Then the angel showed me the river of
the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne
of God and of the Lamb. Rev 22:1
Click image for larger pictureClick here for a more defined version of the care home goal
Click here for the Criteria used for selection of women to come into the care home
Click here for shipping info and a list of needed supplies
The goal of the care home ministry is one of helping women to be able to keep their children and raise them, and not to abort or abandon them. We’ve helped over 100 women and children through our care home so far. When a woman reaches a point of crisis it is usually due to some type of abuse, either in the form of physical, emotional, sexual or mental, and is usually what lies at the core of the problem. God’s plan for people, relationships and families is still restorative and healing. We want those helped in our care home to find faith and healing in the Lord and to learn His ways, heal from their abuse and to learn a better way to live their lives. To help them with this we provide a safe, supportive and loving Christian family living environment. We provide clothes, food, and shelter, medical and dental care. Our professional and experienced staff works as a team to assess each individual and then work together to assist and support them with the material, emotional, and spiritual help they need to be able to transition into a healthier functioning life. We provide Biblical based counseling as well as training on women’s health issues, child rearing, family issues and other practical skills needed to equip them for their future.
Click image for larger
pictureThe inspiration for the medical van ministry came when it was learned that people in the village often would not go to the city for medical treatment even though the treatment for those with state insurance was free. The reason is that travel to and from the city is often difficult and there is a distinct fear of leaving one’s property for any length of time. Then there are those villagers who do not qualify for state health insurance for some reason and cannot afford medical treatment. This presented a great need that was not being met either by the government or another ministry. So the idea for the medical van came into being and God provided for the purchase of a used vehicle, which was then converted to a mobile examination room. The vehicle is now ready to go into villages to bring medical care and the Good News of Jesus Christ. But one hurdle remains; the monthly operation of the van will cost at least $1800 in fuel, maintenance, medical supplies and a salary for the Romanian doctor. Won’t you pray with us for that need to be met on a monthly basis?
Click image for larger
pictureThe Cornesti Christian Center started out as a single building located at the rear of the care home, which has been used as a church and worship center since it was completed in 2004. Since then the CCC, as it is most often called, has grown to include one cabin, which houses staff, and 5 additional cabins to house teams, campers and visitors to the care home. While the CCC is still primarily the Evangelical Church for the village it has become much, much more. With the addition of the cabins the center has become an ideal camp site with accommodations for up to 50 campers and leaders. With the large meeting room in the church and the smaller one in one of the cabins it is also a great place for weekend training sessions, seminars or retreats. Being located away from the main village road it has a very quiet, relaxed atmosphere, which adds to the benefits of the center. Of course, the first consideration is always how the CCC can be used to glorify God so any activities held here start with that in mind.
Click image for larger pictureThe church plant in Stanciova, Romania came about through help and intervention in the village of Stanciova as the ROL staff assisted and taught the people of there. After a small group of people became believers there was an obvious need for a regular place to worship so a house was rented in 2000. It was also obvious that the village needed a full-time pastor so Pastor Marion joined us in the Fall of 2001 and took over the ministry there. Later the current house was purchased by the River of Life. After a short time of remodeling and construction we were able to start using the facility. Today there are regular Sunday services, a youth program and weekly Bible studies. Now there is a light shining there in the church but the Pastor still needs help. We would like to see a man and wife or family come to Stanciova to help the pastor with the church duties and help further evangelize the village. There is a great work started there but still many opportunities to share the Gospel and help the people. There is an additional piece of property that we would like to use as a youth camp during the summers and the volunteer couple or family would also have the responsibility of organizing and running that outreach.
Click image for larger pictureMaria House had its beginning when Doug brought Tante Maria to the care home because she was so ill and aged that she could no longer take care of herself. She had been living in squalor in the house next to the care home and had no family to help her. As he brought her through the door and she saw the clean, well cared for facility she looked to him with tear-filled eyes and asked "Why isn't there a place like this for people like me?" That was the inspiration that started it all. Now, what was once Tante Maria's house is gone and the property has been purchased, through God's provision, by the River of Life foundation for the purpose of building an elderly care home, the home that Tante Maria would build if she could. The plans have been drawn and submitted to the proper authorities. Now it is up to the Lord to provide for the building of this home that is so desperately needed by so many lonely and forgotten elderly. We believe it is His will that directed the inception of this project and He will see it to completion.
The transition home is still in the prayer and brainstorming stages but it is obvious that it is something that could benefit some of the women in the care home, giving them the opportunity to learn self-sufficiency while still under the protective wings and guidance of the care home and its staff. Ideallythe home would be located in Cornesti making it easily aaccessiblefor the staff if they needed to counsel or instruct the tenant. It would also allow the mother using the home to seek and secure employment and the child would be in the familiar surroundings of the care home while mom is away at wwork. Ofcourse the women using the transition home would remain accountable to the care home staff while there and would have to be able to maintain certain moral and personal standards to qualify for the use of the home. BButwe see this as an essential part to helping some of the moms here move out of the care home and take that all important step in integrating back into society. Please pray for God's leading and direction in this project, that His will be done.
Click image for larger pictureIn addition to the ministries at the River of Life God has open many opportunities for ministries to the people of Cornesti, the village where the River of Life is located. One very important ministry is to the village school children. We are able to go to the school and tell Bible stories, sing worship songs and pray with the children. They also come to the CCC for children's' programs, vacation Bible schools and special activities that are often hosted by visiting teams from other countries. We are becoming involved with the AWANA's program in Romania but require more Romanian volunteers to make it happen effectively. The villagers have come to rely on the River of Life care home for many of their basic needs such as clothing, minor medical care and transportation in emergency situations. One very successful way of reaching out to people has been the eyeglass ministry where donated used eyeglasses have been fitted to Romanians providing them the gift of sight. This has extended to several other villages as well as Cornesti. Also as a result of the ministry here many homes now have outhouses that would not have had them before and the school has received a new coat of paint due to the labor of the care home maintenance people. These are just a few examples of ministries that are carried out here.