MAY 2018
A DAY IN THE LIFE Greetings from the we(s)t coast of British Columbia, where spring has finally sprung. At the time of this writing, it’s pouring rain but nothing says spring like warm-ish rainy weather! God’s glorious nature is on full display, and we are so blessed to be living in such a wonderful country like Canada. The stories and photos we share with you through our monthly newsletter (and on our social media feeds like Facebook, Instagram and of course our website) all come from our workers in the field, who live and work amongst the poorest of the poor in their respective countries. As I have already said, we are so fortunate to live where we do, and to be so blessed by all that we have. By contrast, let me share with you a story about a little girl called Rusalina who lives in Moldova … Twelve-year-old Rusalina lives in a small village in southeastern Moldova, about 120 km southwest of Chisinau. Her mother, like many other parents in Moldova, left the country in search of work. The first time she left, she did not return for six years, but last summer she managed to visit.
“We talk by phone when possible,” said Rusalina. “She said she was going to make it for New Years but she didn’t come.”
Around 350,000 people travel between Moldova and other countries for work. Added to this figure are the 585,000 Moldovans – 16% of the population – that have been residing abroad for over a year. 1 Rusalina now lives with her aunt and three cousins (pictured below), who struggle with poverty. Their home reflects the difficult circumstances: dark, windowless living room, crumbling walls, and worn furniture. Rusalina’s father abandoned them when her mother was pregnant and her grandmother, in whose care she remained, died last year. That was when her aunt took her in. “Of course, we would like Rusalina’s mother to be closer to us,” said Ecaterina, Rusalina’s aunt. “She works as a maid in Russia,
but earns very little. She sends home one small package from time to time. The last time we were together, when she left little Rusalina cried and cried until her head ached.” More than 100,000 children have been left behind in Moldova, as one or both parents seek work abroad. Leftbehind children struggle with poverty and emotional issues, and fail to engage with their education. Their village looks half-deserted. Many old houses across the street are desolate, whereas newer houses and ones under construction are locked up, a sign that the owners have left. Over half of the village’s population have gone abroad. Ecaterina said, “Neighbours across the road have gone to Russia. In the house behind ours lives a family whose mother is abroad; the children stay with their grandmother.” Half-abandoned villages are a common picture across Moldova. The lack of employment opportunities throughout the country results in children being abandoned by parents and raised by relatives who themselves battle poverty – or by grandparents who are growing increasingly frail. In Moldova, the mother is traditionally responsible for child-rearing, and her absence is more detrimental to a child’s development. In 14% of Moldovan families with a migrant mother, the child perceived that nobody cares for them, while only 3% felt this way in families with the father abroad. 2
RUSALINA WITH HER AUNT & THREE COUSINS THAT SHE LIVES WITH
Rusalina is a lovely girl and a great helper in the household. She said, “It’s good to be with my aunt, but who can be more precious than my mother? Every night I pray that she will return. I ask her all the time when she will come home.”
However, each time it is the same vague reply – and for now, all Rusalina has is her mother’s photograph.
Her 15-year-old twin girls have been doing farm work and manual labor for local land owners since they were 12 years old.
Children like Rusalina, growing up in poverty and struggling emotionally with the absence of a parent, often fail to engage fully with their education. They may not receive the needed school supplies or enough nutrition – and in general may feel unsupported and alone because of their family situation.
“We usually start at 6 am and finish at 7 pm. After that, we have no strength to do anything,” one of the girls said. Their hands, young but worn, speak volumes.
MWB raises funds through our Child Sponsorship program & appeals like this monthly newsletter in order to provide programs like After School Clubs, where children find the support they need.
There are far too many children in Eastern Europe feeling abandoned and who are struggling in poverty. Through programs like our After School clubs, MWB offers emotional, spiritual and practical support in a warm, supportive Christian community where they receive much-needed encouragement. ON HER WAY TO AFTERSCHOOL CLUB
Be part of bringing a ray of hope to leftbehind children by any of the following … • Sponsor a child (just $35/mo),
At the After School Club in her village, Rusalina takes part in educational activities, receives a hot meal (pictured right) and plays with friends, but most importantly, she receives the emotional and material support that she needs.
• Make a one-time donation in any amount through our monthly newsletter appeals, • Set up an automatic on-going monthly donation (in any amount) to help our many programs continue to operate.
Rusalina said, “I like coming here. The meal is tasty. People are kind and loving. We play, sing songs and color, and we learn things about God. I also get interesting magazines, where I find many poems, songs, and stories about Jesus.”
Use the enclosed Reply Form or call our office to make a credit card donation. Also, feel free to pass this newsletter along to someone who you think may be interested in what Mission Without Borders is doing in Eastern Europe. We need more ministry partners!
As well as supporting children, Mission Without Borders – in partnership with a local church – reaches out to needy families, providing clothing and footwear, food and hygiene items, and in some cases furniture and medicine, as well as sharing the gospel. At Christmas time, MWB delivered Christmas parcels to Rusalina’s family and others in the village.
And as always, THANK YOU for your continued interest and support of Mission Without Borders. It is truly appreciated! Let me end this month by sharing these words from scripture that hopefully will be a blessing to you as you are to us ...
Ecaterina said, “I burst into tears when we got the parcels. I was shouting with joy that there is somebody who cares about us. We struggle to provide enough food in our family. Sometimes we have gone a few days with no food in the house.”
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may He be gracious to you, show you His favor, and give you His peace!” [Numbers 6:24-26) Sincerely,
Ecaterina and others in her village face numerous obstacles in providing for their families. Many take on temporary jobs that offer no medical or social insurance, just enough to meet pressing every-day needs.
Bonnie Borowetz SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS CANADA 1
Source: ‘Moldova: a country being emptied of its inhabitants’, 6 December 2016, Equal Times
Ecaterina said, “I pick apples for people as seasonal work. But in the winter, there are almost no work opportunities.”
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WHERE RUSALINA SLEEPS
MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS CANADA OFFICE LOCATION #4-30465 Progressive Way, Abbotsford EMAIL mwbcanada@mwbi.org | www.mwbca.org All donations are used to effectively deliver programs.
Source: Migration Policy Institute, ‘Children left behind: the impact of labour migration in Moldova and Ukraine’, 23 January 2015
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