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Romania - Background

Members of St Peter's and St Paul's have been visiting Romania since 1993. Here, Angela Willard explains what Project Hope is all about ...

How did St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s become involved in Romania? In 1993 a group of about 15 fellowship members had an interest in Romania and got together to discuss and pray it through. We felt that God had a work for us there – we didn’t know where or what that work was at the time - but we travelled to Romania, taking aid as our reason for obtaining a visa, in order to try to discern the details of this work.

We initially made contact with the local Christians and in the early days concentrated on supporting and encouraging the small church plants. Together with them, much time was spent in evangelism but we continued to seek God for the additional work we believed He had for us.

The title of “Life College” was given to us, and we felt that we should offer accommodation and training in life skills within a Christian community to young people who have gone through the orphanage system. More recently we have felt led to take moderately learning disabled youngsters as there doesn’t seem to be provision made for them through the local authority. Other thoughts of how the building could be used have also come to us as we have spent time praying.

The vision
The vision for Project Hope is two-fold: 

1. to encourage and support the local Christians to proclaim the gospel
2. to provide accommodation and teaching in life skills for those in need

In the early days the emphasis was on evangelism but we then felt prompted by God to buy the present building and land. The then derelict building was renovated, the land developed and the process of acquiring accreditation for 3 young people without families to live there. This was completed in 2008 and our first client Marian, who has moderate learning difficulties, left local authority care and chose to live at Project Hope. Several other young men have come on a trial basis but have not felt it the right place for them.

More recently we have felt God’s leading to put more energy, once again, into evangelism and mission. It is hoped that the project will provide a base for gatherings of the leaders of the local Christian churches and Costica has suggested using the building and facilities for a Christian conference and to host alpha courses.

How does the project function?
Costică and Gabi, a devout Christian couple in their 40’s, run the small-holding. It is known locally as the House of God, and from there they reach out to the local community with the love of God in many practical ways. Many children come to play and to take part in the worship times held each Sunday..

Project Hope is a registered association in Romania with the membership consisting of English and Romanian Christians. It is directed by a leading committee consisting of Costică Lazăr, Andrew Hammond, Angela Willard, Margaret Hammond, Elizabeth Simpson and John Kahan.

How is the project funded?
At present it is partly funded by St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s mission fund and by private donations from church members.

Prayer
The whole project has been and still is grounded in prayer. In the early days we met to pray twice a week and several times groups have gone to Romania specifically to pray. We continue to pray fortnightly on Thursdays at 8.00 pm at St. Peter’s (non home group weeks). Anyone wishing to join us would be very welcome.