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Working with Wood in Romania

May 31, 2016

Christian Reformed World Missions

When an international manufacturing company expanded to a new location in Țârgu Mureș, Romania, they wanted to do more than just bring jobs to the community. They also wanted to find ways to support Christian service in the community.

Meanwhile, the outreach organization Coming Home Ministries in Țârgu Mureș was looking for new ways to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the many young people enduring homelessness and unemployment in the community.

Sounds like a perfect match, right? And it was.

Encouraging and developing partnerships between organizations like these is one of the main tasks of Steve Michmerhuizen, who serves with Christian Reformed World Missions in Țârgu Mureș.

“Our ministry with key leaders of churches and Christian organizations,” said Michmerhuizen, “is a place where we build relationships with one another, discover a common vision for the gospel in Romania, and open opportunities for collaboration.”

Michmerhuizen has been working alongside leaders from  Coming Home Ministries for about three years, and he’s recognized the important role they have played among the homeless community of Țârgu Mures. He also developed connections with Turbocam, the manufacturing company with operations in Țârgu Mureș.

In 2014, leaders from Coming Home and Turbocam purchased a warehouse for woodworking, where young men who are living on the streets receive training and make new products out of old pallets.

“I came here to work because I like to work and I like this place,” says Istvan, one of the workers in the woodshop who is featured in a video about the emerging ministry.

“I like to work. I hope that in my future my life will be changed—to have a place where I can lay my head down and build a family.”

Outside of their work in the woodshop, participants also meet regularly for Bible reading and meal sharing.

“These are real results made possible through God’s leading his people in steps of faith and the eventual collaboration of a faith-based organization and a faith-based business putting their heads and hearts together,” added Michmerhuizen.