Dear Friends,

Getting towards the end of winter, our mind begins to focus on what has happened over the past months in the lives of our children and families around Barlad, Romania. Oana Rosca who we had to take to hospital during camp last July, was diagnosed with tuberculosis meningitis. She had a difficult time with a long spell in hospital, undergoing lots of unpleasant tests but she was eventually sent home in November 2015. She was released from hospital much against the Drs wishes but her parents and ‘child protection’ knew better! She had a rough time recovering but thank God, she is looking much better and is feeling much stronger now. She really wants to go back to school but she is not allowed to until she is fully recovered. She continues with her medication and all being well, she will get stronger each day and will make a full recovery. We are just grateful that camp took place when it did or Oana may not have been here today, her parents’ only care was to put vinegar on her feet! Ada meets with Oana 3 times a week to encourage her, listen to her and help her in any way she can. This is wonderful as Oana’s parents don’t do this. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the ‘boxes of love’ that we sent to Oana during her time in hospital, they were a great encouragement to her. GNfR continues to provide food for her and her family to ensure that she has a good diet, thus helping her to get over this illness. Oana’s brother Tiberius (10) was diagnosed with TB when tested but sadly, his parents won’t allow him to go for treatment. We will try and talk to them when we go to Romania, ensuring them that GNfR will cover any costs incurred for the treatment. We just hope and pray that he won’t end up in the same situation as Oana in the future. Her other brother Sebastian (7) was clear of TB. Both boys have had to do lots of work around the house and fetching water etc because Oana is unable to work. Claudiu explained that the boys look quite run down and tired. This is no life for such young children. Oana’s eldest sister Dana Rosca (19) left home when she was 16 and is pregnant by a man described as her ‘uncle.’ He is 20 years older than her. She doesn’t know exactly when the baby is due as she is having no antenatal care which apparently is not uncommon in the villages. We just pray for safe delivery of this baby and that Dana is brought safely through it too. Romica Pantea who we were very concerned about after lots of abuse from his father and employers, is doing much better now. He ran away from home and then ran away from a violent boss but he now has a job as a shepherd boy and is doing well. His brother Vasilica contacted Claudiu & Ada to say that Romica’s boss is much better and Romica is happy. Romica’s dream is to save money for driving lessons and hopefully have a better life than he has in the past, he so deserves to do well as his life has been quite horrendous up to now. We hope to see him this year when we go to Romania and catch up with all his news. Daniel Postolache, (18) brother of Bianca, started to have fits late in November and was eventually diagnosed as having epilepsy. He has also been diagnosed with serious sinus and liver problems for which he is awaiting an operation and treatment. GNfR was able to provide funds for his tests and treatment and will continue to help in any way we can to improve his health. His fits are now down to around 3 a day which is a massive improvement but he has a long way to go. Petronela Patrascu is a young 14 year old girl who lived with her 89 year old grandfather. Sadlly, granddad passed away in late January so Petronela was left alone. An aunt came to stay but Petronela didn’t like her as she shouted a lot and bullied Petronela. Her mother lives in Italy and was not interested in Petronela at all then Mum and Aunt ended up at war over the whole situation. To cut a long story short, Mum abandoned Petronela and left one very unhappy 14 year old behind as she went back to Italy. Not being happy with Aunts bullying, Petronela ran away and turned up at Bianca Postolaches apartment where she is now staying. She is safe and warm and again, GNfR is providing funds for her food etc. We just pray everything will work out for her to stay there as she is very happy. Barlad Petronela and Oana’s best friend Alexandra Lupu (15) also had reason to run away from the family home in February. Her father is accused of killing a man and he is on the run from the police, so at all hours of day and night, the police would turn up at the house looking for him. Alexandra couldn’t deal with this so ran away. She was missing for a few days but then thankfully, she returned home. Her father is still on the run and it seems now that Alexandra has fallen in love with a young man and wants to go and be with him! These children have such difficult lives, we just pray for her safety. Cristina Petcu (17) is having a baby in around 2 months and her sister Liliana Petcu (15) has left home to be with a married man who has 2 children. Nicoleta Lunca (17) has also left home to be with a man, all of which is of concern to Claudiu and Ada. Claudiu is seeing a pattern and that is that it seems as soon as these young girls are shown affection, they leave home. He also has concerns that they do this to escape abuse in the family home, how sad! Milena Lunca & Stela Petcu contact Ada numerous times a week and visit her at her home. They share their concerns about their home life and also concerns about Stela’s sisters Cristina & Liliana and their friend Nicoleta. It’s so good that they have Ada to talk to and hopefully with her support, they will continue with their studies and not go down the route of the other girls. As you can see, there are still many problems for these children supported by GNfR. There are many other children living in very difficult circumstances that Claudiu & Ada help with support from GNfR. We really couldn’t give the help and support that they so need without you. Claudiu & Ada have been amazing and have had lots of struggles with parents and officials but they’ve continued to love and support these children. Please remember them in your prayers as all the problems they see these children going through, takes a toll on them. Claudiu is extremely busy at work and under a lot of pressure there too Nicoleta Postolache is doing well at university. She’s a hard worker and is grateful that GNfR has been able to help her financially as she would not have been able to study without this help. Claudiu & Ada’s boys, Albert & Alexandru are doing well at university too and are a great support for the work of GNfR too. The Church at Dealu Mare is place where many people go to worship and get support on a Sunday morning. Three of the young boys there have asked to be baptized which is a great encouragement for Claudiu, Ada & Bianca who teach the children each week. Great news! All being well, we go to Romania towards the end of June for a wedding which we are really looking forward to. During our time there we hope to go further north east to the area where we used to work and where Madi came from. We will hopefully visit friends and catch up on news with them. Exact dates for going back to Claudiu & Ada’s aren’t decided yet as the work contract that Claudiu’s working on comes to an end around that time and his time off will be limited and he will be under pressure. We will definitely get to see the children and their families and have time to buy school books & equipment and deal with any needs that arise. It will be really good to see everyone, especially after such a difficult few months for them all. Claudiu has told us that camp will be in August this year so if anyone feels they can contribute towards a child having a wonderful holiday, then please fill in the slip attached to the letter. We are also having a Coffee morning & bring & buy at our home on, Saturday June 11th, 10am-12noon. All welcome! We are going to be sending a box of NEW ONLY clothes for the children for camp, if you would like to contribute, do let us know. The box will leave our home on June 10th. Trust you are all well. Thank you so much for all your love and encouragement to us and to those GNfR supports in Romania. You are all such a blessing.

Love and thanks, Kath and David