Our work is connected to EDN, a Christian disability network across Europe
In July, Pete will be driving a van across to Romania, transporting medical equipment to help people with additional needs. Do you have any contacts within the medical services or have access to anything? The kind of equipment we're looking for are things like walking frames, rollators (similar to walking frames) crutches, wheelchairs. You may be aware of other items which can be helpful.
You will see from "stepping stones 1", the plan is to begin moving towards 'social inclusion' for those with additional needs and currently isolated. To bring together small local groups, maybe only three or four people. We can then have occasional events to bring everyone together. Of course, this is what we aim for!
Currently, Pete's working towards developing a group in Oradea to help set up the work in Oradea. The group is mainly people with additional needs themselves and are amazing people. As part of this development, it will be perfect to build a resource of medical equipment. One of the team in Oradea is a Physiotherapist and eager to work with families thus improving day-to-day life for those with additional needs. His name is Miahi and also lives as a house parent for orphaned children.
Having done several trips across Europe, we budget £1,200 for this trip. PLEASE..... if you can help with donations, or do a fundraising event, maybe a 'Zoom' quiz..... to help raise money for the transport, please see details on the website.
"Thank you"
Pete's work is totally voluntary at the moment, hence he needs the help of friends.
Immediately prior to this virus, Pete was in Romania with three others from Warwick, returning by road a day before some of the borders closed. Amazing timing! Pete took them to visit projects and meet people. This is part of developing a network across churches in Warwickshire. The hope is to also develop a network of businesses across Warwickshire. Maybe you'd like to help develop a network in your region?
Watching the news and feeling isolated brings home the reality for our friends in Romania who have no choice at other times of the year. Even more reason why it's important to set up small, local 'family type' networks in Romania to bring people together when the need for social distancing stops.
My friend Sorin invited me to help take donated food to people hidden away in mind-blowing situations, all living in extreme poverty. We filled his car with food donated through the church. Despite the grey and wet conditions, we were warmly welcomed everywhere we visited, people's eyes filled with joy as they saw fresh food. This is just a snapshot of our day.
Around Oradea, the ugly site of former communist pipes, provide 'home' for this community. To obtain warmth between the pipes, a 'tunnel home' is made.
Little boy sitting at the entrance of the 'tunnel home' where he lives alongside family and friends.
Visit to Oradea Romania 12th – 17th December 2019
A team of four of us from the UK arrived in Oradea very early on Friday morning Romanian time after a wet and tiring journey. Ready for bed but excited to see how God was going to use us. Pete had gone ahead of us with a van full of gifts donated in the UK including hats, gloves, scarves, socks, toiletries, hot water bottles, toys and a very generous donation of many pairs of brand new children’s shoes. Two days earlier, Pete visited this old peoples home, singing Christmas carols, reading the bible and praying together.
