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The Mission’s StreetMercy project in Chisinau, Moldova, was started over a year ago. Ilie, the coordinator shares, “At first, we served hot meals to only 10 people. It was challenging because we had to gain their trust; usually they were homeless because they had been betrayed in the past or they had made wrong decisions and lost their family.

“StreetMercy has one major rule that people are asked to follow: not to drink alcohol until 12 o’clock, when they come to the centre. This helps them to stay sober for the first part of the day. Nearly everyone living on the streets becomes addicted to alcohol,” Ilie observes with sadness.

The homeless are given hot meals five days a week, Monday to Friday. Each meal consists of soup, a main with some meat, salad, biscuits and tea. “We cook delicious and healthy food for them. Many of them are surprised that we don’t offer them scraps. But we believe that just because some homeless folk eat out of rubbish bins, it doesn’t mean that we should serve up garbage for lunch,” the chef, Maria, explains to us.

For many, taking responsibility to return to a normal life is too much of an effort. Fortunately, there are some who are able to make that transition, having experienced God’s love in their life:-

Oleg: Ten years ago Oleg was married and a father to a little boy. Because of financial difficulties, his wife decided to leave for Germany to earn extra money to buy a house. That decision changed everything. A year later, she filed for a divorce and took their son away with her. Then, his parents died

''GDD IF YOU EXIST, RELEASE ME FROM THIS ADDICTION''

February 2016

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS

Oleg, now a changed man

Oleg giving out hot tea

22 MWB in FOCUS

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and his sister committed suicide. Oleg couldn’t cope with all this pain and turned to alcohol. When alcohol didn’t seem to help, he tried drugs. He lived a miserable life of taking drugs and having hallucinations for seven years.

“I don’t remember much about that time, but there is one particular day I’ll never forget. I was having my second shot in the afternoon and frightening hallucinations appeared again before me. I was so scared and I screamed out loud: God, if you exist, release me from this addiction. I didn’t deserve His help, but I felt His presence

there with me. Since that day, I have never used drugs again,” Oleg shares.

Oleg is now a committed Christian who loves Jesus with all his heart. Also, he plays an important role in the StreetMercy project, being a living testimony for other homeless folk of how God can change a life. Every day he uses his own car to help Ilie deliver food to the disabled and homeless.

Still, the situation with the homeless is a difficult one. Since the project started, seven people have died; two of them committed suicide. Ilie shares, “We know that only God can change their hearts and give them hope. It’s wonderful that through the Mission we are able to share God’s love to the homeless. Your prayers and support, dear friends, are crucial to the effectiveness of our work here. May God reward you for your kindness.”

Oleg helping Ilie feed the homeless

Chef Maria (right) and helper preparing the meals

3 FEBRUARY 2016

W e s e n d out annual

donation summaries in April. If you aren’t already on our list, please let us know. If you would like to “re-invest” your refund into our work (fantastic!), you can nominate Mission Without Borders and our bank account when filling out the IR520 form.

UPDATE: WINTER RESCUESpecial thanks to all those who have so generously helped us with our Winter Rescue appeal. This work continues as the cold of winter continues.

“After I called the Gojan family to tell them that some firewood was coming, Serghei, the Dad, was very emotional and thanked me as though I had given him the best news in the world. The family also received coats, knitted clothes and socks. The impact of these gifts means that the family will not freeze this winter and will be able to go outside together.” Vitalie (Co-ordinator, Moldova)

UPDATE: CHRISTMAS OUTREACHESA visit to a Syrian refugee camp on the Bulgarian-Turkish border

Recently, 15 Mission staff and volunteers made the 276km trip from Sofia to the Bulgarian Turkish border to deliver Operation Christmas Love parcels to the Syrian refugees streaming into the region. Many are Kurds, Armenians and Yazidis, who, because they are not Muslims, are persecuted by ISIS and have been forced to flee for their lives.

Sarkis Ovanesyan, the Mission’s Bulgarian manager, explained to the refugees that the team had come to show them God’s care and love and to bring some joy into their uncertain lives. Every time the refugees heard the words “God is Love” they clapped their hands.

As the Christmas Love parcels were handed out, many were deeply touched. One Syrian shared: “People we don’t know have come

to offer us love and compassion while the government of our country kills us as dogs. All we want is for us and our children to live in a place where there is peace.”

Please pray for the refugees in this camp, and pray that they will come to know that the Prince of Peace is with them always and will deliver them from suffering and persecution, no matter how dark the darkness.

2016 CALENDARSWe have about 50 left. These are now half price at $6 each (p & h included).

Refugee children delighted to find chocolate in the Christmas Love parcel

The Gojan family

HONEY FUNDRAISER Supporter Margaret Scott of Auckland generously raises money for missions through selling honey and related products for Nelson Honey NZ (www.nelsonhoney.com). If you would like a price list, contact Margaret on 021 072 9356 and mention our name. Profits will go to help us in our work. Note: MWB does not endorse third party products. As with any product offering health benefits, always consult your health professional first.

Georgi, 24, like many others, had to leave the orphanage when he turned 18. He sleeps in a dirty caravan shared by rats, and unfortunately his few meagre possessions were recently stolen. “I have nothing now. I sleep on the floor without a blanket— I am very cold,” he says to Anna, the StreetMercy Coordinator. “I cannot find enough words to thank you for the food you provide. Often, this is the only food I have.” When Georgi goes to church, he is amazed by the love and concern shown to him. His dream is to find a job and rent a house – to be a ‘normal person’.

Tzvetko, 56, an electrical technician, is separated from his wife and has recently become homeless. “The hardest thing is not having a place to sleep at night. I have nowhere to wash or change my clothes and no toilet to use. Usually I go to sleep with an empty stomach. Sometimes I collect waste materials for recycling for a little money, but often, I have to beg because I am so hungry.”

Vessel, who has been homeless for a year is very worried about his future: “Winter is here and where can I sleep? I am not sure that I will survive.” The soup and bread provided by the Mission is usually the only meal he has for the whole day, so he makes it last. He describes his life in two words: “Freezing” and “Starvation.”

Fedya, a former tram driver with failed marriages and a daughter has been on the streets for four years. He is thankful to the Mission for helping with medical costs for alcohol-related problems.

“The StreetMercy project not only provides the homeless with food, warm clothes, blankets and sleeping bags, but also with care, friendship and counselling. However, the most important thing is that they hear the Good News that Christ is our hope, and that only He can change the direction of their lives. I am so thankful that I can be an instrument in His hands reaching people with shattered lives and hearts.” Anna, StreetMercy Coordinator.

StreetMercy in Sofia, Bulgaria

4 Helping to Change Lives in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS (NZ) PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Phone 09 309 6969 0800 469 269 Email nzadmin@mwbi.org Website mwb.org.nz Reg. Charity No. CC37218 facebook.com/MissionWithoutBordersNZ

Direct Credit Payments: Our bank account is 06-0185-0122206-12 If you would like us to issue a receipt for tax rebate purposes, please include or email us your name, supporter number (if you have one) and a reference code: SM: StreetMercy WMN: Where most needed

The needs of the homeless are many: food, hygiene, sleep, warm clothes and medical care, but most importantly perhaps, they need to be noticed and loved. Many have not washed in months, and it makes them outcasts. They smell and have lice and sores which need treatment. Because of their neglected appearance, they are unable to get a job.

Tzvetko happy to receive his food

Vessel waiting to receive his meal

Fedya with Anna (MWB Coordinator) during a snowy meal distribution