Big thank you from Lisburn.com

Farewell service held for Romanian visitors

Visitors from the Deborah House, Romanian pictured at a farewell service in Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening (August 19). Included are Rev Gary Goodes and his wife Dianne and Rev Dr Stanley Barnes and his wife Ina (left) and Little John, Conductor, Heather Garrett, accompanist and David Williamson MBE, Clerk of Session (right).

Visitors from the Deborah House, Romanian pictured at a farewell service in Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening (August 19). Included are Rev Gary Goodes and his wife Dianne and Rev Dr. Stanley Barnes and his wife Ina (left) and Little John, Conductor, Heather Garrett, accompanist and David Williamson MBE, Clerk of Session (right).

Rev Dr Stanley Barnes and his wife Ina (left) and Rev Gary Goodes and his wife Dianne (right) pictured with two of the 40 Romanian visitors who have been on a two week holiday to the province, hosted by Free Presbyterian Church

Rev Dr. Stanley Barnes and his wife Ina (left) and Rev Gary Goodes and his wife Dianne (right) pictured with two of the 40 Romanian visitors who have been on a two week holiday to the province, hosted by Free Presbyterian Church

A FAREWELL service was held in Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening (August 19) for 40 Romanian visitors who have been on a two week holiday to the province, hosted by the church.

The service was led by the minister, the Rev Gary Goodes assisted by the Rev Dr Stanley Barnes and was well attended by friends from all over Northern Ireland.

Pastor Eugene Groza brought an update of the work in Romania, not only of the girls in Deborah House, but also other outreaches in state orphanages, prisons and young offenders centres.

The girls ministered in song in both English and Romanian and their choirmaster John Costache,
fondly known as 'Little John, sang a number of pieces, ending the service with a rousing rendition of the Holy City.

The twenty seven children from the Deborah House homes for girls in Timisoara, along with their house parents and co-workers have toured the country seeing local landmarks and attractions including the Titanic Quarter, W5, Belfast Zoo and the Giant's Causeway. In the evenings they sang in several Free Presbyterian churches across the province.

The children returned to Romania on Tuesday August 21with many happy memories, and overwhelmed by the love and kindness shown to them during their visit to Northern Ireland.

Ulster Star
24/08/2012