us an opportunity to share with them, as they were eager to help us reach the poor families in their community. Matthew, our thirteen year old son, set off by train later that evening with Mirela's sister - Valley, and some Romanian children for a trip up North to stay with other Romanian families for one week. It was a wonderful opportunity for Matthew, and he was really eager to share in this venture. Arrangements were made to visit the Municipal hospital for Aids children the following day in Constanti. Mirela introduced me to the senior nurse Helena, who kindly agreed for us to tour the unit. I was extremely moved by the appearance of the children - but encouraged by the dedication and devotion of the carers. We hope to support this hospital with specialized medicine and supplies - we pray that God will meet their every need. We took this opportunity to take photographs and talk to the children and carers. After lunch Mirela and myself visited the foster home of the four children we met the previous evening. Luci and Adi are Romanian foster parents. Their home - purchased and funded by 'Help International' in Cas Cristina St. Chilie 23, is the first of its kind in the area. We were warmly welcomed and the couple shared with us their experience as foster parents in this newly established project. Luci, felt drained both spiritually and physically due to the demands made upon them. As with any new venture there are lots of hiccups. A listening ear and sharing their difficulties helped strengthen them immensely. We really felt that we had been sent there for a purpose and later prayed that our Lord would move into their situation. The four children appeared very happy and loved. We felt encouraged to have the privilege of supporting them in prayer and supplies - especially baby milk and toiletries. Arrangements had been made for us to attend a local house group that evening. The home we were to visit, I was told, was very poor and in desperate need. The family, consisting of a young widow - Tanta -, two young children, brother and elderly mother were living in a shack by a railway line. I was told to prepare myself for a shock. As I entered the home, I felt very humble and moved by the support and love of the house group towards this family. Songs of praise - prayers and thanks to God were offered in this very humble home. The family are living together in these conditions because their original home, built of mud and straw blocks, was destroyed two years ago in a storm. They have nowhere else to live and are in desperate need of help to rebuild. The foundations are laid and plans passed to rebuild - but they have no money for materials. I felt God speak to me personally that evening and say 'Please help this poor family. Leave what money you can behind and share your experience on your return to England'! So here I am - can you possibly find room in your heart to help these poor desperate people in a positive way. The weather conditions are extremely severe in winter - 20 degrees centigrade. Can you imagine living in those conditions without proper facilities on the Russian border? The proposed new home will be built of breeze blocks and will cost approximately £4000. The labour will be freely given by Romanian Christians and progress reports and photographs will be forwarded at regular intervals. Please pray that this family will have their prayers answered very soon with our help. Nothing is impossible with God. He just needs us to listen and obey, so that His Will may be done on earth. Please continue to pray for Romania and the support work. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus "It is more blessed to give than to receive". May God Bless you all Pamela Gratton This story is to be continued in the next edition of Ploughshare. Journey to Romania -August 1994 -Part 3 (February 1995 edition of the magazine) Tuesday 16th August 1994 It was 12.30am when John (a member of our overland team) rang from Cluj to say they had arrived safely in Romania with the supplies. We were all very relieved as crossing the border into Romania is no easy task. We all thanked God for their safe arrival and spent the morning waiting for a second phone call. Mirella and I set off at 1.30pm to visit an orphanage where Mirella had previously worked. It was approximately 130 kilometres from Constanti. We were very warmly received and allowed to tour the building. This is an orphanage for children with mental disabilities. It had many basic physical needs. Most of the beds in one wing had no mattresses, and there were very basic toilet facilities. The children appeared very happy, but with very worn clothes and shoes. We were introduced to the lady doctor in charge, who came back with us to Constanti. She confided to us the problems they had encountered and the needs of the orphanage. We went back to Mirella's mum's home and waited for the team to make contact. John rang at 8.30pm to ask for directions into Constanti. We arranged to meet them on the border of Constanti that evening and linked up at 11.45pm. They were in very good spirits but very tired and hungry. They followed us to Lilley's home where she had prepared a lovely meal. She later introduced Ian and John to Dora, a friend who would be accommodating them. Les, John and Ian shared with us their hazardous journey. It was wonderful to realize how God had met their every need in each situation they had encountered. We arranged to meet up the following day to transport the bulk of our supplies to Basarabi church where the local Christians had arranged to receive and sort them. The pastor and his family welcomed us warmly and helped unload the lorry. Priority was given to the leper community at Tichelesti. Everyone was really helpful and thanked us for the quality of the supplies. We were assured that the needs of very poor families would be met with the remainder. Forty five boxes were labelled personally for the lepers. Twenty eight other families were supplied with food, baby milk, toiletries, toys, clothing and bedding. Richard, Mirella and myself then went into Constanti for lunch with Pastor Ghita and his family. We explained the purpose of our visit and he was most eager to help with the distribution of the supplies to the poor families, in his church. As they were also quite poor and new to the area we felt led to help them with provisions and bible literature. He was very encouraged as he was working towards street evangelism, and the literature was an answer to prayer. It was a blessing to meet this family who had been led by faith to Constanti from a different area in North Romania, to establish a new church. They left everything behind, like Abraham, and trusted our Lord for every provision, a remarkable act of faith and courage! On our return to Basarabi Church, we all sorted out the medical equipment and supplies ready for distribution to the hospitals. These were later stored safely at the foster home by agreement with Luci and Adi, until Doctor Marinela, on holiday that week, could receive and check them, and decide where best to send them. We had the privilege later to help deliver food parcels to the poor families in the area. My heart went out to these very poor - but faith-filled people who are so blessed by any small gift and eager to share what they have with you. Mirella and Richard have taken slides of many of these families so that our experiences and many blessings can be shared here in England. Les and myself are available to share these slides and a talk with interested people by mutual arrangement. Please continue to pray for Romania May our Lord bless you all. Pamela Gratton Hope for Life (August 1995 edition of the magazine) Thanks be to God for his strength and for your support, prayers and donations in money or supplies for our existing work. As you are probably aware through our previous article, God laid it on our hearts to support and help financially a very poor Romanian family to rebuild their house which had been destroyed in a flood three years ago. Thank you for all your donations. The first floor of the house is now completed at a cost of £2000. Please can you continue to help them, so that they do not have to spend another winter in such poor conditions - 20 C on the Russian border. We are planning shortly to register as a charity. Our new title will be 'HOPE FOR LIFE'; Romania being one of our projects under this title. All the glory to you Lord! Planning for a New Mercy Trip Following the success of our last. years trip we are planning to return this year in August 1995 for two weeks. The aims of the next trip are to:-
Please could you pray for:
Journey to Romania -August 1995 (October 1995 edition of the magazine) The journey was a challenge for us all. We found ourselves in all kinds of unexpected and difficult circumstances which we came through with prayer. Looking back now, it is amazing to see the power in God's love working through each situation as the problems unfolded. To begin with, the lorry was delayed in setting off as the necessary confirmation had not come through from Romania, and it was a last minute decision for Pam, Matthew, Carleton and myself to fly out ahead on Monday 14th August. From then on we were faced with a number of problems not only getting the lorry into Romania but also in releasing the much needed supplies at their destination in Constanta. It took 10 days in all before the lorry was finally opened. Meanwhile, the drivers, Ian, John and Kevin had suffered another setback just outside Lille in France, when the wheel bearings failed on the lorry. Help was immediately at hand in finding accommodation for the night at a Baptist Christian Centre where they waited for new parts to arrive from Daventry. There were several frustrating days waiting for the lorry, but the time was in no way wasted. We met Tanta whose home was progressing well since Pam's journey last year. Tanta is a lovely lady, full of joy and gratitude for all the support that has come her way through the people in Chesterfield. A further £750 is needed to see the family safely housed before another Romanian winter (temperatures below zero). We also visited the Orthopaedic hospital on the outskirts of Constanta run by Dr Nikolei, a very dedicated man in desperate need of medical supplies and hospital equipment without which the hospital may be forced to close. We were greatly shocked by the appalling conditions there. It is difficult to believe that specialist treatment can be provided in such circumstances. Our next journey intends that supplies here will be a priority. Once the lorry had been unloaded, most of the contents were distributed amongst very poor families within seven churches in and around Constanta. We were very grateful for help given by the Romanian team in sorting the boxes and directing them to their destination. The remaining supplies were transported by a team of American and Canadian missionaries who kindly offered their help for us to reach the leper colony at Tichilesti. These people live in poor conditions and are in great need, especially for more specialist footwear to ease their discomfort. They have been promised a special place in the next trip when it hoped that each of the 44 lepers will receive their own "personal" parcel. There were many situations of great poverty and need that we encountered on our journey this time but we have come home greatly encouraged by the will and enthusiasm of the Romanian