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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here Robert gets down to our level at Jacob Center.