Magazine April – June 2017
www.ten-uk.org
Churches that care Mission with compassion in Europe
What’s going on in Montenegro? Harvest for the Hungry 2017 Challenge Prayer Diary
Editorial
Churches that
care This edition of the magazine brings powerful stories about churches in Europe caring for people in Christ’s name.
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e share reports from Romania about hospice care for the dying and a special outreach for families in poverty. From Serbia we highlight the dedicated ministry to people addicted to drugs who require residential care. Each account illustrates how lives are changed when the preaching of the gospel is accompanied by compassionate care. TEN recognises that God’s primary vehicle for evangelism is the local church and across Europe our church partners are reaching out to those in need within their communities. Sometimes the ministry birthed within the church develops into a fully-fledged organisation that becomes recognised by the statutory authorities. Often it is the daily acts of kindness by individual Christians or volunteer church teams that bring God’s love into the lives of people facing desperate circumstances. Another example of practical care is our annual Harvest for the Hungry appeal. UK churches have worked wonders to raise funds for this ministry. This year we are celebrating 25 years of support for this work;
Mission Possible Bulgaria
which has raised a staggering £2.5m in donations (including gifts-in-kind food parcels shipped from the UK). Find out more about the special challenge we are setting for our supporters and UK church partners for this anniversary year. Feeding the hungry must surely be one of the greatest ways to demonstrate God’s love in action. We asked our partners for their prayer needs for the April to June quarter and the requests flooded in. You’ll find the four-page Prayer Diary in the middle of the magazine; which is easy to pull-out, if necessary. Wherever you are, please join the TEN staff team each day at 10am, Monday to Friday, as we pray for the requests for the day. We see many answers to prayer by our faithful God. With more than 70 partners working in 15 countries across Europe we have a great opportunity to do more, to care for more people and see more lives transformed. If you wish to make a one-off donation to Transform Europe Now or commit to monthly giving, please use the reply slip and envelope sent with this magazine or simply contact the TEN office.
Welcome
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Contents
hat an amazing season we are now in; Spring, the new shoots, new growth, fresh new colours and warmer weather. We are shaking off the grey of Winter and entering this bright new season. It’s also a very important time for sowing seed and planting for a harvest. The analogy of sowing is often used for the activity of the church, as we share the love, compassion and grace of Christ. In this magazine, you will read many inspiring stories of ‘the church in action’ across Europe. The local church showing true love through action. On page 22 you’ll find my special letter to supporters. John writes in his letter to all believers (1 John 3 verse 18), “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”. Paul also writes about love in action in 1 Corinthians 13. Here we clearly see, ‘agape’ love is active and not passive. It does not simply ‘feel patient or kind’ it practises patience and kindness in active deeds. Love is only fully love when it acts. In James 2 verse 18 he says, “I will show you my faith by what I do”. Throughout the New Testament we see the church in action as a model for the church today demonstrating the transformational love of Christ to the local community. As you read this magazine I pray you will be inspired and motivated. Please join us in praying and supporting our dedicated partners across Europe. No other continent needs the lifechanging agape love and grace of Jesus more than ours. Thank you for your on-going prayer, support and generosity.
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Freedom for addicts in Serbia
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A look at Summer Camps in Romania
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Sharing God’s love in life and death
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You and Europe Prayer diary
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April – June 2017
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Harvest for the Hungry 2016
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Harvest for the Hungry 25th Anniversary Good News Church
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Romania
What’s going on in...
