Veritas Teens Study Science

Adapted from Veritas View newsletter spring 2019

In mid-March the teens at Veritas began to study science with the help of Roberta Bustin. Roberta taught chemistry in college and worked as a NASA scientist in the summers. Her first lesson included information on space and each teen was able to set off their own rocket. They were even able to hold an authentic space shuttle tile and see how it was insulated. Roberta will continue this series once a week for several months, leading the class in discussions and experiments in ecology and chemistry.

Roberta Bustin in her NASA suit

Roberta demonstrates how a torch does
not burn through a space shuttle tile.

Scottish lad volunteers at Veritas

Originally published in the Veritas View newsletter, Spring 2019

James Clarkson moved to Sighisoara in February of this year. He is volunteering in Romania under the Nazarene Church and spent the summer and fall of 2018 living in Brasov. On James’ Facebook page he describes himself as, “Just an ordinary guy following God's call to do extraordinary things.” For Veritas, that has meant using his skills with technology to set up networked computers for the teen club, and answer questions from staff who are experiencing problems with their computers. James’ degree from Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland, was in accounting and finance. But if he doesn’t know how to do something on the computers, he knows how to find the answers. He has saved staff a lot of time and stress! James also volunteers one afternoon each week with the Special Needs club.

James says of his time in Romania, “It’s challenged me to do things outside of my comfort zone: trying new foods, trying to learn a new language; working with children. People have been very hospitable and helpful.” 

Veritas has benefitted from James’ desire to follow God’s call by coming to Romania. We wish him the best as he returns to Scotland at the end of May, where he will continue his education.

Elderly Club leader retires

Mia Golea

Originally published in Veritas View newsletter, Spring 2019

After 20 years of working in a variety of roles at Veritas, Mia Golea has retired. Her work was celebrated in a special devotional and reception time on February 22. 

Mia’s work with Veritas began when she became the first manager of the International Café. She took care of the paperwork necessary to start this for-profit business, never easy here in Romania. 

Mia’s real love, however, was caring for people, so when asked to consider leading an Elderly Club in the Baragan area of Sighisoara, she went door-to-door to see if people were interested. The club began, grew rapidly, and exists today as one of three Elderly Clubs. Mia worked with clients in all three locations. 

Mia expressed her care for the elderly in quiet service. She knew their names, their family histories, their preferences, their struggles. She laughed and cried with them. She baked cakes and visited those who couldn’t leave their homes, she visited them in the hospital. Dorothy Tarrant said, “She brought joy, peace and hope into many fragile lives.” 

Jonathan, Mia, Petra and Roberta look 
at the scrapbook gift given to Mia.

Of all her jobs, Mia enjoyed most working with the elderly. She said, “They needed attention and it felt good to be able to give it.” At the time of Mia’s retirement, it was decided to have the Elderly Club that meets at the Nazarene Church become a program of the church, rather than one of the clubs within Veritas. So, now as a volunteer, Mia continues her work with these club members. This was very important to Mia, both for the clients so their club wasn’t disrupted, and for herself. 

The Veritas staff wish Mia God’s grace and presence as she enters this new stage in her life.