people themselves to improve conditions in their country. They are full of gratitude for the help we have sent them and full of hope that through God's love we may be able to maintain that support into the future. The next journey is planned for 28th October to reach the Orthopaedic hospital and the leper community. Pamela Gratton Life in Romania -August 1995 (December 1995 edition of the magazine) Our visit to Romania promised to be exciting, exhilarating, testing, challenging and many other things but to be honest, I just didn't know what to expect. The relatively short journey ended with the aeroplane touching down on Romanian ground. Bucharest was to be our home for two or three days and for me, my first experience of this country. This time was a real pleasure for me. We were blessed with a lovely host family who provided everything needed to make our stay very comfortable. My overall impression of this city was of thousands of busy people, cars rushing around, vast apartment blocks, and horse drawn carts. The few days in this city provided many exciting and interesting experiences including the metro underground, a beautiful park with its own fascinating museum and a generally special atmosphere. The highlight was befriending the youngest child of the host family, who was a cheerful, inquisitive young boy who loved to listen to our Walkman and eat the Opal fruits left from the journey. The majority of the visit was spent in Constanta, situated south west of Romania on the Black Sea. This was to be base, where we would be involved in the distribution of the supplies brought out for people with many varying needs. At times in Constanta, things seemed to be against us, whether this was lorry problems, unhelpful Romanian authorities or sickness. Prayer was essential in all circumstances! It was good to be working with faith led Romanian Christians whose knowledge of the way Romanian people do things proved to be very important for the success of the visit. Teamwork played an important part, and will do so in future projects. As time passed it became easier to work alongside the Romanians and all objectives for the visit were accomplished. The Romanian team were very efficient in deciding where each individual article was most needed. The English were then responsible for the distributions to all the appropriate locations in the region. There is a real need to pray for future teams working together, for unity and understanding concerning how each team works individually and together. The highlight of the visit for me was visiting the Baptist church in the north eastern city of Tulcea. A group of dedicated Christians were involved in a very exciting project. Here they are building themselves a large Health Centre/Christian meeting place in order to provide for all the needs of the community. The vision is to invite health professionals from other countries to practice in their own particular medical fields when the building is complete. I would like very much to be involved in this in the future. There are many stories of good and not so good experiences but to conclude, I have returned with my faith boosted and a real desire to go back to Romania in the future. As I look forward to nurse qualification and registration, I hope very much that God will use the skills he is teaching me in order to care for his people whether in Romania or elsewhere. Carleton Badger December 1995 Journey in faith to Romania (February 1996 and continued in June 1996) edition of the magazine) After a wonderful send off, waiting on God and trusting him for the right date and provisions, our royal blue Ford cargo finally set off on Sunday 10th December, 1995 to convey urgently needed medical supplies and equipment to Dr Nicolae at the Orthopaedic hospital on the out-skirts of Constanta. Due to hazardous fog we finally booked onto a French ferry at 8.40am from Ramsgate and travelled up the coast of France to Belgium onto our planned route. The weather was quite reasonable for the time of year, and we arrived at the German border on Monday at 3.55pm. Weather conditions were again very kind and the lorry travelled extremely well. We arrived at the Austrian border 6.00am Tuesday, cleared Customs by 6.30am refuelled and had breakfast. By this time it was snowing heavily but we set off and kept good time through picturesque Austria, reaching the Hungarian border by 12.05pm. We travelled well through Hungary and bought provisions, arriving at the Romanian border at 12.05 am Wednesday to be greeted by a long line of lorries too numerous to count patiently waiting to cross the border. We prayed that God would prepare the way and give us all the right attributes to endure the hours ahead (approx 20hrs wait), and our wonderful God met every need! We accepted everything without question (it was so amazing as I look back). He provided warm nourishing food -hot drinks -basic toilet facilities, warmth (sleeping bags, blankets etc.) spiritual food and joy to prepare us for our next challenge -passing through Romanian customs. By this time I was prepared and ready (I think) to expect anything to happen. I even accepted the news quite calmly that our vehicle must be sealed and checked when we arrived in Constanta (this took 2 days, last journey). The final crunch came when we were told that we were in 'big trouble' as we needed two letters, not one from Dr Nicolae -one letter of invitation and one acceptance of our supplies. We must fax through and obtain the required documents. By this time I was near to tears as I knew this request was not just unreasonable but impossible as I had no means of contact. I looked at the official and told him this. Eventually his superior appeared, "Well have you the document, I require?', "No" I said "we haven't the documents you require, we have decided to return to England". We returned to our vehicle -made a hot drink -huddled together to keep warm and waited. Soon the first official tapped on the passenger window. "Give me a passport", he said firmly and walked off. We felt that something was about to happen and our spirits lifted. On his return he instructed us to alight from the vehicle, lan was told to break the customs seal and open the rear door. He began to check the load and inventory and soon came across some equipment he was puzzled about. Ian explained it was a blood suction machine used in surgery. "Enough", was the reply "Close the door." It obviously had an effect on him. He quickly issued me with a yellow document and firm instructions to go directly to the hospital and give it to Dr Nicolae. Thank you Lord! we were through. We couldn't go fast enough -Constanta here we come. Crossing over to the Black Sea is quite a challenge due to the hazardous road conditions, but all this just melted away as we left everything in God's hands -we felt very positive and victorious -truly believing that "all things are possible with God" and we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. Wednesday 13th December 1995 It was 7.15pm, when we finally set off to drive to our destination on the border of the Black Sea. With official documents sealed and approved our route planned to take us through Aradea arid on to Bucharest. A contact address in Bucharest: had been given to us by our friends at Zion Church, we made contact with a Christian from Emmanuel Christian Center Mission who gave us accommodation for the night. It was a real luxury to experience a warm shower anti comfortable bed after such a long arduous journey. Next morning the minister shared his concern to help feed the homeless -especially the elderly and the street children. The money from England would be used to help this project. He also shared how God had laid it on their hearts to reach out in mission sending evangelists into Albania and Bulgaria to help Romanians there, to come to know and experience the love of Jesus. We volunteered our vehicle to hell) collect and transport supplies from England. The minister gave us addresses in Aradea and Arad for future stops, before we left for our final destination -Constanta On arrival contact was immediately made with Dr Nicholas, to ensure that the medical supplies arid equipment were delivered as promised. Dr Nicholae sends his grateful thanks and prays we will be able to continue to support him (he especially needs Orthopaedic books -new surgical techniques -tools for surgery and prosthesis). Arrangements were made next day to visit Tansa's home. It is progressing well arid we were extremely encouraged by the quality of workmanship. This home will eventually be used as a safe house to help other poor victims in distress. Tansa and her family send their love and warmly thank everyone for their positive response to thus appeal. Please could you continue to pray for this project and for the Chiriac family who were homeless with seven children. Our funds are! helping to pay the rent and tax for their new flat which God has provided. Their prayers are being truly answered. Jill, Tony and Matthew arrived in the Ford Transit kindly sponsored by G.K. Group, conveying parcels for the forty four residents of the leper community at Tichilesti, as well as toys arid shoe boxes for under-privileged children in the Constanta region. There was great excitement about the toys and plans were made for receiving and sorting them at Mangalia that evening. Our Romanian team are always eager to respond to God's call and they worked through the night to select arid wrap each present for a particular child. We pray that God will enable us to continue to bring his love at Christmastime in this very poor remote region. The 'Gift of Love' parcels, for our dear friends at the leper community were transported along with the dental chair for the new medical centre at Tulcea the following day (Sunday). The medical centre is nearing completion arid there was a lot of joy when the chair was finally unloaded and special prayers were said to thank God for our safe arrival arid the wonderful gift he had provided. The residents of the leper community always get excited when parcels arrive and the two carers were very efficient and friendly. Through drawing pictures and Jill speaking a few words in Romanian we finally managed to convince them that there was a special parcel prepared for each person. Permission was given for us to deliver the parcels with their help and we were also allowed to take lots of photographs and slides. This was a great blessing as we hope to establish firm friendships here to help meet and pray for their needs in this very poor, but lovely community. My heart particularly goes out to the lepers, they really do appreciate and need our love and care. It is extremely moving visiting them. Our mission was now complete and plans were discussed for future visits. The team wish to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers. May we continue to work together in God's love and use our lives to help God's kingdom to truly be established here on earth. every blessing in Christ. Pamela Gratton 1996 Journey to Romania (August 1996 edition of the magazine) I want to begin by thanking God for the wonderful answers to prayer which made this journey to Romania possible: especially regarding the paper work for our lorry, two drivers -Ian and David, the wonderful range of medical supplies and equipment that were given. A very big thank you too, in the name of Jesus. to everyone who supported this very challenging but