Saturday 19 July 2014


Most of our trustees (L-R Paul, Steve, Chris, Steve, Caroline and Ray) at our AGM today. Our meeting was a good time to look back on our memories and reasons for being part of the charity and look forward to the future ministry we will share in. Over the next few weeks, we'll be using this blog to tell some of our stories.
Today is our AGM and as we gather in a conference room in Birmingham we are both planning for the future and praying hard as George is facing laser surgery on his prostate.  We are also praying for his wife Maria and for the missionary couples who are continuing the work in the villages while George recovers.  As we gather, we remember our own history with the charity and share our hopes and visions. Watch this space!

Friday 15 November 2013

Snow, Romanian style!

Check out this link if you want to see the kind of winter conditions our Romanian friends may face in the villages this winter. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/parts-of-romania-overwhelmed-by-deep-snow-photos-and-video/2012/02/13/gIQAyKAvAR_blog.html

Last winter, one of our missionary couples had their house buried by snow like the first image in this article. 

Unlike us, the villagers don't have the resources (diggers, snow ploughs, gritters) to deal with difficulties on this scale, but have to depend on one another and their collective strength to dig themselves out and get food to anyone trapped in their home.

Still, conditions are better overall than in the early days of GFR when, on a winter trip to the villages, we were met by children ploughing through snowdrifts barefoot, ungloved and without winter coats.
   
Spare a thought and some prayer time for these rural villages as the temperature starts to drop. It might help put our 'winter moans' into perspective!  
Gheorghe and Maria send greetings:-



"My God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (from Philippians 4:19-23)


There is quite a bit to celebrate. In ALMÄ‚JEL, 4 new believers were baptised on 3rd November. 


















Also, since we sent money for the work in the Churches, it has been possible to do some renovations in PLOPI and VALEA BUNA. 




The weather can be very severe in winter making vehicle access difficult, so this surfacing at VALEA BUNA is important!














Painting the exterior of the Church....



At PLOPI, work was done on the Church floor....




It looks lovely and will be smooth and hardwearing. 


For those of you at St. Andrews, perhaps this is the Romanian version of our New Horizons Project! 

All involved in the ministry in these villages send their thanks to all those who gave to enable this work to be completed. 

Blessings to you all! 

THE GFR Team








Saturday 19 October 2013

UPDATES!

The 1st and 8th September saw baptisms taking place in the villages of AMALJEL AND VOLOIAC.



At Amaljel, Gheorghe and Maria rejoiced in the baptism of 7 adults (wearing white in the picture)... 

.....and the blessing of a baby boy, the grandson of another church member, in a wonderful service of celebration. 










At Voloiac, a further 3 baptisms took place.












Both churches, along with at least 5 others, were built by Gheorghe over a period of 20 years (often literally with his own hands!) so to see them filled with villagers is a particular source of joy. 


Gifts For Romania is a registered charity to provide financial and practical support to those ministering in rural villages in Romania

This work includes 
  • the building of churches, 
  • community support, 
  • helping with medical treatment, electricity and well building,
  • work among the Roma,
  • holiday clubs for young people,
  • meeting the needs of the poor.
We support a number of Romanian missionary couples, headed by experienced Romanian church workers Gheorghe and Maria Tulbure. 

We hope to use this space for updates, stories of our work and sharing the blessings of this ministry. We have met some amazing characters along the way, and seen our share of miracles and transformations. 


In an age hungry for hope, we have found it in abundance. Join with us in celebrating our ongoing story.