Be on the lookout for your new quarterly edition of The Word For You Today. I’m amazed how God is using it to bless people everywhere.

Recently a military chaplain wrote to us to say how much troops and their families in his congregation are being helped by it. A Colonel ordered 5,000 special one year editions for each soldier in his regiment to take to Afghanistan.

Here are two things you can do for our young men and women in arms. First, pray that God will protect them and bring them home safe. Second, for just $14.95 you can provide a soldier with a one-year subscription to our devotional and for $149.50 you can provide ten soldiers with a one-year subscription.

Right now we are painting the exterior of The Village of Hope, plus the bedrooms and hallways, and completing new sewer lines to the bathrooms and kitchen. We are also building new bedrooms to accommodate fifty more children.

As Romania continues to deteriorate, more and more children are coming to us. Our carpenters, plumbers, electricians and painters have been told that the job must be completed in the next thirty days so we can get the children moved in before school begins September 15.

This means we can now handle up to 100 children in residence. The average child stays with us two to three months while our social workers prepare their paperwork and find a qualified foster family to take them.

We have already sent the first $10,000 to get the project started, and we need $14,000 in the next thirty days to complete it. So far we have been able to “pay as we go,” but we don’t have a penny left over.

Would you prayerfully consider sending the largest and most generous gift you can to finish these new bedrooms in time for school next month?

Mother Teresa once said: “We can’t all do great things, but we can all do little things with great love.” When you send your gift please request a complimentary copy of my book The Winning Life. It’s filled with scriptural keys on how to succeed in life.

You can also call and put a gift on your credit card, at 1-800-964-9846, or give on line through our secure site at bobgass.com. 

Bob

When Debby and I began working with Romania’s orphaned children twenty years ago, we told God: “With Your help, we’ll never say no to a child in need!” So far, we’ve been able to keep that promise.

In the last few years we’ve rescued over 600 children, placed them into foster families, and helped support those families.

This month our faith is being stretched to new limits. As Europe’s economy struggles, Romania sinks deeper into trouble every day.

Children are being abandoned at a rate never seen before. Parents think the government will take care of their children when they go to other countries to find work.

But the government can’t care for them, so they’re placed in orphanages where they’re badly treated, and many of them are sold into the sex trade.

Little girls are being taken to Germany, Sweden and Italy with the promise of a better life. They are beaten, drugged and raped by pimps who force them to service up to twenty men a night in houses of prostitution. If they try to escape, they can end up dead.

Never has The Village of Hope been more needed!

Right now, carpenters, plumbers and electricians are building extra rooms at The Village of Hope for these 50 new children. With cheap labor, we can do it in six weeks, and have the children in before school begins in mid September.

The cost is 24,000 Euros (about $30,000). Last month we sent the first 10,000 Euros to get the project started.

With the help of some local farmers, we’ll grow most of the produce needed to feed these children through the winter months. We also have a list of qualified foster parents ready to take them when their paperwork is completed.

Right now, Debby and I are asking for your help. We need:

112 partners willing to give $125...or 224 partners willing to give $62.50...or 448 partners willing to give $31.25...or your best gift to complete this project.

Would you be one of them?

Let me tell you about two children who just arrived –  eight year-old Maria and her seven year-old brother Basille. Their mother left them at a garbage dump to scavenge for food, promising to come back for them. She didn’t return and they were brought to us totally traumatised.

You should see them now. They spent a week at our children’s summer camp and loved it. They work each day with the cook in the kitchen, and help set the table at mealtimes.

God promises: “Whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord” (Eph 6:7 NKJV).

Would you prayerfully consider sending the best gift you can to help build rooms for these 50 children?

You can call 1-800-964-9846 and put a gift on your credit card, or make a donation through our secure website at bobgass.com

Thanks!

Bob & Debby

Last month my friend Ian Mackie, who heads up United Christian Broadcasters in the UK, visited The Village of Hope in Romania to let us know how things were going. UCB partner with us in this outreach.

He brought roof tiles to replace the damaged shingles from this past harsh winter. What cost a dollar last year now costs two – everything from bread to utilities has doubled.

Thank God we have a large volunteer staff that works with the children. Without them, we couldn’t have rescued over 600 children and placed them into foster families in the last few years.

Of all the missions outreaches I know, none stretch a dollar further or get a greater return than we do.

We still need sponsors for our children’s summer camp. We have received the funds for approximately half of the 275 children we want to bring this year.

For just...$60...you can sponsor a child for seven days of recreation, arts and crafts, and Bible study. Many of their lives will be changed through this experience.

The children are also in need of summer clothes: shorts, sandals, tee-shirts etc. for the 100-degree heat.  There is a consignment shop nearby where we can outfit a child for just...$35.

Can you help?

Pray that God will give us more family sponsors who’ll commit to giving $43.20 a month or $518.40 for an entire year. Even if you can only sponsor two or three months, it will help give a child a family.

Summer is always a challenging time, with so many of our regular friends and partners gone on vacation. It is especially difficult this year due to the economy.

Please try to give the most generous gift you can.

When you give be sure to request a copy of God’s Wisdom for Your Every Need. Whatever your problem, you’ll find God’s solution to it in this book.

Bob

In the first six months of this year we rescued more children and placed them into families, than any previous six-month period in our 20 year history.

