Tanner Romania Mission

NEWSLETTER SPRING-SUMMER 2023

5/27/2023

As we approach summer 2023, we at TRM face serious financial challenges. Rising costs worldwide have affected us no less than anyone else. We are grateful for our loyal supporters who have helped keep us going through the years. May God bless them and any newcomers who elect to recognize that the needs of our group home residents must be met into the future.

Maintaining the high standards of care that we offer to our current beneficiaries is a struggle. And our once-a-year expense of buying firewood to heat our homes during the winter seems out of reach at this moment.

We do have many reasons to be happy, so as not to be too negative in this report. We were thrilled to have Robert Goff from Trenton, Georgia visit for 3 weeks, working the whole time to help make numerous repairs at the different homes. Folks from his...

...home church even paid for a new roof on Casa Hannah. Gardening is well underway at all the houses, and nearly all residents chip in, too, not only to eat the produce.

Below you can see many of our little gardeners posing with their tools...and Eithne with Mariana, Mihai, Tina and Adina at Casa Hannah.

Although, due to cost, we have nearly eliminated excursions, our friend Eithne frequently visits and always takes several residents on a jaunt in the general area, sometimes by car, often by train. Most recently she drove 3 boys to the zoo in Barlad. Plus she will be hosting four of the residents later in June as they attend the ordination of our loyal friend Ettore in Trento, Italy.

We have had a spate of colds, flu and allergies. Bruce and Anca both tested positive for Covid, but recovered with minor symptoms within a week. Constantin had a growth removed from his gums, requiring hospitalization in Bucharest for oral surgery, and all went well; his lower jaw cannot accommodate the normal quantity of teeth, which caused the initial inflammation. Mihaita also spent a few nights in a hospital, this time to adjust his medications to control anxiety.

Everyone enjoyed getting together for Easter dinner. We read scriptures throughout the season to remind us that we have a real cause for hope. Our local priest came to serve Holy Communion to us all. And as usual we were pleased with excellent weather on the day of our annual egg hunt, with all the kids, and several of our employees' children, participating. The winner, believe it or not, was Maricica.

Here, Adina receives Holy Communion at Casa Hannah.

We continue to be blessed by assisting our district food bank program, allowing us to distribute to neighbors in need. Plus we still bring clothing to area families, having received a truckload of good quality wear from Italy.

Among the residents who keep in touch with their biological families, Mariana delights in occasionally getting packages from her cousin, Daniel, in Germany. Her relatives, including her father, usually visit once a year. Gelu talks monthly by phone with various family members. Anca communicates with her brother, sister and father via what's app. Several of the residents have maintained contact with past volunteers and are always ecstatic to hear from them. Every word enriches their lives.

We have called on friends to pray for our finances, and in particular to accomplish the sale of Casa Elisabeta, our first group home from 1993. Even though it has not housed our residents since 2017, it serves as a repository for donated goods, as a resource of sustenance with its large garden, and -- in 2022 -- a home for Ukrainian refugees. Its sale, though unlikely at this point, would surely help us to assuage our financial concerns, at least for a few months. Above, Mariana has just opened the gift box.

BE ASSURED THAT WE ARE STRONG IN THE LORD AND ADMIT THAT IT IS THROUGH HIS WILL THAT WE SHALL CONTINUE TO THRIVE !

Here Robert gets down to our level at Jacob Center.

MARCH 2023

3/3/2023

We awaited our 1st snowfall until February; then 2 days of blizzard trapped some of our caregivers in the group homes and others at their residences.

Thank God, all the youngsters here have been healthy after the 1st rounds of colds & flu which hit us in December & January!

Despite the piles of snow, Anca has been able to keep the workshop going with a project of trinkets to send to Italy to hopefully raise funds. She is directed remotely by board member Eithne who visits frequently.

The county food bank has been working with us to provide assorted products from area stores. Because those products generally have short dating, we distribute then to local families in need as quickly as possible.

Another supporter from Italy, Ettore, who is also a board member, arranges a semi-load of clothing, food, toys, etc. every December. We are truly grateful for this boost to our resources. The goods we cannot use within a reasonable time are delivered to families in our area.

Only 4 of our residents have been able to maintain contact with their biological families, Alexandru, Anca, Gelu and Mariana, and all of them have visited in person. A couple have occasionally sent presents. So it's a sad time when they hear of a death of one of those people for whom our residents still keep a flickering love...........................................