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Montenegro
Rock of Ages
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10 reasons to thank God
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New Website ten-uk.org
Winterhelp
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Update and thank you
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Thank you letter Gerry Partridge
Summer Camps
Make a child’s dream come true
TEN_Today
transformeuropenow
Transform Europe Now Registered office: 1 Holdenhurst Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1HL Tel: +44 (0)117 961 5161 Email: info@ten-uk.org Written and produced by the TEN team Design: Simon Petherick Graphic and Web Design
Gerry Partridge CEO Transform Europe Now
Transform Europe Now (TEN) is the operating name for Eurovangelism. Registered in England and Wales as a charity (no. 1140592) and company limited by guarantee (no. 7507682). Cover photo: Daria, hospice psychologist with patient, Emanuel Hospice, Romania
Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
Freedom for addicts in Serbia An interview with Danny and Vera Kuranji, Novi Sad Christian Fellowship
Danny and Vera Kuanji
How, when and why did Novi Sad Christian Fellowship start to help people addicted to drugs? Serbia has faced a growing problem with drugs and addiction since the 1970’s. Years ago hospitals were unable to offer much help so in 2006 we decided to open our church facilities for drug addicts. Our chief desire was to introduce them to Christ. What have been your greatest challenges in helping addicts? The first challenge is funding for the Rainbow Centre programme. We accept men and women in the rehabilitation programme and we do not charge them at all because they and their family members do not have funds. We always take the step of faith and believe that God will provide. The programme lasts around 18 4
months and depends on how each person responds to the change that Christ can bring in their lives. Secondly is the challenge when someone wants to leave the programme. After a few months some residents feel that they are no longer addicted and they leave early. Often they go back to drugs. This is hard for us since we have given our selves for them and know they are not yet ready to face life out of the centre.
Mihajlo
Can you share stories of people who have been set free from addiction? Mihajlo is 32 years but he is not the same person that walked into the centre because now he is free from drugs and transformed from all that the addict lifestyle involves. His parents divorced when he was a teenager and his mum left the country for a new life in Germany. By this time Mihajlo was already deep in his
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
drug problem and living on his own in Belgrade. Somehow, he decided to stop doing drugs and for a few years was clean until he slipped back into the old habit. Most of his former friends were no longer alive and he knew that he was on a similar path. He was desperate for change. Some friends brought him to the centre. At first he was tempted to leave. All the talk about God was so foreign to him because of his atheism. He doubted that he would ever be able to believe. He stayed and after a couple of months he asked Jesus to take over his ruined life. Two years later Mihajlo is a changed man and has since joined our staff in the centre. He helps other addicts to come to Jesus and follow Him and now has a big family that loves him. Something that he never had. His life finally has a purpose.
Sofija
Shortly after we started the rehab for girls, Sofija was brought by her father who was unable to help her or provide accommodation. Her husband also feared the impact on their little son watching his mother unable to function. We watched her shaking, weak, pale and lost. We knew that we had to do something. We couldn’t turn her away and now we are so glad that we didn’t. Eighteen months later Sofija is a changed women. She looks different,
thinks differently, and has a bright new identity. She is a child of God, who is loved, accepted, forgiven and free. “I have a new wife,” said her husband. The family will soon be reunited and little three year old Filip is patiently waiting for his mum to come home. Sofija is free after 15 years of heroin addiction. She came in depressed and hopeless and now she is glowing! Why is this ministry so important to your church? All the men and women from the centre attend our church services and many of their family members come along as well. The church is the family. It’s the place where those staying at the centre have sisters and brothers, as well as solid teaching. It’s the place where they worship God. What has been your personal involvement in the rehab work? My wife, Vera and I started the ministry and now we oversee the team and are personally involved in rehab for both men and women. We often bring them to our home and counsel them…we are like parents to them. Working with them is more than ministry; it is our life. What needs do you face and how can supporters help? Our biggest need and challenge is financial support. We always have at least 20 people in rehab for at least 16 months and they do not pay at all. Running costs for each person are more than £200 for each month. For this we totally trust God to provide and are grateful to all who are part of His plan to provide.
