Dear friends, brothers, sisters and supporters,Many of you have written asking for information about the work in Romania, and we apologize for the long delay, but we think that it’s about time to tell you what has been happening in the last 8 months. While distress about another lockdown fills the newspapers, and in some ways it saddens our heart for the effect it could have on our daily lives and our freedom, we do not want to lose sight of the hope that our faith brings.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
God is fully sovereign even over all of these things. Certainly the test is great but we believe strongly that it is a moment to be strengthened in the truth held in the scriptures.
Moments of loss
I want to be frank: these have not been easy months for Bethesda, especially for those on the farm. Covid-19 and the consequences it has brought, both directly and indirectly, put us all to the test. Just as new initiatives were starting, and enthusiasm about Bethesda’s work was growing, both with volunteers and new members, this pandemic came and has tested us all.
What happened right after our trip at the end of February left us all out of sorts. Not so much for fear of the virus itself but particularly for the enormous limitations that we have had during this period. It has been impossible to travel, visit churches, send goods, see our friends on the farm and this has disoriented us somewhat.
Some of us have had problems with work and even managing our daily lives closed up in our homes.
2020 is a year that all of us will surely remember. Just like all of the other European countries, Romania has not been exempt from the pandemic, rather as you can imagine, in this country the situation has been (and still is) very worrisome. It is difficult to fully understand since the official numbers do not necessarily reflect reality. The only fact that is certain is the fear of the people who already suffer poverty and a lack of healthcare assistance.
The strength of the children and the determination of the adults
However, we want to reassure you of the situation on the farm ‘Chedes Agape’, where the Stroi family and their six children (they are not so little anymore), albeit with some difficulties, managed the lockdown well. Let me remind you of their ages: Luigi (15), Luiza (13), Lorena (12,) Denis (10), Ionela (7), Patricia (4). Among the various challenges, it was the students who paid the greatest price since they were barely able to follow the poor online lessons, particularly due to a lack of remote learning provided by the Romanian public schools. Thanks to God, living on a farm, Nicu and Mihaela’s children were minimally affected by the restrictions to leave home and they were able to be outside, having 3 acres of land to enjoy, during their (great amount of) free time.
To the Stroi’s credit, they did their best to take advantage of this time both for homeschooling and for Christian teaching, as well as involving the children in all of the work running the farm. In April they began to plant vegetables and other crops and arrange space for new animals bought for the farm, considering possible future periods of difficulty finding food.
Choices for the future and incredible progress
There was a lot of time also for pleasurable activities like music. On the farm, besides the guitars, there is now a keyboard and almost all of the children are able to play and sing and everytime we see a new video of their performance, we are amazed by their ability and progress.
Meanwhile, it is time to make choices for the future of the oldest. Luigi is enrolled in a school for arts and trades in Brasov but for the moment he will attend through remote learning due to the restrictions. It is a school run by German evangelical Christians to encourage the professional development of Romanian children.
Luiza, Lorena and Denis still have a few years ahead to decide about their future, however the excellent results at school are now consistent and this makes us extremely proud of them and the great work that Nicu and Mihaela have done.
Last summer, when the restrictions were loosened, the whole family took a few days off and went to the sea. The children wanted very much to go and they were rightly rewarded and their joy is clear in the photos we received.
Good news!
I would like to conclude by saying that during this time there has also been a lot of positive news for Bethesda. Davide Orselli, a member of Bethesda for years, who only a year ago was having intense chemotherapy, undergoing open chest surgery, is considered basically healed. It is a real miracle that has surprised the doctors themselves.
With Davide and some other members of Bethesda we were able to joyfully attend the wedding of our president Luca Macchiaiolo and his beautiful Angela that took place on September 25th. Glory be to God for this wonderful news.
See you later!
We would like to ask you to pray for us because even if we are tired, tried and maybe not feeling very hopeful about the future that seems so uncertain, we want to believe that the Lord still has great things in store for Romania and not only for our 6 children on the farm but also for other families living in difficult situations.
Thank God that He does not get tired and always stays faithful.
Orazio Gentile