If it’s Friday, this must be Austria.
At 7am on Thursday 13th October, Brian, Rhydian, Paul and Lyn set off from Cardiff in a 3.5 ton van kindly loaned by Support for Romania. It was loaded with over a ton of clothes and equipment, bound for the work of Casa Mea in Moldova where Maureen Wise is working amongst disabled people, and teaching in the Bible College in Chisinau. Ahead of us was a journey of 1900 miles from Wales through England, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania and into Moldova. We felt very dependent upon God for safety on the roads and over the following fortnight were very conscious of the prayers of friends at home, friends on the way in Romania and friends waiting for us in Moldova.
We received warm hospitality from a number of old friends of SFR in Romania, staying overnight in Oradea, Brasov and Iasi. We realise as never before that, although SFR convoys will no longer be going to Romania, the willing support of these Christian friends will continue to be crucial on future aid trips for Casa Mea; each family told us that there would always be a place in their homes for anyone en route to Moldova. How gracious our God is to grant us such brothers and sisters, despite the hundreds of miles that separate us. Please add them to your prayers: the Matiu family and their church in Oradea, and Nelu Anton and his family in Iasi.
Early on Wednesday, we left Iasi to travel about an hour to the Moldovan border, wondering how long it would take to get clearance. With the invaluable help of Sorin Anton (Nelu’s son) on the Romanian side and then Liliana on the Moldovan side, we got through in a record two hours. (Another 3 hours was spent in the afternoon getting final customs clearance.) We went straight to Casa Bucuriei, in Truseni (near Chisinau), where a lovely welcome awaited us. 
The six ladies have now lived there for five years, and it is wonderful to see how they have settled and become part of the community. They are all clearly very happy and, supported by the two staff Angela and Galina, are achieving so much more than when they first arrived. It is a matter of great rejoicing that they have all trusted the Lord, and are able to attend the evangelical church in the village. For two nights we stayed at Anea’s flat in Chisinau and as well as having a brief tour of the city we sat in on the Russian- language Bible study led by Pastor Vanya for the parents of disabled children in the My Child My Blessing programme. We were also able to spend a morning in the Bible College, meeting a number of Maureen’s students from the “–stans” of Central Asia. These courageous young Christians face the prospect of a hostile reception when they return home to largely Muslim communities. We were reminded of what a strategic rôle this college has and we need to remember staff and students in prayer.
Then it was time to drive north for about 3 hours to Sofia to visit the other two houses. Casa Matei has been open for 3 years with five men brought from the terrible institution at Badiceni. As with the ladies at CB, the men’s transformation and evident happiness is remarkable; they really enjoyed opening the boxes of clothes (see photo) and the goodness of God is much in evidence. We believe that at least four of the five are Christians. Less than 200 yds away is Casa Alex, opened in August 2011 with much of the excellent refurbishment being done by a team from UFM, for which we are most grateful. The four people brought from Badiceni seem to be settling in well but they are still tormented by memories of the appalling conditions from which they came. Pray they will know peace and security in the days to come.
The photo shows
Carolina and Larissa
with Viorica,
one of the carers.
While in the north we visited Badiceni and saw first-hand the nightmare conditions in which 500 outcasts from society exist. One consolation is that they are able to listen to good Christian radio programmes and receive visits from Liliana and Anea and the Gideons. A number have been saved even in that dark place.
On Sunday morning we worshipped in the village church in Sofia with everybody from both houses there too. Soon we had to leave our friends in Moldova and start on the 1900 mile, 4-day journey home to Cardiff. We found the van had been ‘reloaded’ with gifts of apples, grapes, grape juice, preserves and, of course, chocolates. Parting was sad but we were rejoicing in the blessings we had experienced. In Iasi we were given more gifts of juice, honey and freshly picked quince.
Please pray for the work of Casa Mea, with Maureen, Liliana and Anea at the forefront. Remember particularly the future of the work – pray for younger leaders and workers to be raised up. Remember our dear brothers and sisters in the three houses, and remember the vital work of supporting disabled people and their carers in their own homes.
