September 2025
A wonder – our family together!
On a personal note, Dan and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in late June. All our children and grandchildren arrived from their various European, Canadian and US locations to join us at Whistler for a few days in August. This was the first time in 14 years that we have all been able to come together at the same time and in one place. It was truly a joy and a memory we will hold dear for years to come.
Reaching Out Romania with director Iana Matei:
Dodging Russian drones in the Ukraine
Iana heard of Pastor Andrei’s work while attending the church in Craiova; the church that has been so kind over the years to the victims rescued from human trafficking. “The need we have in our Ukrainian centers is for counsellors. We need someone to come and help our children work through their anger, their losses, and their trauma,” he explained. “I’m a psychologist, I’m a counsellor,” thought Iana. “This is something I can do.”
In Kilia, a city on the southwestern corner of the Ukraine, Pastor Andrei’s non-governmental organization works with three educational centers. Ninety children from ages five to twelve attend the center during the day. Sixty of the children no longer have parents and are adopted into new families or cared for by a relative.
Iana began to raise funds for donations then packed her son’s truck full of puzzles, books, toys, and educational games. During the day, between drone alarms, Iana played and talked with the children to assess their needs. She will now work with the educators to decide the priorities and plan an approach to wellness. Her work was interrupted when a rash of Covid cases raced through the community. In October she’ll return to continue the work.
When Pastor Andrei asked if Reaching Out Romania would help with Christmas presents for the children, Iana asked the children to write a letter to Santa so she would buy appropriate gifts. Three of the children wrote, “If Santa can stop the war, we don’t need any toys.”
Please pray:
- For Romania: there is much tension politically and economically. There is deep resentment and frustration as the present political coalition addresses the deficit by increasing taxes that affect the poorer people rather than decreasing their own civic expenses as promised. The Prime Minister commented that he might resign if the coalition doesn’t correct measures.
- Intensity in Europe is high as the Russian Ukrainian war continues. Europe continues to invest in Romania’s port city on the Black Sea, Constanza, to maintain security. “I have peace,” says Pastor Cristi, “because our life is secure in God and He is our provider.”
- For Iana to raise funds for appropriate toys for the children in the centers in Kilia.
- For an end to the war and a suitable settlement between Russia and Ukraine.
- That Dan will be a source of strength and encouragement to the pastors and leadership of the Bucharest International Church during his ministry time in October.