Tornado in Deva, Romania

Talk about a bad Monday.  On Monday, August 26th, 2013, a tornado tore through the city of Deva in Romania.  In the process, it severely damaged the roofs on the orphanage we support with its surrounding buildings.  We praise God that none of our leaders or any of the children were hurt physically by the storm.  The early reports indicate that about five (5) people in the city lost their lives to the storm.  Our damage was the psychological damage and trauma experienced by everyone involved that resulted from weathering a sever storm and the damage to the buildings.  With time and God's grace, the horrible memories will fade and the smiles will return.  The buildings will require much work and money to repair them and bring them back to their prior condition.  Please consider providing some financial support to help us rebuild and to show unity with our brothers in Romania.

There will be two phases to the reconstruction.  The first step is to repair and in some cases replace the roofs so as to prevent any further damage.  This process started immediately, while it was still raining.  Our brothers in Romania are working from sun-up to sun-down to stop any further damage.  They are physically exhausted as they try to save what it has taken decades to build.  The second step will be to repair the water damage caused by water pouring though the buildings.  This process will begin once the roofs have been restored.

Financially, the orphanages are fully dependent on the monthly support they receive from the Gospel Tabernacle church in Coudersport, PA, the Haven of Hope Foundation and God's Grace to operate.  They survive from month to month, often requiring miracle provisions to make it.  They have no rainy day fund.  There is no better experience to be the conduit that God uses to accomplish His will.  If you would like to contribute to the rebuilding, please let me know.  No contribution is too big or too small.

Pictures of the damage:

The wall was damaged when the roof was torn off.

The tiles on the roof that was left were destroyed.

Repairing the roof on the orphanage.

The Caterpillar backhoe was used to get new tiles to the roof.

Water poured into the children's bedroom through the light fixture.

Trees around the orphanage were leveled.

The front door of the orphanage was blown nearly off.

The repairs are made on very steep roofs with no protective equipment.
 

The entrance to the church was flooded.

Water flooded the church.

 

Most of the tile roof was destroyed.

The tiles on the roof were crumbled.

This is the view from inside the apartment showing sky where the roof used to be.  The drywall is all ruined.

Pastor Viorel collecting part of the wall that was blown off.

All the tiles, roof boards and rafters were blown off this section.

View from inside a bedroom where the roof was lost.  The roof that remained barely hanged on.

Crumbled tiles, but at least the roof stayed.

Trees were broken in half everywhere.

Broken tree next to church.

An outbuilding that was used for animals was flattened.

Roof was torn off building that holds the wood heating system.

Church leaders volunteered to do whatever was necessary.

The rebuilding began as soon as matching tiles could be found.

Parts of some roofs were only partly damaged.

Entire portions of the roof needed replaced.

Roof boards ended up in the neighbor's yard.

A building in the city was devastated. 

Damage to a building in the city of Deva.

Roof from a city building ended up on the street.

E-Giving

The Haven of Hope Foundation now has the ability to accept online donations.  Thanks to the help of our Brother Julian Craig, we can now accept donations using a safe and secure online donation system.  Julian came on a trip to Romania in March of 2013 and the people and children of Romania are now a permanent part of his heart.  Julian has expertise in the area of electronic giving (E-Giving) and has guided us through the process of being set up to accept online donations.

You'll see the "Donate" button at the top of this post and at the top of the webpage.  A click on that button will take you to a safe and secure donation processing company that will allow you to make tax deductible donations to support any ministry Haven of Hope is affiliated with.  If you don't see a particular ministry that you know Haven of Hope supports, or if you'd like to give to a ministry through Haven of Hope, please contact me and we can discuss adding it.

What is special about donating through the Haven of Hope Foundation is that you can direct your contributions towards specific ministries and projects.  Jason Holmberg takes full and personal responsibility for making sure that 100% of your contribution is used exactly as you intend it to be used.  The Haven of Hope Foundation is an independent 501(c) 3, so all of the donations are fully tax deductible.  You will receive a charitable contribution receipt at the end of the year for any donation you make.

When you log into the E-Giving website by clicking on the Donate button, you will see a list of different ministries and projects that you can support.  Once you choose a particular ministry, you will later be able to set up the gift as a onetime gift or a recurring gift.  Lastly, you can use a payment method of your choice, including credit card, debit card or electronic check (ACH) from your bank.  The ACH transfers are the most efficient, but they all are safe, secure and appreciated.

Who is to say what the biggest need is?  Recurring donations may top the list, as many of the people who have supported the orphanages in Romania have for one reason or another moved away from the church in Coudersport.  I pray this system is a way for those with a heart to give on a monthly basis to reconnect and support the children who depend on us.  Recently, a tornado came through Deva, damaging the orphanage and surrounding buildings.  Currently, this is a very high priority to get the buildings repaired.  We have started a School of Ministry in Romania to train up ministers of the Gospel.  This will change the students lives forever and equip the church leaders for years to come to effectively preach the Gospel.  All of the ministries are good soil for donations.

If you have any questions about E-Giving or about the ministries the Haven of Hope Foundation supports, please contact Jason Holmberg by phone or email at (814) 274-3233 or jason.c.holmberg@gmail.com.  I like nothing better than sharing what is happening, so please do not hesitate to contact me.