Medicare thank you!

Our colleagues are so grateful to all those who make the beautiful Christmas food parcels. They arrived in time to be delivered to those in need for Christmas, and helped to make Christmas special for a lot of poor and desperate old people, and for the disabled, for whom the staff provide lovely Christmas celebrations. Medicare are celebrating 25 years of caring for chronically ill and elderly patients for whom there is no other care. Despite a collapsing medical care system, Dr Judit writes: ” Our aim is to give care to the needy people. The important is, God willing, you are here for us. It’s an everyday miracle. God bless you.”

Rheumcare

The rehabilitation project, seeing over 200 patients daily, is celebrating 25 years since we first helped to put Dr Iren’s dream into practice with a converted small 3 roomed flat. Now in a beautiful, airy building, the hard working staff are doing amazing work. The administrator wrote:” I want you to know that without your help and generosity all this wonderful things we did thro the years was not possible. Please let all know that our prayers are with you. God bless you all.

Clever Hands

Here is one of my favourite pictures of one of the disabled youngsters from the disabled care centre, enjoying a party in her national dress. The staff provide all sorts of events and activities: there is never a dull moment.

But Orsi wrote: “This last year was probably the most difficult since I work here, mainly caused by complete lack of state subsidy and negative legislation which affect our finances. Still we could continue our activities and the youngsters didn’t even notice these problems. We have some unexpected donations, and this year looks more promising, we receive the maximum amount of state subsidy (less than 20% of our budget but we are happy to have that.  She then quotes Isaiah “For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and not harm you” Despite the change in the law the medicine factory we were working for want to extend the contract, although it is now disadvantageous for them but very good for us, not only financially, but it’s also an excellent work opportunity for the youngsters”. One help was a lovely donation from some friends from Liversedge:  Betty and Terence, who sent money for a new freezer (much needed by the Peter Home). Zsuzsi, who is the carer at the home e mailed: ” Our freezer broke down and a couple of days later you we mailed..WOW! God’s amazing and humbling timing. We have purchased it and are using it already. The amount of money is more than this freezer. From the rest i am planning to buy a guitar for the Peter Home!”

Faithful support over many years

Malcolm Grainge, who initiated the charity 28 years ago, has been completely sponsoring our warehouse. He has very generously offered to continue to support us by paying two thirds of the rent for 5 years. Now he is selling the estate and retiring due to ill health, and although remaining as honorary president, we will miss him and his cheery smile and wonderful support. We all wish him a very happy and healthy retirement.

Sue Crawshaw came on board to keep the accounts, and keep me in order, 26 years ago. She is also having to retire because of increased family commitments. Thank you for all you have done over the years, and your unfailing friendship Sue. We do need a book keeper- so please pray about this, that God will provide the right person. Please pray also for the future plans and direction of the charity.

May you know God’s blessing this Easter time

                 He is Risen

Give thanks:

• For the generosity and support of Malcolm and Sue.

Please pray:

• For more volunteers for our two shops.

Christmas Greetings

from our friends in Romania for all the beautiful Christmas food parcels. They arrived safely and earlier than expected, just in advance of heavy snow in the mountains en route, to the delight of our colleagues who care for the needy, and love to be able to take a Christmas gift with their Christian greetings when they visit them bringing great joy to some sad and lonely homes. God bless all of you who provided over 250 lovely parcels, making Christmas brighter for so many people living in cold, dark homes. The housebound patients of Medicare (Targu Mures) are transported to church for a Christmas party, and this is often the only time they get out of their homes in the whole year, so it is a very special occasion, with food, singing and the Christmas food parcels.

Medicare

Dr Judit Finna Wrote: “Yesterday the lorry arrived one week before expected, we organized the unloading (Csaba her husband)  and everything is wonderful. Now just this short letter, Yesterday evening was to late to writing. Thanks for all. Really amazing, but you can always do miracles. We preparing the Medicare day in the church for 8 December, it’s perfect. God bless you all”

Clever Hands

Orsi wrote from the centre for  disabled youngsters: “We received all the goods you sent. Thank you a lot! All are very useful. The food went to Peter home, the craft materials in the daycare centre, we distributed the clothing between the youngsters and they will get the shoeboxes on 20th December, at the end of our Christmas celebration. We kept both wheelchairs, one was given for one of our youngsters, Pityu. He and her sister was very happy for it, since his weelchair was really old and this one is so much better We are busy at the daycare centre, as usuall in December. After a stressful year we received some support from the local maior’s office and the county council. Donations are coming from complete strangers and. we have some orders for candles and pottery. So despite the negative legal changes of the year we won’t have a negative balance – it was another sign that the Lord keeps us safe in any circumstances.”

Rheumcare

Marinela,,the administrator for the rehabilitation centre which helps over 200 patients a day,wrote: All the things you send are very useful to us so again thanks from the bottle of my heart for your support and the constant care for us and our cause. Unfortunately we also find less and less volunteers so I understand the struggle you have but of course the constant need for care and support for our patients remains the same. Our 25 anniversary is on 19 may 2018  you are more than welcome to join us on this wonderfull day.

