How did everything start?
CAMP HOPE: THE MIRACLE FROM THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS
The story of the vision, the construction and the purpose of Camp Hope is a true miracle of God. There Is Hope Foundation has been working in Romania for over 25 years, helping the evangelical movement of the underground church in Transilvania grow and rise.
In june 2008, we were on our regular trip ministering in Bistrița. We had been praying for 4-5 years that God would help us find a suitable land to buy and build a children camp on it, a place for spiritual retreat. But every time we found one, it was not what we wanted. So we kept on praying while the romanians kept looking. The properties were too far from the city, had no electricity, no water and were too expensive. First Sunday afternoon after we arrived we were going to Teaca to a church we usually went to with the gospel. The Bazers, a couple from Florida for the first time with us in Romania, were in the car in front of us with pastor Nelu. All of a sudden they slowed down, hand out the window pointing to a hill. Tom said: „I wonder if this could be a good property for what we need!”
The story of the vision, the construction and the purpose of Camp Hope is a true miracle of God. There Is Hope Foundation has been working in Romania for over 25 years, helping the evangelical movement of the underground church in Transilvania grow and rise.
In june 2008, we were on our regular trip ministering in Bistrița. We had been praying for 4-5 years that God would help us find a suitable land to buy and build a children camp on it, a place for spiritual retreat. But every time we found one, it was not what we wanted. So we kept on praying while the romanians kept looking. The properties were too far from the city, had no electricity, no water and were too expensive. First Sunday afternoon after we arrived we were going to Teaca to a church we usually went to with the gospel. The Bazers, a couple from Florida for the first time with us in Romania, were in the car in front of us with pastor Nelu. All of a sudden they slowed down, hand out the window pointing to a hill. Tom said: „I wonder if this could be a good property for what we need!”
The story of the vision, the construction and the purpose of Camp Hope is a true miracle of God. There Is Hope Foundation has been working in Romania for over 25 years, helping the evangelical movement of the underground church in Transilvania grow and rise.
In june 2008, we were on our regular trip ministering in Bistrița. We had been praying for 4-5 years that God would help us find a suitable land to buy and build a children camp on it, a place for spiritual retreat. But every time we found one, it was not what we wanted. So we kept on praying while the romanians kept looking. The properties were too far from the city, had no electricity, no water and were too expensive. First Sunday afternoon after we arrived we were going to Teaca to a church we usually went to with the gospel. The Bazers, a couple from Florida for the first time with us in Romania, were in the car in front of us with pastor Nelu. All of a sudden they slowed down, hand out the window pointing to a hill. Tom said: „I wonder if this could be a good property for what we need!”
The fall of 2008 was a hard time, especially for romanians. all the legal documents for the purchase of the property needed to be made: documents, permits, approvals. All we could do was stay informed and pray for the lawyers and authorities. New taxes at every step and different payments. Will we ever be able to finish this?
In spring 2009, after ice melted, we dug the first shovel of earth on that wonderful hill to start the construction of Camp Hope. The Romanians chose the name of Camp Hope in the honor of: There Is Hope Foundation but it was also a perfect name, a symbol of our faith that ” our hope is grounded in the blood and righteousness of Jesus!”
Also, in 2009 România joined the European Union, which was a big obstacle for us. New regulations imposed by UE raised our costs greatly. One unexpected thing that raised our costs was the fact that, because Romania was close to Russia, we had to build an underground bunker, large enough to fit all the people- for us it was 300. An underground bunker….and all we wanted was a children’s camp! This meant we had to dig lower and double the quantity of concrete which drastically raised our expenses. Nevertheless, we decided to use the new space for recreation, with ping-pong tables and pool tables. At that time it looked like a waste of money and resources. But we never realised how important this would be for us- Camp Hope is just 100 miles from the border with Ukraine.
In the summer of 2009, our team walked on the foundation of the camp and even touched the freshly poured concrete. Two members of our team worked besides the romanians helping to build the foundation and pour the concrete. Those who helped in any way, financially or otherwise, wrote ther name in the concrete with verses from the Bible and the name of God. It truly was a special day that will be remembered forever.
