Norfolk Romanian church supports charity

Maranata Romanian Church, which meets in Norwich has partnered with Operation Christmas Child and is involved with the charity's appeal, which distributes gifts to Romania, amongst other countries.

Maranata Romanian Church, meets at Hillcrest Chapel in Thorpe St Andrew on the outskirts of Norwich. This is a small community of Romanians who welcomes any of their co-nationals from Norfolk. The services are held in Romanian language only and start at 10:30 every Sunday. Despite being a small community of Jesus followers, they love to meet and worship together.

Pastor Florin Buga welcomed Mark and Debra Watkins, the local community relations workers for Operation Christmas Child, to come to one of the church's services to talk about the charity. 

Mark and Debra, since the beginning of the year, have been out and about in Norfolk, meeting where possible with those who have been involved with Operation Christmas Child to say thank you. They have outlined what a blessing it is for them to meet with churches; organisations; individuals  across the county to celebrate the positive outcomes that come from this simple ministry.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) in 2023 sent from the UK, 237,735 filled shoeboxes, with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children in The Balkans; Central Asia; West Africa; Moldova; Romania; Serbia and Ukraine. Since 1990, the project has collected and delivered more than 200 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories. As well as, the Shoeboxes, support; training and Christian resources are given to the requesting church who distribute the shoeboxes.

Mark said, “What a warm welcome from those that were present.  The service was in Romanian language, kind efforts were made to include some interpretation, a song being sang in English, “Give Thanks”. What a blessing we had, with a great reminder, that we are called to be one in spirit and fellowship as Christian brothers and Sisters. We had prepared our Operation Christmas Child presentation, considering that our role was mostly to give. However, the fellowship we encountered; God’s Love in these people was uplifting, regardless of language barriers. This enabled us to give even greater affirmation to this church than planned. Pastor Florin, interpreted for us our presentation. The video we showed was of a Romanian woman, Rebecca, who received a shoebox as a child in Romanian; who told her testimony and how she went back to Romanian with Operation Christmas Child to distribute shoeboxes."

"Pastor Florin himself told how his children also received shoeboxes in Romania, when they had little to give their own children. Debra and myself came away more blessed by this experience than we may have been expecting. Multumesc! - thank you in Romanian.”

Pastor Florin said,” Rebecca’s testimony reminded us of the importance for Christians to get involved in sharing God’s love to others, not only for Christmas but all year round. Samaritan’s Purse is true example of this, we have been blessed to be part of their worldwide journey.” 

Those interested in more information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school, group or business can contact Mark and Debra Watkins at markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com 
 
Visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

Pictured above from left to right, Razvan; Pastor Florin; Mark; Ioana ;Ana; Debra; Marinel and Daniel.

Contact Pastor Florin Buga at bugaflorin@outlook.com