And it’s happened through the faithful support of friends and partners like you. Thank you!

Last month we visited The Villages of Hope in Romania and found the following:

1.       Increased costs. What cost us $1 a year ago, now costs $2. Gasoline is $8 a gallon. Thank God we have a large volunteer staff that works with the children.

2.       Maintenance and repairs. Fifty children put a lot of wear and tear on a building. So we are busy repairing gutters, replacing roof tiles, painting the exterior, plus several rooms and hallways.

The cost is...$4,500...in addition to our regular monthly operating costs. I’m praying for 45 people to sow a seed of...$100...to help meet this need. 

3.                  Summer camp. Our one-week summer camps are in full swing with 50 kids attending each camp. They enjoy sports, arts and crafts, hiking trips and swimming, plus Bible stories. We plan to bring a total of 275 children to camp this year...at a cost of...$60 per child.
Would you consider sponsoring a child, or even two, for what is truly a life-changing week?

Bob

Our children’s summer camp in Romania begins on the 28^th of this month. Last year we brought 225 children for seven fun-filled days of swimming, arts and crafts, sports, field trips, and Bible study - this year we want to bring 275 children.

We are also bringing back some of the older children we’ve placed into families to work with the younger ones, to teach them to “give back.”

Think of the potential of a child! Of the more than 600 children we’ve placed into families, some will go on to become doctors, business entrepreneurs, and leaders capable of changing that country.

In 50 years of ministry, I have never found a cause more worthy or rewarding than this one. Thank you for being part of it.

Every child we rescue has a story – let me tell you about two of them.

The first is 18 month-old Anathasia. She was taken to a doctor’s office and abandoned in the waiting room. Since nobody knew who left her there, the authorities brought her to us.

Our staff adores her and she has lots of new “aunts and uncles and grandmothers.”

The second story is about 8 year-old Benjamin. Before coming to The Village of Hope he spent four years at a particularly bad orphanage.

After staying with us for two months, we placed him with wonderful parents – Olga and Francis. They’ve already raised two girls who are now married, and they’re thrilled about having a little boy.

Every week we rescue children, find a family for them, and support those families. And it’s all been made possible through the generosity of friends and partners like you.

You say, “Bob, what can I do to help?”

(1)      We need more family sponsors. For just $43.20 a month ($518.40 for a year), you can enable a family to take a child. Even if you can’t sponsor an entire year, just two or three months will make a difference.

2)      For just...$60...you can bring a child to summer camp for one week. If you could do this for two or three children, it would be great.

Today I was reading this Scripture:
“Do not despise one of these little ones, for...their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” 
                      Matthew 18:10 NKJV

The Lord cares so much about children that He assigns angels to watch over them. And we are never more like Him than when we reach out and care for a child.

You can call 1-800-864-9846 and give by credit card, or through our secure website at www.bobgass.com/summerneeds.

Thank you for caring.

Bob

You’ll notice in your current edition of The Word for You Today that I’ve included a report on our summer activities at The Village of Hope in Romania.

Last month was our biggest and busiest month ever. We placed 23 children into foster families.

They range in ages from 1-12 years. They were taken from state run orphanages, or found on the streets, or rescued from the “living hell” of the sex trade.  

50 more children came through our doors in the past thirty days.

Our 60 year-old director, Marianna, whom we’ve nicknamed “Mother Teresa” says: “Every child is an angel, and I cannot ignore my heart.” One of her favorite Scriptures is:

“He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said...‘Whoever receives one of these little ones in My name receives Me.’”  Mark 9:36-37 NKJV

Six-year old Maria was found begging on the streets. Her mother and father abandoned her, and she lived with her grandmother until she died. She was in bad shape when we got her.

Now she’s running and laughing in the halls of The Village of Hope. We’re interviewing two families who want to take her.

This month I’m asking every friend of Bob Gass Ministries and every reader of The Word for You Today to give the most generous gift you can to help me: 

1.       Feed, clothe, and provide medical care for these 50 children. $10 wouldn’t be too little, and $1,000 wouldn’t be too much. If all of us do something, the need will be met.

2.       Bring 275 children for a week of summer camp. It’s a life changing experience that includes swimming, hiking, Bible stories, puppet shows, etc.  

For just...$60 you can send a child to attend summer camp. If you could do it for two or three children, that would be wonderful.

With Romania’s economy in deep trouble, more children are landing on our doorstep every week. So far, we’ve said “yes” to every one of them. With your help, we’ll continue to say “yes.”  

You can give by check, call us at 1-800-964-9846 and put a gift on your credit card, or give on-line through our secure website at www.bobgass.com/summerneeds.

I’ve written a book called You Can be Healed. In it I share Scriptures and insights on how God brought me through cancer and heart disease. I’d like you to have a copy. It’s my way of saying thank you for standing with us.

Bob

Last month Marianna, who heads up The Village of Hope, met with the Prime Minister of Romania during his visit to Timisoara. He invited her to come to Bucharest, the Capitol, to discuss our children’s work.

So far the government have given us no funding. Perhaps that will change in the future.

Until then, Bob Gass Ministries and The Word For You Today are the sole source of support for these children.

Last month we spent two weeks taking “Easter baskets” to some of our neediest foster families. Many are unemployed and struggling to survive. We brought them medicine, food, toys and candy for the children.

