THANK YOU FOR YOUR ROLE WITH RTC IN 2023!

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Dear RTC Family,

When I think of 2023, I think of the expanding ministries in Romania and Tanzania. Expansion means more lives impacted and more lives put on course for a brighter future. As you read the stories in this report, I hope you are encouraged by all we have accomplished together this year.

Thinking back to the beginning of 2023, there was great excitement as our staff went to Tanzania for the opening of the Eternal Pre and Primary School. The memory of the day is still vivid in my mind, seeing the children carry their desks from the shop where they had been built to their respective classrooms. To hear their songs and prayers and to see their joy brought me great joy. I could only smile and reflect on all the RTC family had done to make this day a reality.

Excitement continued to build in 2023 as we planted Agape Church in Oradea, RO and a church in Miyega, TZ. We also dedicated the new building of another church plant in Mabama, TZ. We have solidified a partnership with the East European Bible College, funded the hiring of a professor, and provided scholarships for the first students in a newly accredited Master of Theology program. We also continued to provide tuition and housing for Ukrainian refugees who are studying for their bachelor’s degrees. We sponsored a week of summer camp for orphaned teens in Romania. We did our first team mission trip to Tanzania with a group of diverse people who used their gifts to impact Eternal Families. We provided 400 chickens for our new chicken farm in Tanzania, where we now produce enough eggs and poultry for the Eternal Family Village. We also began construction on two new homes and a clinic in Tanzania. To our dismay, orphan homes are opening again in Romania, but we were able to visit and provide a Christmas experience to twenty of them in December.

As we remember the highlights of 2023 and already see impact here in 2024, we thank God for the many ways he has provided through you to bring transformation to communities and lives. Thank you for joining us in developing leaders, planting churches, and caring for orphans in Romania and Tanzania.

Blessings,

Andy Baker, Founder and President

IMPACT MOMENTS

For safety and privacy, the names in this story have been removed.

The Story of a Child

Throughout my high-school years, my dream was to study music. I just loved it so much! Ever since I was little, music helped me overcome some very hard moments. When God made a way for me to become part of House of Hope, my precious parents invested so much in me and helped make my dream come true. I took singing lessons throughout my high-school years and participated in different contests. I will forever be grateful to God and to my wonderful family for caring for my dreams as much as I did.

Last year, I took a very important exam at the end of high-school and got accepted into one of the best christian colleges in Oradea, majoring in music. The first weeks of college were challenging. It was hard to get used to new people and being away from my family but God never let go of me. With God’s help I met wonderful people and professors who made the adjustment easier.

I know I still have a long way to go but with the help of God, my family, and you, precious people and friends, I will continue to work harder and harder in order to become a very good singer. I want to honor God through my talent and let people know of His love for them and how much He cares about us. I learned throughout the years that a song can reach a heart deeper than spoken words. I want to use everything that He has given me for His glory and I really hope and pray that God will use my talent to reach people for His kingdom. I know that I am nothing without Him and His love!

Last year, when Andy came, he brought to Romania a team with him. One of the members that came with him became a friend of mine through our mutual love for music. He was a very kind-hearted man and we got to talk a little bit about life, college, and music. It was a blessing for me to sing different carols one night, while the team was there. Later on, after the team got back to the States, brother Andy contacted my father, letting him know that [my friend] was willing to pay for my expenses for College. I was so humbled by his kindness and I just cannot express my gratitude for such a gesture. It just blew me away. I am forever grateful to [my friend] for caring so much about my dream and for investing in me even though there are miles of ocean that separate us. I can definitely say that Remember the Children remembers me.

I am forever blessed and loved by a wonderful God and amazing people!

The Story of a Sponsor

During the initial attack on Ukraine in 2022, I saw TV pictures of multitudes of refugees fleeing to find a way to safety. I wanted to help in some way, so I inquired how some financial support could be given to an organization that would truly provide relief to those needing help. I discovered that my church already supported House of Hope in northern Romania where many refugees were coming to find assistance.

