Love your Neighbour

Over the years following the revolution, resources from Western countries poured into Romania. These resources included social welfare and missionaries who came to evangelise and teach. Churches grew and many new churches were planted. Seven Bible colleges have been established, with the Timotheus Theological Institute accredited at university level. 

Over time Christians began to consider the wider needs, and evangelistic efforts spread to surrounding countries such as Moldova and Ukraine. Agentia Kairos is a mission agency established in 2008 which has helped in training prospective missionaries and encouraging prayer and financial support for mission abroad. Missionaries have been sent to a wide range of countries including Peru, Mongolia, Myanmar, India and Malawi. Although Romania still receives support from Christians in western countries, it has moved from being a receiving country to being a sender.

While living in Negostina and in subsequent visits we have enjoyed getting to know Cornel and Anna Haures who lived in the nearby town of Siret in the county of Suceava. Several years earlier, Cornel had studied with GLO in Sydney.

The Christian Brethren Churches of Romania are known as Biserica Crestina dupa Evanghelie with over 725 churches across the country. There is a national secretariat called the Union which has a coordinating role and represents the churches to the Romanian government. Cornel is now the vice-president of the Christian Brethren Union.

Responding to the Ukrainian Crisis

Cornel has been one of the key coordinators of the Romanian response to the Ukrainian crisis and has supplied the photos and much of the information included below. When the war started in Ukraine, the Union immediately contacted all churches to raise funds to be able to assist refugees. All churches in the country were asked to identify available accommodation both in families as well as campsites, bible colleges etc. This information was collated regionally then stored in a central database.  In some cases young people moved back to live with their parents to make apartments available for refugees. Others have been willing to take new refugees after the group they first hosted, moved on.

There are six custom points where refugees began pouring into Romania. Also, some refugees flew directly to Bucharest. The majority of refugees are women with children as the men were required for the war effort. Some women are pregnant and have small children as well. In one case a coach load of children came from an orphanage. Refugees fall into four categories

• refugees who have someone in Romania
• those transiting through the country
• those seeking political asylum in Romania or another country 
• those wanting to stay during the war then return to Ukraine

In the initial stages, assistance was given to refugees in preparing documentation. Refugees moving to other countries have been helped with establishing their ID and purchasing airline or rail tickets. Modern communication technology including What’s App was a great help in sharing solutions to the various problems encountered in establishing identity. For those needing accommodation, a huge effort has gone into preparing meals and caring for personal needs. Some refugees want to stay close to the border because they are waiting to return to Ukraine.

Transport of food and emergency supplies to Ukraine has been a major aspect of this response. To assist with transport, believers who own transport companies have provided suitable vehicles. This has been supplemented by vans sent by believers in other countries. 

Right from the start, churches set aside time to pray and fast for the situation in the conflict zone. All the large convoys of supplies are bathed in prayer as they travel through the custom points into Ukraine. These supplies are delivered to churches and other depots in Ukraine. From there supplies are taken as close as possible to the war zone. In this way our Christian brothers in Ukraine are a key part of this operation. 

Humanitarian aid is also sent to Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, where several hundred thousand refugees have crossed their borders. CMI Aid in Moldova has been heavily involved in housing and supplying aid to refugees.  Assemblies in Poland are doing a similar work to those in Romania. 

This has been a phenomenal effort as hundreds of volunteers have been deployed in gathering, preparing, packing and delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine. For those refugees wanting to stay in Romania, believers are assisting them in looking for work.

The change in Romania from being a needy country requiring outside support to being in the position to provide such widespread, multifaceted and loving help to their Ukrainian neighbours is nothing short of remarkable and glorifying to God.

To support this response to the refugee crisis, you may send money to AMT Disaster Fund or through GLO. AMT is sending the money to GLO Bucovina. Gifts to the Disaster Fund do not have the usual administration fee deducted. It is expected that the need for aid and rehabilitation will continue for months and years ahead following the end of the conflict. 

By Keith & Bronwen Cruickshank