GO BEYOND TO ROMANIA – MISSIONS TRIP EXPERIENCE

The Bible exhorts us to go into all the world, to take care of the orphans and to share the Gospel with the poor. Twenty-one Americans did just that recently on a missions trip to Romania. Coming together from Chicago, IL, Charlotte, NC, and Cleveland, TN, we met up in Bucharest to embark on a journey with an assignment by God-to touch the orphans and the needy, and our focus was Bread of Life Ministries.

Our time visiting with the ministry of Bread of Life and in the Bread of Life Children’s Home in Brosteni was an enlightening experience. Traveling there, we saw beautiful mountains, amazing sights of horse-drawn wagons and sheep with Romanian shepherds. Once we arrived, we fell in love with children who have been abandoned, neglected, and abused. As they wrapped their loving arms around us, we were soon wrapped around their little fingers. It was so easy to express love to the children living there.

We did some painting and helped prepare bedrooms for new closet units our team had purchased for the boys. Some of the guys and men joined the boys in chopping wood to prepare for the cold winter weather. It’s difficult to imagine the need for heat during the middle of summer, but winter is coming, and they will be happy to have the provision of warmth provided through the burning of the wood in the wood furnace.

Staying in the same building as the children allowed us to spend more time with them. We had fun playing a Nine Square in the Air game, we brought with us, together with the children. And we left it behind for them to enjoy. We ate with the children, played with the children, sang with the children, and prayed with the children. We grew close to them, and when it was time to depart, tears filled our eyes as we left them behind. Several team members were so touched they now want to become monthly sponsors of the children. What an opportunity; to be able to share in providing for the needs of one of the children and become part of their family! I encourage you to consider sponsoring a child also. You can email bolsponsorship@gmail.com for more information on Child sponsorship.

While at the Bread of Life Home, we observed the need for additional renovation on the front yard of the home. The new multipurpose area was a much-needed addition, but the other side of the yard still needs extensive improvement. It’s impossible to keep grass growing, and they need a clean, safe place for playground equipment and a place for the children to gather. The plan is to have an area in front of the building made from concrete pavers that will withstand the constant traffic of about 100 people who come and go daily around the Home. This improvement is a rather large project, and the funds are not yet available, but with God’s help, all things are possible. We know God is faithful to provide for his children!

Another day, the team had the opportunity to assist in the feeding program for the poor children in some of the villages. We stopped in the poorest county of Romania to share in serving food to the children, followed by a program prepared by our team. Then, a treat of ice cream for all the children. Hopefully, our time with them brought a bit of a break in a rather bleak area.

On our final day, we visited and ministered in Romanian churches, followed by a few touristic activities, including a visit to the National Palace and walking the streets of Old Town Bucharest. Everything was capped off watching the dancing fountains in downtown Bucharest. Just as those fountains danced to the music as it played, I believe the children of Bread of Life are happy and rejoicing because God’s people are showing His love to them. We hope God’s love forever changes their lives. I have confidence that God has placed Alin Panican and Bread of Life Ministries where they need to be. It was also encouraging to meet the newest staff member, Raeghan Bryant and see her passion for the children of Romania. Serving children in need is not an easy task, It requires commitment and lots of hard work, but the staff at Bread of Life serves with integrity and fortitude as they rely on God as their source.

Tony L.