Hello, my name is Brother Rob Coones. I am the pastor of Christian Temple Church in High Point, North Carolina. We have just returned from our first trip to Romania. I have been involved in missionary endeavors for many years and have worked with other orphanages. Our visit to Romania to the Hand of Help Orphanage was the most rewarding trip my wife, my daughter, and I have experienced. Brother Michael Boldea, his wife Sister Virginia, and their staff welcomed us with a true genuine spirit of hospitality. We were treated and fed like royalty. We went there to minister to the people and the people minister to us.
Over the years, I have sent money to help the widows and the orphans in different parts of the world. I, like anybody, would always have in the back of my mind, “Are my finances being used properly, are they getting to the needy?” Well, to whom it may concern, if only I could make a recommendation or if I could encourage you in well doing; the Hand of Help Orphanage is ordained of God. It is very clean and operates like a big loving home. The staff did not act like employees but like a big family. The love the children had for one another was overwhelming. Your heart goes out to the children when you hear their testimonies of the circumstances that brought them to Hand of Help. Some would think that they have been robbed of family life, but I can assure you they haven’t, they have a loving home with a good balance of love, education, and spiritual indoctrination and discipleship. I see that it is operated by faith in God and God multiplies the contributions that do come in. I felt very small in God being there and when I left it felt like our feeble efforts and contribution, though so small, yet they were so appreciated.
I was very impressed with the operation of the farm, the raising of the animals for food and milk, and the raising of fresh produce in the garden. The talents that they have received from the Lord have been blessed and He has added an increase. It is an overwhelming thought to think of feeding 120 children and staff, but that is not enough! I witnessed on a daily bases people coming to the gate for food, and they shared very graciously with them. We were eating one night at Brother Michael’s home and I witnessed him getting up from the dinner table and walking out the front door with some food from the table to give to a young child on the street. I believe that this is the kind of compassion that has moved the Spirit of God to watch over this orphanage. I hope that everyone who reads this testimony of our trip will pray that God would allow them to be partakers with the ministry of Hand of Help so that they can be benefactors of the blessing that God has bestowed upon it. This may not be my place to plea for the widows and the orphans, but I am because I did not see Brother Michael or Sister Virginia doing it and further more we weren’t ask to do so. The orphanage is going to go on with or without our help because God is watching over it to see so, but God is going to use people like you and me, and I rejoice in the opportunity to share with Hand of Help. Pray that maybe you or your church could take on the gas bill for one month, or the light bill, could be to buy the feed for the livestock, how about the tuition for a child’s education, or dental cost, medical expenses. You can read this and go on about your business and never give it a second thought, but my heart is burdened for the children to be a help and be partakers with Hand of Help. I pray that God blesses you and visits you in your dreams and puts a burden on your heart for benevolence.
Thank You and God bless,
Brother Rob & Sister Irene Coones
PS – Thank you Hand of Help for giving us an opportunity to help with your ongoing endeavor of love.
Be sure to go to the next page to see the photo's of our trip.