CHRISTMAS 2009
It is one more day until Christmas day. The Christmas mission is finished. We felt like pilgrims going with shoeboxes and one message: Christmas is not about gifts, not about a pine tree, not about Santa Klaus. Christmas is about the Lord Jesus who came to die for us and cleanse our hearts.
Dear Friend:
1. Our first stop was in Buzias at the Centrul de Reeducare a minorilor, a correction school for minors. While hearing the story of a boy who had stolen a bike, our children learned how a wrong decision or a wrong friendship can take their freedom away.
2. The day in Pietroasa remained unforgettable for 230 children who came to the Town Hall building in the bitter cold. We knew some of the children, as they were with us in the last two summer camps. Fedor, whose pain touched our hearts in the camp, was now a great help in inviting the children to the children’s program. The day involved children’s songs, a youth play, a Bible lesson, a craft and competition, which all had the same message: the gift from the Father to us is the Lord Jesus Christ! AND we can give HIM only one gift: our hearts! For the craft, they made a frame of wood; painted it with red and green, and then inserted a picture with a heart. It was a reminder of the day of Dec. 19, when the children gave their hearts to Jesus.
The activity was filled with trials. Deborah and Janene from N Ireland couldn't come, as their flight was canceled because of snow. We prayed for them, but had to learn one more time that God is Sovereign and He does what He pleases. The whole theme had to be changed, but we praise the Lord for His help.
Pietroasa is a village with many families from Ukraine. Two years ago we had a medical mission there. Every summer their children and youth joined our summer camps. We are planning another medical mission in 2010.The desire and purpose is to come alongside the pastor and his family in evangelizing these people. The pastor is doing the work with adults. His daughter, Gianina, will do the children’s program in the village.
3. The next stop at a nursing home brought new stories into our lives. Loredana was attached to a woman and she said she "found there a grandmother." Alex learned he needs to be more obedient to his mom who is struggling to raise him and his little brother.
4. Visits to public institutions and companies brought to Potter's House children many gifts they enjoyed.
5. Christmas time in Potter's House was done for the last nine years with over one hundred guests: children, youth, staff, volunteers, partners, and families. This year was different. CHRISTMAS TIME AT THE POTTER'S HOUSE WAS A TIME OF PRAISE, a time for an altar of gratitude to the Lord. Children, youth, staff and volunteers together with prayer warriors, joined together in singing, sharing impressions, prayer and watching pictures of different activities of this year. It was a powerful time as we all realized how faithful God has been to each one of us and the ministry.
6. More shoe boxes were given to: a refugee center (Kathleen Winter), street peopleBaby Hospital in Timisoara (Jill McNeely and the youth), an orphanageschool (Mirela Scortescu). Everywhere, the children and adults enjoyed receiving THE LOVE IN A BOX that reminded them that they are not alone and somebody loves them.
Special appreciation and prayers for blessings to the people who came, who provided, who prayed:
- Chosen N Ireland-Wendy and Phil McConnell-who worked hard to collect 969 shoeboxes
- Blythswood -provided the books and transportation to Romania
- Elkana
- Bioclinica
- Mrs. Ana Marasescu from Health Department and the nurses school
- Dawn, Kari and Kait from Greater European Mission
- Jill McNeely, from N Ireland who is serving the Lord for the second year in Romania
- Amanda Lewis from International Teams Australia
Christmas is a time when gifts are given. Our prayer is that those who gave will be blessed (Ecles 11:1). We also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide each one of us to know who are those in need, whom we have to show love to.
Over all, we pray that God will give us the gift of peace and joy in our hearts to know His love and to accept His righteousness through His SON, the Lord Jesus.
Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.
Isaiah 9:6-7
With love,
Oana and Nelu Ciucure
Director, Chosen Romania Foundation
Potter's House ,Timisoara
Christmas Project at Hunedoara Castle By Jill McNeely and Mary Megarry, Northern Ireland
Potter’s House children and volunteers had an action-packed weekend December 11-13, 2009, at an amazing venue, a 14th Century gothic castle. This castle stands above the town of Hunedoara, now a thriving industrial town. It is in the north of Romania near the city of Deva. It was made special by the people from many different organizations, NGOs (non-governmental agencies such as Chosen Romania), young people, families, schools and children’s groups, among the 1000 who attended. The purpose of the weekend was to develop relationships between the NGOs, and highlight the work they do in Romania, while also providing fun and entertainment for children, families and young people. This was the second year for the event, skillfully organized by Micah, a volunteer from the US Peace Corps.
It was certainly a very joyful and happy time, made special by the warm atmosphere, fabulous music and singing by different groups and a real sense of God’s peace and joy in the midst of it all. The attendance by some theatrical characters dressed as medieval knights and a very jolly Father Christmas added to the fun.
There were around twenty organizations with stalls and activities going on. Our group was led by Dawn Elenbaas (Greater Europe Mission) and included volunteers from Canadian GEM, USA GEM, Chosen Foundation (Romania & NI) and International Teams. We were able to provide various activities including a balloon game, cookie decorating, face painting, picture-frame decoration and Nativity scene photos. Potter’s House crafts were sold to raise funds for Teen Assist activities. Teens used the money for an ice-skating outing. There were also opportunities to hand out Gospel tracts and leaflets and speak to people about Jesus, which were well received by everyone. We were also blessed with wonderful hospitality from two churches that fed our group and provided accommodation for some of our young people. We had some great times of fellowship and prayer. One of the highlights was a surprise birthday party for a member of the team. We returned home to Timasoara on Sunday evening very tired but with many happy memories of a fabulous time of fun and fellowship.
