I am writing this after just returning from Constanta, Romania way out east along the Black Sea coast. As I visited Romania here I had 2 primary reasons for this visit. First, one of our parents Vasilica Ciobanu, the mother of Dana Ciobanu, died after several long hard years fighting cancer. Pray for Dana, the responsibility for her ongoing care has not yet been determined. I will attend the memorial service and hope to see many of RHM’s family members. Second, I visited to begin changing the RHM-Ro. corporate structure to meet changes imposed by Romania law.
Pray for the structure of RHM. In the present economy and with the RHM organization in America growing older, we need to turn over much of the responsibility for running the ministry to our Romanian friends. There have also been some changes in Romanian law which will aid us in fund raising in Romania which are far beyond the possibilities in the US. Romanian law places a heavy tax burden on all entities in the country. Corporations often pay in excess of 50% to taxes. The new law allows Romanian corporations to designate up to 20% of the taxes they pay to NGO’s who help the Romanian government to deal with thousands needs across the population.
RHM needs to add staff. RHM hopes add a physical therapist to our staff. We also need a strong day program assistant to help the members move around. Finally we may ask Liviu Marin to return as a Spiritual Ministries Director. Having a source of income from within Romania would increase our capacity. Bringing Liviu back will also deepen the impact of Christ on the group.
We need the redefining of job descriptions and new work assignments to accomplish these goals. Growth and the ability to present Jesus Christ, along with more personal care to more people, requires change. Pray that God will show us how to do the tasks he has put in front of us.
We just completed the Jen Bricker Bauer and Dominik Bauer aerialist performance which was the center piece of RHM’s fall fundraiser last Wednesday. Over 100 people attended. Jen and Dom performed on high silk elements 20 feet above the Cincinnati Shakespeare Works Stage. It was beautiful almost beyond description. It was a wonderful and inspirational. Jen is a symbol of hope, never give up and use even the smallest of abilities to follow God’s will. Even when it seems impossible. As the title of Jen’s book states, nothing is impossible. Also, RHM made money on the event.
I will return to Bucharest in late October to participate in a conference attended by over 500 Romanian corporate officers. We hope to make contact with many companies who will attend another Jen Bricker performance in Constanta in May. We are working to build relationships and to offer hope. God is good.
As I look just ahead at driving through the stunningly beautiful Romania county side, past the miles of rolling open fields of corn, beans, sunflowers and grapes I am almost overwhelmed by the grace that God has offered which keeps our doors open. It is a beautiful thing, but it is hard work. Please keep us in your prayers.
-Jerry Skinner