Spring 2013
newsletter
Change a mother’s world for Mother’s Day! Meet Mykola www.mwbuk.org
Dear friends, Throughout Eastern Europe people are trapped in poverty – both material and spiritual. It seems overwhelming. But we believe that God calls all who trust in him to put our faith into action and help. That’s why MWB continues to reach people for Christ across the six countries where we work. And that’s why we are so grateful for your help. Through your support, families are learning to grow food with our Seeds of Hope project; and people of all ages hungry for the word of God are receiving Bibles. But this year, more than ever before, we need your help. Inflation in our field countries is ranging from 15–25%; political instability is increasing; oppression is growing. Could you support us by putting on a fundraising event, telling others, praying, raising sponsorship or filling a coin box? You will bring significant and real changes in the lives of children, families and the elderly.
Thank You Mission Without Borders
Reaching people for Christ: Helping people out of poverty into a sustainable future.
If you would like to learn more or discuss our work, please contact the office. t: 020 7940 1370 e: uk_info@mwbi.org This newsletter is available online: www.mwbuk.org
Thank you Thanks to your support, our two winter appeals successfully met thousands of people’s need for food, love, warmth and hope. A massive thank you for your generosity; you really made a difference.
... for giving hope For years, the Dedej family of five, from Albania, had forgotten how to smile: They had little in life to be happy about. Durim and Marjana try to provide for their children but are heartbroken when they cannot afford even the basics. Last Christmas, Marjana explains, “my children felt very sad when they saw their friends’ decorated homes, and what their parents bought for Christmas dinner. You know, such occasions are a great pressure for us poor parents. Every day we are struggling to survive.” The family can’t even keep dry when it rains because the roof of their rented shack leaks.
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scheme. So Marjana say’s that the family has “very special times when MWB’s co-ordinators visit us. They console us, give us hope and comfort.
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Thanks to your support, that’s changing. When MWB gave the Dedejs Operation Christmas Love boxes stuffed with food last December Marjana says, “We wrapped our arms around the OCL parcel as if to give it a hug. We all felt we embraced hope with all our hearts.” And your help goes beyond Christmas. The Dedej family is now enrolled on our family sponsorship
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are giving us happiness. God bless you for what you have done for our family!”
Thanks to your donations, MWB distributed 30,000 Operation Christmas Love boxes to feed families across Albania, BosniaHerzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.
...for giving warmth Across the countries where we work winter temperatures sink to –20 and even –30°C. Many people freeze to death. Thanks to you, our Winter Rescue programme kept families and the elderly warm. Families like the Budis from Romania.
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Sorin Budi reflects, “In winter we need to buy the firewood but we cannot afford it. It is very expensive, so we only put wood in the stove once every two days. What hurts me most is when I see my children both hungry and cold but I have nothing to give them.” MWB is working with Sorin and his family over the long-term so he can meet his children’s needs. In January, when MWB supported Sorin’s family with warm clothing, he said, “just this morning I was talking to
my wife about the freezing temperatures. Denisa shivers at school, and so does Samuel, so we were wondering where we could get them warm clothes. Then you arrived: Now we have warm shirts, jackets, warm shoes, blankets, backpacks and school supplies and we are very thankful for these clothes! Now, we are wearing proper shoes and clothes and we’re warm. God answered our prayers.”
to our Thank you for your contributions more than Winter Rescue appeal. We helped p warm in 12,400 adults and children kee freezing conditions. Find out more about family sponsorship at: mwbuk.org/families
Give Seeds of Hope Simple seeds are providing vegetables and hope for families struggling to feed themselves. With your support more families will plant seeds to help them move into self-sufficiency – like the Beza family. With five children, Nicolae and Maria can barely cover on-going expenses. Often the children go to school hungry, for although Maria loves Elena (16), Daniel (15), David (13), Maria (12) and Lidia (5), love cannot feed and clothe them.
Trapped in poverty
Help us plant Seeds of Hope this spring Ask your church and others to join Seeds of Hope. You’ll help families plant their way out of poverty. Use our free Seeds of Hope resources, pray and raise funds.
Living in Romania, where around 1 in every 20 people is unemployed, the Beza family had little hope of stepping out of poverty. The Bezas survive on Maria’s benefits for her hearing and speech difficulties, some child allowance and Nicolae’s occasional work. He is a construction worker, but building projects are scarce, especially in winter. Even though they have a vegetable patch, it was impossible for the Bezas to buy seeds to grow food. They had to rely on seedlings that people gave them, but these only grew a few plants. To make sure the family had enough to feed themselves, Nicolae and Maria were on the verge of taking their children out of school: Because instead of paying for school equipment, they could keep the money for food. Church magazine article P resentation to tell how families are planting their way out of poverty.
