These articles were originally published in the 1993 and 1997 editions of ITMI Monthly. They were re-printed in the September 2016 edition as part of a "From the Archives" series commemorating ITMI's 35th Anniversary.
Romania – 1993
To commemorate your 35-year ministry as partners with us, we’re publishing stories from our ITMI Monthly newsletter archives. We’re praying with each article, you’ll be reminded of all God has done and moved to give Him glory and praise.
In the late afternoon, Dr. Nick took us to Prilipet (pronounced, “Pray-lee-pit”) near Bozovici, to see a building that used to be an orphanage operated by the Baptists.
It was built in 1927. In 1950 the communists closed it down and marched the forty children to the police station where they abandoned them. The local townsfolk were outraged. They cursed the police and threw rocks at them for taking the children out of their home and confiscating their property.
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The pastor told us, with tears in his eyes, that as the procession of children moved along they sang, “It’s so good to know we have a Father in heaven.” The building was turned into a bakery that same year.
Today, the building is not used and has been given back to the Baptists. There is a large piece of property for sale, adjacent to the structure, for $500. This would be a helpful addition. We had $540 with us specially designated for orphans. We left it with them to purchase the land.
The believers estimate that it will cost $15,000 to completely refurbish and repair the building so it can accommodate Romania’s innocent little ones.
Romania -1997
Even before I opened the front door to enter Casa Dorca, I could hear the children singing. It was like music from heaven. Our visit was unannounced. No one knew we were coming.
They were having a Bible program. The songs were an important part for these precious children singing about their Savior.
The building is beautiful. Everything is geared to make the little ones feel at home, right down to stuffed toy animals on every window sill.
Loving, Christian house parents, comfortably decorated bedrooms, new shower and toilets, a new well and modern kitchen all combine to make a home for children who would otherwise have none.
Comfortably decorated bedrooms at Casa Dorca, 2003.
ITMI Founder, Bill Bathman embraces a Casa Dorca worker while visiting with Dr. Nic (in the black suit), 2003.
Casa Dorca, 2003. Prillipet is a rural community.
Construction of the new addition, 2003.
You can see the more finished addition in this photo, taken in 2005.
They insisted that we stay for lunch. The food was delicious! The cook didn’t prepare something special for us. A lot of tender, loving care goes into the preparation of every meal. The robust play activity and healthy look of each child is a testimony to the quality care they recieve in this, the only home they have.
Casa Dorca, another practical way to invest in Romania’s future. A big “THANK YOU” to everyone that had a part in this vital project.
About the Author
In 1981, after 30 years of ministry in Europe, Bill Bathman founded In Touch Mission International in Tempe, AZ with the help of his wife Harriett. Under their leadership, ITMI established a reputation for integrity and effective ministry overseas. Beginning in England as an evangelist, Bill was later called during the Communist years to minister to Christians behind the Iron Curtain. Bill and Harriett did so from a mission base in Salzburg, Austria which provided convenient entry into the mission field of Eastern Europe. In 1981, the Bathmans further expanded their ministry to include restricted access areas in Africa by founding In Touch Mission International (ITMI) in Tempe, Arizona.