So far we’ve never had to say “no” to a family or a child in need.

Last week the Child Protection Services brought us some children ranging from 8 months to 12 years of age. They were all living in an abandoned barn that was ready to collapse.

When the authorities found them they were scavenging through trash cans for food and begging on the streets. We will look for any family members they might have; then prepare the necessary paperwork so they can be placed into a foster family.

For now, their new address is The Village of Hope, where they have food, clothes, a bed with clean sheets, and most importantly – love and care.

These are things we take for granted, but for these children they represent “a miracle.”

At the moment our two biggest needs are:

(1)      $11,375 to provide summer clothes for 325 children. So far, about half that amount has come in.

(2)      Family sponsors who will give $43.20 a month to make it possible for a couple to take a child. Even if you can’t sponsor an entire year, a few months will make a difference.

The Bible says: “[God blesses those] who are generous, cause they feed the poor.” (Pr 22:9 NLT

Please give the most generous gift you can. Be sure to request a copy of my book Conquering Depression. In it you will find Bible keys to emotional healing and hope.

It’s my way of saying thank you for your support.

Bob    

Sometimes people ask me why we call our children’s work in Romania, The Village of Hope. It’s based on this Scripture:

“I...will make the Valley of Achor [doom], a door of hope.”  Hosea 2:15 NIV

It’s where Israel suffered a humiliating defeat, and Achan’s sin brought about the destruction of his entire family.

Every week our minivans collect children from Romania’s state-run institutions, streets and sex trade, and bring them to The Village of Hope.

When they come through our doors, every child sees a medical doctor, has an eye exam and a dental exam. Because they don’t have identification papers, the government will not assist us with these costs.

Medical records must be created for each child before they can begin school. Most are far behind in their education. We bring in volunteer teachers from the local villages to work with them so they can go to school.

These children have survival skills, but they need to be taught social skills so they can learn to live in a foster family.

Last month we placed 15 more children into foster families.

One is a little blond-haired boy named Basile. He’s only three years old and was abandoned by his mother.

When he first came to us, he was sick, malnourished and traumatized. Now he has new parents and a pet lamb that he proudly showed to our social workers during a recent visit.

Month after month and year after year this work continues through the faithful support of friends and partners like you. Thank you!

Right now our biggest need is summer clothes for about 325 children.

We get big discounts through a consignment store in Timisora, and can outfit each child with sandals, shorts and tee-shirts for just $35.

Clothing 325 children will cost...$11,375! That’s in addition to our regular monthly expenses.

Here’s how we can do it!

100 partners giving...$113.75 ...200 partners giving $56.87...or your very best gift, will meet this need.

325 partners giving...$35...or 700 partners giving ...$16.25 (or 650 giving $17.50) or your best gift, will meet this need.

Please consider what you can do.

Your donation, large or small, will help us clothe the children for the entire summer.

Please request a gift copy of my book How to Conquer Depression. If you, or someone you know, is battling depression, you’ll find help and healing in these pages. It’s my way of saying thank you.

Bob

I’m told there are about 3,000 Scriptures in the Bible that refer to showing kindness to the weak and needy – more than any other topic. And that’s what we do at The Village of Hope in Romania.

Each week prospective foster parents are interviewed, homes inspected, papers processed, children salvaged from orphanages, the streets and the sex trade and prepared for life in a real family.

In the first three months of this year we have rescued almost fifty children. Let me tell you about five of them.

Ana aged 7, Irina aged 7, and Adriana aged 6, were brought to us by the Child Protection Services who found them under a stairwell in an empty apartment.

Since coming to us they have opened up, started eating well, going to school and been restored to health. We have already found a foster family to take them and we are completing their paperwork.

Christina aged 3 and her sister Amalia aged 4 were heard crying in the night by a neighbor. She called the police and they brought them to us. Mariana, our director, says their mother simply abandoned them and left the country.

This is happening more and more as Europe’s economy deteriorates.

Through the care of our social workers these two children have bounced back and are doing well. We have been able to find a wonderful couple to take them into their home.

So far, we’ve never had to say “no” to a child or turn one away. And that has been made possible through the generosity and faithfulness of friends and partners like you.

Thank you!

Sometimes we have to get on our knees and pray for the needed funds – but every month 12-18 more children are placed into families.

Right now things are “tight” financially and I need your help. Would you prayerfully consider sending the largest and most generous gift you can?

Bob

I just returned from New Zealand and Australia where I spoke at an International Forum of Christian Broadcasters. The delegates came from Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Britain, Latin America, the U.S. and Canada.

It was wonderful meeting ministry leaders from so many places where our daily devotional, The Word for You Today is impacting nations for God.

I had the privilege of speaking at two different evangelistic rallies with almost two thousand people in attendance. About eighty precious souls were won to Christ!

I travelled 34 hours each way, so I’m now getting back into a regular sleep pattern and adjusting to the time zone - there’s a fifteen hour difference.

Thanks to the faithful support of friends and partners like you, our children’s work in Romania continues strong. This month I want to do two things:

(1)  Plant vegetable gardens. That way we can provide nutritious food all year long, and cut costs. This project involves plowing, seeding, irrigating and fencing, and will cost about $7,000. So far we have raised $4,100, so we still need $3,900 to complete it.

Can you help?

