Great Shelford Free Church : Monthly Mission Focus

Mission Focus for January 2026

The weather in the UK has been rather chilly lately, but the average daily temperature in Dorohoi, Romania has been below 5°C since the 14th of December, and much colder at night, with frequent snow falls.

Electricity, water and sewage prices went up at the beginning of the year and gas prices are expected to go up in April. Along with the rising food costs, this has a big impact on those we help and on the Centre itself. The government are cutting a lot of the social benefits and again some of our beneficiaries may have their handicapped persons pension reduced. This will also apply to several of the ex-orphans that we help.

The tax changes could have an impact on the Centre too as we may have to start paying higher taxes on our land and buildings; as a charity we have only had to pay a very reduced tax up until now. Among the population there is a sense of despair and a “had enough” feeling and generally people are spending less.

Centre of Hope 2 2026

On a brighter note, Christmas was very successful and everyone that we help through the Centre received a Goodie Bag. In total, 78 Children received Goodie Bags and 65 food bags were distributed to 20 elderly people, 5 ex-orphans and 40 adults and families.

Centre of Hope 3 2026

A special meal was provided for ex-orphans and some of the poorer individuals and they each received a Goodie Bag with such things as socks, underwear, soap, razors and fruit.

During 2025, the Centre was involved in a charity scheme run by Lidl and Penny Market, two local supermarkets. We were donated around £1000 of food, but had to pay the ‘volunteers’ who collected the food approximately £300. Such is how Romanian society works!

Costel, Anna and Ovidiu continue to do a great job and have provided over 11,000 three course meals over the past 12 months. Costel checks on those that are not able to come to the Centre to collect their meals and even in the few days before Christmas he came across a lady who was not on our books, who had virtually nothing. She will now receive a regular food bag and meals!

Centre of Hope 4 2026

One final piece of exciting news – the youngest son (Beni), of a large family that we helped for many years but who are now all standing on their own two feet, was baptised just before Christmas.
Please pray that he will grow in his faith and be a witness to the rest of his family.

As always, everyone connected with the Centre of Hope is grateful for the continued generous support it receives from Great Shelford Free Church. Thank you all so much!

Click here to go the charity's website for more information.

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Mission Focus for January 2026

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