In fall 2009, we were ready for the walls, but we had no funds. So we launched the ”Buy a block!” campaign where people could donate 15 dollars for a concrete block. The first donation came from a widow from Florida, who gave all she had- just 15 dollars- enough for one concrete block. Somewhere, among the thousands of blocks there is that one block she bought, blessed by God, holding the wall together. Most of the money was sent to Romania in small amounts of 4.000-5.000 dollars, as the donations came. Thousands of people donated, small and large amounts.
In the summer of 2009, our team walked on the foundation of the camp and even touched the freshly poured concrete. Two members of our team worked besides the romanians helping to build the foundation and pour the concrete. Those who helped in any way, financially or otherwise, wrote ther name in the concrete with verses from the Bible and the name of God. It truly was a special day that will be remembered forever.
In fall 2009, we were ready for the walls, but we had no funds. So we launched the ”Buy a block!” campaign where people could donate 15 dollars for a concrete block. The first donation came from a widow from Florida, who gave all she had- just 15 dollars- enough for one concrete block. Somewhere, among the thousands of blocks there is that one block she bought, blessed by God, holding the wall together. Most of the money was sent to Romania in small amounts of 4.000-5.000 dollars, as the donations came. Thousands of people donated, small and large amounts.
In june 2011, we had a praise service instating a bedrock, a very special moment made ecev better when, on 25 june, we celebrated Arlene”s father”s birthday. He prayed a lor for his brothers and sisters behind the Iron Curtain and now, his children, many years later, were building a camp with them. While the band was playing we lifted two flags- romanian and american- at the entrance of the camp. The bedrock writes in both, english and romanian:
“For the glory of God.
A gift for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
from his children in America and Romania.“
Behind the bedrock there is Arlene”s Father”s bible, copies of the School of Heroes curriculum and pictures of the pastors, past and present, that prayed for that moment. The construction went on as funds were available for use.
There were also many unusual or funny moments, besides the blessings. In fall 2011, we entered a shop with objects saved from demolitions, in Brevard, North Carolina. In the back, completely out of context with the shop, there were 250 melamine trays just like the ones used for school cafeterias. Even if we did not yet have our canteen built, we bought those trays along with some shelves, all for 200 dollars. It seemed like a foolish leap of faith, completely synchronized. Friend from Florida helped us with transporting them home.
The camp was in construction, but after we finish, how will we furnish it? Two corridors, 4 offices, 8 hotel rooms, 12 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, a kitchen and a 300 seats canteen and a huge conference hall- it seemed impossible.
In march 2012, we received a phone call from Romania. Through the network of believers we heard of a hotel owner in Ansbach, Germany who was selling the content of his hotel of 18 rooms and furniture for 3 dining rooms, fully equipped with a professional kitchen capable of serving 350 people. The price? 18.000 dollars.
We had to make a call in just a matter of hours. The total cost would include team transportation costs to Ansbach, accomodation, the truck to ship them to Bistrița, etc. reaching 45.000 dollars. After calls to our board we accepted the offer- without even seeing the furniture. We knew that hotel standards in Germany are high and we trusted this was an incredible opportunity.
In april, we traveled to Ansback together with Brenda Eller, the wife of one of our board members in order to plan and evaluate the transport. There we met pastor Ioan Ardelean, Vasile Gherman from Bistrița and George Dorr, the hotel owner. When we saw what we had bought, we were amazed. Everything was in exceptional shape and more than we could have imagined. the real value of the furniture was estimated at over 200.000 dollars and the kitchen equipment alone 100.000 dollars. We returned home full of enthusiasm, ready to go back in may to start work.
But, for six months, George Dorr seemed to be uncooperative. we had to constantly cancel our trips and once he even tried to cancel the contract. It became harder and harder to be a christian in such circumstances. Eventually, we set a date for september. Even on our way to the airport we were expecting him to call and cancel.
When we arrived in the small village of Wolframs, near Ansbach, Monday morning, we still did not know if George would allow us to enter. Twelve young people and men from Bistrița drove two days to Germany, and the truck was to arrive Tuesday morning to load.
George let us in, but was not helpful at all. We were about to begin one of the most stressful weeks of our lives. No electricity, no water, no AC all made work harder to do. It was clear that God wanted us to have that furniture but satan was working his best to discourage and irritate.