10 partners giving $390...20 partners giving...$195 ...40 partners giving $97.50...100 partners giving $39, will meet this need

(2)      Rescue another 15 children. Many Romanian couples are willing to take a child. And with just a little support from us ($43.20 a month) it is happening every week. Could you become a “family sponsor?”

Even if you can’t commit for an entire year, just a few months will make a difference for a child.

Let me tell you about two children we just placed into a family. One is four year-old Maria and the other is five year-old Gyscia.

These little girls grew up in an orphanage knowing only despair and neglect. They are best friends. When our director at The Village of Hope took qualified foster parents to visit them, their hearts opened and they decided to take them into their home.

Life has changed dramatically for these two little girls. Now they have loving parents, an eight-year-old sister called Elana, and are in pre-school.

Every month we place 12-18 children into families, and as long as God provides the funds we plan to keep doing it.

The Bible says, “He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him.” Can you imagine the interest God “pays,” or the level of blessing?

Right now I need your help to continue saving children from Romania’s orphanages, streets and sex trade.

Bob

Last week we rescued two children from Romania’s streets and brought them to The Village of Hope. Marian is six years old and Basil is seven – they are brother and sister. Their little lives have been deeply scarred by alcoholism, abuse and abandonment.

Within days of coming to The Village of Hope they have begun to smile – and to believe they have a future.

Marian loves to read out loud to the other children, and her brother Basil loves to play soccer. He says he wants to be a professional player when he grows up.

Our social workers will work with them for the next thirty days, preparing their papers and trying to find a foster family to take them.

This year we plan to rescue about 200 children like Marian and Basil, and give them what every child deserves: love, hope, a family and a future.

And we couldn’t do it without wonderful friends and partners like you.

Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan? Jesus said a man went down the Jericho Road and met three things:

(1) He met robbers and they pulled him down. (2) He met religion and it passed him by.(3) He met the Redeemer, who picked him up and made him whole.

Jesus finished His story in these words: “Go and do likewise.” That’s what we do through The Villages of Hope!

We are in urgent need of “family sponsors” who will commit to sending $43.20 a month ($518.40 for a year) to help us support families willing to take a child.

Even if you cannot sponsor an entire year, doing it for two or three months will give a child a new life.

Right now we need an additional $7,000 to put in sprinkler systems and to plow and plant the fields behind both Villages of Hope so we can grow food for the children this year.

Can you help?

Your gift of $140...or $70...or $35...or your best gift...will enable us to do this.

Each day letters of support arrive at our offices. Debby and I thank God for every friend and partner who stands with us. The truth is – we couldn’t do it without you.

Your friends and partners,

Bob & Debby

This week I’m speaking in different cities throughout New Zealand and Australia. We have 250,000 readers of The Word for You Today here, so large crowds are expected. Please pray that many souls will be won to Christ.

Debby stayed home, as we are facing a big challenge from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Even though we’ve been a tax-exempt organization for over thirty years, the state has decided to impose a sales tax on all daily devotionals, based on a ruling made by a Georgia judge three years ago.

Even though we were not informed about this change, they are claiming three years of back sales taxes, plus interest and penalties. It could cost us as much as $350,000.

We are appealing it. Our hearing will be in the next few weeks, so please pray that God will intervene on our behalf.

Last month we rescued another 15 children from Romania’s orphanages, streets and sex trade, and placed them into foster families. Thank you for helping to make this happen!

One of the children is three-year-old Sarah. She has big, beautiful brown eyes. The couple taking her have no children of their own. The husband has a very good job, and they are well qualified.

We urgently need more “family Sponsors” to give $43.20 a month, enabling couples to take children into their homes. Even if you can only do this for a few months, it will make a world of difference for a child.

Right now we are preparing the fields behind both Villages of Hope to grow fruit and vegetables so the children can have fresh produce throughout the year. This saves us a lot of money, provides excellent nutrition, and teaches the children how to garden and live off the land.

To put in watering systems, plow the fields, purchase seeds, etc., we need $7,000.

Can you help?

Fifty partners giving $140 each...a hundred partners giving $70 each...or two hundred partners giving $35 each...will make this happen.

Your gift, large or small, will help with this project.

Be sure to request a copy of my book Praying and Getting Results. It contains secrets of answered prayers which God has shown me during my fifty-plus years of ministry. I believe it will be a real blessing to you.

Bob

Let me tell you about seven-year-old Alexander and his eleven-year-old sister Maria.

When their parents abandoned them and left the country, they went to live with their aunt. Sadly, she became seriously ill and the authorities contacted us at The Village of Hope and asked if we could take them.

After checking to be sure they had no other living relatives capable of caring for them, we completed the paper work and found a wonderful family for them.

Today these two children go to school, sing in the children’s choir at church, and have hope for a real future.

All this has been made possible through the kindness of friends and partners like you. Thank you!

When we reach out to care for hurting children, I believe we get God’s attention in a special way. Jesus said:

“If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones...I tell you the truth, he

 will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 NIV

Right now we are in urgent need of more “family sponsors.” We have many children waiting at both Villages of Hope, and we have families willing to take them.

For $43.20 a month ($518.40 a year) you can enable a family to take a child. Even if you can do this for just a month or two, it will make a world of difference.

