Thank you to all who spent time with us during our visit; thank you for making the trip possible!  It’s difficult to sum up what we learnt from this experience in a few words but here we go…I think we are very thankful (and slightly overwhelmed!) by the welcoming and generous nature of, not just a few individuals, but of everyone we met.  The team and the young people out there welcomed us into their homes and their lives.  It was a privilege to listen to their stories, hopes and dreams and to learn about Romania. Their unassuming nature and the way they love each other as brothers and sisters was a joy to be a part of!  The hard work, commitment and sense of responsibility was also something quite humbling for us – seeing the servant hearts (especially of the young people) and the energy they put into the life of Timothy House was inspiring.  Timothy House is truly a place where God’s heart for the poor and community is revealed and I pray that God will continue to bless the work that is being done there, as it is so vital and so clearly right!

Lydia & Brian, July 2008-10-20

During March 2008 I had the privilege of spending two weeks with Steve and Amanda Holder. I am a non-ministerial student at Bristol Baptist College, and the aim of my placement was to observe and reflect on church life in a different culture, and in particular the Timothy House project.  My time was mainly spent shadowing Steve in his role as Director, and I was also able to attend several worship services. Nr. 1 Baptist Church is much bigger than my home church, and it was great to see so many people faithfully attending on both Sundays and Thursdays!

I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm shown for Timothy House by many church members, and by the appreciative reactions of those who received a visit or food parcel or who visited the Clothing Bank.  There is clearly a real need for the project, and in providing these services meaningful relationships can be formed and the love of Jesus shared.  It was also exciting to see the building develop - the walls grew visibly during my visit!  I enjoyed the friendship and hospitality of those I met, and hope to return sometime.  Thank you to everyone for making me so welcome.

“I had a fantastic visit to Romania.  The whole experience was excellent from start to finish and it was an experience that I would gladly (and hopefully) repeat in the near future. Everybody there was very accommodating and very friendly.  It is difficult to ever fully appreciate the difference between the two cultures without experiencing them first hand and as such the trip was an amazing eye-opener.  The Timothy House project is well under way and looks set to be a fantastic resource when it is up and running.  It is clear that God is moving in the project in a very distinct way.  It was a pleasure to be able to be a part of the project and thank you very much for all those who showed us such fantastic hospitality."

“I have really enjoyed my recent visit to Romania, it was great to be able to enjoy a different culture and way of life whilst actually doing something that benefits others.  For me one of the best aspects of the trip was not actually helping to build the sign outside the high school, but actually talking to those staying there, as you were able to find out so much about the country and how daily lives are so different to our own.  It was also really lovely to talk to them about what we believed, and hear about their Christian experiences in Romania as well as how churches vary across the world.
Seeing the building site of Timothy House also helped put in to perspective how big the project is, and how much the community will benefit from the works that will eventually be running from there, I can't wait to go back out and see it when it is completed!!”