rewarding journey to the Orthopaedic hospital in Constanta. Dr Nicholai sends his grateful thanks, especially for the prosthesis which were a true answer to prayer. He still urgently needs up to date medical books on orthopaedic surgical techniques, tools for surgery and orthopaedic equipment. He is praying that God will make it possible for him to visit England in September to share his needs and that suitable venues will be found. Dr Nicolae has kindly invited members of our team to work at the hospital this summer, a marvellous opportunity to experience first hand what conditions are really like and reach to the needs of staff and patients in a positive caring way. The new feeding centre at Basarabi church run by Ana and her team is due to open in the very near future, thinks to your positive response to their urgent appeal two weeks before our departure. Fifty new enamel mugs, plates /dishes, dessert spoons and teaspoons were transported along with food and vitamins. They are planning to feed and support fifty very poor children from the surrounding area for 2 - 3 days each week and share with them the love of Jesus. Ana has particularly asked for tinned and packet food, plus concentrated fruit drink, preferably in powdered form, for the August trip. If you feel you would like to get a few friends together and start to collect food to feed these little lambs, I'm sure you will receive a true blessing. Children's activity supplies were also taken to help Vali and Julia with their mission outreach work amongst the children from very poor regions. New bags, writing books, felt tips, coloured pencils, crayons and pencil cases were provided. The money was raised by our friends in Matlock who plan to support the Children of Romania. Margaret Leighton and her team are at present collecting supplies and preparing shoe boxes for six hundred children at Christmas time. Jill is also supporting her vision by reaching out to schools and groups in that area. We really thank God for their dedication and love. Another exciting appeal has just been launched by our dear friends Marian and David Smith for the children's bible literature, which we are planning to deliver in August to 400 children in the same region. Thank you Lord for your living word. Arrangements were made for us to visit Tansa's home which is nearing completion. A small amount of money is still needed to complete the joinery work and connect the water supply -but Tansa has moved in and we are planning to deliver supplies to help her furnish the new safe house this summer. She sends her love and very grateful thanks to everyone who has supported this wonderful project. Small items of furniture, kitchen supplies and floor covering would be greatly appreciated. Our next journey is planned for August. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." God bless you all, Pamela Gratton Hope for Romania -Update (October 1996 edition of the magazine) Thank you Lord for your love which flows through your people, giving their the desire in their hearts to reach out to the sick, poor, homeless and hurting people in your world today. We thank you too for your faithfulness to all your people and the hope you give them in times of hardship, turmoil and need. Our last two mercy missions to Romania have certainly been both challenging arid rewarding at times testing our faith and trust in God to deeper depths but when we truly experience these times and see the victory we have in Jesus it makes it all worth while -it helps our faith and determination to grow stronger as we allow God's Spirit to take control of our lives. The June journey was planned to convey the second consignment of medical supplies and equipment to Dr Nicholae at the Orthopaedic hospital in Constanta. Dr Nicholae kindly invited us to stay and work at the hospital for two days during our August visit. These two days certainly proved to be quite an eye opener. Conditions were far more serious than at first envisaged. The hospital patients, staff arid Dr Nicholae really need our on going prayers and support very urgently. Please pray and see if God is speaking to you. Thank you to all those people who helped with medical supplies. They were gratefully received. During our Easter Egg vision and appeal our Lord gave Marian and David Smith from St Thomas' a wonderful vision to reach the poor and underprivileged children of the Constanta region with Bible/scripture story books. They ordered 400 books in faith -3 different books for three different age groups in Romania -average cost £2.50 per book, to be transported during the August visit. The appeal was beautifully presented and launched during the month of July and the response to this vision was outstanding! Further news will be published in a later edition when news and photographs arrive about the presentation of the books in Romania. The August journey was planned for the poor families and children of the Constanta region. Many people were led to give both financially and materially towards this journey. Two lovely young girls from St Peter's school raised £159 with a sponsored swim and two young members of our Romanian team from Hasland Baptist Church raised £125 with a sponsored walk. Our emergency fund helped a young Romanian girl aged 17 to receive urgent medical help after she lost an eye during an accident. Christina sends her love and grateful thanks. Thank you also to a family from St Thomas' who responded to an appeal to help an old gentleman receive an urgent cataract operation. May God bless you his sight is now fully restored and he too sends his love and grateful thanks. I personally want to thank everyone who became involved. May God continue to bless us and help us to reach out in love to others less fortunate than ourselves. The Highland and Island evening presented by Harry Reaney was well attended raising £530 and £163 was raised with a ‘Nearly New Sale’ for Emmanuel Mission in Bucharest to help poor street children still living in the sewer system of this large city. The mission workers are urgently needing our help to feed these children and share with them the love of Jesus. Our team met many poor families we are supporting; they also helped to distribute supplies in very remote regions. We met many children really excited about their bags and activity supplies received in June. Thank you Lord for your little lambs, may we continue to feed them with your love. I travelled extensively during this last visit meeting lots of people in different situations and sharing with them the love of Jesus. Families like Tansa and the Chriac family and many more send their love and blessings. May we continue to reach out, remembering the words of our Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Next Mission: End of October for the Children's Christmas presents. Urgent help is needed to supply parcels for the 42 residents of the leper community of Tichilesti. Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe: A Look Back (February 1997 edition of the magazine) As a New Year begins we reflect on our mission work for Romania over the past four years. We truly give our wonderful God all the glory, honour, thanks and praise for his love, faithfulness, provision and direction in his work to help the poor, sick and homeless people on the border of the Black Sea. Our Lord has certainly placed these people at the centre of our hearts. I trust and pray we will continually be led to pray and support his precious children in a caring way. It's so wonderful to experience love in action and share together in his work. In this particular issue, I really feel led to share two urgent needs. The first is the plight of Emmanuel Mission in Bucharest. Just over a year ago we were first led to these very dedicated Christians reaching out in God's love to homeless children still living in the gruesome sewer system under the streets of Bucharest. My heart was deeply touched and shocked by the appalling conditions and desperate needs of these forgotten children. Mission worker Marian Simeon personally led Matthew and myself into the streets to experience what conditions were like first-hand. She shared her vision to help these children come to know and experience the love of Jesus. We later prayed together and promised to share the vision to open a feeding/ support centre to befriend clothe and feed the children. (On our return we left a small amount of financial aid to encourage them and give them hope). A joint fund-raiser held at the church of the Annunciation with our friends from Zion blessed them again this summer, however we really need to encourage them more positively so that Pastor John and his team can reflect the light of Jesus into these hurting lives. On our return we were very encouraged to find that they had managed to rent an old derelict cinema twice a week. Here Pastor John shares the gospel and helpers hand out a warm meal one day and a small sandwich on the other day. We took lots of photographs. The children were very excited to receive visitors from England who told them that God loved them and they were really special children. Jesus was truly their saviour and the truth would set them free - if they received them into their hearts. Jill Browne and her team called again this October whilst transporting the Christmas parcels for the children and lepers in the Constanta region. They also left some financial aid and a consignment of good quality shoes collected by our team. The second plight, is that of Dr Nicholae and his orthopaedic hospital on the border of the Black Sea. We were led there on our first visit to that region three years ago, and we have felt led to support and pray for their needs on a continual basis since then. It is a very large hospital with lots of potential where conditions are out-dated and terrible. This very dedicated surgeon is a Christian who loves his people and devotes his life to their needs. Through listening to God we felt led to pray for Dr Nicholae to visit England to share his needs and have an opportunity to meet people in his profession who could help him. God has answered that prayer and arrangements are being made for him to visit England in March. The church family at St Thomas', St John's and St Peter's who have been praying for him, will have an opportunity to welcome him during that time. Thank you Lord for your love - we pray that Dr Nicholae's needs for his hospital patients and staff will be truly met in the wonderful name of Jesus. Is your heart moved with compassion - do you long to help? If you feel led to support either of these needs, you can do something positive today by organizing a fund-raising event, for example, inviting a few friends for a coffee morning. Save a set amount on a regular basis - then contact Pam Gratton Remember the words of our Lord Jesus - "It is more blessed to give than to receive". Thank you in the name of Jesus. Pam Gratton Sending Out Medical Supplies (August 1997 edition of the magazine) Thanks to the prayers and support of so many wonderful, caring people, people, the medical supplies and equipment are finally on their way to the orthopaedic hospital in Constanta on the border of the Black Sea. Many pieces of urgently needed equipment which Dr. Nicolae had specifically hoped for including a reconditioned anesthetic unit and physiotherapy equipment were obtained. Transportation of the heaviest equipment. was arranged with 'Link European' and our own 7.5 ton lorry took the more basic items. May they truly bless and encourage Dr. Nicolae, his staff and patients and give them positive hope in their desperate situation. Our August 15th journey to transport bibles, and many basic supplies is our next mission. Food, toiletries, first-aid supplies are still urgently needed to help support the street children and very poor families. Please can you help? -By purchasing an item next time you are shopping or fund raising to support the feeding centre. Your help and love make all the difference to a hungry child. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'. Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe 1997 Update (February 1998 edition of the magazine) New Year's greetings to everyone in the wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and a very big thank you for all the love, encouragement and positive help this mission work has received through you his people, especially this last year. The response to Dr Nicolae's visit last March for help for his impoverished hospital on the Black Sea Coast was truly amazing materially and financially. The medical supplies and equipment were finally transported out in July 1997 via 'Link European'. Our wonderful God then opened the way for our own 7.5 tonne vehicle to transport the extra supplies at the last minute due to a very generous donation being given. 'hank you Lord'. With very little time to focus on the August mission, I prayed for help - the supplies just kept flowing in. A mission centre was opened at the rear of St Thomas' church - this has proved to be an immense blessing. A small team of dedicated ladies set to work. Amazing things happened as banana box after banana box was lovingly packed sorted and transported to our base in Sutton Spring Wood. God answered prayer very swiftly for the leper community at Tichiliesti too. A 'Joy bag' containing lots of small personal items was given with love to each of our dear friends and lots of useful medical supplies were donated to help the doctor and medical team at the community. It was a true blessing to have more time to draw along side some of them and listen to their heart-rending stories. They especially asked that we keep on visiting them. It gives them hope and encouragement to know they are not forgotten. On our return journey we spent a few days in Bucharest linking up with Emmanuel Mission. Exciting plans are now underway for the first phase of the building work to erect a feeding/outreach centre to support many children - even families - living in the squalid underground sewer system and on the street of this very large city. These children and families have never experienced the security of a warm and loving home. Dirty and undernourished they are begging and stealing their daily bread. We really felt the call of God to be part of his wonderful plan and purpose for this project, especially to help renovate a small derelict building recently purchased by the church very close to the mission centre. 'Ibis will eventually house a homeless family who are prepared to care for the street children, when the feeding centre is eventually opened. On our return home last September we felt led to step out in faith and make plans for a large vehicle to travel out for the November journey, as there was such a great need for extra supplies before winter. There had been an urgent request especially for warm coats, winter shoes and boots, food and toiletries on this journey. It was originally planned to convey Christmas presents, sweets and shoe-box gifts for the poor children of the Constanta region. A record number of 850 shoe-boxes were eventually collected and packed throughout the Derbyshire Dales by various groups and individuals. This was organized by Margaret Leighton and her team of dedicated ladies. Hasland Baptist Church also supported this work through Florence Sutton and we are very grateful for the commitment shown by so many caring people. God then made a way for our own vehicle to be available to convey some new double-glazed windows (supported by a church in Chorley) for the first phase of the feeding centre project. Many large items of useful furniture and carpets needed by the Chirlac family and others were also able to travel out. This blessing made it possible to help the mission work in Bucharest by supporting them with food, toiletries, blankets, shoes and one hundred and fifty shoe boxes for the poor children. Due to very generous people responding to this journey, we were able to release a large gift of money to begin the work on the derelict building for the homeless family as well - All the glory to you Lord! Pastor John Buchan shared with me how this was a wonderful blessing and a great encouragement to them at a time of great need. He wishes to personally thank everyone who feels led to reach out with compassionate love to help fulfil God's vision. This November journey proved to be a very challenging mission right from the start. No matter what difficulty arose our wonderful God was always there to answer our prayers and sustain us. A young driver called Jonathan Allsop from Zion church was a true blessing on this journey and the response to our visit was extremely encouraging. We travelled over 4000 miles. We again visited the leper community at Tichilesti where we received a very warm welcome. Everyone was so thrilled to receive their 'gift of love' parcel. The community now has a new lady doctor who was very eager to share her experience of the enormous challenge and to guide us to the house bound patients now under her care. Personal communication is so important and it means so much to our dear friends to share their situations and pray for them. Medical supplies. a wheelchair, food and toiletries were left on this journey to support the community. 'The Baptist missionary in Tulcea, named Adrian, helped arrange this visit and acted as our interpreter. He has really encouraged our work and has also requested help for the poor villages in their region, and the 'Prison Ministry'. The Constanta region received a very large proportion of the aid from this journey to help Paster Ritichan's church out-reach to very poor remote villages in the area. The quality of supplies was a true blessing and everyone sends their love and grateful thanks especially to God who worked through us his people to respond to their prayers. Progress on the mission centre in Bucharest was truly remarkable. There were approximately ten gifted volunteers daily, working eagerly in faith (one is a lady plasterer) to complete this project. Also a small group of ladies committed daily to preparing the food to sustain them and the poor and homeless. Do you feel challenged to respond in compassionate love to the cry of these homeless children - some still living in the squalid sewer system? If you do then this is how you can show love in action.'Hope for Eastern Europe' have been approached to help deliver new windows and doors for the second phase of this project. We need help to fill the vehicle with dried food, toiletries and many other items. We also need help financially for bibles and emergency funds. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus -"It is more blessed to give than to receive." May God bless you all. Pam Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe February 1998 Journey to Romania (April 1998 edition of the magazine) After a very challenging November mission to Bucharest and the leper community on the borders of the Black Sea, I really felt led to thank God for the way he had brought me safely home, and helped me through so many difficult situations. During those prayers I remember promising Him that I would be available, if He needed me, to help transport the second phase of the windows and doors out to Bucharest, so that the work could continue at Emmanuel Mission for the new feeding/outreach centre, during the winter months. I also prayed for a prayer partner who had a similar vision to help support the work, both here and in Eastern Europe. Just before Christmas those prayers were truly answered and our Lord confirmed that Hope for Eastern Europe's help was once more needed. My prayer partner also came on the scene. Her name is Rosanne and she is a wonderful blessing. I distinctly remember a sense of excitement and adventure in my spirit - I knew that if I looked up and trusted God every need would be met and he would equip me to organise this journey. At this point I was prompted to set to work immediately sharing the 'good news' and prayed that God would strengthen me with the help and encouragement I needed, especially as it was winter time when missions don't normally venture out! It was also very important to get the right promotional material together for requests and to launch the appeal very quickly as the doors and windows would be on the production line just after Christmas. For this mission to go ahead we needed two experienced Christian lorry drivers and a date for the journey so that I could proceed with the paperwork. We also needed to top up the vehicle with priority supplies to sustain the Romanian workers and homeless children through the winter. It was truly amazing to experience God in action as everything came together very quickly. First the drivers, Colin Harper and Robert Batten came forward within days of each other. The date was fixed for 20th February 1998. I remember feeling a little apprehensive at this point as it was my first attempt to organize our paper-work (a step in faith). We experienced many challenges as the date approached, especially regarding the vehicle but, we kept praying and believing ;end the lorry did eventually set off on the evening of the 20th February. Rosanne and myself travelled out the following Monday to organise and help wherever needed. The lorry arrived on the Tuesday at Emmanuel Mission with two very relieved and happy drivers. The next few days proved to be very testing regarding Customs procedures, but, God did win the victory and there was great. rejoicing as the lorry was finally unsealed. We all had our eyes opened to many needs especially regarding the homeless street children and the neglected elderly in a geriatric hospital - poverty and neglect are rife in Bucharest. We can now make positive moves to help people recover and begin to rebuild their broken lives with God's help. If you feel led to make a donation to help renovate a derelict building which will eventually house a homeless family, who will be carers in 'A Family shelter house' for the homeless street children, we would love to hear from you. We also need to fund raise and collect supplies for our mission work. I personally feel very privileged to be called to help in these times of great need - perhaps God is calling you! Please remember the words of our Lord Jesus, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'. May God bless you all, Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe Urgent Appeal (June 1998 edition of the magazine) Pam Gratton writes... Our grateful thanks to all those who supported our February Mission which was a great success. Our next mission is planned for August 1998. This will be mainly to support Dr Nicolae's orthopaedic hospital and the Paediatric department of the General Hospital in Constanta on the borders of the Black Sea. Both are in urgent need of medical supplies and equipment. We will also be visiting the leper community in Tichilesti. We would be