Because of the severe winter and the economic downturn in Romania, we are getting more and more calls from needy families who have no means to take care of their children. They need warm clothes, boots, coats and basic supplies.

Please give the most generous gift you can to help us meet this need.

Bob

     P.S. Be sure to get a copy of my book Guidance for Today. If you are searching for direction, or to know God’s will for your life, I believe it will be a great blessing to you.

In December seventeen of our children from The Village of Hope put on a Christmas play at the Cultural Arts Center in Timisoara, Romania’s second largest city. The mayor attended, and the local people packed the place out and gave the children a standing ovation.

Let me tell you about one of these children. He is a five year-old boy named Andrew.

Andrew was born in a state-run hospital and abandoned by his birth mother. From there, he was placed into an orphanage, and later, a state appointed foster family.

Sadly, his foster parents separated, and the Child Welfare Agency asked us to take him.  

We found a wonderful couple, Joseph and Cecilia, who were willing to take him. Today he has a new family with two older brothers and sisters. He Is one very happy little boy.

Every month we rescue twelve to fifteen children like Andrew from state-run orphanages, the streets, and at-risk situations, and bring them to The Village of Hope. Then we find just the right family for them.

We have been doing this successfully for years, and we plan to do it for another 150 – 200 children this year.

All of this is made possible by our “family sponsorship” program. Many of the friends and partners who support this ministry give $43.20 a month ($518.40 a year) enabling a family to take a child.

Right now we urgently need family sponsors to help us rescue more children this year.

Even if you can’t commit to a full year of sponsorship, if you can do it for two or three months it would be a huge help.

Jesus cared deeply about children. The Bible says:

“He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said...’your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.’” Matthew 18:2,14 NIV

Right now we have children waiting to be placed and qualified families willing to take them – but we need your help.

Would you prayerfully consider becoming a “family sponsor” to help us at this time?

Thank you for caring!  

Bob

P.S.  I’d like to send you a copy of my book Guidance for Today.  As you begin a new year, this book will provide you with insight and direction for your life. It is my way of saying thank you for standing with us this year.

I couldn’t have done it without friends and partners like you. I feel like Paul when he wrote:  

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to

         my God...for you have been my partners in

         spreading the Good News.”  

                        Philippians 1:3-5 NLT 

Because of your incredible generosity we were able to provide 2,000 children with Christmas packages this year!  

The first two children to arrive at The Village of Hope in 2010 have biblical names. Stephen is 5 and Matthew is 3. They are brothers. When their only care-giver, their grandmother, died, the authorities asked us to find a family for them. We have!  

Our goal is to find families for 15–20 needy children each month this year. 

The first check Debby and I write at the beginning of the year is to God’s work. We ask Him to direct us, then we sow it as a seed, believing Him for a harvest of blessing in the areas we’ll need it most.  

Without fail, God has honored this act of faith year after year. 

As we walk through the door of 2010, we invite you to join us. Many of our friends and partners are sowing a seed of...$2,010...$210...$20.10...or whatever they feel led to sow.

 This year I’m praying for God’s guidance, blessing and protection on my two children and three grandchildren.  

If you have a friend or family member you are praying for this year, send us their name and our prayer team will pray in agreement with you.  

Be sure to request a gift copy of my book Starting Over. The Bible says that God’s mercies are new every morning (See Lam 3:23). With God’s help, 2010 can be the best year of your life.  

 Bob & Debby

Christmas greetings!

          I’d like to tell you about a baby girl called Kimberly.  She’s just one month old and is still in an incubator in intensive care. Her teenage mother abandoned her after giving birth.

          Child welfare services contacted us and asked if we could find a family for her. We did. Once she’s able to leave the hospital, a wonderful couple will take her. Until then, they visit her faithfully every day.

          Last month we found a family for 8 year-old Daniel and 3 year-old Peter. They were homeless, sick and wandering the streets when the police brought them to us. Since we have a waiting list of prospective foster parents, we were able to find a home for them right away.

          This year we rescued 12-20 children each month from Romania’s orphanages, streets and sex trade - over 500 in the last few years.

          And it happened through the kindness and generosity of friends and partners like you.

          This month we are working to provide...500 children with Christmas parcels...containing clothes, toys, food, and children’s storybooks. It’s a big undertaking.

          You say, “Bob, what can I do?”

          For just $35 you can provide a Christmas parcel for 1 child. Can you help?

          The Bible says:

          “God so loved the world, that he gave his only
          begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
          should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
                                                            John 3:16

          God demonstrated His love by giving us His “best” and it’s in giving that we show His love.

          As 2009 comes to a close, I’d like to ask you to prayerfully consider giving your “best year-end gift” to help us at The Village of Hope.

          Debby and I pray that you will have a very blessed Christmas.

          Your friends and partners,

          P.S. Thirty-five people died in Romania in the last few weeks due to swine flu.  The government has provided us with a full-time doctor at The Village of Hope until the epidemic ends.

          It’s critical that we keep each child warm and protected. Right now we urgently need $5,600 to fill both oil tanks. Your gift, large or all,
will help us do it. Thank you.

Warmest greetings!

This month we are planning to distribute 500 “Christmas parcels” to the children we have rescued from Romania’s orphanages, streets, and sex trade, and placed into foster families in Romania. Let me tell you about a few of them.