And elsewhere!

there is so much need worldwide, and it is always a joy when we are able to help through trusted contacts and sister charities. So we have been able to send a van load of blankets and trainers to Fiji with Physionet for the victims of the cyclone, and to Sierra Leone clothes, trainers and medical supplies for victims of the mudslide disaster there. Sue and Colin went to Tanzania last month taking clothes, games and trainers for the children in the little orphanage near Moshi,. It may be a drop in the ocean- but God can multiply the little we give with His great love, and the blessings outweigh the giving, in the encouragement it provides in difficult situations.

Mildred Garnett

Many of you will remember with great fondness Mildred and her husband Harold  who helped in the JOY warehouse for many years. Since Harold’s death, Mildred has remained a constant and loyal supporter of JOY, always full of encouragement, and a stalwart and very precious prayer partner. She died on 15.11.17, and we miss her lovely smile and give thanks for her great friendship, and her shining faith. We send our condolences to her family and friends, knowing that she has gone to be with our Lord.

Give thanks:

• For the generosity of so many of our supporters and the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.
• For all the wonderful work our colleagues in Romania manage in spite of problems and restrictions by the authorities.
• For God’s great mercy and provision through the year, and His unfailing love.

Please Pray:

• for recognition of the work done by our Romanian friends and adequate government funding and local support.
• God’s guidance for the way forward in the coming year, that we continue to share His love with those we are privileged to serve. 

Elisabet homes

THANK YOU, everyone, who helped to raise the funds for the new boiler house for these 4 little Christian homes for abandoned children in Glodeni, near Targu Mures, Romania. It is now completed and with smoke detectors in each little home, the fire department has approved it. The children are branching out into new and exciting places with their dedicated administrator Arpad. Recently some of them entered a craft exhibition, they have each made their own pizza, they go cycling, have visited the Turda salt mine, have ping pong competitions and even had a masked ball! The authorities fail to pay the staff, but their love for the kids is always constant. in spite of everything.

Casa Ray orphanage

This other Christian orphanage has just lost their main sponsor, and therefore 44% of their funds. They need a miracle or may have to reduce capacity and have children transferred to the state institutions. Madalina wrote: “God is a God of miracles so we are sure He will find a solution for us. Thank you for being involved and caring for us. Everything you send are always useful so you are of a big help to us.” One of the boys said to them all: “I know I have upset you on many occasions but I promise I will change! I will pray and fast that no child has to leave and no employee, because we are all a family and they feel just like our parents.”

Clever Hands

Added to the state cutting the disability allowance for this wonderful Christian day care centre in Targu Mures, a new law now prevents companies employing disabled people so that they cannot now work for the medicine factory. Orsi wrote:” Of course umbrella organizations reacted fast and this was reversed. When our state subsidy was lost I kind of thought this can’t be worse; it seems it can… I spent more time on meetings, talks and signing petitions than in the last 10 years. Some of our applications have positive results..we hope,in a month we will have the results. So it seems that we survive this year- but we have used all our reserves. After all I’m sure our God knows all this problem, and He will show us other ways for raising funds”. At present, with internet shopping, income from both our JOY shops has fallen, and we cannot increase our support for our projects. Keep praying.

Medicare

Dr Judit & her team carry on without any support from the authorities. She wrote: “Thank you for the encouragement and confidence you give us many years. You give me the power to carry out my work. The state doesn’t again support social and home care. Home care paid by Health Insurance is only on paper, so I undertake public work (she is Vice president of the County Organisation of family medicine) to do something about it. We are very happy because you still help us with the salaries. God bless you”  Most of the nurses are volunteers, and give their time and love unstintingly.

Harvest time again

It’s that lovely time of year when we thank God for all His blessings; many dear friends help us to provide food parcels for as many poor old folk in Romania as we can, and also to provide dried foodstuffs and tinned goods for the  two lovely Christian orphanages we are privileged to help and the Clever Hands sheltered home for disabled youngsters (the Peter House). Thank you to all those who help by donating food as it reduces their funding needs.

Dried foods wanted: rice, pasta, dried milk, soup powder, dried fruit, sugar, and tins of meat or fish.  Also soap, toothpaste & brushes, new underwear & socks. Do contact us or visit the website if you want any more details. The Christmas lorry will leave by the 3rd week in November.

Give thanks

• For the dedication of all our colleagues and their trust in God. in spite of many difficulties, for all the varied activities they are involved in to help patients and children.
• For the JOY shop staff who work so hard to overcome the shortfall, and are reversing the trend, despite a shortage of regular volunteers.
• For the generous churches and friends who have supported us, some almost 28 years.

Please Pray

• For government commitment and funding for the wonderful work our colleagues are doing for the underprivileged in Romania, and for a reduction in unjust taxes, prohibitions and corruption.
• For health and strength for all of us as we get older, and for younger folk to join in with the work and the joy of it all!
• For the possibility of respite care in Szabed village, northern Romania.