The Cristia Foundation grew out of a camp held by Crusaders in 1991; its mission is to share the gospel with the new generation of Romanians so that they commit themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ and become his disciples in his church. Cristia’s plans this year are to -
Romania is a country with very many young people, yet most Christians have little experience of youth work. They learn skills by working with British leaders, and we are seeking help from British Christians in the following ways:
Discipleship Weekends
In spring and summer 2002 Cristia would like to run some discipleship and training weekends. Christian youth leaders and musicians from Britain, with experience of Romania, are needed to lead these events.
Cristia Clubs
Weekday clubs are meeting in various places, and increasing in number. Most children are from non-church families, including orphans. Romanian leaders are being trained, and some clubs would like to ‘twin’ with Christian youth (including Crusader) groups in Britain.
Holiday Clubs
Holiday clubs have been held in many Romanian towns and villages since 1999 and reach children unable to go to camp or to church. This summer British leaders are invited to lead up to ten holiday clubs, each lasting one week, and with Romanian leaders in support.
Camps
Approximately 20 tented camps are planned at various attractive sites including Camp Cristia at Voronet. Camps are usually held for one week and British leaders will be formed into teams to help the Romanians in leadership. It may be possible for leaders staying for more than one week to help at a camp and a holiday club.
Dates
We are seeking Christians with experience of young people’s outreach to help at the camps and holiday clubs held between these dates (flight dates in brackets) -
NB: events will only be held on these dates* if there are sufficient applicants to form teams.
Camp and Holiday Club Leadership Applications
Those interested in joining camp and holiday club leadership teams should be convinced Christians who want to share their faith with others, and who are experienced in leading young people’s Christian activities. Because a major objective is to train Romanian leaders, British team members will be of mature age (normally 18+) and need not be Crusaders. Please contact David Moffoot or Malcolm Langton if you have any questions and to obtain the address for posting a completed application form. Further details will be given after applications have been confirmed.
British team members will need to be resourceful and ready to do anything requested of them. They will provide leadership in areas such as quiet times, music, speaking at meetings, first aid, games, sports, outdoor pursuits and craft work. All these gifts will be welcome to be shared with Romanian leaders, many of whom speak some English and will help with translation. Whilst we hope and pray that the activities will take place as planned, natural uncertainties in Eastern Europe lead us to warn that minor changes may be necessary. Above all, team members must know the importance of prayer.
Living conditions
Most applicants welcome the opportunity to live alongside Romanian Christians. It is therefore expected that British team members will sleep under canvas at camp, and in beds provided by Christians in their homes at holiday clubs. Romanian food is wholesome but different from what we are used to in Britain, and few alternatives are available, so applicants should be willing to eat with Romanian Christians. Romanian hosts find difficulty in providing for vegetarian diets. The natural water supply in the rural areas is generally of a high quality, but team members who wish to do so may bring purification tablets. Water quality in urban areas is variable, but bottled water is readily available.
Health
Romania is a European country, but team members should ensure their tetanus inoculations are up-to-date and consult their GPs regarding any personal health risks.
Travelling and Visas
Participants must have full British passports, and directions for obtaining visas will be given later. Travel insurance will be arranged centrally. Most team members will fly from Heathrow to Bucharest and then by train. Special care is given to travelling to and in Romania, especially for first-time visitors.
Preparation of British Volunteers
Volunteers need proper briefing in order to make the most of their time in Romania. Full information will be given over the coming months and at a special Preparation Weekend on 28-30 June. Those intending to join teams are asked to make every effort to attend this weekend. Details will be given later.
Games, Craft and Camp Equipment
Good equipment is always needed for summer activities, and churches and other organisations are often willing to collect and donate surplus equipment. Games equipment is so well used that it needs replacing every year - we need a lot of tennis balls, racquets, footballs, volley balls, nets, frisbees etc. Craft materials are essential and offers of pencils, pens, scissors, glue, poster and flesh paints, brushes and children’s colouring books etc will be gratefully received and well used. Participants are encouraged to start collecting as much as possible now in order to take it with them - surplus items can be brought to the preparation weekend. Donors of larger items, or those who do not know any participants, are invited to contact Malcolm Langton.
Costs for Volunteers
The cost of a British leader helping at one or more camps or holiday clubs will be £475 (£50 reduction for the unwaged), irrespective of how long they stay. This will include the cost of flights, travel in Romania, food and accommodation, insurance, and a contribution to Cristia’s expenses. There may be an additional cost if flights are arranged from an airport outside London. Visa fees (if any) will be extra.
Publicity and Donations
We very much hope that all team members will seek prayer and financial support from their Christian friends, churches and youth groups. Additional donations are needed to pay for Romanian children from poor homes and orphanages to attend camps, to pay for Romanian leaders to attend training courses, and to meet the cost of extending the Crista Clubs. Donations of sports and craft equipment will be needed for leaders to use at camps and holiday clubs. Those who join camp and holiday club teams are therefore asked to publicise the Project, emphasising that it is a worthwhile on-going activity to reach out to Romanian youngsters and to support Romanian Christians in youth leadership.
Literature and videos of previous camps can be loaned from Crusaders Head Office.
Christians and churches in Britain are supporting Cristia which is beginning to raise its own income. The project is covered by Crusader’s Charity Registration No 223798; cheques should be made payable to Crusaders' Romania Project and sent to Malcolm Langton. To increase the value of their gifts taxpayers are invited to pay by Gift Aid, and forms are available. Specific gifts can be donated through the Project to the Voronet youth camp, the watersports or horse riding centres, or for training courses or the development of Cristia clubs. There may also be the opportunity for volunteers to donate time outside of the summer months or by giving a year-out, provided that they obtain the support of their church and raise their financial support. Enquiries should be made to Malcolm Langton.
Voronet Camp Site
‘Camp Cristia’ is being established in the Voronet valley as a Christian camp site and youth centre. Tented camps are held in the summer, and Cristia hopes to build a cabin and other facilities so that groups of young people can stay at other times for Bible teaching and training in Christian discipleship. Please support this worthwhile project by gifts and bankers’ orders (LloydsTSB 30-97-25 010544902). More information is available.
Watersports Centre
The ‘Spirit Euxin Centre’ is well equipped with canoes, kayaks and wind surfing gear, with expert supervision. Two cabins sleep 40 alongside Corbu Lake near Constanta, and excursions can be made to the Black Sea beaches, the Danube delta (a world wildlife park) and to Greco-Roman archaeological remains. Anyone willing to lead a British or Romanian group should make their interest known on the Application form. Enquiries for visits by British youth groups should be directed to Rob Bianchi or Malcolm Langton.
Horse Riding Centre
The ‘Stephan cel Mare Centre’ has been established in the mountains to teach horse riding and care skills for Romanians and foreign visitors, and day trips are arranged. Cabin accommodation is available for groups. Anyone interested in helping to lead at a camp, especially if they have experience with horses, should make this known on the Application form. Anyone willing to help develop the Centre should enquire further from Julian Ross.
Prayer
The Project was born out of prayer, both in Britain and in Romania, and a regular newsletter is available from Malcolm Langton. We are so aware of the need for the Lord’s leading that we earnestly request prayer that:
Contacts
The Crusaders Romania Project Committee:
Malcolm Langton(Leader)
Clive Ayling
Mark Pinks
Partner Organisations:
Fundatia Cristia
Rob Blanchi (Spirit Euxin Centre)
Julian Ross (Stefan-cel-Mare Centre)
Tel: +44 1206 272233
CP142, OP4, Suceava 5800, Romania.
Tel/fax: +40 30 521886 or 220947
E-mail