Four month old Lucia and six month old Sapira were both abandoned by their birth mothers at the hospital in Timisoara. A maintenance mechanic, who works there saw them, fell in love with them, and he and his wife took them.

Another couple, who have already raised their family, opened their home to two brothers, Stephen and Matthew.

Stephen, who is nine, is physically challenged. He will be attending classes and going for therapy in our newly completed “special needs wing.”

These “miracles” are taking place because of the generosity of friends and partners like you.

Every December we put together “Christmas parcels” of clothes, toys, Bible storybooks and candy for each child, and food baskets for their foster parents.

It’s a big undertaking and I need your help.

For a gift of...$35...you can give a child their “first Christmas.” Perhaps you could do this for several children.

Conditions in Romania are very bad due to the economy. The Minister of Health contacted us to say that up to 20,000 people may die this winter due to swine flu.

We are doing everything we can to keep the children warm, well fed and healthy during this dangerous pandemic.

Last month, in addition to our support for needy foster families, plus operating expenses and staff salaries, we were able to send only half the needed funds to fill both our big tanks with heating oil.

We still need...$5600...to purchase the remainder of the heating oil to get us through the winter. Can you help?

The Bible teaches that when we respond to the cry of the needy, God responds to us and answers our prayers. (See Isa 58:7-11).

Debby and I are asking you to send the “largest and most generous gift” you can to help us with the children this Christmas.

Thank you for caring. Please try to write this week.

Your friends and partners,

Bob & Debby

P.S. Here are two great Christmas gift ideas:

(1) Get a 1 or 2 year subscription to our daily devotional The Word For You Today. It will bless your friends and family all year long.

(2) Get a copy of The Best Of The Word for You Today Volume 5. It’s just off the press. It contains 365 days that brought the greatest response from our readers, and makes a wonderful Christmas gift.

Thank you and God bless you.

Warmest greetings!

The walls, flooring, electrical, windows, heating systems and painting have been completed in our “special needs” wing at The Village of Hope. We have begun moving furniture, bedding and blankets into the rooms.

It is very exciting!

We were able to purchase commercial dryers for our laundry room. This facility will not only handle the needs of the children, it will be a source of income as a laundry service for people who live in the nearby town.

Thank you! This has all been made possible through the generosity of wonderful friends and partners like you.

Thirty of the children in our care recently had a school photo taken with their teachers on a group outing. They wanted me to thank you for helping to purchase their school books, backpacks, clothes, pens and paper, etc.

This month 80,000 copies of The Word for You Today were published in the Romanian and Hungarian languages. So not only are we rescuing children and placing them into families, we are also spreading God’s Word.

Our urgent need right now is to fill each big oil tank for the winter. It will take $5,600 to fill each tank ($11,200). I’m asking each of our friends and partners to give an extra gift” of...$112...$56...$28...$14...for the next two months to keep the children warm this winter.

Can you help?

Every week we place children into foster families. These families depend on our monthly support. For $43.20 you can help underwrite a family for one month, enabling them to take a child. Even if you can only do this for a month or two it will make a big difference.

If your church or business is looking for a worthy cause to support this Christmas, please tell them about us.

Your gift, large or small, will enable us to keep doing this.

Debby joins me in wishing you a very blessed Thanksgiving.

Bob and Debby Gass

P.S. When you give this month, be sure to ask for a copy of my book, Overcoming Depression; it’s our way of saying thank you for your support. 

The Romanian Government estimates that there are still about 50,000 children at risk in rapidly deteriorating orphanages, begging on the streets, or falling victim to the sex trade.

Through your support we have rescued over 500 of them and placed them into families. Each month we place 12-15 more children.

It’s a monumental achievement for a small ministry like ours. Thank you for making it happen!

This month we hope to finish our “special needs” wing and begin caring for physically challenged children. This will be a “first” in Romania.

Because of your generosity we have been able to purchase four commercial grade washing machines, and most of the furniture for the bedrooms has already been donated.

Every month new children arrive at The Village of Hope. Most of them are tiny victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse. Let me tell you about one of them who arrived this week.

He is a seven year-old boy called Ramos. The police found him begging on the streets and brought him to us. The look in his eyes tells the story of what he’s been through in his seven short years on earth.

He will stay with us at The Village of Hope until our doctors and counselors feel he is ready to live with a family, then we’ll find a couple to take him.

Some humanitarian organizations working in Romania have cut back their support because of the economy, others are pulling out altogether. So our ministry has never been more needed.

You ask, “What can I do to help?”

Would you prayerfully consider sending your best gift to help us meet these needs?

When you write with your gift I’ll send you a copy of my book You Can Be Healed. It has strengthened the faith of many people who are trusting God for their healing.

It’s also my way of saying thank you for standing with us.

Your friend and partner,

Bob & Debby

Our work at The Village of Hope in Romania is getting increased attention. Our director, Marianna, has been asked to go to the European Parliament next week to discuss how we have rescued 500 children out of state-run orphanages, the sex trade, at-risk situations, and placed them into foster families.

The Romanian Government has called The Village of Hope “a model home for the rest of the country.”
 
Last month eight children were placed into a family. Let me tell you about two of them:
 
Tuta is 6, and Ana is 7. The police found them hungry and begging in the streets. Their short life story has been one of fear, abuse and abandonment. They both attended our children’s summer camp this year, and we found a wonderful family to take them.