I began contributing to Remember the Children and receiving updates on the work with orphans in both Romania and Tanzania. Several months later I made contact with Andy Baker, and he arranged a trip to Satu Mare with a team to visit a number of sites where we would meet with orphan children and try to bring some Christmas joy into their lives. Although there were no longer refugees from Ukraine at House of Hope, we did spend a week visiting different sites where local children were housed. We helped them make Christmas ornaments, sang Christmas songs, talked about Jesus and the hope He gives. I believe we did lift the spirits of the children and their caregivers, and certainly our spirits were raised.

One evening at House of Hope the student choir sang several songs for our team. I noticed one of the older girls singing a solo. Afterwards, I approached her and complimented her on her excellent voice. I wanted to encourage her to pursue vocal training to maximize her talent. She told me she was enrolled in university and was studying music.

Many years ago I attended a Christian college and sang in the choir. That was such a wonderful experience, and I wanted her to have a similar opportunity. I inquired about the cost of attending the university and decided that I could help with her expenses, so I plan to cover those costs for her. I know that God blessed me financially so that I could help others who need assistance. I am sure that [my friend] will reach many more in Romania with the love of Jesus than I could ever reach. God has richly blessed me in meeting [my friend], as well as working with the team members to bring a little Joy to the lives of the orphans.

By Andy Baker

In early 2022, as the Ukrainian crisis was beginning, we were contacted by our longtime friend Adi Galiger of Impact Church to help the East European Bible College in caring for the refugees who were arriving to the school's campus. Initially, we helped with food, clothing, and everyday essentials. We soon helped with the larger purchase of a washer and dryer to help address the need of clean clothing, especially for those passing through after a short stay.

A few months later as the new school year began, there were several Ukrainian refugee students who enrolled. These students enrolled with the desire to return home as educated Christian leaders to help transform their homeland. When I was told of these students, I knew it would be our joy to help.

Our relationship with the Bible College continued to grow over the next two years to the point where I was invited to join the board this January. I am excited to be a part of this growing college that is expanding from purely a mission sending school to also one with extensive academic programs. The school just received accreditation for a new Master's of Theology program, and RTC was happy to scholarship students in need of financial assistance as well as pay the salary for the first year of the professor directing the program. A significant renovation of the facility is underway. RTC will play an active role with these needed improvements of their campus as we remain committed to training leaders for Christian service.

We ask the RTC family to join us in praying for the school, and to assist as you are able in the campus renovation, development of new academic programs, and the needed scholarships for the next generation of Christian leaders.

One of the main collaborative projects for RTC in 2023 was the building of a medical clinic on the property of one of our local churches in Tanzania alongside Fellowship of Associates of Medical Evangelism (FAME). FAME has partnerships all over the world with those who bring help and hope to people who desperately need healthcare and the gospel. There are 3.1 million orphan children in Tanzania, mostly due to aids and malaria. Access to healthcare in Tanzania, and particularly in this area, is very limited. Because of this, Remember the Children and FAME are building a healthcare clinic to meet the medical needs of the orphans, the school children and the people in their local community. The clinic is being built next to the church to connect the physical ministry with the spiritual ministry of the church.

In the Tabora area, there is only one small government clinic serving more than six villages. People often walk more than 20 to 30 km to receive health care. Due to the shortage of medical equipment and supplies, the one existing clinic is unable to meet their needs. Testing services for various diseases as well as quality care for pregnant women are among the most important medical needs.

According to Pastor Dionis, who is also a parent at Eternal Families Village, the existence of a clinic near the Church will help the ministry introduce people to the good news of Jesus Christ. As a church, they intend to use this opportunity to reach all who come. Jesus is the best father to the fatherless, help to the helpless, hope to those who have no hope. Malolo is predominantly Muslim, and the need for the gospel is great. Pastor Dionis knows how poverty can bring stress to people, but also knows their situation can be worse without the hope which is brought about by the salvation of Jesus Christ. 

It is exciting to see the building of the clinic progress. We are filled with many hopes and prayers over this foundation. It is a blessing to work alongside FAME and the local church.

Continue the story in 2024 by making a donation today.