From Seed to Harvest: God’s Work in Romania

For Cecilia Rider, every trip to Romania is another chance to join in God’s harvest. Over thirteen trips, she’s planted seeds of faith, watered others, and seen the fruit of lives transformed through Life Academy. 

Life Academy began more than twenty years ago after Paul and Bette Cardell learned about Romania’s “street children” at a Mt. Bethel Church missions dinner. With Romanian brothers Colly and Vio Tirziu, they founded the ministry to share Christ’s love and provide support for children who had been abandoned or orphaned after the fall of communism. 

“These children had little to no protection,” Cecilia explained. “Many faced abuse, trafficking, or drug addiction. Life Academy stepped in to care for them—especially once they aged out of state care.” 

Since the beginning, Paul and Bette have faithfully led short-term missions team from Mt. Bethel Church to join Colly and Vio in this important work. Cecilia has been a regular member of these short-term teams since 2009. 

Seeing the Fruit of Missional Discipleship 

This September, Cecilia and the team from Mt. Bethel Church arrived in Timișoara late on a Saturday night and the next morning joined their partner church, Providenta, for worship.  

“We were welcomed and hugged and it was a joy to see so many familiar faces,” Cecilia shared. 

After the morning church service, the team was joined at lunch by Emil and Marinel, two individuals cared for by Life Academy as children and teens. Cecilia happily reported they are “now independent and flourishing” in life.  

One church member later reminded the team of another long reach of their ministry: he had recently met a young man who had first heard the gospel as a boy at a Vacation Bible School hosted years ago by Americans, one of who was Paul Cardell.  

“We had fun remembering where we had held Vacation Bible Schools in the past and guessing where this young man might have been. We may never know exactly who or where he was,” Cecilia said, “but we do know God used that moment to plant a seed that changed his life.” 

Throughout the week, the team visited families they’d met on past trips—bringing groceries, school supplies, and encouragement. They reconnected with Simeon, a former orphan whose family home had once been repaired by Life Academy; with Katerina and her seven children, and with Silviu and Simona, whose large family recently moved into a better apartment through the ministry’s help. 

At dinner one evening, the team shared stories with some of the original “street children,” now grown. “We caught up on their lives and asked where they feel closest to God,” Cecilia said. “Please pray for each of these individuals. They each have their own struggles and challenges. Pray they find the peace only God can provide.” 

They also reconnected with Ghita and Carmen, a couple Life Academy supported after a flood damaged their home years ago. The joy of seeing their children and neighbors reminded the team of God’s continuing work across generations. 

Planting New Seeds 

This trip wasn’t only about reconnection—it was about investing in the future.  

One evening, Cecilia and the team hosted an International Leadership Institute (ILI) “History Maker’s” Conference at Providenta to encourage and train ten young adults in making disciples among their peers. 

“Pray that these young Christians would be encouraged, mentored, and supported as they put their faith into practice by sharing the gospel and stepping into leadership so that God’s Church continues to grow,” she urged. 

On Friday, Mt. Bethel’s team worked with Life Academy to host a retreat for the teenage children of Life Academy members. Unfortunately, although their parents were cared for by the ministry as they grew up, many of the “second generation” have had little experience with the gospel message, according to the Life Academy team, per Cecilia.  

Seven teens participated in the retreat where Cecilia and the others shared a lesson from Isaiah 40:31 about depending on God for strength.  

“As we got to know the teens, we talked about their future dreams and choices, and how choices can change the course of your life,” she elaborated. “We introduced them to the concept of abundant life. Through a science experiment, Bette shared the gospel story, and we discussed how it leads to abundant life.” 

The team then passed out gift bags that included hats and cowls made by Mt. Bethel Church’s Knitting Angels. The next day, Cecilia and the others shared the same gospel message with nearly seventy kids at a one-day Vacation Bible School hosted by Providenta Church. 

“Pray with us that seeds were planted and that these young people will seek personal relationships with God.” 

Getting a Glimpse of the Harvest 

Cecilia is lucky in that she’s been blessed to have seen a glimpse of the harvest that’s been yielded from the faithful obedience of believers from Mt. Bethel Church’s and Providenta’s decades long partnership with Life Academy. 

“Sometimes I feel like I can see God move better when I’m in Romania,” she reflected. “I see how He has woven together servants and situations to bring people exactly where they are today. 

“If you answer the call to serve, God will use it to grow His Kingdom. It only takes one ‘yes;’ sharing God’s love multiplies it.” 

To learn more about Life Academy, supporting Mt. Bethel Church’s missions partners, and upcoming mission trips, visit mtbethel.org/missions.