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Vero Beach, Fla., USA/Romania
Tithing's rewards benefit families far and near

Habitat Romania's relationship with Indian River County Habitat in Vero Beach, Fla., began in 1997 with a question. Adrian Ciorna, Romania's new affiliate resource development director at the time, had been introduced to a Florida pastor who was involved with Habitat and whose wife was from Romania. As they discussed the fledgling program and Romania's need for decent housing, the pastor asked, "And what do you ask from us?"

"It was a direct question, and I hesitated concerning the dimension of my request for funding," Ciorna recalls. However, it proved to be the beginning of a partnership that has spanned a decade and built dozens of houses.

In 2005, Ciorna challenged Indian River volunteers to travel to Beius, Romania, to help build the community's 100th Habitat house. "With such a large part of our budget coming from Indian River, it was important to have them visit because the best way to get a feeling for the program and understand the need is by doing a hands-on project and getting to know the local folks," Ciorna says. "Thus, the gap between the visual and other more abstract reports and reality shortens considerably. It bonds."

"Fifteen volunteers made the trip and it was indeed a bonding time for all, whether for the 83-year-old volunteer and the Habitat homeowner, or the father and daughter pair, or the young married couple," says Indian River president Andy Bowler. "Not only did we have a great time getting to know our fellow volunteers, but also we were able to build a special relationship with the Romanian homeowner family, the Gals, plus with the terrific staff at the Beius affiliate."

The trip also confirmed Bowler's commitment to tithing as a non-negotiable way of business for the affiliate. According to Bowler, the affiliate had tithed only US$44,000 in its first 12 years, but "over the last four years, we have managed to tithe nearly $800,000." This increase came at a time of unprecedented growth at the Indian River affiliate. "We grew not only in house construction, but we were able to successfully complete a $2.3 million capital campaign that funded the purchase of eight acres of land on Highway 1, the construction of a 30,000-square-foot ReStore, and a 10,000-square-foot warehouse plus full hookups for up to 16 RV Care-a-Vanners. In addition, two sizable parcels of land containing 104 building lots were purchased. ... All of this while we grew our tithe commitment," says Bowler.

"There's a direct parallel here: You tithe, and you see God's blessing. Not that you tithe to get God's blessing, but as you step out in faith, you are blessed for being faithful. We say you can't afford not to tithe."

An estimated 30 percent of the Romanian national program is funded from tithes from Indian River and several other affiliates, Ciorna says. Still, the relationship is about more than money, he says: "It is an act of faith and love that shows you are not alone out there but in a huge network fighting against poverty housing. I like a verse from Proverbs 25:25 to describe what happens: 'As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.' It is good news, and good news unites."

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