If you wish to support this work please contact the TEN office: e: info@ten-uk.org t: 0117 964 5161 +44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
A look at Summer Camps in Romania An interview with Monika Mahr, Christian Agency for Social Action (CASA Grace)
CASA Grace is a charitable organisation that grew out of the ministry of Emanuel Baptist Church, Oradea, Romania in 1996. We invited Monika to tell us more about the annual Summer Camps. Monika Mahr, CASA Grace
Where do the Summer Camps take place? The camp site facility is two and a half hours’ drive from Oradea and set in the mountains and in the middle of a beautiful forest. The dormitories are in wooden chalets with bathrooms and running water. There are no neighbours or shops nearby. It gives opportunity for the children to leave behind their problems and the sad situations they find themselves in. How do you decide who can attend the camps? The camp was started for the children from families in crisis being helped through the Families in Difficulty programme run by CASA Grace. Many of these children have been traumatised as a result of bereavement, illness or abuse and families on the programme receive support for at least twelve months. 6
These children often feel that they have no value. Because of disabilities or lack of proper clothes and shoes, they feel rejected and unloved. How many children attend and what ages are they? We have one full week from Monday until Saturday for 40 young adults, aged 13 to 18 years. The second week runs from Monday until Saturday for 40 young children from 4 to 12 years. What help do you get from UK church teams at the camps? In 2005, just when it seemed impossible to organize a camp, God sent a team from the Keynsham Elim Church. By God’s grace our relationship has developed in an incredible way and each year they have sent a team. CASA Grace now has a
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
from the camp, accommodation, food, and medical treatments. The full cost is about £90 per child for a week’s stay on camp.
Church partner, Keynsham Elim Church
large team, formed by people whose aim is to be a real support for those in need. The Elim church also encourage us and has become part of our other activities, especially the gifts of Christmas Shoe Boxes. What kind of impacts did the camp have on the children? We are so happy when God allows us to see lives changed—children accepting Jesus as their Saviour, during the camp. Often after the camps we hear about how God has continued to work in the lives of the young people and by their great example it impacts on the parents and grandparents. Sometimes the camp children meet me in the street, on the bus or tram. They are no longer ashamed of who they are, they happily greet me and often I receive a big hug.
What happens after the camps? After the camps, the CASA Grace team continue to be in contact with the family. We help the families on a monthly basis or as often as needed. The children return to their environment, with the experience of being loved, and I can say that all of them feel the difference. We encourage them to attend Sunday clubs in local churches. What plans do you have for Summer Camps in 2017? By God’s grace we plan to have a week for 40 young adults from 13–19 August, and a week for 40 younger children between 20–26 August, in the same place where we were in 2016.
What does it cost for each child to attend? Members of Keynsham Elim Church help to sponsor the children who attend the camps. They cover the cost of travel to and
CASA Grace Summer Camp
See the back cover of this magazine for details of how to give towards the 2017 Summer Camps
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
Sharing God’s love in
Life & Death Marinela Murg, Executive Director, Emanuel Hospice, Romania
This year Emanuel Hospice celebrates 20 years of ministry, providing care, comfort and dignity to more than 2,500 adult and paediatric patients. The hospice work remains a ministry of Emanuel Baptist Church in Oradea.
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manuel Hospice welcomes patients who are diagnosed with advancedstage cancer, when curative treatment is no longer effective and there is no hope for healing. Generally, people at the end of their lives want to be cared for
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and allowed to die at home, surrounded by their family and friends. This was the motivation back in 1996 for myself along with a fellow doctor to start visiting patients at home after being discharged from the Department of Oncology.
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
The work of the hospice commenced without an office and no official registration. We simply had a list of 30 names and addresses of patients who were under treatment with morphine. In fact, a tram station became our early morning meeting place to organise the schedule of daily visits. Most important of all, however, was a calling from God to do something for the sick people who, when discharged from hospital, were receiving the verdict ‘unfortunately we can no longer do anything’.
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We cannot add days to the life of our patients, but we can add life to the days which remain
At Emanuel Hospice we believe and affirm that there is always something that can be done for the patients whose disease is not responsive to treatment anymore. We can control pain and other overwhelming symptoms, we can alleviate their psychological and emotional pain, and we can encourage them spiritually. Also we can support them and their loved ones at a difficult time of life. We can assure them that we will not abandon them, but will be with them until the end, by providing an optimal quality of life. Indeed, at this stage of the disease, we cannot add days to the life of our patients, but we can add life to the days which remain. There is always something that can be done for the patient who is living out their last months or weeks of life. This challenge has been embraced by each member of our hospice team of Christian professionals; doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, chaplains and volunteers.
