Monday - Final day and flight home.

We returned to see the building that had been offered last night and discussed possibilities for its use. It is important for us to get things clear with any agreement, so we needed to spell out what we plan to do and who we plan to work with - ex-offenders. There is good space downstairs with a fully equipped kitchen. Upstairs are bedrooms with toilets / showers and a shared kitchen. Please continue to pray with us that the Lord will clearly guide us and the owners as to what is the right way forward.

Some extra photos from a busy Palm Sunday.

Brass band at Sion Baptist - viewed from the pulpit

The heavy-weights at the back!

Phil preaching at Ineu Baptist where Sorin is the pastor.

Now we are back in England, but the work continues. We have some challenges ahead if we are to establish phase two of the ACV programme (short-term accommodation and training/mentoring) but it is a crucial part of helping people live a new life in Christ. Please keep in touch with updates on this blog and through Damascus Trust web-site - www.damascustrust.org - and we thank you for our prayers and interest in this ministry.

Sunday

So here is the surprise.

Tonight, last church meeting and we share about the work of ACV and our need for a short-term centre for helping those coming out of prison. After the service an older lady comes up to us and starts talkiing about a building that she and her husband own which she would like us to see, jsut a short walk from the church bulding. When we arrive we find a two-storey building that is all kitted out with downstairs meeting rooms, toilets and a fully equipped kitchen and then a seperate upstairs with five bedrooms, showers and toilets. After a brief chat, we have agreed to meet tomorrow as they would like to talk with us about the possibility of ACV making use of this building.

So, please pray with us that we will have time to talk and pray together about what the Lord is wanting us to do. It's a surprise for us, but not for the Lord and he knows what he is doing - we just need to listen and follow his lead.

We finished the evening with Sorin and Reli at their home with more food - a roast chicken with potatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, salad and sauces. We also enjoyed some cakes made by their daughter, Damaris. All very nice and a lovely end to the day and our visit.

Saturday - Part Two

Just returned from another wonderful meal with Leo (ACV mentor) and his family (and Sorin and Reli - right and left below). It included a special Romanian dish - tripe soup! Then we had stuffed potatoes, salad and various sauces that had all be prepared by Leo. We have been so blessed with generous hospitality from so many people throughout this last week. We have had time to laugh and cry, to share and to pray for one another. Many thanks to them all and may the Lord bless them even more than they have blessed us.

Saturday

A more relaxed start this morning, which was much appreciated.

Friday

More meetings with more helpful people. Florica Chereches is the local MP and is always encouraging us and offering advice and suggestions. It was good to catch up with her at the start of the day.

Then we went on to meet with the vice-president of the Bihor county (centre below) and he in turn introduced us to two of his colleagues. One turned out to be the translator from last night's service and involved in making applications for funding from the county council (second from right). He will do what he can to help us apply for funding for the ACV programme.

The other colleague was visiting from Bucharest and is responsible for the Ministry of Agriculture (far left). He was keen for us to know that there are training courses available for young people (up to 35 yrs) to be trained for agricultural work and this could include ex-offenders - so let's see....

After that we met again with Posticum and talked through various options for us to have use of their building. They will present us with an initial draft proposal which we can then consider in the light of some refurbishment work that will need to be done to make the building useful. We're aiming to have a decision about us using the building by the end of May. So please continue to pray.

Lastly we met with another lady, Christina, from Emanuel University who also works in the city helping to apply for EU funding. It is a long process with many hoops to jump through, but she will help us to see if there are any sources that would match our particular work. Again, we will trust the Lord and take things a step at a time.

Tomorrow we will be taking part in a staff conference for Tomorrow Clubs. These are clubs run in Romania, Hungary and Moldova for children and families. Andy will be speaking about 'Investing in the Kingdom of God'. Please pray for a good and encouraging time together.

Thursday - Part Two

Today in the prison we lit a fire in Jesus' Name! As part of the teaching session, we were able to invite the Apprentices to make the choice to let Christ be Lord of their lives, to change their hearts and change their lives. It was good to see them listen and understand and whilst many of them say theuy want to follow Jesus, we realise the challenge is to make disciples and not just converts. Thank you for your prayers.

Please continue to pray for the remaining sessions of this especially the mentoring sessions when there is opportunity for one-to-one discussion with the Apprentices. We praise the Lord for all that he is doing in these men's lives.

programme,

This evening we enjoyed a time in Philadelphia Pentecostal Church. Lots of our team were there and they were all able to take part in one way or another - including Florica Dudas

We ended the day with a supper at Dan and Gabi's home. A feast fit for a king!

Tomorrow we meet with the local MP, have discussions with Posticum about the building and also meet another lady to help with putting together an application for EU funding. Please pray for the Lord to guide our discussions and decisions.

Thursday - Matchstick Day

Why not join us today in striking a light and prayng that the Holy Spirit will set on fire the hearts of our Apprentices in Oradea Prison.

Please pray for each of the Mentors as well as Viorel who is leading the session on relationships.

Pray for each of the Apprentices, that as they listen, their hearts will be stirred and they will respond to the love of the Lord, even whilst behind bars.

Sorry to hear that some of you have had problems getting comments up on the Blog. Not sure why that should be a problem, but you can always send it as an email to info@damascustrust.org