July 17th 2008

 

Dear Praying Friends

 

Mustard Seed Prayer Update July 17th 2008

 

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS – I believe that in Mustard Seed we have seen an amazing answer to our prayers in the last month. In just 14 months since launching our appeal, we have raised all the money we need to build the home for needy pensioners in Cefa, Romania. In the present economic climate this is quite incredible and I believe it is an answer to prayer. A number of volunteers have worked very very hard to raise funds but the bulk of the money has come from donors who wish to remain anonymous. PRAISE GOD.

 

This means that our plans and time-table are:

Mid September / early October the Romanian company will build the home using the wooden materials they have already prepared. It will be erected on the foundations which have already been laid by Alex Stroie and a group of Romanians from the village.

            Over the next few months the finishing off – plumbing, electrical work, etc will need to be completed before the house will be ready to receive the first pensioners. We hope it will be ready late in 2008 or early 2009.

 

We still need to raise the first year’s running costs – approximately 1000 € per month, but in view of rising costs and the falling rate of the £ we are aiming at £1000 per month. So please remember this in prayer.

We also need to raise funds to set up one or two or more businesses in Romania to fund the running costs of the home so this will not be an on-going drain on our resources. Please remember this need in your prayers.

 

Please give thanks with us to God for the provision of the funds for building and ask Him for help and favour as we seek to raise more funding for 12 months’ running costs and to set up some businesses in Romania to support the home.

 

We also give thanks for the safe return of GEORGE & SUE after delivering aid to Romania in June. More of that later.

 

We have had encouraging feedback about some of the prayer requests made in the last prayer update:

  • Nelu felt his exams went well.
  • Nelu and Cristina were able to take a number of needy young people on a camp – in Jersey we provided funding for about seven and they found other sponsors also.
  • Alex Stroie found a sponsor to pay the costs of the food for the summer camp.

 

There are some pointers for prayer from Romania:

  • ADI MATIS of Speranta Familiei is searching for a new job as he has had to leave Speranta Familiei. From his recent email we gather that rising costs and dwindling funding from sponsors meant that Speranta had to close down several of their projects and could no longer afford to employ Adi. Please remember Adi in prayer in this matter, also his wife Gloria and infant son Philip.
  • KATHY LANGSTON has not managed to complete the adoption process for her 2 foster daughters CODI and ANDREA. She explains that adoption can be a very lengthy process especially if no bribe is paid. She hopes it will be completed in the autumn.
  • KEN & FLORENCE HOLMES are due to travel to UK to see supporters and family and for an extended holiday (not returning to Romania till the autumn). Ken was involved in a car accident which extensively damaged their vehicle, though thankfully he was unhurt – in their last email they asked for prayer for wisdom, guidance and provision as the vehicle they had planned to travel in could no longer be used.
  • Remember ALEX & RODY STROIE as they travel to USA from mid-August to mid-September part of the time will be visiting sponsors in United States and part of the time  visiting Alex’s sister who lives in USA. (The building at Cefa will not begin until Alex’s return). Pray for them as a family for a good holiday and real refreshment. In Mustard Seed we thank God for Alex and how much he does.
  • Continue to remember FLORI and her need for a kidney transplant.
  • Continue to pray for the provision of a ground floor apartment for the Sylaghi family (father is an amputee).

 

In Jersey pray for us for wisdom:

 

  • Appointing new trustee for Mustard Seed Jersey: After a number of years, due to greater responsibility at his church David Edwards has decided to resign as trustee. Pray for David and his wife Salana and thank God for his input.
  • The cost of fuel is increasing greatly with each trip and we want to be wise stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the Lord. The cost of fuel and tolls alone for the June trip was £1,700 – that is an increase of approximately £300 from the April trip. It has nearly reached the stage that the over-all cost of transport is greater than the cost of buying the goods second hand in Romania. But the Romanian trusts emphasise that the quality of the goods we send is far higher than anything they can buy in-country.

 

Our next trip is planned for late September / early October taking more materials and equipment for the pensioners home, as well as clothing, bedding, etc. Our final trip of the year will be in December God willing when we take general aid and Christmas shoeboxes.

 

Please continue to bless us with your prayers, and be encouraged that prayer really does change things.

 

In His service

Rose Helie

 

 

 

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