Dear Friends and Partners,
Greetings once again from Sebiș, Romania! This past week has been full, and I wanted to take a moment to share a few updates with you.
Yesterday was our weekly day of prayer, and it is always a joy to lift up the needs of loved ones, friends, and partners before the Lord. If you have a need, please let us know, we would be happy to pray for you.
A few weeks ago, we asked for prayer that our orchard would be spared from the frost. The temperature dropped quite low and some of the trees were affected, especially the cherry and peach trees, but for the most part it looks like there will be a good harvest. Thank you for your prayers!
This week has been a busy one as I have been catching up from my time away, planning ahead for this summer’s camps and outreaches, and taking care of the camp grounds. We have been cutting the grass and preparing everything for our annual May 1st picnic, here in Romania, which is Labor Day. We are expecting around 100 people to attend, and we are looking forward to a great time of fellowship together.
This week we also received the toys collected from our annual Toy Drive, which is held each December. Maria and the kids have been busy sorting through them and organizing everything in preparation to deliver them to families, as well as local kindergartens and preschools.
It is always a fun time as we unpack the toys, put batteries in them, and even test them out to figure out how they work, so that we can explain them to the children in Romanian. We are already looking forward to delivering them over the coming months.
Along with the toys, we also received many other items that are not easily available here, such as cereals, plenty of brown sugar, and peanut butter. These are all special treats that are greatly appreciated.
We also received practical items like garden rakes and weed-whacking string (sent by Gary, our dear friend who passed away last month), as well as something quite unexpected, a brand new kitchen table. Yes, you read that correctly… a kitchen table, handmade and shipped all the way from the United States! Thank you, Seth, Josh and Scott!
Thank you to everyone who was involved in collecting toys and to those who gave so generously this past year. These gifts will be a tremendous blessing to many children and families.
It has now been one year since we began the renovations on the old house at the camp. Below are two pictures taken one year apart, and it is encouraging to see how far things have come. The stucco work has now been completed, and the next step will be to install the soffit, fascia, gutters, and downspouts. Once that is finished, the exterior of the building will finally be complete.
After that, our focus will shift fully toward preparing for the upcoming summer camp season.
During this week’s youth meeting, our discussion focused on “Building on a Strong Foundation.” It was encouraging to see a few new faces join us, and we are thankful for how God continues to bring young people and create opportunities to invest in their lives.
Our plans for the next mission trip into Ukraine are coming along very well, and we are beginning to look forward to what the Lord will do while we are there. This trip will take place from May 15–17, and our main focus will be to minister to refugees, build relationships, and visit the orphanage once again. Please cover this upcoming trip in prayer.
Thank you once again for your continued prayers, encouragement, and faithful partnership. It is a blessing to serve together, knowing that each outreach, each visit, and each step forward in the ministry is made possible through your support. If the Lord places it on your heart to give, your support helps us continue reaching children, youth, and families here in Romania, as well as those we serve in Ukraine. Your partnership truly makes a difference, both in meeting practical needs and in sharing the hope of the Gospel.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in His perfect peace.
Daniel Hurrelbrink
Barnabas Ministries - Romania