HomeAbout UsContact UsSite Map
Northern Illinois Ministries Ablaze!
About Us
Contact Us
Ablaze! Groups
Sparks Stories
LCMS Northern Illinois District
Beyond our Borders
Get Involved
Prayer Guide
Make a Donation
Mission Catalog
Join Us
Other Mission Links
Lutheran Church Charities
Ethnic Ministries Network
LCMS World Mission


 
 
Mission to Help Teen Orphans in Romania
 

Land donated for Harvest House in Romania.

In 2003, Debbie Bowen, a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Lombard, Illinois, served as a resident missionary in Romania and taught basic life skills to orphans.

“Most of the children were close to 18, the age they leave the state-run orphanage and are dumped, unprepared, into the world,” Debbie says.

She witnessed the fear on their faces, knowing they had no place to go.

During Debbie's most recent short-term mission trip to Romania in September, and in answer to prayer, she discovered land was recently donated to build a transition home for orphans near a village where the team provided Vacation Bible School.

This home, called Harvest House, would serve as a refuge and place where the young adult orphans can experience God's love and learn and develop skills for living independently.

“Without this refuge and skill training, the prospects for these children is desperately bleak,” Debbie said, “with living on the street, drugs and prostitution being their primary options.”

Children in Romania at a VBS session.
Plans are being made for a return short-term mission trip this coming summer. If you or your church has an interest in partnering with St. John's and joining in on this exciting opportunity to serve, here are ways you can participate now and in the days to come:

Pray for all that is needed to complete this home: funds for building, staff, furnishings, children of God's choosing, clothing and food.

Donate money toward the beginning of construction: $75,000 is needed for floors, walls and roofing. Donate by sending to: St. John Lutheran Church, 215 S. Lincoln, Lombard, IL 60148

Consider going on the short-term mission trip with Debbie and St. John's next summer or encourage others to go along. Service opportunities would include, but are not limited to helping with Vacation Bible School, teaching English, providing construction assistance for Harvest House, and helping with sports activities and Bible studies. To get more information e-mail Debbie Bowen.