It is difficult to understand why certain things happen in our lives; in fact, we may never understand in our lifetime. Looking back, we all can trace the hand of our ‘Faithful God’. I found it so reassuring when faced with a time when the silence was deafening, when walking a dark valley, that a source of strength and courage was mine just for the asking. I found my fear, my fire of sorrow was transformed into flames of hope.
EMANUEL HOSPICE:
Noemi, a sweet four-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with AGS syndrome, is scheduled to undergo brain surgery on May 15th. Noemi is fed through a gastrostomy, which needs to be replaced twice yearly. Additional costs for a relatively poor family already struggling with constant medical expenses. Noemi is dearly loved by her parents and very precious to her siblings. Her mother is very anxious about the upcoming surgery and is deeply concerned as to who will assume responsibility for her children during her stay at the hospital. I am holding this little one close in my heart, although the gastrostomy is approximately £400 yearly, we pray the Lord will send a token of love to this family to remove the anxiety.
Sofi, a four-year-old patient, is diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a condition that makes her completely dependent on her mother. Recently, she has had to spent a lot of time in hospital due to a virus, this has worsened her condition and made her reliant on oxygen. Her mother stays constantly by her side, caring for her and surrounding her with so much love, but she is deeply affected by her daughter’s situation. She knows we are praying for little Sofi and is very grateful as it brings a sense of peace to a distraught and worried mother.
Felicia is a young single mother diagnosed one year ago with ovarian cancer. Abandoned at the age of two, she was raised in a children’s home. Now she is raising her daughter of eleven years totally alone, as the father refused to accept responsibility. Felicia is now facing the possibility of her death; she will never see her daughter mature into a young woman. Her mind is in turmoil wondering who will take care of her precious daughter; who will love her, care for her? They have moved to live with a family from their church who offered to help her during her last days, but the future remains uncertain. Felicia is shaken in her faith, she is angry with God, leaving her daughter to live the life of an orphan as she was. Felicia needs to be held close in your heart. I ask you to embrace this overwhelming situation.
Madalina, another young mother with eight children, who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was pregnant with her eighth child. Her cancer has become very advanced and Madaline is fully dependant on an oxygen concentrator, being also very weak and totally dependent on her mother, who takes care of her. Her mother is devastated; the children are feeling the absence of their mother more and more, not capable of understanding that their mother will never be able to take care of them. The children are overcome with fear of a life without their mum.
CASA GRACE: UPDATE ON MARIANA:
Seven children wait patiently for their beloved ‘Mummy’ to return home. Their young lives are filled with pangs of fear, their future is uncertain and unknown. Mariana was rushed to hospital a few days ago, during the long journey to the main hospital in Oradea, the oncologist arranged for the theatre to be prepared for immediate surgery. On arrival, Mariana was taken for a series of scans, endoscopy… which revealed a much more complex situation. At the last moment a decision to postpone surgery was made, leaving the surgeon perhaps wondering, ‘What can we do?’. I ask you to join with us in prayer assured that it is God who engineers all circumstances and knowing in our hearts, ‘What cannot God do?’ Pray for the situation, pray for the spiritual battle going on within Mariana’s heart and that she will come to know and realise that the Lord doesn’t give strength simply for today, tomorrow, hourly, His strength surrounds us every second of every minute. Two friends felt the leading of the Lord to finance Mariana’s surgery and dental treatment for Gabriela. We serve as ONE in Christ.
Calin and his family of seven live in a remote village 50 kilometres outside Oradea, it is so remote there are no job opportunities. In order to survive the family have been raising pigs. Without warning a virus attacking animals was contracted resulting in the death of all the animals within their village. The loss is unimaginable as the family planned to sell the pigs in order to survive the winter. Tania (2) sufferers from acute asthma and has to be admitted to hospital on many occasions. The family are in a state of shock as they fear their future with no source of income. My colleagues are deeply concerned for this family and ask you to pray for them that they will know the comfort of our gracious and loving Lord. Tears filled their eyes as they received from the Tell Romania Feeding Programme. Please hold this family close in prayer.
Tibor and his wife Anna have two sons. When Tibor suffered a serious accident at work, their circumstances changed instantly. They have been greatly encouraged in receiving the ongoing support which places food on their table and firewood for warmth. The family were taken to court by a relative and have been in the process of resolving the accusations against them. This week, the court gave a decision in their favour; however, the case remains open. We have been supporting this family since the father’s accident, and during the days of uncertainties, as owing to medical costs they risked being evacuated from their home. Please pray for Tibor and his family.
KINGDOM KIDS – ORPHANAGE CENTRE:
During the past year a large number of children have received love and care through our daily Therapy sessions. Children suffering from mental disorders, serious disabilities… My colleague Dora patiently works with children from all aspects of life, teaching verbal communication and interaction with others. The children differ with twenty-two from families, twenty-three abandoned children, nine receiving foster care Our work takes priority as these precious children need to feel loved and accepted as many have only known rejection.
