Below are the thoughts of Pastor Dan Hille who has traveled with Another Child two times in the past. Here is what he is anticipating on this year’s trip.
It’s been a decade since I first heard Tim Oloffson talk about the wonderful ministries he was engaging with in Romania. Since that first conversation I’ve had the honor and privilege to see just what Another Children Foundation does first hand; walking with and serving the Roma people of Tarnaveni by the on-going ministries of the Point of Hope Center.
Recently the idea was tossed around to try the tell the story ACF- our story. “What a wonderful idea!” I thought as I began to look through old literature, revisiting years and years of correspondence with Tim, John-Frank, Gabby, and Dacian to name a few. As I shifted through the many ways that ACF has expressed it’s mission, and described it’s ministries I had an epiphany.
The story of Another Child Foundation is entwined with the story of the people we live, work, and minister with in Tarnaveni.
Therefore, to tell the full story of ACF, it is imperative to lift up the community we are called to serve in, our neighbors there, and the partnership God has called us to. It is truly their story that we seek to support with our ministries.
The Roma communities across Europe are as varied and different as the Native America communities across our continent. The story of ACF is a special story, of a specific relationship with people in Taranveni. It is the story the the ministry we engage in together.
Relationships: personal, professional, or ministerial are strengthened and grown as both parties continue to learn and respect each other for who they are now, and the past that brought them to this point; this is as true in marriage as it is in ministry. Likewise, understanding and respecting the stories of a community is paramount for understanding that communities.
I am very excited for the opportunity to return to Tarnaveni this June. It is my goal to speak with members of that community in an effort to better understand their story, and how we can continue to support it.