delighted if you feel led to help with any of the following. Medical First Aid items: crepe or cotton bandages, cotton wool, triangular bandages, safety pins, antiseptic cream or liquid, non stick dressings, pain relief, scissors, plasters etc. Orthopaedic equipment and supplies: surgical instruments, autoclave, white sheets and pillow cases, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories. Dried Food: peas, lentils, beans, spaghetti, pasta, rice, sugar, coffee, flour, cooking oil, baby milk and food, and any other dried foods e.g. soups. Toiletries: soap, shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste, brushes, sponges etc. Other items: small kitchen utensils, good quality boots and shoes, newly knitted clothes, shawls, blankets, socks and slippers, children's educational activity materials such as colouring pencils, drawing books, rulers and pencil sharpeners. Baby supplies: terry nappies, pants, vests, creams. Financing for Romanian Bibles and Christian Literature plus "The Family Shelter House" for the homeless street children in Bucharest. Let us remember the words of our Lord Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe Looking Ahead to the August 1998 Mission (June 1998 edition of the magazine) As we approach our August Mission and look back on our work over the past four years - there is a lot to be thankful to God for. It is truly amazing to experience God's direction and blessings as His plans and purposes are fulfilled through his people. We have had many trials and challenges - but JESUS is always there as we put our faith and trust in him. I personally have had to turn and seek His help in many situations and He has never failed me - He is a faithful God! Our team this summer is to include four Christians from Holy Trinity Church, Matlock. Derek and Liz - a husband and wife team have volunteered to drive out with my husband Les on Friday 14th August. Two teenage boys Adam and James are flying out with Matthew and myself to Bucharest on Monday August 17th. We will all link up on Tuesday 18th August. Emmanuel Mission have once again kindly offered us hospitality and we look forward to seeing first-hand the progress on the New Outreach/ Feeding Centre for the underprivileged and the homeless. Our prayers are with them at this time as they seek to put love into action. We are once more transporting large windows to help the building programme. The team and our lorry will then travel on to Constanta with the bulk of our supplies - these will be assisting Pastor Dimitrio's Church in the village of Basarabi. This is a very poor community. We last supported this church four years ago and have had very close links with them each time we have visited Constanta. We are also supporting the Hangan family who are missionaries working in remote villages in the same area. Their oldest son Tony is a doctor in the Paediatric Department of the Constanta General Hospital which we are planning to support in October, along with Dr Nicolie's Orthopaedic Hospital. A 38 tonne vehicle is hopefully being made available to help us transport our medical equipment and supplies in October. We will be linking up with possibly two other teams who are planning to take aid out to Romania at that time. Our journey will then take us to the Baptist Church in Tulcea where we will be linking up with Adrian, a missionary. We have been praying to see how we can help support his missionary work. His church has recently received help to establish a new church in a very poor village - we truly feel led to help them in November on our next mission, as they have not yet received any of our supplies to support their work. 'Gift of Love' parcels will be delivered next to the leper community in Tichilesti along with other much needed supplies to help the new lady doctor and the forty residents. We look forward to meeting our dear friends once again - there is always a warm welcome. Please can I ask you in Jesus' name to support our work for Eastern Europe in prayer. We are planning to support a Romanian young lady called Dina this summer - she is Pastor Dimitrio's daughter. She will be travelling back to England with us. She feels called to be a missionary in India and her father has approached us for help. We also need practical help - urgent provisions - dried food, toiletries -good quality shoes - baby food and supplies - small useful household supplies - educational supplies for children. Financial help is always needed especially for 'the family shelter home' for the street children - 50p a brick! If you would like to help build this home, we would love to hear from you. May God bless you all. Les and Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe Report on the August 1998 Mission (October 1998 edition of the magazine) Our journey this August proved to be very, successful. Dina met us at Bucharest airport. She is Pastor Dimitrio's youngest daughter from Basaraki Church in Constanta.. God has called her to be a missionary in India and plans had been made for her to travel back to England with us. A local pastor and his wife arrived shortly afterwards to transport us to the Emmanuel Mission, where we received a warm welcome. Les, Liz and Derek also had a very good journey with the lorry. The supplies for the Emmanuel Mission were unloaded the following day and many expressed their grateful thanks, especially for the gift for the family shelter home. While in Bucharest we bought 150 bibles for the prison ministry at Tulcea and Constanta, plus a good number of children's books and evangelistic literature. We then moved on to Basarabi and received another warm welcome. Pastor Dimitrio and his wife arranged accommodation for us and supplies were unloaded. Here arrangements were made for people to call at the church to select shoes and have them properly fitted. Clothing was sorted to distribute to poor families. We shared our faith with some of these families, including gypsy children. We later prayed that the Lord would bless them, and many gave their lives to Jesus during an outreach led by Steve Miles and his team from London. I was very shocked to see the cramped conditions many were living in. The supplies were a tremendous blessing for many especially the shoes. After a few days I went to stay with the Hangan family, including Tony, a doctor at Constanta General hospital. I went to visit paediatric and E. N.T. departments, which proved very interesting. I was thanked for the therapeutic teddies sent last Christmas, and was told of specific need for an automatic washing machine, children's pyjamas, disposable nappies and white sheets and pillow cases. There is a lot of very outdated equipment, and virtually everything is ready for renewal. Les, Liz, Derek and myself next moved on to Tulcea. We attended a service in the village of Isacha, at a new church where Adrian preached on forgiveness and I was invited to talk about our work for Eastern Europe, including our visits to the leper community at Tichilesti. Some of our friends decided they would like to accompany us to Tichilesti to become more involved in praying for and supporting the community. Our dear friends there are really special to us, and it is always a moving experience to share fellowship with them. There are now only 34 residents, because six have died since our last visit. We pray that all of them will experience God's love and saving grace. The needs are many and the work is growing - without your help and support this work could not continue - thank you all in the wonderful name of Jesus. Our next mission is planned for October 9th to transport medical supplies for Dr. Nicolae's orthopaedic hospital and Constanta General hospital. Pamela Gratton Introducing Dina Tintean (February 1999 edition of the magazine) New Years greetings to everyone in the wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and a very heartfelt thank you for your continued support and commitment towards our mission work in Romania. It certainly has proved to be a very busy and challenging year, but an exciting one too. God has made a way possible for us to begin to support and encourage young people, especially those who feel called to mission work. Our journey in February to Emmanuel Mission in Bucharest proved to be a very valuable link for Dina Tintean who had been praying for God to confirm her calling to India as a missionary. Rosanne Yoo and myself eventually linked up with Dina at the Romanian Bible Institute, where she was studying for her final exams in July after four years training to become a Religious Education missionary teacher. During our meeting we felt a strong desire to support her through prayer. This eventually led us to take a step in faith and invite Dina over to England to give her an opportunity to improve her English and hopefully make the right contact in India. Did the Lord answer these prayers? Dina tells you her story... Dina Tintean Hi everyone! I am Dina Tintean, the youngest daughter of Pastor Dumitru Tintean, a family with eight children (7 girls and 1 boy). I was so blessed to meet Pamela Gratton and Rosanne Yoo in February 1998 and to receive their support in prayer which eventually led to my visit to England. When you are born in a country like Romania your chance to go to another country is nil but when you belong to the family of Christ your chances become bigger. I came to England on 31 August 1998 trusting in the Lord. And you know the motto of your church in the last year was very true for me. "God, who has called you ... is faithful". He provided all my needs and blessed me abundantly. I really enjoyed being in St Thomas' church. A special thank you to Christopher and Pam Frith for their kindness towards me and my sister Nuta. I will miss you. I had a wonderful time also at Quest Club. It was nice to have the opportunity to speak, play and pray with the children. I would like to say a big thank you to all of those who work at Quest Club for being very nice with me and accepted me as I am. All my life I will remember you. I have also been very actively involved in the mission work of `Hope for Eastern Europe' by supporting Pamela's meetings, sorting and packing supplies for my own area of Basarabi. Our region is very poor. Many families are without basic provisions like food, toiletries, shoes, heating, beds and bedding, decorating materials etc. We really ask sincerely for your ongoing support to give them hope in their situations, so we can show love in action. Thank you very very much for your support, for your sacrificial love which you demonstrated until now. Thank you for Les, Pamela and Matthew for their great love and dedication, for their great commitment towards this challenging mission work in Eastern Europe. Thank you for their kindness to accept me as their own daughter and sister. Thank you, thank you very much. A few years ago God called me to mission, but, for a Romanian this is almost impossible. Everything that is impossible for man is possible with God. So this is how I came to England and God who is faithful helped me again. He opened a door for me to go through Oasis Trust to India. I will go in July 1999 for six weeks. I am so pleased that God answered my prayers. Thank you for your willingness to support me in this mission trip to India. Please continue to pray for me and I promise to keep you updated. By the time you read this letter I will have returned to my own country with a thankful heart that I had