In the summer of 2000 I went to Romania for the first time. The ’East-Europe Mission’ organized a trip to work in a children’s home in Rupea. That seemed to be something for me.. It was great! Since that time I’ve lost my heart to this country and to the children  of the children’s home.

After three summer trips, I went to Rupea in the autumn break in 2002 with two other people. During the summers, the Eastern European Outreach always arranged a sleeping place for us, but now we had to find a place to sleep ourselves. We could stay with the Simonescu family. We knew the family a bit, because their son translated for us during the summers. Although they had only limited space, we still could stay in their house that week. They found it very important that we would feel ourselves at home with them. And we sure did! It was the beginning of a friendship.

I went to Romania two more times and the house of the Simonescu was always open for me. When we told them that Annelies, Vincent and I wanted to help the children of Rupea and Mesendorp (a little village nearby) for six months, they offered us to stay in their house. Because their son was going to study in Oradea, there was more space provided for us. We always felt home during our stay and they where always prepared to help. When we talk about them, we call them ’our parents from Romania’. For our parents in Holland it was good to know that we were in good hands. And they could see it with their own eyes when they visited us and met the Simonescu family themselves.

Without a doubt I will keep visiting Romania. It is good to know that you’re always welcome with people who are there for you.


Connie ’t Hart