Download or order free resources for Seeds of Hope
and you’ll change lives The Bezas’ vegetable store
Seeds bring hope
Then last spring, after receiving MWB’s Seeds of Hope, life for the Bezas began to change. The family is now smiling; they have food and hope for a better future. Nicolae got busy planting his seeds – fourteen different vegetables from cucumbers to carrots and, he says, “the children were so proud and happy to help.” After a dry growing season, when many farmers suffered poor crops, all the Beza children and their parents were celebrating. Their Seeds of Hope had grown into an unbelievably good harvest. And because the family has grown so much produce, they now have a store room full of their own pickled, frozen and puree vegetables (above and below right). Nicolae says that “we make sure we take time every week to boil the extra vegetables and conserve them for the winter. Thanks to those seeds and this harvest, we have enough until next summer.”
When you give to Seeds of Hope you may think that you’re simply giving a box of seeds. But through a family’s hard work, your donation will multiply to benefit them with nutrition and health, education and essential food stores to last the winter. Costing just £15 to pack and distribute, Mission Without Borders aims to deliver over 1,800 Seeds of Hope boxes to families across Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.
Please donate now use the back page response form mwbuk.org
020 7940 1370
Life-saving vegetables
Growing their own vegetables has been a life-saver for Nicolae and Maria. They are now self-sufficient for vegetables. The children are going to school knowing there will be enough food on the table when they come home. “These vegetables mean that we can save money for sending the children to school.”
Service ideas ssembly and lesson plan for primary A children to learn about food. Fundraising ideas mwbuk.org
020 7940 1370
100 jars of mixed vegetables (carrots, celery, tomatoes, etc.), 50 kg of pickled cucumbers, 60 kg of pickled green tomatoes, 100 litres of tomato paste, 25 kg of frozen string beans, 20 kg of frozen aubergine, 60 kg of pickled cabbage, 80 jars of vegetable paste ready to eat (a mixture of aubergine, peppers, onions and tomatoes).
A V O D L O M O T R U O T SUPPORnTexEt sRupporters’ tour 19–26 October 2013 Join MWB’s
You’ll experience first-hand the difference your help has made and continues to make to the lives of those living in Europe’s poorest country.
I do wonder who was most blessed – them by our gifts or us by their gratitude, endeavour and hospitality.
You’ll visit families, children and community centres and see how the work you support is breaking the cycle of poverty. This is what others experienced on a MWB supporter tour:
Going on this trip has really impacted my life. I am humbled to see the dedication, care and commitment of the MWB workers. I am so glad I went, it has been an experience I shall never forget.
I loved the evangelism and enthusiasm of the co-ordinators; the care shown by the people who work with the children. There was such joy in seeing our gift used well, lifting people out of poverty, restoring dignity, giving an education and the start of a new business.
These visits are truly humbling experiences. This was a precious and very special time.
FIND OUT MORE Phone 020 7940 1370
Email info_uk@mwbi.org
Spring 2013 Prayer Guide
We value your prayers! New daily prayer guide available: www.mwbuk.org info_uk@mwbi.org 020 7940 1370
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” (Col. 4:2)
General prayers for each week Sunday
Monday
Albania Pray for good relations between Albanians and their neighbours: Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast.
Bosnia-Herzegovina As unemployment is extremely high, inter-ethnic tensions often arise between Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Croats and Serbs. Remember the political leaders as they seek to bring unity.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Bulgaria Bulgaria is the poorest country in the EU. Areas of concern are the corruption at all levels, along with organised crime. Pray for God’s purpose for Bulgaria and for continued political stability.
Moldova With John Groza’s retirement due to ill health, we are looking for a new country manager. Please pray for those responsible for making the appointment and prepare the heart of the person God has selected.
Romania The prime minister, Victor Ponta, and the centre-right President, Traian Basescu, have been engaging in an increasingly bitter turf war. Pray for Romanians as they face the government’s new austerity programme.
Friday
Saturday
Supporter Barbara
Ukraine Pray for stability in Ukraine following elections last December and for support from the IMF and World Bank as Ukraine seeks further financial help.
Support Give thanks for God’s provision for MWB’s programmes last year. Remember those who work to raise support and funds. Pray that more opportunities will open this year to speak about MWB.
Sarajevo Peace Conference
Spring 2013
“Even to your old age and grey hairs I
24 Feb–2 March
3 Feb–9 March
Albania Remember Monika Qeremi as she leads MWB’s work and faces many challenges both politically and socially. Pray that with her team, she will be faithful to God and wise in dealing with numerous issues.