Recently someone asked me what was the goal of our outreach in Romania? I replied, “We put families together.” It has been your prayers and support that have made it all possible.

Due to an increase in building costs, we had to send an extra $5,000 this month to keep our contractor on the job to get the new “special needs” children’s wing completed.

Like any building project, it has taken more money and more time that we thought. But I’m confident we’ll finish it.

You ask, “Bob, what can I do to help?” Two things:

1.  We need an extra $1500 this month to get 200 children ready to go back to school by the end of September. Your gift, large or small, will enable us to do it.

2.  We need more “family sponsors” at $43.20 a month (or $21.60 for a half sponsorship). We have the children waiting and qualified families to take them. Even if you can only sponsor a month or two, it will change the life of a child.

Today I was reading Ephesians 6:7 NKJV:

“With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and
 not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does,
 he will receive the same from the Lord.”

God has promised that whatever we do for those who are hurting and in need, He will do for us also.

Be sure to request a copy of my book Be Not Afraid. I believe it will be a real source of strength to you in these challenging times.

Your friends and partners,

Bob & Debby

Our summer camp in Romania was a big success this year! 350 children came – all of them in wide-eyed wonder and excitement.

Some of the children came from State-run orphanages, some had been sold into the sex trade by their families and were brought to us by the border police, some were forced to beg on the streets by their parents, and the remainder were children who currently live with us at The Village of Hope or have already been placed into a foster family.

We had 7 weeks of swimming, hiking, sports, campfires and Bible stories. 50 children attended each week. Each camp was led by a staff of 9 educators, our team of social workers, and 17 families who volunteered to help.

It was truly a life-changing experience for many of them. For the first time in their lives they experienced the power of love.

Thank you for making it possible!

Last month we placed 16 more children into foster families. Let me tell you about two of them:

Mia, aged 6, and Maria, aged 5. They are not natural siblings, but they room together at The Village of Hope and have become closer than sisters.

These children were blessed to be placed into a great family. The look on their faces today is such a contrast to the wretchedness and despair in their eyes when they were first brought to us two months ago.

By the end of this year we will have placed about 500 children into families. It has taken a lot of hard work and sacrificial giving, but it’s truly worth it!

Construction continues on our “special needs” wing. We are sheet rocking the walls and ceilings, and the heating system is being installed. Desks and wardrobes are being placed into the sleeping rooms for the children.

Progress has been a little slower than we’d like due to an unusually hot summer over Eastern Europe, a reduction in our work crew due to funding, and our commitment to pay-as-we-go. But with your support and God’s help, we’ll complete the project!

Would you prayerfully consider giving the largest gift you can to help us finish this wing and start bringing special needs children to The Village of Hope?

Right now we have 24 children who are ready to be placed into foster families, and we have qualified families willing to take them.

But we need “family sponsors.”

Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring a family for one month at $43.20, or two months at $86.40, or three months at $129.60, or twelve months at $518.40?

I’d like to send you a copy of a hardback book I’ve written entitled Be Not Afraid. I believe it will be a source of strength and encouragement to you, particularly in these tough times. It’s my way of saying “thank you

Anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated!

Bob & Debby

This week we begin another summer camp for 60 children. At the beginning of September we will hold our last camp for 68 more children. By then, a total of 288 children will have enjoyed summer camp - most of them for the first time in their lives.

Thank you for making this possible!

Work continues on our “special needs” wing. It’s been a long, hot summer in Romania. Temperatures of 114 degrees have made it hard for our workers, especially with no air conditioning.

When we open our doors the building will be paid for and physically challenged children will be able to come to the Village of Hope and find love, a home and a future.

Let me tell you about two little brothers, Matai and Mihai, ages six and four, who we just placed into a foster family.

They love to play with their father, Luca, and wear soccer outfits and caps. Their foster mother, Tatiana, is a stay-at-home mom and works in the house and the garden.

This couple has two grown children, but they love the sound of these two boys playing and laughing in their home.

As you can see by the look on their faces, it’s worth all the sacrifice and hard work.

This month we will place 16 to 20 children into foster families. It is no easy task since many of these children have been abandoned, abused, and taken from “at risk” situations. Their healing takes time and patience, and our social workers are very selective in matching the right child with the right family.

Please pray that God will provide more “family sponsors” who will commit to sending $43.20 a month (or $21.60 for a half sponsorship).

This is one of our biggest challenges!

My older brother Neil and my younger sister Ruthie now help me write our daily devotional, The Word for You Today. We publish 7 million copies worldwide each quarter.

We were very young when my father died, leaving my mother to raise three of us on a welfare check of $9 a week. But by God’s grace – we made it, and with your support these children in Romania can make it too.

This month we need to raise an extra $3000 to get 100 children ready to go back to school. They need backpacks, books, clothes, etc.

When you give, I’ll send you my latest hardback book titled Overcoming Depression. It’s my way of saying “thank you.” 

Your friends and partners,

Bob and Debby

Last month we placed another 16 children into families. Some of them had been with us for three months; one boy named Victor was with us for six months.

European law requires us to wait until we have the paperwork completed on each child before we find a qualified foster family to take them.

These families must go through extensive interviews and have a number of visits at The Village of Hope with the child and our team of social workers to qualify.