For five days, 14 people worked 12 hours a day, from 7 am to nightfall. We dismounted all three floors of that hotel, piece by piece, including the massive kitchen. It was a test of faith, but we knew that God had a greater plan for Camp hope.
The walk-in freezing unit measuring 9×9 meters was a treasure for us. The ventilation system in the cooking area measuring 8×18 feet had to be cut in four pieces and taken out the windows. We loaded all the equipment from the bathrooms, complete furniture for 18 rooms, lights, bed sheets and many others. We had everything we needed furniture wise for the camp.- except the bunk beds, pots and pens. It was truly a miracle!
More than 1.232 hours of work were needed to dismantle, pack and load everything. When the truck left Friday evening, there were many objects left in the parking lot. We put them back in the hotel hoping to get them back on a different occasion.
The truck arrived in Bistrița Saturday, where even Dr. Bazer from Molbourne was present. In just a few hours, over 40 members of Golgotha Baptist unloaded what took 5 days to dismantle and load.
Another shipment and… another test of faith.
In November 2012, 2 months after the first shipment, Tom returned to Romania to meet with our Romanian friends. Another 250 hours of work invested in the same difficult conditions but yet another truck made the 1.000 km trip to Romania. We are still praying for George, the owner of the hotel in Ansback, Germany!
In the fall of 2012, we were getting ready to order the windows and doors, but the funds were not enough for the estimate needed of 65.000 dollars. But again, God provided through his people.
2013: A year with great progress
In june 2013, we received more important donations. Our mission team together with the brothers from Golgotha Baptist, organized a prayer march on the camp field, covering every inch.
After the team left, the huge loft was covered in order to store what was brought from Germany. Everything was moved from the first floor to the third, in order for workers to be able to work. Major progress was made:
* walls were done on the inside
* Electrical and sanitary installations were made
* the huge hill behind the camp was leveled
Everything was moving fast so the decisions needed to be made swiftly. So, in october 2013 we returned to Bistrița. What a challenge!
The following choices needed to be made:
– tiles for the 22 bathrooms
– the paint for the walls
– parquet and ceramic tiles for 31.000 square meters of floor
– exterior doors and railings
– all the woodwork of the building;
Four people, we went from store to store, looking for the best quality/ price. Three men and one woman- not fair at all, but we stayed friends… i think!
In the fall of 2013, we ordered 12 large chandeliers for the canteen. Initially it was 899 dollars a piece but we found them for 250 each. It”s going to look great!
A textile store from South Carolina donated 3.000 dollars worth of materials. Enough for:
– Reconditioning the 300 chairs in the canteen
– remaking all the couches and sofas brought from Germany
– New drapes on the canteen
– Reconditioning furniture in the reception area
In total,13 rolls of textile material- more than we would have ever needed!
God takes care of every detail
Divine irony? the only thing missing from the hotel in Germany for the kitchen were the trays – exactly what we bought two years ago from North Carolina!
Now we are waiting for the next miracle:
– Funds for the childrens rooms
– pots and pans for the kitchen
– funds for a small building for the heating system
The next big project? Building a playground for the children. Through Kids Around the World from Rockford, Illinois, we can purchase a playground for 15.000 dollars, with another 10.000 for shipping and installment.
Raising funds: a continuous journey
Over the years, we tried different methods for raising funds:
– we wrote to 15 different private foundations, sending them detailed presentations
– we contacted many christian companies, including those with private foundations
– we made DVD-s to empathize with the donors
And yet, every time we thought there were no more resources, God showed us he already had a plan. Camp Hope is more than a dream- it is a living proof of faith and miracles!
Without exception, every request was denied- and most of them did not even bother to answer, despite the fact that we followed the application process repeatedly and put in more than one application.
It is so obvious for us that God wants this camp built for the glory of his name by his children. There is nothing wrong with philanthropic organizations and God can bring resources even from under a rock if he wants to. But it seems like when it comes to Camp Hope, at least for now, he has entrusted this work to his own children who are dedicated to this ministry. From the first 15 dollars donation, given by a widow with a vision and love for God’s work, everything has been an offering of love. We consider ourselves blessed to be a part of this ministry.