Bosnia-Herzegovina Pray for Dalibor Kojiç seeking to expand the work into new areas. Because of the different ethnic groupings it can be hard to break new ground. Ask God to give new openings.
10–16 March
Sarkis
Bulgaria Sarkis Ovanesyan is MWB’s country manager here, with huge areas to cover. Pray for the team to be able to find new opportunities to speak of Jesus and to help with those suffering from crippling unemployment.
17–23 March Moldova Pray for all the staff continuing MWB’s work in this country while a new leader is appointed. Also remember John Groza, who has stepped down because of ill health, and his family as they adjust to new circumstances.
24–30 March Holy Week Across our six field countries many will be meditating on the death of the Lord Jesus. Pray that as we reflect, we will be able to bring to mind what was done for us at Calvary and rise to new life with him.
Ukrainian church
Dalibor
am he, I am he who will sustain you.” 31 March–6 April
Jimmy
Romania Pray for Jimmy Macavei and the MWB family here. Some of them will be enjoying a few days rest at the Easter period.
Spring 2013 7–13 April Ukraine Remember Mykola Bogdanets our national manager – especially as he meets the administrators of the Children’s Homes, some of whom seek to avoid specific Christian programmes so crucial to our work.
14–20 April
21–27 April
MWB worldwide Reverend Harry Graham, the president of MWB International, is responsible for the leadership of all our work. Uphold him as he develops vision for MWB’s work.
The elderly Many who suffer most in Eastern Europe are the elderly. Often their pensions are not adequate for providing the basics. Remember the workers serving them food in the community centres.
28 April–4 May
5–11 May
Families in crisis Many families in poverty cope with extraordinary difficulties. Remember MWB staff as they respond to families’ problems and meet needs.
Christian media Our radio ministry reaches millions in Ukraine, where large numbers still listen to the radio. Pray for those who write and broadcast this important ministry. Give thanks, too, for the growing radio ministry in Romania.
12–18 May
19–25 May
New mothers Praise God for MWB’s Mother Care support, operating in Albania, Moldova and Ukraine. The young mothers are grateful for the maternity parcels which are so vital for their health and that of their baby.
Emergencies When disasters strike in Eastern Europe, MWB helps as much as possible. Remember our staff and volunteers who assist during catastrophes, giving practical help as well as emotional and spiritual support.
Spring 2013 26 May–1 June Gifts in Kind Most years we benefit from large quantities of gifts from our corporate sponsors and partners, although such gifts were fewer in 2012. These are crucial for meeting needs, so please pray that Gifts in Kind will continue to be available.
2–8 June StreetMercy Our outreach to the homeless is now in its second year. This ministry provides food, care and clothing for those living on the streets. Pray for the safety of staff and volunteers, and for the number of volunteers to increase so that the work can expand.
9–15 June
16–22 June
Vocational/Educational opportunities In most of our field countries we run courses for young people to learn skills essential for finding work or supporting themselves. Pray for the leaders of these courses and their students.
Albanian elections Parliamentary elections take place on 23 June. Albanians will vote for their new president, prime minister and 140 members of the People’s Assembly. Pray for peaceful and fair elections.
How you have helped... Thank you supporters Betty, Pamela and Maggie who did Knitting Without Borders to gain more than £400-worth of sponsorship. We are really grateful for all your knitting, and especially for your sponsors’ donations. If you’d like to take part in Knitting Without Borders, please go to www.mwbuk.org/get-involved
Well done and thank you to brothers Caleb (8) and Josiah (5). They had been saving their pocket-money for a really long time in order to give £14.60 especially for our Winter Fuel appeal because their dad is a forester.
Very grateful thanks to everyone at Rochford Community Church for donating their harvest appeal and tithe to fund our After-School Clubs and provide children with the equipment they need to go to school.
How supporters will be helping... As you read this Newsletter, Terry’s church St Barnabas, Leeds, will have put on a concert to raise money for MWB (22nd of February).
Graham is running the London Marathon for MWB on 21 April. Please sponsor him on MWB’s page at virginmoneygiving.com
Supporter and singer-songwriter Helen is planning a fundraising concert at her church in Ryton (Tyne & Wear) at the beginning of March.
Pauline and Bob plan to ask for donations to MWB for their golden wedding anniversary on 29 June, rather than receive presents.
St Paul’s Church, St Albans, is holding a ‘do it yourself Messiah’ on 23 March on behalf of MWB.
What else could you do to help?