Joshua (4) comes from a Christian home. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, surged hydrocephaly, and motor and mental delay. He first commenced therapy when only eight months old. This precious little one did not have head control, he was shy and totally mother dependent. During our therapy sessions he started to develop head control, utter words and walk. His little mind was working as he became curious and asked many questions and could identify various shapes, colours and animals. Last summer he complained of serious headaches, with his head becoming enlarged. After investigation it was identified the draining tube inserted in his head was blocked. During the past six months this little lamb has endured fifteen surgeries, infections and medical complications where he suffered episodes of blindness. Joshua is an amazing little boy – a fighter. During his stay in hospital, he asked his mummy to sing with him a song because he said if you tell the Lord, He will never leave you! An amazing young boy! Joshua is unable to walk now as he tires easily; he needs to recover and we will teach him to walk again and regain various other skills he had… please pray for him and his parents. They are a young Christian family with four boys. Joshua is God’s miracle.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING ROOM:
The Autumn semester (October 24- March 25) concluded with twenty students graduating. The age range varied between fifty and fourteen as this year we welcomed girls from the High School. My colleagues Dana and Berta recognised the competitive spirit of the students and found it interesting that our top student who graduated with the highest marks was a lady in her mid-fifties. Dorina has been widowed for nineteen years and lives 80 kilometres from Oradea. Upon presentation of a new sewing machine in recognition of her achievement she shared how becoming a seamstress in her small village will be an additional income for her and her family. She has no other source of income. Dorina confessed her love for her faithful Lord who has been with her in her many years of travelling a valley experience. In humble adoration we give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to see the transformation in many lives and how even in our tea-break bible study, we can identify the reshaping of attitudes and lives.
IOCHEBED:
Bianca a single mother of two little ones aged four and three, is totally alone. Bianca made contact with the father of her children regarding the possibility of a future together. His abusive behaviour made this an impossibility. She had no other choice than to return to her mother’s home with her children. She came to us requesting counselling. We were able to confirm she is pregnant with her third child. Her immediate reaction was she did not wish to keep her baby and inquired regarding abortion. We continued counselling and give thanks to the Lord for working a miracle of love in her heart, as she reached the decision to keep her baby. We will counsel and support them for the next two years. Please pray for this needy family.
Lacramioara(22) is thirty-six weeks pregnant. Her pregnancy has been difficult as she suffers from obesity, high blood pressure and has been following a course of treatment to control her symptoms. Her baby is not in the correct position, and the birth is not without complications. May the Lord grant peace and comfort to this young lady and may she give birth to a healthy baby.
Lucia (17) came to the centre requesting a pregnancy test – the test was positive. She does not want this baby and is thinking about abortion, but her young heart is filled with fear. Lucia is receiving one to one counselling from Sister Gabi who has encouraged her to keep her baby. If she still feels unable to raise her baby she could perhaps consider adoption. Please pray that the Lord will change Lucia’s heart once she holds her little one in her arms.
Domnica (17) gave birth to a baby boy on 24th March. The following day, it was discovered that baby Elyas-Gabriel had many malformations (six fingers on his left hand and six toes on each foot). Domnica and her parents are overwhelmed and in a state of shock. The family are supportive and have taken the baby for further investigation to help him to have a normal life. A precious gift of life, please pray.
A personal ‘Thank You’ from Sisters Estera (Emanuel Hospice) Gabi (Iochebed) and Monika (Casa Grace).
Dear Sister Shirley, I want to express our gratitude for your prayers and support. Your kindness means so much to us as a team and to the patients and their families. Thank you for standing with us (Estera – Emanuel Hospice).
We are so grateful that we can serve together, Sister Shirley. Six new babies were born this month and we were able to be beside the mothers throughout the pregnancy and afterwards. All new mothers received food, diapers, dried milk, clothes and shoes for babies and women, hygiene products, backpacks filled with school items to enable a child to attend school. It is such a blessing to see the happiness on the children’s faces! All these blessings are from God’s kindness and through you who serve in accordance to God’s will. (Gabi – Iochebed).
We send a hug of ‘Thank You’ in the names of the precious girls, boys, mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers for your ongoing love showed to them and the vital support they receive daily. (Monika – Casa Grace).
Collating my prayer requests, I found one word ‘hitting home’ as I read every case study: ‘Fear’. I thought of those who fear tomorrow, fear the unknown, those lying awake struggling with the ‘what if’s’ in life. I accept that fear is a part of our human nature, part of our makeup of who we are. How precious the moments of stillness in the presence of the Lord, our special time when we ask the Lord to transform our fear, our anxiety into something new, something perfect. Let us ask the Lord to make us an Instrument of His peace. Where there is hatred, let me love; injury let me pardon; it is in giving we can truly receive.
Shirley, May 01 2025 ….42B Bernice Road, Craigarogan, Co. Antrim. BT36 4QZ.