STOP
PRESS: June 09
The
generosity of God's people is amazing. A friend called Margaret
once again walked the Belfast Marathon course in May and raised
£1,100 for the project. A huge thank you to all who sponsored
her and to the couple who gave a gift of £5,000. What a blessing
they have been to me and more importantly to the Church in Turnu
Magurele. We hope the day will soon come when they are able to complete
the building and worship there. Thank you all.
STOP
PRESS: April 09
God
sent us the £5000 we needed and the team was able to complete
the floor and the first fix wiring. They accomplished so much in
just a few days. Now the church is beginning to plaster the external
walls before the weather becomes too hot. Pray for them and for
the funds they still require for the project. Thank you sincerely
and a special thanks to those men who, at their own expense, went
to help the project forward. see photos
of the team at work
March
2009
Dear
friend,
Greetings in the Lord’s Name. I want to thank you for your
great interest in the 2hearts Romania Project to help the believers
in Turnu Magurele to have a Church building of their own. We started
out in 2007 believing we needed £12,000 and the Lord has supplied
£19,000. We were astounded at the generosity of God’s
people. The little church there has worked so hard, particularly
the Pastor and two young men who are studying for the ministry.
Their labours have seen the main structure completed and to date
this has cost £17,000.
However
they are now faced with a huge challenge. The cost to finish the
building has escalated. There are several reasons for this.
Firstly, the initial plan was to erect a more modest structure but
that would probably have been false economy. The church needed to
build for the future and I encouraged them. We knew the initial
estimate was low and were encouraged when God provided £19,000.
Secondly
all the work has been done by volunteers, many of them elderly and
many are women. One of the young men who did so much work suffered
a very serious back injury and is still recovering. All of this
has slowed the project.
Meanwhile
prices in Romania have rocketed recently. Since the country joined
the EU, materials cost very much more. The plan is now make the
building fit to worship in and develop the remainder of the property
as they are able. I am hesitant to put another estimate on what
is needed until we get a clearer picture of the situation in March
but the need is considerable and likely to be at least another £20,000
for this summer.
We
are looking at ways to help them and propose sending teams to help
practically. A small team of volunteers is travelling out in March
to put in the floor. Concrete must be mixed on site and poured manually
as the cost of ready-mix is too high. This team will also assess
the needs, making plans for future volunteer teams. That team will
need around £5,000 for materials.
We
hope to have at least one larger team of workers go out for one
or two weeks this summer. We are likely to need those with skills
such as electricians and carpenters and certainly will need a few
plasterers. But we also need those willing to support them and able
to “turn their hand to anything.” Is there something
you could do? We cannot offer travel expenses but flights at the
moment are very reasonable (around £150+) Accommodation would
be basic but the warmth of fellowship and the warmth of the weather
would be guaranteed. If you would consider helping or want more
detail, please contact me or Tom Cairns (028 9076 3876) who is co-ordinating
the practical aspects of this.
It
may be that there are materials that you can donate or sponsor.
We need a heating system, light fittings, a kitchen etc. Perhaps
you have items in good condition which your church no longer needs.
It is not always economical to transport so far but it is still
a possibility.
I am
also aiming to raise more funds through donations, sponsorship,
meetings etc. I do not have the energy I would like to have but
I will take some bookings to present the work. If I can’t
do them myself, there are others who would help. If you would like
to hear more about the project, please get in touch.
I thank
you again for your interest and support.
In
grace,
David McFarland
If
the Lord leads you to make a contribution, please send to me at
the above address. Cheques should be made out to: Christian
Fellowship Trust who very generously support this project.
All donations are sent without deduction.
