During our summer camps with the Romanian children and the Roma Children together the Lord revealed to us the need to put more focus on working with the Roma children in a separate environment. We wanted to be able to meet their needs more effectively. Hence the birth of the Roma Project.
To meet their spiritual needs we first had to address the physical needs. We reached out to the adults and parents in the Trestia village. Clothing, food and better living accommodations were at the top of the list for needs. Through donations of money for building supplies and wood heaters from the US, as well as our local village physician, we have been able to build one room houses for 4 families thus far. We will do more as funding comes in.
Working closely with the Roma families, a mission team from Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah, GA learned of their desire to have a church of their own. After much prayer we started raising money to build a church in the back of the village. We purchased the land and dug a well to have water on the property and to supply water via a hand pump for the villagers. Then, we built a gazebo and temporary bathrooms for the construction site and started working on the foundation. On the side of the foundation we included a basement room to use as a temporary place to hold church until the building is complete. The building will include the sanctuary, social hall, Sunday school rooms that will also be used for sewing classes, after school tutoring, and other training activities. A wash room with a shower will be available. Our Clothes Closet ministry will be moved there also. We have begun having Friday night church and Bible study classes there as well as using the basement for our annual Christmas dinner and gift distribution provided by our supporters from US.
Progress has been slowed down due to the 2020 pandemic and the need for additional funding. We are trusting and believing that God will provide.
Land that would hold the churchSavannah, GA Missions team praying over the landA well is dugWell is up and runningThe foundation is doneWood is brought from the forestWood arrives on the propertyWood turns into lumberRoom in the basement is finishedLocals meet for fellowshipMore construction materials arriveConcrete poles are builtThe church building starts showingWalls are addedThe church front is builtChurch interior in its early stagesThe roof gets installedChurch building is upRoof is installedOff to the insulation stageThe work gets aheadInsulation stage is advancing quicklyWhen the weather isn’t good for working outside, work is done insideAnd it’s advancing fastFinal touch ups on the exteriorWe are almost thereView from aboveView from aboveView from aboveView from aboveView from aboveView from aboveNext steps – tile
We have been a part of the Trestia Roma community in multiple ways. See below pictures of summer activities, Christmas presents for the children in the community, after school work, first day of school packages (clean outfits, school materials, etc.).
Children prayingUS Missionary with little girlChildren playingMissionary Nick West leading children in singingBible lesson in the gazeboEveryone likes picture takingAfterschool with Roma childrenAfterschool with Roma children“Take a picture of us!”Outfit gifted for school year startVisiting a Roma familyA Roma family is blessed with a new houseAlmost done with the roofA Roma family is blessed with a new stoveChristmas presents for the Roma children“I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna shout, Praise the Lord!”Roma children prayingSome teeth have to come outSome teeth have to come out“Take a picture of us!”Fellowship with childrenNew shoes for the childrenClothes for the childrenSummer funChristmas story toldChristmas story toldChristmas cards for everyoneChristmas cards for everyoneChristmas cards for everyoneChristmas cards for everyoneChristmas cards for everyoneNot just presents but also gulyas!Some juice will go good with the foodEveryone is enjoying the foodThe Lord’s Prayer, before a summer lunchLunch is servedCrowded camp van but kids are happyHappiness at its bestListening in to the Bible lessonChildren prayingBack to playingWorking on craftsShe fell asleepAchim with Roma childrenReady for school with new backpacksCorn harvestCorn harvestCabbage rollsA delicious meal for the Roma children and their parentsA delicious meal for the Roma children and their parentsSomething to goSomething to goSomething to goSomething to goSomething to goSomething to goSomething to goSomething to goSomething to go
