In 1991, the journey to Romania began for a compassionate couple who adopted a baby girl born in the country. After a quarter of a century, an unexpected opportunity led them back to Romania, specifically to the village of Rasa, where they immersed themselves in spreading God's love and addressing the immediate physical needs of their neighbors.
Recognizing the urgency for long-term solutions to combat the prevailing poverty and abandonment, the couple, with Reinhard's expertise in construction, established a construction company that not only provided employment to local young men but also became a transformative platform for sharing the Gospel, mentoring spiritual growth, and imparting essential life skills. Meanwhile, Darcey's dedication to supporting women of all ages manifested in heartfelt visits to widows and the provision of handmade cribs and necessities for new mothers, seamlessly intertwining practical aid with the opportunity to share the Gospel with their neighbors.
Inspired by a divine vision, the couple embarked on a mission to create positive change, leading to the establishment of the Rasa Family Centre in 2018—a sanctuary for abused mothers and abandoned children. Since then, their endeavors have extended to nurturing and sharing God's love with widows, orphans, and refugees, leaving an enduring impact on the community.
Women's Shelters
Established in 2018, the Rasa Family Centre has rapidly transformed into a bustling refuge for abused women, encompassing those with infants and small children, as well as expectant mothers. Within its walls, the Centre fosters a dynamic environment featuring both formal classes and informal teaching and modeling, integral components of daily life.
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To ensure compliance with government regulations and to fortify the human resources needed for their objectives, several Romanians have been seamlessly integrated into the Centre's staff, with ongoing efforts to expand the team. Beyond its core function as a shelter, the Centre serves as a versatile hub for various outreach initiatives, encompassing clothing distribution, a dedicated ministry for widows, Christmas programs, and Bible studies. Additionally, it functions as a launchpad for short-term programming and outreach in the surrounding area, facilitated by traveling ministry groups and youth teams.
Gratitude is extended for the support in covering the operating costs of the Centre. Contributions play a pivotal role in making a substantial impact for the Gospel, both within the local community and beyond.
Widows:
In their community, numerous widows grapple with profound loneliness, and some lack nearby family support. To address this isolation, regular visits are made to these widows, extending invitations to join at the Centre where social activities are organized, and nourishing meals are provided.
Beyond fostering companionship, practical assistance is extended to many widows, encompassing the provision of firewood for winter heating, emergency food aid, clothing, and other material goods as they become available. Through these tangible expressions of care, the team not only addresses immediate needs but also nurtures meaningful relationships.
These connections present valuable opportunities to share the Gospel, providing comfort and spiritual support. The generous support for this ministry is highly valued and plays a crucial role in advancing the Gospel in Romania, reaching individuals who may otherwise feel overlooked and isolated.
Orphan
They consistently visit orphans at a nearby hospital, participating in activities that involve holding them, offering prayers, engaging in conversations, and singing to uplift their spirits.
The overarching objective of these visits is to enhance both the physical and emotional well-being of the orphans, with the aim of fostering their overall development. This endeavor is motivated by the aspiration to provide them with a more robust foundation for a successful life once a foster or permanent home becomes available.
During these interactions, the team shares Christ's love with the orphans, and their ultimate hope and prayer are that this outreach will sow the seeds of faith, inspiring these children to embrace the love and teachings of Christ in their lives.
Kindness Evangelism
A substantial number of individuals in their community and the neighboring villages grapple with challenges in affording essential necessities such as food, clothing, and heating fuel. Since the inception of their ministry in Romania, there has been active engagement in addressing the immediate physical needs of the people in their vicinity.
While they are dedicated to implementing long-term solutions for the prevalent poverty in their community, there is a simultaneous acknowledgment of the ongoing necessity to demonstrate Christ's love by assisting individuals with their immediate physical needs. These efforts materialize through various initiatives, including the provision of Christmas food and gift hampers that incorporate a Bible, the creation of homemade cribs for new mothers, the supply of firewood, the construction of outhouses, and the distribution of clothing. These tangible forms of assistance not only alleviate immediate hardships but also serve as impactful entry points for sharing the Gospel.
Support For Ukraine
Since 2018, the Rasa Family Centre has functioned as a refuge for women in crisis situations. In 2022, a new crisis unfolded in their region, prompting an extension of their mission to provide temporary shelter for refugees from Ukraine. This phase has been characterized by both busyness and occasional chaos, with individuals conversing in Romanian, Ukrainian, and English navigating communication within the Rasa Family Centre.
Despite the challenges, it has been a period of blessing, offering opportunities to share the Gospel and exemplify Christ's love in tangible ways. Furthermore, they have actively participated in supplying and transporting food and supplies to churches in Ukraine, contributing to their efforts in aiding families facing hardship.
As they navigate through this demanding period, they humbly request prayers for strength and resources to sustain their ongoing work in the Rasa area while simultaneously offering essential temporary housing for refugee families. Your support, including special donations for their efforts in Ukraine, is greatly appreciated and can be made through their donate page.
Construction:
During the construction of the Rasa Family Centre, opportunities arose to provide employment to local men, a move that seamlessly complemented their ministry to mothers in crisis. It became apparent that offering jobs to these men not only supported their families but also contributed to broader positive effects within the community.
Empowering the local men with employment proved transformative, instilling confidence and enabling them to take on leadership roles in their homes, communities, and churches. This not only kept families united by preventing men from seeking work abroad but also played a pivotal role in sustaining local churches, as employed men actively contributed through tithing, ensuring financial stability.
Beyond its economic impact, the provision of jobs emerged as a dynamic platform for daily opportunities to share the Gospel and provide mentorship on godly living. This initiative has significantly expanded the scope of their ministry in Romania, introducing a profound dimension with the potential for a lasting impact that extends across generations.
Children, Students, and Youth
During the summer months, the Rasa Family Centre hosts camps for children on its grounds. The children relish the experience of sleeping in tents, enjoying good food, and participating in exciting programming that includes learning about God.
Recognizing the financial challenges that some children in the community face in obtaining school supplies, initiatives have been launched to provide assistance, ensuring that local children have access to the necessary materials and promoting their education.
The Rasa Centre serves as the regular meeting place for youth gatherings, where they immerse themselves in the study of God's Word, engage in collective prayer, and socialize over wholesome meals. These activities contribute to cultivating a sense of community and fostering spiritual growth among the youth.
