Sometimes I wonder why God places certain tasks on our hearts. It is amazing to me how God within one month’s time can shine HIS light of understanding in our hearts. Last month when I made an appeal to you about one of our projects in the village of Ileanda, I could not understand why I had to make such an urgent appeal to you about this center for children. I believe that the light of understanding is now beginning to shine on the reason for this project. Ministry opportunities don’t just happen by chance; but rather, they happen because God sees far more than our natural eyes can see. God has a way of inviting us into HIS work /His plans before He gives us a full picture of why He has placed certain things on our hearts. I believe my plea to you last month was just such an invitation. God placed the Ileanda center in my heart without giving the reason for the urgency. However, this month there is certainly more of an understanding to why God seeded such a task in my heart.

Just a few weeks ago we learned that the Romanian government is about to impose new laws prohibiting any international adoptions of Romanian children. In doing so, all the children that at the present time are being cared for by foster families, pre-approved adoptive families, and maternal assistants while awaiting the conclusion of their adoption files will be removed from their care and placed back in the care of their original families or institutions. What does this mean? It means that many of the children will have no place to go except to an orphanage or back to families that misused them or abandoned them. There is a shortage of adequate orphanages now since the government has been during the past year closing many of the older or more isolated ones. So what about these children? What will happen to many of these children because of the radical turn in the government’s policy? Many children that at one time saw rays of hope of being adopted by caring and loving families will be returned to the home life that they were first rescued from, or sent to families who will take the children in exchange for monthly governmental allowances. Many will end up on the streets because of the lack of care the families will give them and will be forced on the streets because that is what the families use them for, objects to bring in money. Many will be hurt, abused, and hungry. Sad isn’t it?

If there was ever a time for us to work and help make a difference in some child’s life, now is the time! A few of you responded to my cry for your help last month. However, without all our help this project cannot happen. Again, last month I did not know why God had pressed my heart so toward this project in Ileanda, but now I am seeing more clearly into what God already sees.

Yes, I feel that just like when the cries of the Israelites reached the ears of God while they were in bondage in Egypt that the cries of these children are reaching HIS ears today. You might be asking, “Rita, what does that have to do with me?” Everything! He still chooses to work through HIS people today. Just as God had to raise up someone who was willing to be used by Him to change the lives of HIS people, He still calls to His people to rise up and make a difference. Unless we act now and help many of these children during this critical time in Romania, they will suffer. They will be abandoned and once again they will no longer feel the safety of someone’s love embracing them. May God forbid that the children of Romania once again suffer at the expense of political powers and reputations! I believe God expects us to do all we can to see about getting His work accomplished. God expects us to care for the orphans and the widows for that is pure religion. (James 1: 27). Never have I had such urgency in my spirit as this and never have I been so bold and straight to the point as I am now. But I believe when God’s heart aches for His children that He presses that ache upon us so that we will act and work on HIS behalf. God’s heart has always been to help the helpless, the orphans, and the poor. He said, “Suffer not the little ones to come unto me.” Suffer not! In other words, I call you to work with us so that they too may have hope and a future. By the time you receive this newsletter the government will have already made their decision regarding Alex and Sarah. “Yes”, they were on the list along with many, many other children. The file for adoption that Barbara had in Bucharest has been revoked. However, praise Jesus, the only other place Alex and Sarah have been was our foundation. So these 2 babies are, as

we understand, being placed back into the foundation’s care. Unfortunately, many others will not be as blessed unless we reach out and help them.

Barbara’s Email of 3/24/04.

We had donations given for the repairs of windows in the children’s cancer hospital. As of now we have replaced a total of $1,700.00 worth of new windows for this hospital. We want to thank Network Limited, Wings of Faith, and Rev. Omer & Bonnie Roberts for their generous donations towards this project. Diane Smoot of Network Limited saw first-hand last winter the children and the facility. Many of the children in the hospital rooms wore layers of clothing, hats, and gloves to keep out the cold. This project was very dear to our hearts. It is enough that these children are suffering from cancer and the treatments for cancer. Thanks to those mentioned above many children can now be warm as they undergo their treatments and continue to battle their enemy - cancer. Not only did God make a way for us to help this hospital but HE also blessed us with a Christian installer who did all the labor for free and then on top of that gave us a 10.5% discount on the materials. Praise Jesus for His favor on this project. There are still other windows to be replaced on the children’s ward; in particular the doctor’s examination room if anyone is interested.

Another item that was upon our list of goals for this year was that of the Pharmaceutical deposit. We were contacted about this project by Network Limited who had some people interested in helping us and wanted more information. I was delighted by their willingness to come thousand of miles at their own cost to help with needed repairs. However, I told them I could not commit because I did not have the funds to buy the needed materials. The agreement was they would come if we can purchase the materials. That would be a great blessing considering how much it would cost to hire the work done plus purchase materials. The more we talked about the project the more we all agreed that we needed to step out in faith and commit ourselves. Within only one week there was a donation towards this project. I believe God was saying “Trust ME with this and watch ME work.” We are all geared up now and we are believing God for all the other funds for materials to complete the Pharmaceutical deposit this year. God is more than able! The deposit will open up major doors in ministering to the people of Romania.

Another project on the list was the receipt of a large shipment of humanitarian aid from “Convoy of Hope” (who are through the Assemblies of God). The shipment was due in February, but unfortunately it did not get shipped. I called the office of “Convoy of Hope” and for weeks we played phone tag. However, we finally made contact and the news that I received was not pleasant. I was told that they had no funds for shipping to Romania and so the order was placed on hold. Mr. Scott also told me that it did not look good for this happening anytime this year. Those words pierced my heart. For years this has been a vision of my heart - to help supply badly needed medical equipment to Romania. My only words were, “I understand; however, we can pray. God can bring these funds, if this shipment is His will.” The young man kindly said, “Yes, by all means pray, Mrs. McClure.” The conversation took place on a Monday morning and by Thursday of the same week Mr. Scott of “Convoy of Hope” called me early to tell me that funds for Romania had come in. Praise the mighty Name of Jesus! He still works and is always ready to answer when we call. This shipment will now be shipped sometime around mid-April. We will be receiving it by mid-June. The goods will be shipped in a large shipping container loaded with all kinds of hospital equipment and supplies - oxygen tanks, walkers, gurneys, water therapy tank, hospital beds and mattresses, pillows, waiting room chairs, a burn tank, and IV poles. GOD IS GOOD, ISN’T HE!!!

Thank you all for your support and prayers for our ministry. We stand in awe of God and how HE has brought so much increase in the ministry over the last 6 years. It continues to grow rapidly and that is why it is so important to have people like you working along side us as we continue to touch the hearts of the people of Romania. I ask that you continue to pray with us regarding all these projects. Yes, indeed God has placed much on our plate; but I see that HE is daily taking some off as HE continues to place upon hearts of people just like you to help in all these our project needs. I do believe God's Word that He will never put more upon us than we can bear. I do not believe that He cannot for one moment take care of all that HE has set in our hands. We pray that you understand that as you partner with a ministry that has a heart set upon following God and advancing the Gospel, the blessings on that ministry are passed on to you!

May God richly bless you is our prayer!

Yours in Christ,

Freddy and Rita

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