Gelu, for example, found out that his birth mother passed on at the end of February. This brought back a flood of memories for Gelu, recalling the day his parents dropped him off at the "orphanage" in Nicoresti. All his "adopted" brothers and sister share in his grief.

As the war in Ukraine enters its 2nd year, we are blessed to have been a small part of assisting the influx of refugees. Our Casa Elisabeta remains available, but the transition of refugees is now facilitated in the large cities, so our remote location has become a last resort in the big picture.

As spring is showing signs of mollifying the challenges of winter, we naturally begin to prepare to tidy up the grounds and plan the gardens. The snow drops and crocuses have already started to bloom, signalling that it's time to put in onion sets and, a bit later, to plant peas, lettuce, etc.

November 03rd, 2022

11/3/2022

Joy has come even as the prospect of yet another cold winter closes in here in Eastern Romania. The summer was extraordinarily dry but we still were able to can many fruits and vegetables, as Adina shows us in the first photo below. Our friends at Camping Maroadi in Italy again brought 4 of our residents to spend a glorious week at Lago di Garda. Then there was the halloween party with roasting marshmallows at Jacob Center. Coincidentally, on the same day, Florentin, looking incredulous in the photo below, turned 40! Daily workshops continue, too, with 12 of our residents creating a variety of crafts; that's Eithne preparing an activity and Costel getting ready to paint. We all bid a final farewell to Ciprian Soare whose all-too-short life blessed us for nearly 20 years. We have already had to start cleaning ashes from our wood-burning fireplaces, as Anca demonstrates in the lower left photo. And, utilizing welders' masks, we thrilled at the partial solar eclipse on 27 October. Now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving when all residents, employees and a few friends will be gathered together for our annual dinner. We cannot emphasize too strongly our appreciation for all those who, through prayer, labor and financial support, have contributed to this mission established by our Creator so many years ago.

SUMMER UPDATE 2022

7/11/2022

SUMMER 2022 HAS BEEN ONE OF GREAT ADJUSTMENT AND GREAT FUN. WE REOPENED CASA ELISABETA FOR REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE AND WITH SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS IN AMERICA, IRELAND AND ITALY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER AND MEDICAL SERVICES.
THIS WAS THE FIRST SUMMER SINCE MAMA SANDIE PASSED ON TO JESUS. OUR HEARTS STILL ACHE WITH THE EMPTINESS. AND EVERY BREEZE CARRIES A MEMORY.
THIS TOO WAS THE FIRST SUMMER WITHOUT TWO BELOVED AND LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE RECENTLY RETIRED, ANIȘOARA AND VERONICA. EACH ONE OF US MISSES THEIR INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES AND SPIRIT OF COMPASSION.
EVERY ACTIVITY CARRIES ON THOUGH. RESIDENTS FROM A SISTER FOUNDATION NEAR THE CITY OF IAȘI, EL CHICCO, VISITED TWICE AND IN JULY CAME TO SEE US FOR DINNER AND AN AFTERNOON OF OUR BRAND OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS. WORSHIP SERVICE, CREATIVE WORKSHOPS, CHOIR PRACTISE AND NEVER-ENDING CHORES AND SHOPPING KEEP ALL THE RESIDENTS, EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS BUSY EVERY DAY.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG 2019

9/13/2018

Dear Friends and Family, All the children/young adults are doing very well, working in the gardens, repairing cement walks and generally preparing for spring.
Raluca passed on this winter, no particular illness, just her time to go and we are so happy to have had her for 20 years, living in our home, making us all happy. She was 36 years old. Already a teenager when we found her but the size of a 3 yr old. She ate and grew in our home to be normal size. Which happens often. We are seeing many of our financial helpers stop now and then, it is sad as the work still must go on and yet, God never lets us down, food is on the table and the bills are paid, it is actually miraculous how He works for us. God bless you all who give when you can and as much as you can spare. Please drop us a line when you can and talk to God about us when you have a minute.
For donations, send to
Tanner Romania Mission
Box 61
Greenville, Ohio James 1:27 New International Version (NIV) 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the worl

FALL PICKING

Maricica had the biggest pumpkin this year! The gardens were all plentiful but still not enough to feed them all, it gives the residents something to do and be proud of.

