Thank you and Goodbye

Originally published in Veritas View newsletter, Spring 2020

An Arkansas breakfast with co-workers

This summer Veritas staff will say goodbye to Roberta Bustin, volunteer missionary with the Church of the Nazarene, who has devoted 23 years of her life to the people of Sighisoara. Roberta will return to her home and family in Arkansas.

Roberta’s work extended far beyond Veritas, but she was an important part of the Veritas family over the years. Here are some of the ways she participated in Veritas work: 

• As a charter Board Member served Veritas with wise counsel from 2001 to 2020, helping us stay true to our mission. 

• Was an unofficial chaplain, role model and friend to staff and volunteers 

• Regularly participated in Friday devotions with the staff. Her clear Bible teaching was always encouraging and appreciated. 

• Taught environmental science to university students and science lessons to teens and kids

Roberta and Petra

• Led devotions and interacted with members of the elderly clubs 

• Used her personal vehicle to help drive special needs and elderly clients on excursions, kids to camp, staff to retreats 

• Helped wherever needed at Veritas events 

• Regularly supported Veritas from personal ministry funds 

• Hosted staff for Arkansas-style breakfasts 

• Helped to host visiting teams, providing transportation, and helping longer term volunteers get settled 

• Hosted weekly evening meals for RSP students and led devotional times with them 

• Led field trips and hikes and shared her love for nature

Petra says, “Roberta is a bouquet of qualities – I can’t just write one thing about her. She exhibits patience, humanity, kindness, empathy, toughness, kindness, good will and serenity. Her strong faith and love of God and people demonstrated to all how to be a disciple of Jesus.”

Roberta shared her love of science
with Veritas children

Dorothy Tarrant writes, “I had been in Sighisoara for two years and was praying that God would send a partner in ministry, a kindred spirit, someone who would stay longterm. God sent Roberta. She kept very busy teaching, preaching, and caring for people, but always enjoyed the opportunity to take a break for a walk in the woods or a trip to discover a new part of Romania. Much of what Roberta did for Veritas was behind the scenes, but everyone on the Veritas team through the years has a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Jesus because we have known Roberta.” 

Roberta’s comforting presence and her loving care for all of the staff and clients will be missed. We know she will continue to pray for us from Arkansas. We wish her God’s blessing as she settles into this new phase of her life.