Let me tell you about one child. Four year-old Ilena is shy and has blond hair. When both her parents died she was left in the care of her grandmother. When her grandmother became too ill to care for her, Child Protection Services called us.

Ilena stayed with us for two months while we checked to see if she had any living relatives that could take care of her. When we couldn’t find any – we found her a wonderful new mom and dad.

Her new mom, Maria, always wanted a little girl. So now Ilena has a family and two new brothers.

Almost every day we get calls telling us about at-risk boys and girls. Thanks to friends and partners like you we are able to say “yes.”

We are on target to place another 150-200 children into families this year. This is a remarkable accomplishment when you think that we are just a small organization, with about twelve hundred active givers in our support base.

Thank you for all you do!

Work continues on our “special needs” wing. We planned to be in by September, but due to construction challenges it will take an extra month or so. If you’ve ever built a house – I know you understand.

When this new wing opens it will be paid in full. Physically challenged children will be able to come and find a new family and a new future.

Here are three ways you can help us this month:

1.  We need an extra...$3,000 to buy backpacks, books, paper, pencils, etc., for about 100 children going back to school at the end of this month.

2.  We need 15 more “family sponsors” who will commit to give $43.20 a month (or $21.60 for a half-sponsorship) to help us place another 15 children into families.

3. Your gift, large or small, will enable us to “pay as we go” and furnish our new “special needs” wing.  

Today I was reading this Scripture:

 “God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, ‘[Godly people] give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever’”       (2Co 9:8-9 NLT)

When you give this month be sure to request a copy of my newest book Overcoming Depression. If you know someone who suffers from depression, it will really help them. It’s my way of saying thank you for all you do.

Bob

Wonderful things are happening at The Village of Hope in Romania.

We have completed the windows, floors, wheelchair ramps and bathroom facilities in our new “special needs” wing. Work continues on the bedrooms and extra-wide hallways. This has all happened through the generosity of friends and partners like you. Thank you.

Our children’s summer camp is in full swing. Each week 40-50 children are enjoying playing, swimming, hiking, and doing art and crafts. Each child is given a backpack with six new illustrated books on the life of Jesus.  Their new foster families are “blown away” by all of this.

Last month we placed 14 more children into foster families. When a child leaves The Village of Hope for the promise of a new life, they hug their friends, sometimes in tears, promising to come back and visit, assuring them – “Soon you’ll have a new family too.”

Right now we are working to find “just the right family” for Maria aged 3, Lucia aged 4, and Romana aged 5. The Child Protection Services found them hungry and homeless on the streets and called us. We took them in, fed and clothed them and nursed them back to health.

You should see them now!

Five year old Romana is like a little mother. She takes care of the other two children, and loves to help the cook, set the table and clean up.

By the end of this year we will have helped place about 500 children like Romana into families.

You say, “Bob, what can I do to help?”

You can help in three ways:

1. Give $125.00...$62.50... $31.20...$20.00...or $10.00...to send a child to summer camp.

2. Give the best gift you can to help finish our “special needs” wing.

3. Become a “family sponsor” at $43.20 a month (or $21.60 for a half-sponsorship). Right now we have children ready to go and qualified families ready to take them – but we need your support to put them together.

Debby and I are grateful for your support. The truth is – we couldn’t do this work without you.

Be sure to request a copy of my book Praying & Getting Results – it will be a source of strength and encouragement to you.

We hope you enjoy our new updated website. Please tell your friends about it too.

Bob & Debby

Warmest greetings!  

The builders have completed about 50% of our new special needs wing. We expect it to be finished in four more weeks.  This will give us six more large rooms for the children including bathrooms.
    
For the first time, we’ll be able to take physically challenged children into The Village of Hope, work with them, and place them into a foster family.

We are “paying as we go.” Several of our partners have given generously to this project because they have a friend or family member who lives each day with a disability.  Their names will be honored on a wall plaque in the new wing.
    
Would you prayerfully consider giving “an extra gift” this month to help me finish the remodeling, furnish the rooms, and open the doors – with all the bills paid?

Last month we helped place 14 more children into families. Let me tell you about one of them.
 
Her name is Mercea, and she is just 8 months old. When she became ill her mother took her to the hospital in Timisoara and abandoned her!
    
Thankfully, we have a list of pre-qualified foster families waiting to take these children. One foster mother, Salena, had prayed for a child because she couldn’t have one of her own. When she heard about little Mercea, she went to the hospital, cried when she saw her, and said, “Yes,’ I’ll take her.”

Every month we take new children into The Village of Hope, find parents for them, fill out endless paperwork, and put families together. 

Right now we need “family sponsors” who will commit to giving $43.20 a month, or $21.60 for a half-sponsorship, or your best gift. 
    
We have the children, we have the prospective parents, all we need are more “sponsors.”

Can you help?

Today I was reading these words from the Book of James 1:27 NKJV:

“Pure and undefiled religion...is this: to
[care for] widows and orphans in their trouble.”

For the past 18 years it has been my privilege to partner with friends like you to rescue hundreds of Romania’s neediest and most at risk children – giving them love, hope, a home and a future!

I’d like to send you a copy of my book Praying and Getting Results. It’s my way of saying thank you for your financial support, particularly during these challenging economic times.  

Bob Gass