During our time in Romania we were blessed in so many ways. Initially we all left Northern Ireland feeling full of energy and expectations of ways in which God would use us to transform lives, yet within the first few days of being in Parhida we soon realised that God was blessing us greater than we would have imagined, we felt like we were the ones being ministered to.

The family we stayed with were amazing, as a team we felt so much love from them and we felt so blessed and humbled by how they served us with an unconditional love, and this further strengthed our teams desire to go out each day and do the same.

The community we were welcomed into again was such a blessing. The commodities that are expensive yet vital for the community were sugar, margarine, oil and soap and so we bought and distibuted these to homes in the village. Each day a member of the community would bring round home made pastries and donuts for our team, which if you think on the ingredients means using the expensive but basic items they need. This for me was one of the greatest blessings, like the widow in Luke ch 21 the families in the area literaly gave their last two copper coins to sustain and bless our team. Many of us were overwelmed each day knowing that we didn't deserve these blessings but the community were so filled with the love of God that it could not be contained. God has placed Parhida and Romania on our hearts very clearly and we wish to continue supporting them in any way we can.

We cannot describe all that God did, but it was an experience we will never forget. God taught us the impact love itself can have, and if God is love, and love is easy to show then it is up to us to return that love to our homes and towns. God is good and we cannot thank him enough for all he constantly does in and through us.

The photo is of the family we stayed with as we could not have had better host whose love for God and people was so infectious that we could not help but love them back and thank god for them.

Thankyou again,
Beth Laverty

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13v34