Seven members from First Baptist Church, Simpsonville, were part of a mission team that traveled to Romania to minister to children this summer.
Simpsonville First Baptist participants in the Romania mission trip were Tom Taylor, Ken Varner, Peggy Chaney, Annie Ruth Yelton, Marilue Taylor, Sharon Varner and Shawn Varner. Under the auspices of There is Hope Foundation of Melbourne Beach, Fla., 37 people from six states traveled to Bistrita, Romania, for an 11-day stay. The major focus of the mission trip was conducting Vacation Bible School for the children. Schools were held in four locations: two in Bistrita, one in Beclean, and one in Nasaud.
In Bistrita and Beclean, the city mayors opened the schools for their use. In Nasaud, the group was hosted by First Baptist Church.
Team members collected supplies, put crafts kits together, printed and bound Learner Guides, and transported box after box of supplies to Atlanta for crating and shipment overseas. They prepared supplies for a total of 1,200 – and the children came. The largest attendance was on Friday during the trip, when 794 children, translators, mothers, and team members were present.
About 900 children and adults saw the film “The Story of Jesus” for children in the Romanian language. At its conclusion, a child tells how to become a Christian. Local pastors will follow up with the 315 children who asked Jesus to be their Savior.
Before leaving Romania, the people requested that the Vacation Bible schools be done again. Doors were open for the material the group left behind to be used again soon.
“It is our prayer that the children of Romania may not be hindered, but may come to Jesus, friend of children,” said Ken Varner of Simpsonville First.