UK Registered Charity No. 1089864

Romania Newletter - September 2003 Newsletters  

Romania update by Linda and Steve Payne

Steve and Linda with children and helpers

We are sorry that this Romanian Newsletter Website page has not been available for the past few months. The reason has been that the Romanian Government passed a law that all childrens photos, names and birthdays had to be removed to protect the children from undesirable people.

This months newsletter comes from Steve and Linda Payne, who have recently taken over the Romanian visits, usually covered by Tom Payne, founder of the Bridge of Christian Relief. Tom by the way has not retired but is now actively busy in the UK for the Bridge and is available to help Steve and Linda at any time. He will be visiting Casa Ruxandra in 2004.
Steve and Linda have indeed encountered a very moving situation by way of vast improvements to the care of the children.

The photograph above was taken outside Casa Ruxandra at the end of the garden by the basketball net.

Steve and Linda are seen here with the children and some of the helpers. Steve is on the far right wearing a white tee shirt and Linda is almost next to his left in the rear row.

It was a real privilege and blessing to see what God was doing with the money that is donated to the 'Bridge'. Children that had lived in terrible conditions and had only known poverty, and for some brutality were now living in a beautiful house run by people who cared for them. They were all well fed and they all smiled. I felt as though I was a witness to a miracle; the money that had been given had been used to give care, comfort and love.

Casa Ruxandra is now full. The Bridge is caring for eight children varying in age from 4 to 14yrs. It is home to a family of five children named G, E, F, M, and A. They had previously lived with their parents in a one room dwelling with no water or electricity. The only income for them all was £18 family allowance per month. All of the children arrived suffering from rickets and head and body lice, they snatched food from the table and put it on their lap or chair for later. They had to be taught how to use a knife, fork and spoon. Now they are beautiful healthy children with good table manners. They laugh and play and show all the signs of being secure and happy.

The youngest, A is full of mischief and energy. The staff call her a 'little monkey'. She is tiny for her age but has put on much weight since arrival. At first she could only say one or two words but her language has now much increased and the ladies are very pleased with her progress.

M a little boy is also very lively with an engaging smile. He loves to come up and give you a kiss on the cheek. He is still very thin but looks healthy We found some 'stickle bricks' in the garage and he spent hours playing and constructing with them, pretending that he had a rocket or a plane. He attends nursery each morning with A his youngest sister

F is a much quieter boy but very friendly. He goes to school every morning and likes to play basketball in the back yard. He sleeps in the same room as his brother M and is obedient with a lovely nature.

E is a very calm child who likes to play dolls with Alexandra and plays basketball. She has an endearing smile.

G was delighted with the 'Home Alone' video that we brought from England and he laughed a great deal at the antics of the hero. He smiles a lot more now and likes approval of his schoolwork, of which he is proud. He is quite a tease but also very responsible and often would tell the younger children to leave us when we were busy writing or reading. He likes to go to the Pentecostal church.

We are delighted to report that A is back. She returned to the house on the day we arrived, and met us at Iasi airport with Marilena and Angela. She seems to have been well cared for in hospital. She settled back in very well and wanted to play just like the others. This meant sore feet and hands and a lot of tears at bedtime when it was time to drain her new blisters and apply antiseptic cream.

On one occasion she wanted to play basketball with every one and later that evening was cupping both hands, was asked what was wrong and showed blood blisters the size of her palms. She suffers but never complains. During our visit the new director (Gene) managed to get her enrolled in school, but she needs our prayers because parents are very prejudice against 'different' children.

The elder of the remaining two girls is G who is 14 yrs and is a very elegant young lady. She spoke to us quite fluently in English and asked many questions about growing up, the bible and its interpretation by some Christians in Romania. She regularly attends the Pentecostal church and wants to be a good Christian girl.

Of course we still have L who has been with the 'Bridge' since 1998. She is growing up fast and enjoys church, particularly singing solos. She is sometimes aggressive in her tone but can also be quite the opposite and have a broad smiling face. She is very bright at school and is disappointed with less than 100%. She likes to be in control and is always in charge of the younger ones. Often quite melancholy she still bears the scars of life in an orphanage and will require some psychotherapy. Angela and Marilena Sadly we have had to say goodbye to Angela and Marilena (pictured left) who have helped the 'Bridge' a great deal over the last year. Our new director Eugene, is a school teacher with experience in helping children from orphanages. She is a wonderful mother figure with endless patience. The children love her.

The house has a new cook, Rodica, who prepares beautiful meals and makes her own jam and pickles. She is very calm with the children. We have two night staff who work alternate shifts, Ionella and Catalina. We also now have a security/maintenance man named Christi. It was necessary to hire him because there had been prowlers trying to break into the house.

We cannot ignore the fact that it will cost a lot more money to pay for the upkeep of Casa Ruxandra. Due to the increase in numbers of children we have had to recruit more staff. There are also demands upon us to bring the house up to EEC standard. Up and coming changes required are modernizing of the kitchen and adding a second staircase to fulfil fire regulations. Furthermore, we had not realized until we went shopping how expensive everything is in Romania. Inflation is still soaring and the quality of items such as clothing is so poor it has to be replaced far more regularly than we would expect here in the U.K. Also, you cannot return goods that are faulty, once bought the item is yours 'for better or worse.'
We are suggesting therefore that it would be prudent to take a van over in the spring with essential items. If anyone has contacts that might be willing to loan us a van we would be grateful.

If anyone will be willing to supply us with any of the following perhaps you could let Linda know on 44 (0)118 9794626:
Tea towels, two very large stainless steel saucepans, and fitted sheets, toiletries and toothbrushes, strong school bags, fountain pens, umbrellas and washing powders and cleaning fluids. Also new clothing is needed, particularly for the boys sizes 6, 8, and 10 years, which allows for growth.

I hope you have found this an encouraging report please keep praying and supporting the 'Bridge' if God is calling you to. If you are not a sponsor at the moment but would like to be then please ask for a sponsorship form from Tom Payne.
(Tel: 44(0)113 2587687).

May God bless you in your service to Him.

Linda and Steve Payne.

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