Inside Comunita Brezzano, Italy

At work in the kitchen

We are currently raising money for project roof repair Casa Nuova, one of the houses within the Christian residential therapeutic community Comunita Brezzano in Tuscany, Italy.

The community consists of three houses where people with psychological or other life controlling problems are offered a safe place to rest, to come to know God and get a renewed perspective on life.

Casa Nuova

We wholeheartedly support this work because we have personally seen how lives can be transformed in this environment. Yes, such a residential community is a small scale initiative, there are usually only three or four people in therapy, but we believe that every human life counts and is worth the time and effort in order to be restored.

It is this kind of initiatives that we want to support, because they often receive little or no government funding and yet produce beautiful and positive results.

Quite often, people stay in the community for months at the time. Spending time outside, enjoying nature, working in the open air and taking time to talk and pray will bring balance in the lives of the guests.

Bible study

August 22-29, 2016 we want to go back to Comunita Brezzano for another work week and help to chop wood for the winter and do other chores. If you want to come along and help us (or know someone who would want to), send an email to janandmarja@gmail.com. Don't wait too long, because space is limited! Cost: max. 250 euro + travel.

So far, we have received more than 2,500 euro for project repair Casa Nuova and donations are still welcome! Make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: BREZZANO.

Below is a video of the Passover celebration in Comunita Brezzano, two years ago.

Greetings from Winiarczykowka, Poland

Staff and  residents at Winiarczykowka

One of the nicest things about our small scale projects is perhaps the feedback we are getting. We often receive pictures, emails, Facebook messages and newsletters containing friendly greetings and words of gratitude. It's so good to see that donations are spent well!

Do you remember project renovation rooms Winiarczykowka, Poland? In memory of our American friend Rick Biddle (who passed away in October 2015 at the blessed age of 88) family and friends of Rick donated more than $ 500 for the benefit of Traveling Light.

New furniture arrived!

We were able to double that gift and transferred 1,000 euro for the renovation of bedrooms in the Teen Challenge crisis and rehabilitation home that Janusz & Bogusia Górnicki are running. A very special house, because they offer a warm and safe place to the elderly who have no place to go.

They had some new beds, wardrobes and bedside tables made (visit their website!) by a local carpenter, who has also employed one of the younger men who went through the rehabilitation program.

And look what a beautiful plaques (click on the photos to enlarge) they have made in memory of Rick, who had a warm heart for he work of Teen Challenge. This is also a very nice idea in case you want to make a special donation as a church, school, business or family. They will make such a cool plaque just for you!

Memory and thank you plaques

Janusz & Bogusia Gornicki always have a long list of projects in and around the house (such as expansion vegetable garden, building a shed, shelves and industrial refrigerator in the storage space, wheelchair bus, setting up a charity shop etc. etc.). These projects can only be implemented when donations come in, because they receive no government funding.

As far as we are concerned, money donated to Traveling Light will reach its destination and will be used for the selected project!

General and specified gifts are always welcome at St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. We will do our best to ensure reliable feedback!