A BERE Alston man is appealing for help in equipping a chapel for a children?s orphanage in Romania. Trevor Paddon-Hall has made five trips to the eastern European country to help 235 children, many of whom suffer from tuberculosis, in the orphanage in Dej. On the most recent trip, £6,000 that had been raised was used to replace broken windows with PVC windows and provide food for three months. But although the orphanage is beginning to resemble a home, Trevor says there was one thing lacking ? spiritual input. ?I have been trying gently to encourage the authorities to allow us to arrange Sunday schooling for the children. Until now it has not been possible due to communism and change. ?On this occasion I was granted permission to arrange a Sunday school - not only a school, but have an old building to convert to a chapel specifically for the children. It is in need of repair, a new roof, one window, wiring, seating, a communion table, a pulpit and much more.? Trevor is hoping anyone who has any of these items, either unused or surplus in their church, might donate them, or contribute towards helping him provide the chapel. He contacted Gideons for Bibles in Romanian and can buy hymn books in Romania. He also needs a keyboard or a small organ. ?Many children there play instruments, like the recorder, which we have taken on previous trips. If you have a tambourine or a spare guitar that would be great,? he said. He has arranged for two Sunday school teachers from a nearby Baptist Church to go there regularly. ?They are wonderful. I enjoyed their welcoming service very much and they certainly can sing!? he said. Trevor was injured in an accident involving the lorry in which he was travelling on his last mercy mission to Romania. But the accident did not dampen his enthusiasm to help the orphaned children. There is the chance to see more about the orphanage with a display in Bere Alston parish hall on December 3, during the village?s Victorian Evening. For further information contact Trevor on 01822 840091 or write to Running On Wheels? 30 Marythorne Road, Bere Alston, PL20 7BZ.
