Bread of Life Home
The articles below highlight our work at the Bread of Life Home in Brosteni, Romania.
There is something special about watching a child open a Christmas gift. I have had the privilege of watching children receive Christmas shoeboxes many times over the years, but the excitement never gets old. A carefully wrapped box lands in their hands, and suddenly the air fills with anticipation and curiosity. Then you see smiles that seem to grow bigger with every item they discover. For some of these children, receiving a gift is not something they expect. They didn't earn it. They didn't do anything to deserve it. Someone they may never meet chose to give because they wanted that child to experience the joy of Christmas. Perhaps that is one reason these moments touch me so deeply.
Another school year has come to a close, and once again we watched with great joy as students from our program received their diplomas. But graduation wasn’t where their story began. It was the culmination of years of learning, perseverance, encouragement, and faithful support. Years ago, each of those graduates started the school year with the same simple tools every student needs—a backpack, school supplies, and someone who believed in their future.
Every day, elderly men and women in the Broșteni, Romania area who have no one to care for them receive a hot meal delivered right to their door. Along with the food comes a warm greeting, a listening ear, and a helping hand from Iosif, who faithfully travels nearly 15 kilometers by bicycle each day, regardless of the weather. For the elderly he visits, the meal meets a practical need, but the visit itself often means even more. It is a reminder that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten. What makes these daily visits especially meaningful is the story of the young man making them.
Dear friend and partner, God has used your generosity to build something extraordinary in Romania. And right now, at the edge of a new school year, thirteen young people are standing at the most important threshold of their lives. Our ministry at a glance Broșteni Children’s Home - A safe home and a devoted team for vulnerable children. 6 Ministry Feeding Centers - Serving hundreds of families with food, clothing, and school supplies. Youth Transition Program - Education, skills & spiritual mentorship for teens aging out .
A Romanian saying goes: “Small children, small problems. Big children, big problems. If you are a parent—or have ever helped raise a child—you know how true this is. In the early years, the needs feel simple. But as children grow, so do the responsibilities and the costs. The emotional weight deepens. The decisions become more complex. Raising children stretches your time, your energy, your patience—and often your finances.
Winter in our region is long and bitterly cold. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make even the simple walk to school difficult — especially for children who only have thin summer shoes. At Bread of Life Children’s Home, we are dedicated to meeting the daily needs of the children in our care. During the winter months, heating, utilities, and food become urgent priorities. At times, because of these pressing expenses, replacing personal items like clothing or shoes must wait. Yet even in these moments, we see God working quietly behind the scenes.
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) This verse reflects our journey together. When God, you, and the Bread of Life team stand united, lives are changed, dignity is restored, and hope is reborn among God’s hurting people.
Sponsorship at the Bread of Life Home is more than financial support—it is an act of faith that changes lives on both sides of the relationship. When sponsors step forward to pray for, mentor, and invest in a child, they become part of a story of hope, healing, and belonging.
In early 2022, a young mother with a heavy but courageous heart arrived at our door in desperation. She had done all she could, but could no longer provide the food, shelter, and stability her children needed to survive.
As the holiday season draws near, our hearts are filled with gratitude for God’s greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas reminds us that love came down to dwell among us, and now we have the joy of sharing that same love with others. This year, we invite you to join our Christmas Shoebox Ministry —a simple yet powerful way to bless children in Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Romania. For many, these gifts will be the only ones they receive, but through them they’ll experience the warmth of God’s love and the hope of the gospel.
Each fall, children approach the first day of school with nervous anticipation or eager excitement. As a child, I loved school. I remember preparing with a list in hand, carefully choosing pencils and notebooks. We weren’t wealthy, but my parents always found a way. Sadly, many children in Romania don’t get to experience that joy. For them, choosing school supplies or packing a backpack is out of reach. Without basic tools, some can’t attend school at all—missing the education that could shape their future.
Help Us Prepare for a Warm Winter As spring arrives in the mountains of Broșteni, Romania, we are already looking ahead to the next winter. For most of us, staying warm is as simple as turning up the thermostat or paying the gas bill. But for the children at the Bread of Life Children’s Home, we must prepare for warmth—months in advance.