such a wonderful time in England. I learned many things from you and I will go back with many fresh ideas which will benefit my people. Thank you to everyone for what you have done for me - I will miss you. Love Dina Update (April 1999 edition of the magazine) A very warm thank you in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ for your continuing support for God's work in Romania. As I write this sheet Dina will already have arrived in India. Her calling came earlier than expected. Isn't God amazing? We look forward to hearing the news on her return at the end of this month. Please can you continue to pray for her and the poor families in Basarabi - especially her family. Our next journey will be very soon. We are responding to an urgent request for help. The Minister of Cross street Baptist Church, Revd David Bailey has received a letter from a Pastor of five very poor gypsy churches in Avaden. Apparently they are facing very severe winter conditions and are so poor they are without essential supplies to keep nourished and warm. Dried food appears to be a main priority for this journey. Perhaps you may be able to help them by asking a few friends or relatives to prepare a 'gift of love' food parcel for a very poor family. Suggested items include:- spaghetti, rice, pasta, sugar, flour, dried peas, lentils, beans, dried milk, cooking oil. We also need help to service and fuel the lorry. My husband Les has kindly volunteered as a driver for this journey. Thank you Lord! Our next mission is planned for May. A 38 tonne vehicle will hopefully be available to convey supplies to Bucharest, Constanta and Tulcea. We need your prayers, support and encouragement to fill this vehicle and meet the fuel costs. Help is also need to purchase Romanian bibles and Christian literature. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus - It is more blessed to give than to receive. God Bless you all. Pamela A Passage from India (August 1999 edition of the magazine) Dina Tintean writes: Hi everyone! I am keeping my promise to keep you updated about my mission work. I arrived home safely with my sister Nuta. All my friends were so excited to see me and to share with them about my visit to England. God answered my prayer more quickly than expected to visit India. An opportunity came a few days before I left Chesterfield. Tina Stacey, a former member of St Thomas' Church, now living in Birmingham, had been praying for a companion to be with her on a mission to India. I was a blessed person. Through your generosity this was made possible, through the mission fund and a Romanian evening at St Thomas', which was well attended. Thank you so much for blessing me. v I had a wonderful trip, three weeks in all. The first week I spent in the Himalayas, which made me feel chosen by the Lord. The following week I spent in Delhi, working with a Christian organisation "Youth with a Mission". I was involved in social work, which led me personally to support a lady who had been involved in a hit and run accident. She was seriously injured and left to die in the street. She had a large hole in her head and her right arm was very swollen. We thought at first that she was already dead. The workers from the mission where I was and myself took her to a doctor who helped her to get to hospital. In a country like India people do not have the means help others so people die without any chance to survive. I also had many opportunities to share about Jesus with Hindu people. the final week I was with Tina in Jaipur, in Rajastan, which is called the pink city. We had many opportunities during this time to share in the churches and many homes, which we visited. I really thank God for this wonderful opportunity to introduce me to he mission field. I really feel that I will be returning to this needy country where there are so many possibilities to do many things for God. Thank you again for supporting me in prayer and financial needs. Due to a lot of Christian persecution at the present time I am now unable to go as planned with Oasis Trust in July. I trust that God will open another door in his perfect timing. About my work I Basarabi, I have been truly blessed. Lots of supplies have arrived to help me set up a kindergarten age 3-6. I am also teaching the young people from our church about ethics. Pamela is just leaving for England with Valentina Pruteanu, 17 years old from our town of Basarabi. So you will hear more about this when Pamela returns. We had many supplies on this journey to help our people. We are very, very thankful to God for this. Please pray for the mission work for Hope for Eastern Europe. It is doing wonderful blessed work over here in Romania, especially in the remote regions, where people are very poor and under-nourished. May God bless you all Dina Hope for Eastern Europe Update (August 1999 edition of the magazine) A very warm thank you to everyone in the wonderful name of Jesus for the tremendous response we have received towards our mission journeys to Romania. As I write this newsletter we are just one week away from our summer mission. It's hard to believe that this work began five years ago from a prayer to reach a leper community on the border of the Black Sea. Since that very first faith led journey, God has helped our team to reach many people with the love of Jesus. As we continue to look to God and allow Him to lead and guide us we are experiencing wonderful answers to prayer. The new challenges God is giving us are quite exciting. The journey to the gypsies in Tinca, West of Ordea linked with Cross Street Baptist Church proved to be quite an eye-opener. I was especially moved and challenged by their desperate plight. Most of the homes I visited were hovels and they urgently need our prayers and help to survive another winter. We are planning to return in November to give them hope and encouragement. We are hoping to take lots of dried foods, good quality shoes, toiletries, educational supplies, baby supplies, gifts for Christmas, bedding and new knitted items. Our team will be visiting an orphanage this journey in Isaccea. This is a special school for 156 children, age range 7-18 years. They are in desperate need of our love and help especially for food. We also need educational supplies and sports equipment to stimulate and motivate them. Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe (February 2000 edition of the magazine) A very heartfelt thank you for all the love, encouragement and positive support this mission work has received over the last five and a half years. You, our faithful friends and prayer partners are strategically important to the overall success of "Hope for Eastern Europe". We as a team hope you will realise the enormous part you play in reaching out in love every day to the sick, lost, poor, rejected, homeless, hurting people around the world. At the beginning of 1999, we responded to an emergency appeal which Rev. David Bailey of Cross Street Baptist Church received on the internet. It was from Pastor Eugen Ovean about the plight of many gypsies under his care. Winter conditions were so severe that many were dying of starvation through lack of warmth, nourishing food and shelter. My husband Les quickly volunteered for this mission, along with Peter Jones from Cross Street Baptist Church. I travelled out alone on this journey putting my faith in God to link me up with the drivers in Tinca Oradea. It was truly a very challenging eye-opening mission. I was personally very shocked and moved by the appalling conditions they were surviving in. Apart from their physical needs of food, clothing and shoes the gypsies in Tinca need our love and encouragement to restore hope, spiritually and materially. The knowledge that Christians in England are ,willing to drive across Europe to respond to their cry for help gave them encouragement that brings new hope. Our Easter Mission was followed by our Summer Mission in July. This proved to be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding missions the team have ever experienced. Approximately half our supplies were unloaded at the church in Tulcea, our first stop, for distribution to many poor families. Next day we visited a very poor town named Isaccea, where a new church building has recently been planted, providing evidence that the Lord is moving in the hearts of people in Isaccea. It is here, in this town that 170 orphans live. The government has made a cut of 78% in funds to run their school! The Director of the orphanage approached the church for help. Through the response of many generous people we have been able to continue to support the staff and children by providing two meals each week. These meals have proved to be a lifeline during the last year. Another major need was conversion from wood fuel to gas central heating, to cut labour and running costs and provide extra warmth throughout the long hazardous winters. We next visited Tichilesti where the people suffering with leprosy live in a small community. Our friends were each given a gift bag with our love. We also left various supplies. The residents all really look forward to our visits and they have become our personal friends. Most of them asked for prayer for their families and themselves. It is such a privilege to visit them and support them. The next stage of our journey led us to Basarabi Constanta, the home of Dina Tintean and her family. Dina you will remember has been called by God to be a missionary in India. She is now back in Romania and working amongst the street children in Constanta. When the time is right she will be returning to India to complete her training. Dina would like to ask for your prayer support to help her fulfil her calling. The rest of our supplies were unloaded here to help this very poor region. One mother of six, Maria and her eldest daughter accepted the Lord into their hearts, and asked Him to help their family situation. She walked three miles to church the following Sunday. Our four English boys joined Romanian teenagers and their organisers on a summer camp - they had a great time and made lots of friends. This was a wonderful unexpected blessing for them and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We all linked up in Bucharest for the return journey - mission accomplished, with lots of exciting stories to share. Our final visit this year was at the end of October. Members of our team were invited to the opening of Basarabi Community Church. It was dedicated to our Lord on 31 October 1999 with great celebration. This church will be used as a place of worship, a medical and dental centre, kindergarten, library and outreach centre. We then returned to visit the Gypsy community on the Romanian border. Dorothy and myself, with the help of the gypsy leader and his wife, visited many of the poorest homes. Many were living and sleeping in just one room with an earth floor and the daylight seeping through the roof. The families were extremely kind and hospitable and so thankful that we had returned. We prayed together to invite God into their lives and situations - it was a very moving experience. We took lots of photographs to share with people back home - who would hopefully respond to this emergency situation. We left lots of supplies of food, clothing and Christmas presents. We were also able to help them purchase extra food locally with funds that had been generously given back in England. Since our return home God laid on my heart that the two main concerns were the gypsy homes and the gas heating installation at the orphanage. God has graciously answered prayer for both needs. May God bless you too in the year 2000 from our team. Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe (April 2000 edition of the magazine) Planning for the May 2000 Mission to Romania The team is looking forward to fresh challenges but in the reassurance of God's love and support for so many answers to prayer in recent months. The Lord is truly wonderful and fulfils all of our needs when we ask in faith. This May we have the privilege of visiting Bucharest to complete the final phase of the building work at Emmanuel Mission thanks to a very generous donation of new doors and windows - given in love and in answer to prayer. You may remember that God gave the Romanian Christians a clear vision to build a community outreach centre in Bucharest for very poor and deprived people, especially homeless children. The May mission will then move on with supplies to Constanta General hospital plus supplies for the outreach work around Basarabi. This area is very remote and poor. The next phase of the journey will take us to the Leper community at Tichilesti and the special school in Isaccea. The school relies on our continued support and now cares for 170 children. The food and other emergency provisions supplied by us have been a lifeline throughout the winter months. At the same time, another lorry will be travelling out to the gypsy community at Tinca West Oradeu where we plan to support a building programme to re-house ten families. We still need your help and encouragement to complete the building programme, support, clothe and support-feed them, and share the good news of Jesus. The final part of our journey will be to a new region where we will link up with Daniel Tintean, a Minister of a very large church in Hunedoava. He has sent an urgent request for help as the poverty stricken area has experienced factory closures and few job prospects. We feel strongly led to trust God and step out in faith once more. Please support us. Further information about how you can help is available from us. Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe (August 2000 edition of the magazine) Report on the May 2000 Mission to Romania "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours!" Mark 1 1:24 I was personally truly overwhelmed with the needs for this last mission to Romania - the largest that the "Hope for Eastern Europe" team has undertaken - 5 regions, plus an essential visit to see my son Matthew training on a six month discipleship course with "Youth with a Mission" in Sighisoara, Central Romania, all in just 10 days. I asked God to confirm very clearly and powerfully what were his plans and purposes and asked him to respond by blessing the work and providing every essential need for this mission - physically, practically, materially and financially. Help did come, but it was very slow and the "Spring into Action" outreach held in St Thomas' meeting room was very poorly attended, just six days before the lorries were due to begin their 4,500 mile journey! The day before the Outreach, (which was arranged to help raise funds for extra food parcels and the financial resources for the children's breakfasts at the Special School in Isaccea) God told me to order food for 200 food parcels and purchase it Saturday afternoon ready to be packed Monday. Although we had a poor response - Rosanne, Les and myself still went ahead in faith and purchased £1,400 of dried food for 200 parcels - totally putting our trust and confidence in the Lord. The next day being Sunday there was an opportunity during the Youth Service at St Thomas' to be prayed with. I went forward and sat between two friends - placed the written bible promise on my knee for my pray partners to see - we all smiled together and began to pray, thanking God for what he had already done - to bless the money we had already received and to multiply it - and to claim the written promise for the remaining needs. The list of needs appeared enormous to me - it included the cost of the Chiriac family's apartment, food for the children's breakfasts, bibles and Christian literature and many other things. That same evening and over the next four days the floodgates of Heaven opened - all the resources came pouring in. I felt overwhelmed with love, a divine peace and an assurance that all was now fully in God's wonderful hands of care and provision. The food was officially checked by a very efficient, friendly Environmental Health Officer on the Tuesday morning who was available at just the right time! Once checked, the parcels were completed with a very important message, A gift of LOVE from JESUS (in Romanian), before being sealed and labeled. These parcels were very special -Romania packed with love and now ready for the long journey to Romania - all in four days. All the glory to you Lord! It was a miracle! Remembering the words of our Lord Jesus Christ - "It is more blessed to give than to receive". May God bless you all and a very big thank you for all your love, encouragement and support. Pamala Gratton Letter from Romania (October 2000 edition of magazine) Sorry for not writing to you for such a long time. As you now, I was on Outreach in India for 5 weeks this summer. Outreach was a challenge for me. We had planned for 6 of us to go to India, but then in the last week before Outreach, two of the leaders were unable to come. So, there we were, four young people without experience taking God's challenge to go to India. Persecution of Christians is becoming stronger in India. Indian pastors have been martyred for their faith. everyday you can read in newspapers about conflicts between Christians and :Hindus. In Delhi, we met a man whose son was murdered last year after speaking out on the conflicts between Hindus and Christians. After having been in the northern city of Gorakhpur for four days, our 'home 'during our time in India, a detective came to our house to enquire if our purpose for being there was to convert Hindus to Christianity. Because of the religious persecution in India, open ministry was difficult. Our main ministry was to visit Christian families to provide encouragement and prayer. As a Romanian team we were able to empathise well with the Indians' lack of religious freedom. Drawing on our experiences under communism, we offered them hope and encouragement. We were also involved in the practical ministry of painting fences, rooms and furniture. To live in India is an adventure. Snakes, lizards, and monkeys are a daily reality. We were there during the Monsoon season and the temperatures were at 50°C with humidity 85-90%. Throughout our time in India, we saw God's hand at work, protecting us from all harm and guiding us in our ministry. We also went to the 'holiest Hindu city' of Varanasi, where we did intercessory prayer walks. Thank you for being a part in our ministry in India through your financial support and prayers. I pray that God richly bless you for your support. Now I am in Basarabi working with youth from my church and leading a children's' club every Saturday. From next February I have been invited to work at the school in Sighisoara and I am praying to hear God's voice for the next outreach. Thanks again for being a blessing for me. Missing you Dina Tintean Dina was with us at St Thomas' for several months in 1998. Her father is pastor of a church closely linked with Hope for Eastern Europe. Hope for Eastern Europe (December 2000 edition of the magazine) June 2000 Mission to Arminia "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." At the beginning of June, a very urgent appeal went out for Armenia through my friend Hosana at Matlock Christian Coffee Club. A family who live in Holbeach, Lincolnshire was planning to send a container full of Humanitarian aid out at the end of June 2000. They needed emergency supplies very quickly to respond to God's call for his suffering people in Armenia. During the appeal I felt very challenged, especially as we had quite a good number of boxes of various supplies ready prepared - waiting for "such a time as this" at our warehouse in Chesterfield. I approached my friend at the end of the meeting to share the good news. Things began to move very quickly from this point, especially when I had an opportunity a few days later to share this experience during a team meeting. Through prayer, we all felt a deep desire to step out in faith and put love into action even though we had just returned from our May mission to Romania. When you hear God's call - suddenly and unexpectedly and everyone is united and spontaneous in their reaction then it is really very exciting and rewarding. We sent 100 `Gift of Love' family food parcels, and many other parcels including medical supplies and hospital equipment and even two bicycles! Our Ford Cargo lorry was full to capacity as it travelled down to Spalding, Lincolnshire. Les, Hosana and myself had the privilege of delivering these very special supplies given and prepared with love to help meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Armenia. Armenian Ministries and the Pembakian family wish to thank everyone for their lovely donations. It will be a wonderful gift for the recipients. You will be pleased to hear that so much aid was collected that in the end two containers were sent. The first container arrived in Armenia in August and the second was on its way. They plan to send another container before Christmas, as there is a food shortage due to a severe drought. May God bless you all. Pamela Gratton Hope for Eastern Europe (August 2001 edition of the magazine) As I reflect back over the last six years, these life-changing journeys to Romania have certainly been challenging, rewarding and faith-building for me personally and for our team. This mission work into Eastern Europe has touched countless lives here too, and helped us together to reach out and help others in many different circumstances. As God continues to bless and extend our missionary work in Romania, he has led our team to respond to his suffering people in Armenia with essential food and medical supplies. Two consignments have now reached their destination. Ivan Pembakian, director of Armenian Ministries in Holbeach, Lincolnshire wishes to extend a very big thank you to everyone for their very generous gifts. The highlight of our May Mission this year was purchasing a property in Basarabi, Constanta. This will be used as a safehaven to help people through times of crisis. This Christian base will be registered with the Church under Hope for Life Trustt It is a true blessing in this very poor region. During our time in Basarabi we were taken to visit some extremely poor families in Nazarcea and Ciocarlea de Jos; many under threat of homelessness due to circumstances beyond their control. It seemed an almost impossible task as we listened and tried to assess their desperate situations - but there is always hope with God. We also had an invitation to visit a Kindergarten in urgent need of educational supplies, and a very beautiful mountain retreat in Hunadoara being renovated to accommodate deprived children in need of a holiday. We have continued to faithfully support the leper community and the prison ministries with bible gifts and financial help. Please can you continue to support us prayerfully as we venture into new pastures while still