In the life of country manager Mykola Bogdanets Our country managers are at the heart of MWB’s work in Eastern Europe. Ukraine’s Mykola Bogdanets tells how his love for God’s word meant persecution and secret church meetings, growing a practical faith passionate to serve God. Mykola’s story is MWB’s story Before speaking of my past, I want to thank you for your support: You have contributed such positive changes for Ukrainians.
us and set our church on fire. The whole village could only stand by and sadly watch as the church, Bibles and books went up in smoke.
They thank us verbally and in writing, but it is one child’s thanks that I particularly remember: At one of our Summer Camps I met an eight-year-old girl. She presented me with some flowers she had picked nearby, saying, “this is for you; because you’ve given me this great time at Summer Camp.” It moved me to tears. Simple words from the mouth of a child: But how valuable they are for encouraging those of us working at MWB and you who support us.
“I can still smell the burning of wood and church books.”
Family at MWB-Ukraine As a team, we’re like a big Christian family working to help any Ukrainian in need. In fact, my wife Nina and two of our four children also work here. A typical day starts with devotions; singing praises and reading the Bible. We ask God to lead us through the day, and pray for blessing upon all our sponsors and donors. Then it is on with meetings – with team members, the financial controller, local officials and visitors asking for help. I’m also responsible for overseeing MWB’s warehousing and book-keeping. Today, I may hold the honourable position of national manager, but I was born into a large, very poor family (right).
Persecuted for Christ My four sisters and I grew up during the 1950s at the height of communism. We went with our parents to their Pentecostal Church, but life as a Christian was difficult. When I was six, communists threatened
Nonetheless, one of my childhood dreams was to have my own Bible. So I worked as a cow-herd when twelve-years old, and earned just enough for my mother to buy a New Testament for me. It was smuggled in from neighbouring Poland, and it was my greatest pride and joy. Bibles were scarce. So I took my pocket New Testament to our underground Sunday school. Many of my friends used it with me for our homework. After two years, it was very torn and worn out. But that’s when much of the word of God got into my heart.
My parents suffered badly under communism because of our faith: My mother found it impossible to get work, and my father was only permitted to drive a collective farm tractor for a tiny wage. When my father died in 1968, I was just 13-years old, and my mother was 39. She was left with five small children. I grew up quickly, doing much of my father’s work at home, even though I was still at school and in young people’s church. Several of my friends from those days were imprisoned for refusing to join the Soviet army. As a youngster (above), I hoped to study further. But because I was a Christian I refused to join Komsomol, the youth wing of the Communist Party. Then I was bullied and expelled from both medical school and agricultural college. It was only by taking evening classes that I qualified as a mechanic and could look for work. Wherever I went, I attended the local church.
Joining MWB In 1988 I met a missionary couple from Germany: Johann and Irene came as representatives of Underground Evangelism (MWB’s former name) and I joined as a volunteer. Five years later I was invited to become national manager.
Free to believe I’ve always known that I wanted to dedicate my life to delivering God’s word to Ukrainians, and being part of MWB involves bringing the good news to my fellow countrymen. My first deliveries were New
Ukraine facts Government: Republic. The party of current president Viktor Yanukovych won parliamentary elections in December 2012 to form a majority. Economy: After independence (1991), Ukraine’s great progress in adapting economically from the Soviet model is limited by serious structural weaknesses and uncertainty over closer integration with Western Europe or reconciliation with Russia. Quality of life: Ranking 77 among 187 countries in the Human Development Index (UN, 2011), more than half of Ukrainians (70%) survive on less than £2 a day (UNIAN agency, 2013).
Testaments. Then, as we took two or three Bibles to local churches, I experienced the gratitude of my many brothers and sisters in Christ. We’ve always given them away for free, and since MWB’s Jubilee Bible Project began in 2010, I have met with many pastors to discuss distributing Bibles (below). We have handed out 275,315 Bibles.
“I lived my life not in vain” My privilege of being with MWB is that this organisation exercises a practical faith. It remains devoted to its unchangeable task of reaching people for Christ. And for me, distributing Bibles is clear evidence of that. This is the greatest work I could do during my entire twenty years here. We could barely dare to dream of having Bibles during Soviet times. Now, being one who gives them away as part of my job, I can honestly say that I lived my life not in vain. Please pray for Mykola and his team as they minister to Ukrainians Find out more about MWB in Ukraine at www.mwbuk.org
Mothers and babies in Ukraine
For Lyubov, in Ukraine, giving birth last summer was a matter of death - not life before MWB provided the essentials for a safe birth and baby care. Living in a small village in north-western Ukraine, Lyubov and her husband Yuriy led a frugal life. With their five children, they rented a dilapidated, tworoom house. It only had a wood-burning stove for heating, and an outdoor latrine for a bathroom. To make ends meet Yuriy often walked to the near-by forest to gather things to sell. In spring, he’d pick snowdrops; during summer he collected berries; while in the autumn his crop was mushrooms. Last March, Yuriy went to find snowdrops. He planned to go to the market to sell them later on. But, just as flowers were coming out with the warmer weather, so were snakes.
