StreetMercy is a beautiful word January 2014
In Moldova, as in some other eastern European countries, StreetMercy has come to describe a very special project carried on by Mission Without Borders to save the hungry from starvation. In Moldova, like anywhere else, it is painful to go to sleep hungry. It is so sad that there are many people, young and old, who don’t have a place to sleep or— if they have a home—no food to eat. The StreetMercy project in Straseni is one of many parallel programs provided by Mission Without Borders in hundreds of cities and villages throughout Eastern Europe. It provides help on a daily basis to the hungry, old and young, many of them homeless. In addition to life-saving food, the street ministry offers spiritual care, counseling and emotional support. There are many to help. One couple who depend on the StreetMercy program just to survive (I won’t name them to protect their privacy) told us their story: “It is very difficult to live in Moldova at the moment. I tried to find a job, but no one would accept me. I am 50 years old. I know that it’s wrong, but I drink sometimes because I want to forget the misery of my life. Sometimes I would go to work for someone just for a plate of food and a cup of wine. Many times we would go to bed hungry because we did not have any work that day and no food at the garbage can. I have to say that it is so painful to sleep with a hungry stomach; you wake up with stomach pain. I am very happy that we can come here to the park for the past year and a half; we eat a warm meal every day. These are very good and special people. They don’t care that we are dirty, but they keep coming here and they feed us; sometimes they bring some clothes and other things. Praying for God’s blessing
We impatiently wait for 12 o’clock to be here in the park because the food is good and different each day. Today we have rice with meat. Yesterday we had potatoes with fish. I also like to come here because all these people that you see- we all are the same, we understand each other. Each of us has a story to tell. Other people from the town don’t like us, because we are poor, or stink, or we look bad, but here, we are all equal. We especially like the holiday meals. I also like the fact that we are treated like humans here. Maybe we will start going to church,
Mission Without Borders 1-800-494-4454 | www.mwbca.org email: dinwood@mwbi.org
Warm food
because Ion (the volunteer who delivers food) keeps inviting us, and a few of our people already go to church and they say that it is very good there. What else can I say? I feel great that someone cares about people like me and gives us food and say nice words. Say ‘THANK YOU’ to those people who share their food with us here, because it is a wonderful thing what they do here.” Proverbs 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Moldova is a beautiful country with vistas that inspire the human spirit. It lays claim to a rich history and culture. Blessed with fertile land, it has been the home of a vibrant wine-making industry for over 4000 years. However it is regularly described as the poorest country in Europe; its gross domestic product is only about $2,000 per person annually. Some of us here in Canada spend more than that on lunch each year. Wine is one of Moldova’s major exports, mainly to Russia….at least it was until Russia banned the import of Moldovan wine. In a move that has been widely interpreted as a bullying tactic, Russia is trying to prevent tiny Moldova from continuing on its path toward joining the European Union. That is a big blow to Europe’s poorest country. Its economy is highly dependent on agriculture, which accounts for about half of Moldova’s exports and almost onethird of employment. It’s tough enough being the poorest country in Europe without being bullied by Russia, which is also now threatening to cut off gas exports to Moldova in the middle of their winter. Joining the EU is vitally important for the future well-being of Moldova and its poor because it will allow Moldova to export more goods to the European Union, which will result in more jobs for Moldovans. This would lead many people to an improved standard of living. In short, giving hope where none now exists. Unfortunately, poverty, despair and sadness, the lot of so many in Moldova, is only worsened by a situation like this. Because they can’t find jobs, many become homeless and routinely go hungry; they face the very real spectre of starvation. But in their desperation, even those we help in the StreetMercy
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Food prepared at Community Centre
“And then there are the homeless. How would you or I survive in sub zero weather without a home, or even a shelter to go to? ” program often show a spirit of generosity, a willingness to share what little they have. “I am not from Straseni. I am from another village. I come here and clean in the park and receive a little money. So I am very happy that I can eat (because of StreetMercy) every day while I work, because I cannot afford to buy food with the money that I receive; I want to help my family. I have a family, mom, dad, we have a little house. I am an invalid, so it is very difficult to find a job. I found this job, to clean here in the park. It is good for me to eat a warm meal and have hot tea when it gets cold outside. I am glad to have this opportunity. I also like these positive people who bring us food.” The MWB Coordinator responsible for this branch of the Street Mercy project has this to say. “My biggest joy is when these beneficiaries are treated with love in the park (the place where they receive their warm food). And then they look for this love at the local church on Sunday morning. I want to thank all the sponsors who remember that there are very poor people living amongst us- thank you from the bottom of my heart for being close to us.” Winter in Eastern Europe also means that Operation Winter Rescue goes into action right across the region. Last year over 300 people froze to death in the bitter cold. We need your help to make sure that never happens again. In Romania, a country blessed with rich deposits of natural gas, many cannot afford to pay the heating bills. People are desperate – some regions have extraordinarily high unemployment rates because there are simply no jobs available. Without a job, they can’t provide for the basic needs for their families. Many pensioners have to cut off the heat and endure the cold temperatures. This is heartbreaking.
Ghenadie
Poverty is everywhere in Romania, but the toughest period of the year is winter. During the wintertime, everything gets more and more expensive- food, utilities, fuel, everything. Many families don’t have enough money to provide for food, heat and warm clothing for the children, so they must make difficult choices and do without. What would you choose to do without? Food? Heat? Warm clothes for your kids?
And then there are the homeless. How would you or I survive in sub zero weather without a home, or even a shelter to go to?
Operation Winter Rescue is working all over Eastern Europe to find and support these people who have so little. Warm blankets, winter clothes and shoes are delivered to those who are in dire need. Our coordinators are actually saving lives with these deliveries. When we deliver these items, it’s really hard to describe the people’s reaction. Some have tears in their eyes, others are speechless and many can’t stop thanking us for what we do for them. For some of them, these items represent everything. The only hand of support they have comes from Mission Without Borders and its dedicated donors, who, in these troubled times, think of the poor and their needs. For them, it’s like manna from heaven; it’s God’s faithfulness and mercy because He listened to and answered their prayers.
Maria
The OWR campaign is valuable and greatly appreciated among the people we help through the winter. Our coordinators are very happy to help those in need and to tell them about Christ’s love. The coordinators encourage them to go to church, to trust in the Lord and put their lives in His hands, where they are safe. I ask you please to find a little extra this January to send to MWB to support Operation Winter Rescue and StreetMercy. Your support is so greatly appreciated. My best wishes for 2014 and blessings on you for all that you do for our brothers and sisters in need. With grateful thanks
David Inwood National Director Mission Without Borders
Eating Good Food
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Andrei received his food