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| INTRODUCTION |
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| Let's introduce ourselves then. I'm John Whittle and my wife is Diana. We have been involved in many ways taking aid to Romania since 1991. Everything that we have to share with you will be a testimony to the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. For us, this began with a single prayer of just eight words. "Lord, what would you have me to do" That's it folks, only eight very basic, simple words. Now would you please take a look at the results of that one prayer. To God be the Glory, great things He has done.... Amen and Amen. Some time during the middle of 1991, Diana and I went to visit our friends living in Braunton, North Devon. We have known Sylvia and John Hartfield for many years and went to spend a quiet weekend with them. On the Saturday afternoon, we all watched a video about the orphanages in Romania. The video focused attention on a variety of needs in hospitals, clinics, schools, childrens' homes, and family life in general. The video took us to many places including Arad, Deva, Sebes, Medias, Copsa Mica, Brasov, Sinia and Bucharest, all filmed on a previous trip undertaken by two pastors from Exeter, John and Dave Sumner. After watching the video, I cried over the scenes I saw of living conditions and the struggles to survive. I wondered how could this be in a so-called modern society. Even the T.V. presentations by Annika Rice, and the challenges to make a difference seemed impossible, but she certainly started a huge ball rolling for many other, and i believe the impact she made in 1990 was far bigger than she ever hoped. Joni Erickson Tada made an impact such as can only bring glory to God. So what did I have to cry about when it seemed that God was already using people with big influences to carry out the task in hand. Anyway, I didn't even know where Romania was, so what could I do? Stop a moment John. It had nothing to do with what could I do about it. That's when the prayer meeting started, and this is how it went. "Lord, what would you have me to do" It's very much like the words Paul uses in Acts 9:6. .... and look how that prayer meeting went. Friends, some great and mighty things can be achieved from a great and mighty God when the words are kept simple. When our friend John in Devon asked my why I was crying, I told him that I just didn't know what I could do to help accept pray. Instantly John said you're just the type of person God is looking for. And so, that was my prayer with just eight words.. |
| First convoy at Spessart, Germany. 1991. |
| Nick, John, Mike, Me, Brian, John & Dave Sumner, at Spessart, heading for Romania. |
| 2nd convoy leaving from Braunton Junior School,North Devon, for Romania June 1993. |
| Trip No; 3. A rest at Gyor, Hungary. on route to Romania. September 1993. |
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| The natural peace and quiet of wintery Romania. |
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| If you don't know Jesus as your Saviour., click below! |
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| Acknowledgment:- Many of the buttons used on this website are provided free from FreeButton.com |
| It must be said that the most important reason for the work of "MISSION TO ROMANIA" was, and still is, to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to a nation which has suffered in many ways, and deprived of hearing the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Diana and I, and those that came along with us all got involved in testimony and witness to the saving grace of none other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We have been carriers, and caretakers of a ministry which belongs to the Holy Spirit...........and not "our" ministry as so many have presumed. Hundreds of thousands of tracts have taken and distributed, and hundreds of thousands of people have been in receipt of something that no other can offer. The hope of glory - the free gift of everlasting life - oftentimes with an announcement to the public saying "Este veste bun" - "It is good news" This gospel has been given in a variety of ways through outreach in the big city streets, parks, market places, tiny villages, schools, orphanages individuals, churches, gipsy communities and to the whosoever of John 3: 16. To God be the glory, great things He has done. The simplicity of the gospel is made simply because Salvation is a gift........and it is the gift of God. |
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| Through His Son |
| My very first trip in 1991 was being led by two pastors from Exeter, John and Dave Sumner. There was eight of us altogether, most had been at least twice before, but none had attempted to take on the task of transporting aid, or taking the gospel to Romania. When I saw the needs there and returned to the U.K. I knew that I could no longer sit back and and pretend that it did nothing to me or for me. I had to go back somehow. John and Dave dealt with all the paper work for the entire trip, and for every person involved. This meant I had no idea what to do, what to get, or where to get it from. But Diana and I prayed asking the Lord for direction, wisdom and guidance if it was His will for me to go ahead to extend the vision given to me. It made sense that if God had called me to this work, surely He would intend for me to continue, and show the way forward. Diana and I knew we had to take a step of faith and make a start. Contacting hospitals and speaking at many churches and other venues soon confirmed it was right because we were overwhelmed by the responce from people and before we knew it, there was tons of donations pouring in. We were desperate for help, and I knew that I would need at least two drivers with me....... Diana would activate her labour of love by washing, ironing, packing many boxes and bags with fresh smelling clothes, but sad to say, some people used it as a dumping ground for garments that were no longer any use to anyone. Even childrens clothes would come to us with food stuck to the fabric would you believe. Some clothes were torn and only fit for the bin. Friends would come to see what was going on, and stay a while to help, and it gave opportunity for prayer meetings in the home. |
| As time went on and preparations to go became imminent, little did I know what admin work there was in store for me. No one had told me that passport applications had to made, forms applied for through the Romanian Embassy, I didn't even have the address. Little did I realise at the time that the forms had to be completed, then taken to London and handed in before 12.00 followed by a wait until possibly 3.30 to collect the passports with the visas. And what about the "Letter of safe conduct" from the Hungarian Embassy in London? No mention of that either. I had no idea that an "Invetory of aid" had to be prepared and submitted to the port authority, that a T2 form can be issued. Now I was beginning to understand the scripture my wife had. This is the one; "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" ( 1 Corinthians 16: 9 ). This was a totally new area for me with border control to look forward to at every point of entry and leaving for each country we passed through. I had no idea who to give the passports to, what would happen to them once they left my hands, where they would turn up next, how long it would be before we had clearance. No one told me I had to stop at the weighbridge and have the vehicle wieghed.... No one told me that if I didn't, someone would stop me and tell me to go back to old kent road, do not pass go or collect 200 pounds. Oh dear, Lord help please............ |
| How on earth was I to know that we would be held up for over 3 hours in the truck lanes at the Austrian border? Then again for 8 hours trying to struggle with paperwork at the Hungarian border where none of the customs staff are able to speak English.....or can they? The idea was - apparently - that according to the consignment we had, and the value of those goods, a levy would be made on entry into the country, and if they were satisfied that you haven't sold anything on the black market while in transit through Hungary, you'd get your money back at the other end when leaving. If I can recall, they asked for 280 dollars which I didn'r have, so nobody was interested in me. We held another prayer meeting which was in between the Austrian and Hungarian borders known as no-mans land. Soon after the prayer meeting finished we were met by a hungarian man who could speak English and offered help to get us through the border........... And so we did. Finally arriving at Nadlac border into Romania.....to be faced with a stationary line of trucks and a 36 hour wait. Mission to Romania has had it's hardships, but then the word of the Lord says we will. Some of the team gave up, they didn't want to come with us ever again, and some we have never seen since. However, the time did come when we could give thanks to God. When we stepped onto Romanian soil we could all say:- |
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| Prayer meeting is on: |
| For direction, click the prayer warrior. |
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| For those wishing to make a financial donation, please make payable any cheques to "Mission To Romania" Do not offer cheques with my personal name or any other name on it. Please note the details at the bottom of the Index page which gives the correct banking information where you see this icon. Thank you. |
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