FEBRUARY 2018
Vanyo and Yulia
“Dogs are treated better than us” “If I start thinking about what I once was, I am finished,” Yulia, 63, said with sadness in her eyes. “I think of how many diplomas I have given out to so many children and yet here I am now, old, with no job and living on the street. But I can’t give up, I just must find a way to survive.” It is -22 in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, but with the swirling bitter wind it feels colder. In this bleak and deadly scene, we meet Yulia and her husband Vanyo who have been sleeping rough for the past six years. Married for 37 years, their happy life together was changed forever when their son was attacked and beaten on the street, leaving him mentally damaged and in need of regular medical help. Living in an isolated area of Bulgaria, they had no choice but to sell their flat and move to the capital to get the medical treatment needed.
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Before their son fell ill, Yulia had a degree in biology and chemistry from a prestigious Bulgarian university and had worked as a teacher and school principal, while 66-yearold Vanyo, was a chemical engineer and was studying nuclear physics. Arriving in Sofia, things did not go well, they couldn’t get work, their savings melted away and they were forced to become homeless. Today, instead of working in the classroom, enjoying a well-earned retirement or caring for their son, you will find Yulia and Vanyo huddled together and holding hands near an evergreen bush next to a railway station in the city. Despite the freezing temperatures, they are trying to find straight twigs to make into bouquets to sell.
Yulia and the flowers she sells
“I sell them to make a little money, but the price depends on the generosity of the buyer,” Yulia explains. “For me there is no shameful work now, but everything’s so uncertain, that is the only certain thing.”
Vanyo helps his wife as much as he can, but he has serious health problems and can’t afford the treatment he needs. “I would like to thank God for opening your eyes so that you can see people like us where others just walk by. The State gives us nothing and everywhere we go we are neglected – dogs are treated better than us.” “But you from the Mission are different. You offer us a hot lunch which could be the only meal we will have for days. You also offer us kind words, a warm welcome and you give us your friendship. On days like today, I don’t know what I would do without the warm clothes, socks, shoes and blankets that you have given us.”
Yulia receiving winter clothing beside the StreetMercy van
“Jesus’ love is my main motivation. I do it all willingly because God who has called us to help the poor, the orphan, and the widow, enables us to do it. When I witness how God does miracles to provide for the needs of these people, I feel encouraged. Blessed be the name of the Living God who opens doors and cares for the underprivileged.” Anna with a volunterr and a recipient 22
MWB in FOCUS
Anna Atanasova, Bulgaria’s StreetMercy Coordinator.
Snap-shots from 2017 StreetMercy Project
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Bulgaria
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1. Alexander, Last winter Alexander got very bad frostbite on all his fingers. Without insurance, he couldn’t receive medical help. But Anna, our Mission’s coordinator in Sofia, persuaded doctors to examine him. He had to have his fingers amputated. “If it hadn’t been for the Mission, I would have died.” Now he also receives a disability pension which enables him to rent and get off the streets.
Moldova
2. Kiril, Two years ago, a bus ran over Kiril’s foot. Again, it was only because of the Mission’s intervention that he was treated properly. “I was desperate, I didn’t want to live if they were going to amputate my foot, but the Mission staff prayed for me. Through them I witnessed a practical faith in God. Now I am well, thanks to the Mission.” 3.Georgi, Georgi lost the toes from one of his feet from frostbite two years ago. StreetMercy staff helped him to register for a Disability Pension and he is now living in a special home for the Elderly, no longer homeless. 4. Maria, Maria, a single mother with three children found herself homeless after her husband left her. Helped by the StreetMercy project, she started to attend church. After much negotiating the family moved into a new house and Maria is looking for work. “I’m so thankful to the Mission for all they’ve done, but mainly to God who is helping me to overcome my problems.” 5. Dimitar, Dimitar, a homeless alcoholic would often come drunk to receive his soup, making it difficult to communicate. Eventually he received help from a Christian Detox Centre. He was not only set free from alcoholism, but his life changed completely after becoming a Christian. Now he’s helping others at the centre. 6. Katya, Katya, a trained nurse of Russian descent had found it hard to find employment, not being fluent in Moldovan. The food she receives from StreetMercy is the only help she gets. “I like it here; the people are very kind, accepting and loving. Our everyday discussions about the Bible after the meal help me to understand more about God.”
“I have nothing and no-one now, except your help” Nina
Nicolai, our Coordinator praying with the homeless
Receiving clothing and blankets
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New Year’s Greetings Here’s what’s happening: UPDATE: WINTER RESCUE A huge thank you to all of you who have given so generously to our Winter Rescue appeal. Right now, Eastern Europe is still in the grip of icy cold weather which makes this appeal so important to the ones we serve. “The aid the Mission gives us means so much to us and it makes our difficult life a bit easier. The love we feel through these gifts warms our hearts. This love brought a great change in me. Before I was fearful and used to quarrel with people; now I am calm and kind, for which I thank the Lord. I was a very ungrateful person who didn’t like to share anything but God has changed my heart. As the Mission freely gives to us items necessary for our daily life, now I gladly give to those who are in need.” Gyulsherin, A mother from Bulgaria
UPDATE: CHRISTMAS LOVE BOXES We have achieved our target of around 30,000 Love Boxes! Thanks again to all who have given so generously - you have enabled many families, children and the elderly the chance to celebrate Christmas, rather than it just being another day.
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2018 CALENDARS
SUPPORTER TOUR 2018 Our supporter tour to Romania and Moldova will be at the end of September/early October. The estimated cost including flights is about $6000. If you are interested, please contact Andrew by email awilks@mwbi.org or phone as soon as possible.
We still have about 150 left. These are now $6.00 each, half price (p&h included).
THANKS
TAX REFUNDS
Thank you to everyone who puts a stamp on our new Freepost envelopes. It helps us to send more money to those who need it.
Annual donation receipts are sent out 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), nominate Mission Without Borders and our bank a/c when filling out your IR520 form.
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 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 or WMN: Where most needed 44
Reaching People for Christ in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine