The Slades' story

We are family

MISSION can be a family affair. At least that’s how the Slades see it. For their entire household has been involved in reaching out to the people of Romania. It all started when eldest child Anne went there on a camp in her teenage years. When she came back, she urged her dad Phil to go, too. Anne later spent her gap year there before university. She’s now 22. In 2002 Phil and wife Elaine – together with their other children Rachel, Becky and Abi (now 21, 17 and 15 respectively) – left behind leafy Surrey for historic Transylvania.

Second home 

Supported by Pioneer People, friends and family, they went to live in Odorheiu Secuiesc. They rented a large house, which also became a second home for many young people who had formerly spent most of their lives in an orphanage.  ‘Our prayers have been to see these lives changed and integrated into society,’ said Phil and Elaine, ‘breaking the pattern of their children going into care. We’ve seen many respond to God and find work, giving them hope for the future.’

Last year (2004) the family returned to Cobham – still believing that their links with Romania had not ended. All the family went on to maintain regular contact with people there.

Fair trade 

Phil is even developing a ‘fair trade’ business, importing craft goods from Romanian villages – to boost transformation in the people’s living conditions. ‘The tension that we live with is that many of these young people have become part of our extended family,’ said the Slades,  ‘and to return to the UK has been difficult but necessary. For the girls, this experience has widened their horizons.’

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