Betty's Story

The stories Betty has to tell of her past two years of involvement with Romania are wonderful to listen to. I've been privileged to hear some of them; from when she first went out in 2005, to the fundraising over here, to just this year when she and Sylvia were traveling back from the shops in 'the Lord's car' hardly able to breathe because it was all packed out with beanbags and cushions.

Betty has always been friendly with Sylvia Brown (the founder of Haven in Romania), but, being a widow herself, became especially close to her after the death of her husband, Dennis. In 2005, Sylvia invited Betty out to Romania, and Betty went – originally more for Sylvia, and to support her than anything else. 'But,' says Betty, 'Once I got out there, well…!'

It was only meant to be a one off trip, and according to Betty she 'only went out to do the tea and biscuits!' but it's turned out to be so much more for her. 'The second time was like going home,' she states.

At the age of 69 (and she doesn't mind who knows it!), Betty says that had she been asked just a little while before, she would have said that missions trips are for younger people. However, she has enjoyed going out on a youth mission trip (arranged in conjunction with 'Frinton Free Church') over the last two summers, and has discovered a real ministry among both the children and the elderly out there. All the members of the youth team certainly enjoy having Betty on board as much as she enjoys being there, and can testify to the fact that she has brought so much to the team.

However, Betty's involvement doesn't end when she steps foot off the 'plane from Romania. She is also heavily involved back home in Frinton, with raising awareness of, and fundraising for, the charity. She is quite happy to be chauffer to various events, and at a recent auction held for the charity wore down (according to her!) three pairs of shoes in helping to make it the vast success it was. She also allows the charity to use her very sizeable loft as a storage area for various second-hand clothes that are to be sent out by lorry early next year.

Betty's face, like so many of those you talk to who are involved with Haven, lights up when she starts to talk about Romania. Her encouragement to anyone wondering whether or not they'll be able to make a difference is, 'If I can do it, anyone can!'