New info: The miracles continued as God’s people gave in 2014. Work went on, even on the roof, during the cold winter from 2013-2014. In april 2014, a group of 8 people from Florida went there for 10 days. Four men did woodwork, electrical, painting and other. Four women worked hard sewing, making drapes from the Vogtei Hotel to match the 56 big windows of the camp. The drapes from the donated textiles are installed in the hallway and canteen. God sent professional workers from different churches to recondition all the 300 chairs from the canteen, 8 sofas and 40 armchairs. „Ask and you shall receive” became a glorious reality before our eyes.
In may 2014, two Romanian pastors came to the US for a week of training for camps at „The Wilds” in North Carolina- just a few miles from our home. Pastor Nelu Ardelean, General Secretary of the Romanian Baptists and a senior pastor at Golgotha Baptist Church along with Cornel Bangean, the new director of Camp Hope were invited by „The Wilds” leadership to learn about christian camp leadership. „The Wilds” is an example of excellence in christian camps for over 25 years. The leadership has offered us all their training materials pro leaders anc councillors, including a first aid manual, games and recreational activities. In our last meeting, we told them how valuable this experience was and asked for permission to translate the materials in romanian. The president said: „Just wait a minute…” Then, he came back with a pile of materials already translated and printed in romanian. Just a few weeks before opening the camp, we started training the team from Romania using those materials. God wanted the camp to become reality!
Even though the romanian and american board both believed it would take 10-12 years for the camp to be operational, after only 6 years it was ready for dedication and our first week of camp. This is one of the reasons we call it the miracle from the Carpathian mountains.
In june-july 2014, we brought the biggest team to Romania- 67 people from 7 different states landed by plane in Cluj. Exhausted after a long flight, they all went straight to Camp Hope to see the miracle with their own eyes. Some fell down on their knees crying, others gathered in small groups to pray and others sang. They and many others have been the instruments God had used to build Camp Hope.
There was still a lot to do. Some cleaned the kitchen equipment until their hands couldn’t take it. The cargo shipment with the 9.000 kg of goods had come from Florida, filled with decorations for the 31.000 square meters of camp. all the materials from the School of Heroes needed to be organized and prepared for the four simultaneous sessions going on in public schools that were due in two days. It was an exhausting week- School of Heroes every morning with over 800 children, evangelical programs or concerts each evening and working at the camp whenever possible.
The best handbell choir in the history of First Baptist Church in Melbourne, Florida, played day and evening in the community, always with a gospel angle. The most impressive were the concert in the Lutheran Historic Church from downtown and the one from a Jewish Synagogue- an amazing experience where pastor Bazer preached the gospel .
The only furniture that we did not find in the hotel in Germany were the bunk beds for the 12 bedrooms. We also needed blankets and sheets for the 140 beds. A local craftsman made exceptionally good quality bunk beds, safe even for the most active children! The blankets were donated, but we needed pillows…and time was passing by- we had 5 more days left.
In a swift visit to the local supermarket we made an incredible discovery- baskets filled with pillows at 1 dollar each! Amazingly, they had exactly 180 pcs. We bought them all, filled the car with them and laughed all the way to the camp. After two more trips we had 180 pillows for 180 dollars…from a supermarket! Imagine our joy while making the beds for the first time!
At the end of the 10 days work, on sunday, june 29 2014, Camp Hope was officially dedicated to God and to his glory. Over 500 people gathered at the entrance, while the band was playing on the balcony of the first floor and the handbell choir downstairs. Mayors, local leaders including the Vicepresident of the Parliament, our friend Ionut Oltean were there. Praise songs were sung and then the ribbon was cut. Camp Hope was officially open fulfilling God’s promise to us from 6 years ago.
There was worship time in the conference hall, with many pastors and Romanian leaders who shared their thoughts. David Hasker, music minister in Melbourne, Florida, led the handbell choir for the last time before handing over the baton and the bells to Titi Cifor, music minister in Golgotha Baptist Church Bistrița. What a great time of worship!
500 hundred people were served lunch and then explored the camp. Words are not enough … what an amazing day!