supporting those God has entrusted us with. May God bless you all. Pamela Gratton Visit to Romania (December 2001 edition of the magazine) August 10th to 2nd September 2001. Background Romania has a population of about 22.3m. of whom over half are nominally Romanian Orthodox, followed by just under lm. Roman Catholics. However, it has Europe's third highest population of Evangelicals. Since the Revolution in 1989, it has seen a sustained church planting movement with an average of 5 churches opening every week. We visited Dan, Pastor Tintean's son, in Callan in Transylvania, and he pastors a church with a seating capacity of over 500 and a membership of over 300, as well as pastoring a number of other churches! Romania is a largely agricultural state on the lower Danube but divided in the middle by the Carpathian Mountains. It has rich deposits of minerals and oil but the economy was badly managed by a corrupt elite until the revolution in 1989. The unemployment level was 45% in 1998 and it is still very high today. Dina, who visited us last year, said that many Romanians are now nostalgic for the pre-Revolution days, when at least most people had food, a job and low cost accommodation. The Journey Les Gratton and John Deaville probably each drove 40% of the journey, (3865 miles, there and back,) leaving me to do the easier bits and mostly in daylight! Over 3 days we drove on motorways to Ramsgate, across on the ferry to Ostend, then on to Brussels, across Germany, through Austria, Hungary and finally across the border into Romania. So far there is only one stretch of motorway in Romania, though others are planned. Though the roads have improved much in the last few years, the culture of Romanian driving takes some getting used to! Overtaking drivers appear to have right of way, so that on-coming drivers slow and vehicles being overtaken make a space for them -all without flashing lights or tooting horns! I have to admit that patience is a virtue I lack, and I found the waiting in customs rather trying -4 hours at the Hungarian border and nearly 5 hours at the Romanian one. I echoed the monk on a poster Fiona once gave to Jill and myself -"Lord give me patience -and I want it now!!" On one occasion we felt the customs officer was going slow and angling for higher returnable deposit was required through Hungary. After some delay, trying to sort out enough Dollars and Marks, the official then changed his mind! A third official required extra documentation, which needed a fax from the church in Basarabil On this and a number of occasions we were aware that some people wanted to hinder us and then from nowhere another would come who wanted to help! I am sure that God was answering the prayers made before and during the journey as we encountered difficulties! When we were lost outside Budapest in Hungary a man appeared when we had stopped, but before we even got our map out, to ask us if he could help. He then took us 15 minutes out of his way to put us on the right road. His action seemed to fit the Bible verse " before you have asked I have answered"! Again in the centre of Bucharest, when road signs were none existent, a taxi driver refused to help. However, immediately outside my window, a man walking his dog not only understood English, but also pointed us in the right direction - much to the annoyance of the taxi driver, who had changed his mind and, for a fee, wanted to show us the way! Tinca We arrived at Pastor Eugene's house where we were subjected to 2 hours of aggressive begging by the local gypsy colony before he returned! I found this very difficult, knowing that if we gave out even a sweet, 30 more gypsies would appear from nowhere and beg for morel As it was, an adult distracted us by getting a young girl to sing a Christian chorus while the older children crept under the lorry. They managed to steal my bag containing a change of clothing and my towel, pyjamas, and shaving things from behind the locker on the side of the lorry. We had to admire the skill with which they did this since we did not miss my things until bedtime, later that evening. What can you do, humanly speaking, if you have no job or permanent home, except either beg or steal? During the night, not only did bed bugs bite John and Les, but also the water was cut off so we could not take a shower! After 24 hours in hot weather, without a change of clothing or a shower, I considered myself an honorary gypsy! During our drive across Europe I had been praying that God would confirm to me that we were still doing things His way because the costs of transporting the lorry's contents across Europe seemed so expensive. In a strange way, having to live like a gypsy for 24 hours not only made me sympathetic to their situation but was also an answer to my prayer, that what we were doing was meeting a real need! Basarabi We stayed with Pastor Dimitru Tintean and his wife in Basarabi and they and their daughters, gave us very generous hospitality - including Dinar, who did most of the translation during our visit. It is difficult to pick out the highlights, since almost every day we experienced moving scenes and events. On one day we were interviewing Dan for a job as supervisor for the safe-house project but feeling that it was premature to offer him the job. During the discussion we found out that his electricity had been cut off that morning, and it seemed rather more important to clear that debt for him. We also agreed to pay for him to train for a heavy goods vehicle licence so that he could get a permanent job. On another day Pam and some of the others visited a lady who was badly in debt, and had prayed in desperation for help the day before. When Pam arrived she had enough money, already given, to be able to pay the lady's debts. Another memory was of the church-plant village of Ciocarlea de Jos, where a man and his family were living in a very run down mud brick and was due for demolition shortly. When we met him in the evening, he was helping put finishing touches to the recently completed church, where he was a member. During the day he was making mud bricks for his new house on land bought by the church, with money given by us. At night he slept on top of the bricks to prevent them being stolen and in his absence they were guarded by his dog! Since we got back we have learned that he has completed his house. It is planned that he will be paid to help build the remaining six houses. For the future, it is obvious we need also to think about ways of helping to create jobs. Perhaps we can take sewing machines so that some women can make clothes for themselves and also sell them to others. Perhaps we can also help finance the setting up of a small pig-breeding unit at Nazarcea in the former State Pig Farm buildings. As a result of visiting Romania, one of my personal objectives is to try to live more simply in our consumer oriented society so that I can give more to those more desperately in need. Richard Robinson Hope for Eastern Europe (June 2002 edition of the magazine) Together we are making a difference. We really appreciate you, our dedicated partners in mission. Your faithful prayers and gifts play a vital role in enabling the "Hope for Eastern Europe" mission journeys to reach the poor sick and homeless people of this region. As a result of your support many people are experiencing God's love and receiving Jesus into their lives. Good News The "Hope for Life" mission centre - a vision to help support people in times of crisis - now being renovated and extended. Six basic apartments for gypsy families in Nazarcea purchased and being renovated The Chiriac family recently rehoused in Basarabi. Ten gypsy homes in Tinca Ovadea completed. Parcels for sixty young offenders in prison. Parcels and medical supplies for residents and helpers in the Tichilesti leper community. Emergency food parcels for poor families in crisis. Children's Christmas "gift of love" boxes. Bibles, hymn books and Christian literature distributed. "Hope Farm" - a project to accommodate, train and equip young people in life and job skills. The purchase of a 12 seater minibus to support mission outreach. Future Vision A group of twelve young musicians from the poor region of Basarabi Constanta, where we are based, have an opportunity to visit us in Chesterfield. Would you like to help this vision become a reality? We need help to support them on the journey, accommodate them and look after them. We are planning another "Spring into Action" outreach at Holymoorside village hall in June. The proposed visit could be planned for the first two weeks in August2002. If you would like to support our work by sponsoring a child, supporting a poor family, packing supplies or in any other way, please contact Pamela and Les Gratton. Pamela Gratton News from Hope for Eastern Europe (December 2002 edition of the magazine) "Not by might nor power, but by my spirit," says the Lord God Almighty. After returning from our August mission to Romania, I feel truly inspired and blessed, having experienced so many answers to prayer. Thanks to Robert, Les and a small team of others, the lorry was able to travel out (full to capacity) on the long journey to Romania. The purpose of this trip was to continue to reach the poor, sick and homeless with supplies, to assess ongoing needs and to share God's love. It was wonderful to arrive and experience a very warm welcome from our friends in the Constanta region, and sample a delicious meal, lovingly prepared by Dina's sister Nuta. God is good - after many years we are now beginning to experience together the fruits of our prayers and labour. Many broken lives alrte being touched and restored by the hand of God. This gives us great encouragement and inspiration to continue in the vision which God has set before us, and extra strength and vitality to carry on. The highlights of the August mission for me included:
Progress on the mission centre in Bucharest is truly remarkable completion is set for spring 2003. This is a miracle from a tent! Plans to fulfil the Family Shelter vision will then begin. As the work extends we would value your prayers and support. If you feel challenged to respond, there are many areas of need from knitting to packing supplies. Another outreach event is planned this Christmas time. It will be in Holymoorside Village Hall on Saturday 14th December from 10am 12noon. Cakes, Christmas decorations bric-a brac and Romanian craft wear will be on sale. There will also be a bring and buy stall. Money raised will go towards the Hope Farm project. If you can help please contact Les or Pamela. Remembering the words of our Lord Jesus "it is more blessed to give than to receive" May God guide and strengthen you all. God Bless you. Pamela Gratton Hope for Life Ministries (October 2003 edition of the magazine) Nine years ago, God gave me a vision to serve the needs of the sick, poor and homeless of Romania, especially those suffering the after-effects of leprosy. A small interdenominational team was formed to travel out to Romania. Through this journey in faith, my life began to change far beyond my imagining. My faith and confidence grew and my commitment to God became stronger.
Supplies of various kinds are needed for the next journey in November. Please contact Pamela Gratton for more details about the work and supporting people in crisis. Jesus said "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers, you did it for me". Pamela Gratton |