Deadly snakebite
Yuriy’s tragedy is that he never picked snowdrops. Instead, he struggled home after a venomous viper1 had bitten him. Friends rushed Yuriy to hospital for an antidote. All seemed well. But one balmy summer evening, Yuriy had just chopped his final logs. He sat down with Lyubov, resting, chatting and laughing. Commonly called the forest-steppe adder, Vipera nikolskii is endemic to central Ukraine.
1
12 UK
32 UKRAINE
4 UK
Deaths
Maternal mortality rate
Deaths
Suddenly, Yuriy slumped over – dead. The postmortem showed that Yuriy’s internal organs were riddled with snake poison. This was just two weeks before Lyubov’s baby was due. Lyubov did not know where to turn. But she did know about MWB and asked for help.
MWB’s mother care The MWB team in Ukraine gave Lyubov all the medical supplies she needed to have her baby in hospital, worth about £25. When Lyubov came home with baby Vladylava, MWB then gave a special care package with washable nappies, talcum powder, soap, bottles and milk. For Lyubov, this really was everything she needed:
“With my husband’s death, it was impossible for me to have our new baby safely alone, as well as look after our other children. But your mother care parcels provided everything I needed. I could not have coped without your support. I can’t say thank you enough.” You can help bring new life with a mother-care parcel. Buy online at www.mwbuk.org/shop or phone 020 7940 1370.
CIA World Factbook, 2012
From death... to life
9 UKRAINE
1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate
100,000 live births
Ukraine’s birth rate is falling – made wors e as infant mortality increases
Buy your mother something different for 10 March An alternative to traditional flowers and chocolates, a gift of a mother care parcel will give a mother all she needs for having her baby in an Eastern European hospital, and post-natal care. You’ll help give life to the next generation.
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A mother-care gift for your mother on Mothers Day
Loose Change Chicken Challenge Collect your loose change in our Loose Change Chicken Challenge coin boxes, and you’ll bring lasting change to those in need. You could.... J oin us in taking the Loose Change Chicken Challenge during Lent and raise at least £40 over 40 days. You’ll provide a family with a batch of 10 chickens. P ut any lose change your have into your Loose Change Chicken Challenge coin box at any time of the year: You could collect £60 to give a Dreambus trip for 10 children. ave Loose Change Chicken Challenge coin H boxes available at any fundraising event you put on for MWB: Aim for a specific purpose, such as supporting a young person with a scholarship of £700.
please To take the Loose Change Chicken Challenge order your coin boxes at: www.mwbuk.org/lccc 7940 1370. email info_uk@mwbi.org or phone 020 reaches us Please make sure the total for your coins unt and amo final the for ue safely by sending a cheq e. onlin total your not the coins or give
Your response Name
LEAVE A LEGACY OF HOPE
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Make sure your commitment to people in East Europe continues by leaving a legacy of hope to MWB. You will help give some of the most marginalised people in Europe a chance to transform their lives – a gift that will live on for years. Giving a ‘living’ legacy, whether big or small, is a gift of hope for the future:
£500 Start date
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could give 25 mothers new born baby packs.
£2,000
Last three digits from strip on reverse of card
Please send me more information on: (please tick) Child sponsorship Family sponsorship Legacies Helping as an Advocate Regular giving Speaker to church or group For MWB use only: Q/C/V Printed Please tick to increase your donation to MWB by: Gift Aid You can add 25p to every £1 that you donate at no cost to you. If you pay UK income or capital gains tax, MWB reclaims the basic rate tax from the inland revenue. Higher rate taxpayers can claim a rebate based on the difference between the higher and basic rate, nominating MWB to receive any rebate due. Tax reclaimed will be used to help all of MWB’s work. I want Mission Without Borders to reclaim the tax I have paid on all my donations for the four tax years prior to the year of this declaration and any future donations I might make.
could provide a family with all they need to start a mini-farm.
£7,000
would offer 10 young people scholarships for gaining professional skills. To discuss the hope you want your legacy to give, phone us in confidence, or ask for our free legacy pack with more information: www.mwbuk.org 020 7940 1370
Give others a future of hope: Leave a living legacy to MWB.
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