.JPG)
The Barnabas Mission to Romania 2012 took place from 5th – 11th May and our team of 7 included; Clive & Ann McIntyre, Graeme & Chris Turner, Alexandra Crawford, Pamela Holloway & Michael Woodger. We stayed in Rosiori, working with Pastor Viorel Trasca and members of the Rosiori Baptist Church. It was really hot in Romania – quite a contrast to the cold, wet weather we left behind in England. The good weather meant that our programme could be fulfilled without restrictions.
Sunday 6th May
We attended the 10 am service at Rosiori Baptist Church and were greeted by many good friends. Clive preached, after the team introduced themselves and sang a couple of songs. Pastor Viorel and his wife Michaela hosted us at their home for lunch afterwards, after which we drove out to the village of Vacaresti. There are very few members left in this church and the two main survivors met us there for a service. Graeme preached after team introductions and songs and Pastor Viorel administered Holy Communion. The team prayed for the two ladies of the church, encouraging them as they persevere and wait for church growth. Then it was back to Rosiori, with a little spare time before attending the 6 pm evening service. We sang again and Clive preached.
Monday 7th May
Today we visited the village of Balaci. We gathered together at the church to pray before going off in two teams. One team went to visit specific people, although only actually reached one home where a 93 year old lady lived alone. A member of the Balaci church family but unable to get to church regularly now, we chatted and then prayed for her. The other team went cold-calling and met a lady walking down the road. After talking with her for a while, the lady was led in the prayer of salvation. They also met others who received prayers for healing. Both teams met back at the church for lunch before going off again as one group. We visited the home of Maria who lives with her 100 year old mother (who still has all her own teeth and can recite Christian poems and verses). We sat in the shady courtyard and talked and then prayed for different situations. We moved on and visited the Mayor of Balaci, who greeted us and chatted for a short while. It was now time for an open-air meeting. Mirella (from Rosiori church) sang beautifully, Mike and Alex from our team gave testimonies and Viorel preached. Viorel was really pleased that 12 people were there who do not normally attend church services. Excited but tired, we returned to Rosiori. Some rested while a few went to the local Supermarket for breakfast supplies, before supper, prayers and bed.
Tuesday 8th May
This morning, we split into two teams and each team went to the home of a Rosiori church member, where we listened to their situations, encouraged them through the sharing of scriptures and of course, prayed for them. Both groups were offered drinks and tasty things to eat!
Lunch was provided for us in the back hall of Rosiori church, after which we had a little free time to rest. Then it was off again for more home visits in Rosiori. With 3 interpreters available, we were able to split into 3 groups and all had a great time, sharing, encouraging and praying for our 3 hosts.
We met back at the church at 5 pm to drive out to the local village of Vedea, where Viorel is now Pastoring a new church plant. We met with members of Vedea church for open-air outreach which was a memorable experience. The PA was set up on one side of a rough road, beside which a number of children sat whilst the main gathered on the other side of the road. Mirella sang, Viorel spoke, Chris and Alex gave testimonies and Clive preached. All activities were constantly interrupted by the passing by of something – such as cars, bicycles, people walking, horses and carts, sheep, goats, cows… Daily life continued, as did we – there was a powerful spiritual atmosphere and a wonderful response for prayer at the end. In her testimony, Chris directed a comment to the children, recommending that they should not wait as long as she did to come to know the Lord and as a result, 3 children later responded and were led in the prayer of salvation.
Wednesday 9th May
This morning we visited the Old People’s Home in Rosiori, taking “goody bags” for them all as a gift. We had a wonderful time, splitting into 2 groups to visit each room in both the men’s and ladies’ sections. Time was brief, but one gentleman was led to the Lord and all were encouraged by our visit and received prayers, mainly for good health.
Lunch was served to us at Rosiori church. We had a little free time before going to a local forest, where we were joined by members of the church family to walk or relax.
At 6 pm, we attended the Rosiori Church meeting. We sang a song, Graeme and Pamela gave a testimony and Clive preached.
Thursday 10th May
The team took a walk around town, visiting the park where the men sit and play chess and finishing in the supermarket to get a little more shopping. Lunch at Rosiori Church, followed by a short time to relax. We then went to Vacaresti, stopping on the way at the home of Florian, who lived with his mother. Florian wanted prayer for healing but he wanted God to heal him before he would commit to following Christ. We reached Vacaresti Church for a 4 pm meeting and were joined once again by the 2 ladies. We sang a song, Graeme preached and we prayed again for the 2 ladies.
We returned to Rosiori church for separate meetings for the ladies and the men. Both went well, with testimonies shared, scriptures discussed and a great time of prayer ministry.
We then joined together in the back hall for the “Agape” fellowship meal – sharing a wonderful meal with a large number of the church family and singing many songs together of praise and worship to our God. The evening ended with sad farewells, much love and many, many, many hugs – and a promise to return.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to all who made this mission possible; for all our friends who supported us both financially and in prayer; for all members of the team who stepped out of their comfort zones and served the Lord willingly and obediently; and for all who worked so hard in Romania – cooking, driving, interpreting and helping us in every way.
We are so very grateful to you all! Thank you!
To see more pictures click here