Newsletter Feb. 2018

2/10/2018

Dear Friends and Family,
The days are getting longer already, signaling the coming Spring.
Around the mission we are making plans for the gardens, new activities, Friday night movies at the church and new menus.

2017 was a tough year, Sandie's health issues still linger. The help we sought from family for the children's future was a terrible mistake but when God stepped in and repaired He gave us another gift. You all remember the Barions, the couple who adopted 5 of our children and lived here with us for 9 years. They have committed to take over the mission when we go to our Heavenly home, our last move! We have had many volunteers who have lived with us for a few years and then gone on to start their own missions.

Mihaita was in hospital for hernia operation, I guess we are all getting older and have screws and bolts coming loose but God and you folks have provided and we carry on.

The blessings outweigh the troubles, we are one big Christian family who love each other and Praise God together. Truly all the children count on God, wait on Him and expect His return. There are still thousands of children still in orphanages, too many children, too little time.

Please send donations to:
Tanner Romania Mission
Box 61
Greenville, Ohio 45331d

From His Fields of Harvest,
Bruce & Sandie Tanner

August Newsletter

8/13/2017

Hello Dear Family & Friends,
It has been a tough year spiritually and physically but once again God is pulling us through!

All the children are well physically, within their disabilities and continue to push us on by showing how God works through them and you.

We have not found the help God had planned for us until we were enlightened. We should always wait on Him, I pushed a situation that was all wrong. As we age we realize the children will outlive us, all we need is for you all to stick with us till we go home to Him.

While I was in ICU, I had 2 visitors from Ireland & Italy, (they broke all rules to get in) they promised when the time comes, they will care for our children! They are true Christians who dedicate their lives as we have.

The hospital in Bucuresti said I am a "walking miracle" and our children are amazingly healthy, always have been, that is the real miracle. The 48 children we have raised has given us a wonderous, exciting & fulfilled 26 years so far!

Please continue to help this mission prosper!

From His Fields of Harvest!
Bruce & Sandie Tanner

Donations:
Mail Checks to:
Payable: Tanner Romania Mission
PO Box 61
Greenville, OH 45331

FROM one of our volunteers!

7/5/2017

Robert Goff
May 25As I again wind down my stay here in Romania I will say as always, it is bitter sweet. It wouldn't be truthful to say I don't miss home. I do, but, I will miss being here too. I was born 66 years ago on Sand Mountain , New Home Community . I never thought life would take me this far. I can tell you about the beauty of the Grand Canyon . I can attest to the majesty of the Eiffel Tower. I can tell you of the beauty of Prague and Vienna . I have seen the Sun rise out of the Atlantic and have watched it sink back into the Pacific. I have gazed at Hippocampus and lions and elephants in Africa. All this said, I count it yet a greater blessing to watch, Florintin do needle point, Costell paint works of art, Gelu sitting in his room making beaded articles, because he can't get to workshop. I could name them all but I just call them the kids of Tanner Romanian Mission. I indeed can leave this world one day and of course see yet a place that makes any other pale in comparison . I will meet then the creator of all I have ever seen and more. But, to make it all the more beautiful I will see all these guys and gals there too, without any restraints . I am far more blessed than I could ever be, a blessing . If you ever get a chance to go, and be exactly in God's will, do it for there remains no greater blessing than to be, right there.

TO CELEBRATE OUR LORD'S BIRTHDAY!

12/20/2016

Here are some of the pictures of donations we received for the mission this Christmas!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

NOIPELORO
CARREFOUR
MOTIVATION
JARDARMERIE GALATI
Val Di Non: Un Infinito per la bici

AND TO ALL OUR DONORS WHO PAY THE ELECTRIC BILLS, PAY FOR TRANSPORT AND PICK UP ALL THOSE EXTRAS IT TAKES TO RAISE THE CHILDREN.

THANKSGIVING, Praise God from whom all blessings flow..

11/24/2016

May God bless all of you who have put the dinner on our table today and from our outreach mission, more than 110 now who are receiving food, clothes, supplies monthly.

Our little church was filled today for the special meal, it was a very nice time to visit and let the world slow down.

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FALL PICKING

Maricica had the biggest pumpkin this year! The gardens were all plentiful but still not enough to feed them all, it gives the residents something to do and be proud of.

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