Hi everyone,
I spoke with my Dad this morning and would like to fill you in on what is going on today in Romania.
Yesterday, he and a friend drove 3 hours to a Romania/Ukraine border crossing to check out the situation there for themselves. They wanted to see if there was a chance they could make some connections and bring people in need over to the Rasa Center. When they got there, they saw people coming across who had been waiting for hours (if not days) in line ups, in the rain and cold – mostly women with children. Once people cross the border, they have to wait in more line ups to be processed on this end. They are then going 4-5 hours by bus to Bucharest, where they are dropped off at a sorting center that will help them find places to stay. This is for the best, as there is a very real concern of people being trafficked if they are just picked up at the border. All of this information was helpful to find out so that Dad and Mom can know what to do next.
Many of the first wave of refugees are only stopping in Romania with plans to move on to other countries, but the next waves of refugees will be more likely to stay because they have no other places to go. This is where organizations and ministries will be coming into play. The Rasa Center has been signed up to be on the list of places that Bucharest can send people to. It may seem to be taking more time than expected, but it is best that things are done properly at the start, and in conjunction with how the Romanian government is processing people. It has actually been a blessing, because it has given them time to organize the center for more people.
Dad says he feels the Lord telling them to “prepare and wait” – so that is what they are doing! And late tonight (they are 8 hours ahead) the call came to host a mother with 5 children - they are on the way to Rasa, so the preparations are just in time!!
When I spoke with Dad today, he said he had just driven out to Bucharest with a friend, and they filled up the van with bunkbeds, blankets, and food supplies to stock up the pantry. He says prices for everything seem to be rising dramatically over there.
They continue to hear from people they have connections with in Ukraine. They know of two pastors with their wives and children who had crossed the border into safety, but the men have decided to go back into Ukraine to help more people, even though it’s very possible they may not see their families again.
My parents say a huge thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, and for the support you have sent. You are a blessing. We wait alongside them to see what the Lord is going to do through all of this. Blessings,
Jenni Kroeker (Reinhard & Darcey Neufeld)