Emanuel Hospice Staff Team
We thank the Lord for His faithfulness, provision and blessings upon the hospice work during all these years. Transform Europe Now represents one of the blessings of God for Emanuel Hospice ministry. Our hospice work would have not been possible without the consistent support received during our early years from Eurovangelism. Gladly others have joined TEN as our wider family of supporters has grown. With 20 years of hospice ministry behind us, we not only look to the past but also to the future. Our daring dream is to complete the construction of a new hospice centre with integrated services for adults and children. This facility will allow us to increase the number of patients and families assisted. It will also provide the range of care in the environment preferred by the patient; whether at home, in a day care centre or in the unit beds. The style and design of the new building will differ from the institutional model, to help patients feel more at home than being in a medical facility. So far we have managed to finish the basement of the centre and are now at the stage where we literally need bricks to build the ground floor. Currently, through our Buy a Brick for Hospice campaign we are inviting businesses, organisations, churches and individuals, to join us as partners in this innovative project. Thanking God for the past, we entrust the future of Emanuel Hospice in His arms.
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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You and Europe
Transform Europe Now works across 15 European countries with around 70 Partners, so if you or your church wish to make a difference in Europe you don’t have to go it alone. Church partnerships, short-term teams, special church services, volunteering, targeted prayer and financial support—there’s something for everyone! Countries we operate in include:
Our prayer for Europe: Heavenly Father, We thank you God of compassion for your loving faithfulness and the certainty of your promises to us in Christ. Fill our hearts afresh with your love for those in need. As we stand together to sustain the vision and work of TEN in Europe may our prayers and giving be directed by your Spirit. Bless and guide our partners as they bring good news to the poor. Amen
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Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Prayer Diary
Prayer Diary April – June 2017 April 2017 1 / Roumen Ivanov, Bulgaria: Pray for the Women at Risk Conference 1–9 April in the Mission Possible conference centre in Dobrobirka and the 15 women who will go through the Bible course, The Hem of His Garment. 2 / Galina Dzhuzenova, Russia: Pray that our Easter programme to the needy residents in Moscow will be blessed with visits to many people. 3 / Please pray for healing for Vladimir Antonov who visits elderly people in Moscow hospitals; he has heart problems. 4 / Slavko Hadzic, Serbia: Pray for Slavko as he leads the Langham seminar for preachers in Serbia at the start of April. 5 / Pray for Slavko as he speaks at a student evangelistic event at University of Novi Sad, Serbia. 6 / Daniel Stracinski, Montenegro: Pray for all the families we visit who were helped to survive the extremes of winter with food from Harvest for the Hungry. 7 / Pray for the workshop for autistic kids in Montenegro supported by the team of Christians from Scotland. 8 / Pray that the conference for all Christians in Montenegro on 22 April will be a tremendous blessing.
9 / Pray that Christian leaders in Montenegro will be able to form an alliance in order to present a strong voice in front of government and improve cooperation between missionaries and churches. 10 / Dragan Manev, Macedonia: Pray for the Easter outreach using short films such as Krstot (The Cross) created by young Christians, mostly from the church in Veles. 11 / Viorica Tataru, Greece: Pray for the Easter outreaches in Athens and the 500 gifts we will give away with the message of Christ’s resurrection. 12 / Erion Cuni, Albania: Pray that God will provide leaders for the small groups to take care of all the new people who responded to the Christmas outreach. 13 / Please pray for weekly visits to the small town of Polican in Albania where the evangelical church closed three years ago.
17 / Please pray for unity in the Body of Christ in Albania and that many more leaders will arise. 18 / Pray that the children of Albania will understand the Word of God, become followers of Jesus and spread His love across their communities and schools. 19 / Pray for the Business As Mission (BAM) course in Moravë as an outreach to those wishing to start their own small business. 20 / Slavko Hadzic, Bosnia: Pray for the team from St Botolphs, UK visiting our church in Sarajevo 18–25 of April. Pray for a good time of fellowship, beneficial ministry and mutual blessings. 21 / Mirco Andreev, Macedonia: Thank God that we were able to make a deposit of 10,000 Euros toward the purchase of the church building in Struga. Now, we pray for the remaining 90,000 Euros.
14 / Pray for the group of 15 people studying the word of God in Polican and that a new church would be formed.
22 / Dragan Manev, Macedonia: Please pray for our church leadership seminar near Struga, Macedonia 27-29 April and for all evangelical Christian leaders in Macedonia.
