Romania Report | January 2010

Twenty Years – Retrospective

It has been 20 years since the Fall of Communism in Romania. A lot of changes happened: economical, political, social, and spiritual. I feel I need to let you in on what is going on in Romania today.

Economically, Romania transitioned from a socialist state with a centralized economy to a parliamentary republic with an openmarket economy. The aspirations were noble but the outcome is disastrous. Unemployment is very high, even though over 10% of the population is working throughout Europe as seasonal laborers. Today it is hard to find a company that survived the 90’s and is not tied up politically to former Communist Party greats or to the badfamed “Securitatea” secret police. The businesses that are successful are those owned by people that get government-financed projects, where money that comes from European Union is funneled through government run agencies and into the pockets of former communists. The economy is plagued by high corruption and nepotism. In the past the “politick apparatus” owned the political power and ruled. Now they own the economy and thus the political parties, which rule the Parliament. The former communists are today’s capitalists in Romania.

Politically, Romania transitioned from one party rule to a parliamentary state where the Parliament is made out of former communists, former secret police officers, over-night millionaires, and their offspring. The sons and daughters of the former communist party members are replacing the current politicians that are retiring. This is the case with the daughter of the current president who was recently elected to the Parliament of the European Union by the Romanian electorate.

The current world financial crisis is having a huge impact on the country of Romania too. Popular socio-economical decisions are no longer possible, these are being replaced by crisis driven financial decisions that brings unemployment even higher.

From a socio-economical perspective, the poor are getting poorer and the rich richer. While the shelves of the super-markets in Romania are filled with foods that 20 years ago were unknown to the majority of the population, a large segment of the population has no access to it due to poverty. While under Communism we had only shelves empty, the over-abundance that is seen today is only a show that leaves many hungry and desperate. The young and the elderly are most affected by this situation. The orphans and the widows in some situations are without any hope. Many live under bridges, in under-grounds sewers, or on top of heating pipes where they could get some warmth.

As a visitor to Romania you experience a beautiful country, brand new buildings (mostly unfinished), bad roads, and many people wondering what the future will bring, even some voices on the street that call for a new revolution.

At PTJM, we see lots of people in desperate need for love, a hope for a better life, and the need for the Gospel of Jesus that brings God’s Grace both to the rich and the poor, to the educated and uneducated, to Romanians, Hungarians, and to the Gypsies alike.

Twenty years have passed since December 1989 when the former dictator Ceausescu and his wife were executed on Christmas Day. The Romanian people today are just as needy and lost spiritually and in need of a Savior. As missionaries to the poorest country of Europe, we are committed to stay here and be witnesses for God and His Kingdom to countless numbers of Romanians that cross our paths.

To those that began this journey of faith with us many years ago and to those that came along ever since, I want to say “Thank You!” for being here with us through your prayer and support. For the future, I pray that many more will join our efforts and will commit to uphold our hands as we claim Romania for Jesus Christ, one life at a time?

Sincerely yours,

Prayer Requests

We praise God that 100% of the funds needed to build/purchase House of Joy–Safe Place came in.

Pray for the monthly support needed to run House of Joy-Safe Place.

For our PTJM Romania: workers, volunteers, foster families and children.

For health, God’s protection as we travel and His provisions for all of our ministries in 2010.

Karen was battling pneumonia in Nov. and Dec. Pray for a complete recovery and healing.

Pray for missionary support for the Bucurs. In 2009 we only saw 50% of our missionary support come in.

PTJM Wish List

Our wishlist contains a list of emergency and on-going needs of the children and families in our projects.

We are praying for partners who are interested in making a donation to help us purchase these much-needed items in country.

For additional information on how you can get involved into organizing a shipment of donated goods for our orphan care projects in Romania, please contact us.

View the Current Donation Needs Wish List

Newletter Archives