As winter draws to a close and we anxiously await glorious spring, we recall the blessings of the past season, made visible by our precious donors who contribute monetarily and prayerfully. For years we've received Christmas gifts in the form of packed and wrapped shoe boxes and this year we were blessed to meet the ladies from England's Hope Foundation, pictured here at Jacob Center.
 Although we had little snowfall, the past winter was cold as ever and here we see the boys loading bags of charcoal in our van. Only a few of the residents' natural families visit, but Mariana's kin see us once or twice a year, most recently in December; to the right are Mariana's father, sister and aunt. |  |
 We are thrilled to be able to pass on donations that are in abundance, and that includes bikes from Italy............... |  ....as well as food from the Romanian food bank and as shown here, a plethora of shoes. |
 |  Cold weather kept everyone indoors much of the winter, so when visitors came to help with activities, as here Ettore from Noi Per Loro in Italy conducts a bingo session at Casa Rachel, it's a welcome distraction. Other activities include the daily workshop in which nearly everyone participates, weekly worship service and choir practise; at the left the group gathers around Petrica at the keyboard |
 Our local doctor makes home visits every month and we have frequent dental check-ups; above Romeo shows off his new upper partial plate. |  Most of the activities however are work related and the able residents relish collecting bottles and cans which they clean and take to the recycling canter where they are thrilled to gain pocket change. Here Anca is washing the recyclables discarded along the road. (No, the beer bottles are not ours.) |
.On the local scene, all the streets and alleys throughout Romania, including Nicoresti, have been dedicated with names and proper signing, Here some of the girls from Casa Hannah show off their placard which happens to be the date of the revolution that eventually led to their escape from the "orphanage." Interaction among the residents is a must, as they eat, sleep, work and worship together. Occasionally some of them will have outbursts resulting from frustration and inability to communicate.........................................................................................................................................................................
.......We happened to capture the moment when Daniela consoled Mihaita after a disturbance. It was a particularly touching scene as Daniela is more typically the troublemaker.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention finances. As always we are in God's hands, and trusting in Him and our faithful supporters is paramount. Rising prices, wages and other obligations are coupled with ever-slower increases in funding from overseas and the Romanian state. Despite looking forward to warmer weather, we also must anticipate the inevitable need for firewood next fall and winter, and now is the time to begin preparations. Experience shows that the total cost will be a bit over $10,000 (9000 euro). Plus it won't be long before we must replace most of the roof at Casa Rachel which will entail an outlay of $12,000 (11,000 euro).
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention finances. As always we are in God's hands, and trusting in Him and our faithful supporters is paramount. Rising prices, wages and other obligations are coupled with ever-slower increases in funding from overseas and the Romanian state. Despite looking forward to warmer weather, we also must anticipate the inevitable need for firewood next fall and winter, and now is the time to begin preparations. Experience shows that the total cost will be a bit over $10,000 (9000 euro). Plus it won't be long before we must replace most of the roof at Casa Rachel which will entail an outlay of $12,000 (11,000 euro).
But it is with a sincere gratefulness that all of us, residents, employees, volunteers and myself, wish all of you who have sustained us until now a blessed season of joy and renewal.
DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO Tanner Romania Mission,
P.O. Box 61, Greenville, Ohio 45331
Or via PayPal to TANNER ROMANIA MISSION ([email protected])
And of course you can contact me anytime by email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 61, Greenville, Ohio 45331
Or via PayPal to TANNER ROMANIA MISSION ([email protected])
And of course you can contact me anytime by email: [email protected]