One week after the dedication, on a monday, july 7 2014, the first children arrived at Camp Hope. As they came in, each was examined by medical nurses and sent to their rooms. Oh, what an amazing sound of the children going up the stairs for the first time, filled with enthusiasm. Our leaders are high school teenahers from Golgotha Baptist and its mission churches. The best group I have ever met. Camp Hope is in good hands. At the bonfire from the end of that week, over 70 children gave their hearts to Jesus.
2015 Tom came back for a week in spring, but for the first time in 20 years we were not able to bring a big team. Costs went up high, many of our regulars could not come and we were in the process of moving to South Carolina. Children camps, retreats, weddings, conferences went on during the fall. In october, we made a short trip to decide on building a separate construction for the heating system in order to start the 80 radiators from the camp. A 10.000 dollars donation made this possible. Two years from the dedication, Camp Hope became a conference centre for the whole year with a full schedule during winter of 2015-2016. Churches and businesses from all over the country organized conferences, retreats, etc. and that allowed us not only to cover our expenses but to set aside funds for future projects.
2016 Team ”There Is Hope” leaves in july 14-th for another week of School of Heroes (VBS) in public schools, ministering in local churches and working at the camp. Summer of 2016 is completely booked for children, and most weekends in autumn are already taken.
2015 Tom came back for a week in spring, but for the first time in 20 years we were not able to bring a big team. Costs went up high, many of our regulars could not come and we were in the process of moving to South Carolina. Children camps, retreats, weddings, conferences went on during the fall. In october, we made a short trip to decide on building a separate construction for the heating system in order to start the 80 radiators from the camp. A 10.000 dollars donation made this possible. Two years from the dedication, Camp Hope became a conference centre for the whole year with a full schedule during winter of 2015-2016. Churches and businesses from all over the country organized conferences, retreats, etc. and that allowed us not only to cover our expenses but to set aside funds for future projects.
2016 Team ”There Is Hope” leaves in july 14-th for another week of School of Heroes (VBS) in public schools, ministering in local churches and working at the camp. Summer of 2016 is completely booked for children, and most weekends in autumn are already taken.
2017
Before it is finished, we know we need 2 more things:1 a playground, 2 a chapel. In 2003 we built an 86.000 dollars playground in the Municipal Park in Bistrița. It was a gift from the city of Columbus, Georgia, for its related town. In 2002, I met an old family friend in a coffee shop in Rockford, Illinois, while visiting my sister. Jim Rosene is the president of Kids Around the World, an organisation that builds playgrounds all over the world, in hard places. I asked him: „Have you been to Romania?” and his answer was: „We would like to but we don’t have contacts there!” What a great opportunity! In a matter of weeks I spoke to our town leaders and to Rotary Club Columbus. KAW often works with Rotary International. Between different businesses and Rotary, 85.000 dollars were raised in just three months, allowing us to build a large playground in 2003. That was a great project with over 40 Americans working together to build it.
Jim knew about the camp and our need for a playground but he also knew we did not have the necessary money for it. Some Rotary clubs from Washington had previously worked with Kids and were ready for a new project. At the end of 2016 Jim gave them several options and they chose to come to Romania, even though none of them ever came to this country or ever saw a Romanian child. We prayed for two years for a playground and God gave it to us through people we did not even know. In May 2017 we met at Camp Hope and in four days we had a playground. All the equipment had been cargo shipped, waiting for us to come and put it together. Three Rotary members from Washington, California and Idaho, four from Florida and us three from South Carolina. All flew on their own expense and paid for their own expenses.
we are extremely grateful- who does that? People who love children and want a better life for them. People open to the Almighty God. The equipment, transport etc. were paid by Rotary International and their members. We prayed for a playground, God planted this desire in their hearts and they planted a playground at Camp Hope. The camp is fully booked with children during summer up until fall 2017. Our hearts are full!
2 – A chapel- pray with us. Our wish is to duplicate an open air chapel near us called „Pretty Place”. Its near our home in South Carolina, at an YMCA campus- looking at the Transylvanian mountains from North Carolina.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your [b]keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall [c]preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve[d] your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Psalm 121
