Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Romania Mission 2007

In Cooperation with The White Cross Mission

“It is better to Light a Candle Than to Curse the Darkness”

Background

Nicolae Ceaucescu was president of Romania from 1967 to 1989. Toward the end of his time in power, Ceaucescu became obsessed by the idea of creating a perfect race. Ceacescu boasted that there were no handicapped people in Romania; therefore, babies with obvious handicaps were disposed of or hidden.

In the county of Jud Bihor, in western Romania, children who were assessed to be mentally retarded were sent, at the age of three, to an institution in the country village of Cadea. They were housed in grim, old buildings that had broken windows, and no heating or plumbing. It was dark and dirty, and for the majority of the time, the children were confined to their cots. Most of them were tied to the bars by strips of cloth tied tightly around their wrists and ankles.

When they were finally released in January 1991, many could neither walk nor speak. All of the children rocked backwards and forwards in their distress, and their eyes were glazed and unseeing. On release, many of the children were sent to hospital buildings in the mountain villages of Remeti and Bratca. It is here that the White Cross Mission is assisting the local Romanian staff in their care.

In addition to working in the local institution, the Mission is currently taking care of thirty-three children in its six family houses. Additionally, there are over 170 children living in the Sectille de Neuropsihatrie Infantila at Remeti and Bratca. Good Shepherd has been working closely with White Cross director Pat Robson to organize a mission trip for the Summer of 2005.

The Volunteers

Since the White Cross has been working with the children, over 600 people have traveled with the Mission to Romania. Some work with the children, others repair buildings, and yet others deliver goods. Every volunteer is special. Old or young, the combined work and presence of these many different people has an amazing impact on the children.

Romania Mission Trip 2007 Plans

The Mission is currently taking care of thirty-three children in its six family houses. Additionally, there are over 170 children living in the Sectille de Neuropsihatrie Infantila at Remeti and Bratca. Good Shepherd has been working closely with White Cross director, Pat Robson, to organize our third mission trip to the region in the summer of 2007.

Through mutual discernment, we have formed a Travel Team, from a variety of churches and states, to participate in this important outreach. We will journey to Romania for ten days in the summer of 2007 to work with the children still housed in orphanages. Our goal is primarily to be a loving presence to children who receive little daily human contact. In addition we seek to model western-style care-giving to the workers of these institutions. Ultimately, our goal is to be the primary contact in a transcontinental relationship between our communities.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the travel team should contact Caitlyn Walters.

How Can You Get Involved? Follow this Link to Lear More.

 

Last Updated:  12/27/06 07:26 PM