15 / Pray for 12 prisoners in Tirana who are studying the Gospel of Mark. We want to start a church in the prison.
23 / Besa Shapllo, Albania: Pray that the church youth group will have a hunger and thirst to know Jesus.
16 / Esther Renja, Albania: Pray for the partnership between the Church of Hope in Moravë and the Church in Berat as they work together in children’s ministry.
24 / Pray that the good seed will be sown in the new Alpha Course groups in Albania.
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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Prayer Diary
Galina
Roumen
Compassion Ministry, Russia
Bulgaria
Slavko & Sanja
25 / Pray that the Mission Possible Albania women’s meetings will be life-changing and for God’s glory. 26 / Please continue to pray for Besa’s sister, Violeta, who has been diagnosed with cerebral ischemia and is unable to walk. 27 / Dario Kapin, Bosnia: Pray for the church to secure suitable premises and find more transport. 28 / Please pray for the new season of the bee-keeping project in Bosnia. 29 / Pray that the church in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to publicly celebrate 500 Years of Reformation. 30 / Galina Dzhuzenova, Russia: Pray for the Second World War concert for veterans who will receive food parcels and New Testaments. Pray that God will open their hearts to accept His love and give them peace.
May 2017 1 / Anatol Dunas, Moldova: Pray for the Summer camps in Moldova that will provide places for 500 children and young people. 2 / Pray for the plans to extend the Summer Camp facilities in Moldova to enable more churches to get involved.
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Bosnia
Daniel
Montenegro
Dragan & Biljana Macedonia
3 / Transform Europe Now: Pray for the TEN Trustees who meet today in Bristol. 4 / Dragan Manev, Macedonia: Please pray as we prepare two booklets for the Roma people to help them understand the Bible. 5 / Pray for the work amongst the Roma people and for our preparation for the next Roma conference in June. 6 / Cecilia Karira, Greece: Please pray for the new women who have completed their sewing training and are now working at Threads of Hope in Athens. 7 / Pray for larger premises for the Threads of Hope project in Athens and finance to meet our monthly needs. 8 / Pray for Ellen coming to join the team at Threads of Hope in Athens for at least a year that she will be able to adjust and feel welcomed. 9 / Pray that the Spirit of God will lead Cecilia as she directs the Threads of Hope ministry in Athens. 10 / Pray for more market opportunities in Europe to sell Threads of Hope bags and other fabric products. 11 / Nives Pavic, Bosnia: Please pray for the Royal Rangers (Christian Scouts) that started one year ago at our church in Tuzla.
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Erion & family Albania
Gjerji & Esther Albania
Nada & Mirco Macedonia
12 / Pray for the 25–30 kids and teens coming to Royal Ranger scouting activities in Tuzla and that they would hear the good news of Jesus Christ. 13 / Transform Europe Now: Pray for TEN’s impact at today’s GoFest event at Moorlands Bible College. 14 / Slavko Hadzic, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Pray for our humanitarian project and the families to whom we distribute food parcels. Pray that they’ll be open for God’s word and that we will see conversions. 15 / Pray for our regular evangelistic activities, that we can reach people in Sarajevo with the good news of Jesus. 16 / Please pray for the evangelistic outreach in our church in Sarajevo. Pray that many will come and that they’ll be challenged by the talks. Pray for decisions to be made. 17 / Ulis Koço, Albania: Please pray for daily guidance through the Holy Spirit in Ulis’s life. 18 / Pray that the teenagers in the church will become more involved and interactive in the meeting and willing to take responsibility. 19 / Please pray for Ulis and his fiancée as they get married in May.
Prayer Diary
Dusan Beredi & Family
Besa
MPA, Albania
Dario
Bosnia
Anatol & Nadea Moldova
Cecilia Greece
Nives
Bosnia
Ulis
Albania
Metin
Turkey
Serbia
20 / Roumen Ivanov, Bulgaria: Please pray for the 1,000 people expected to attend the New Vision for Eastern Europe church conference on 20 May at the National Palace of Culture under the auspices of the Evangelical Alliance. 21 / Pray for the Women’s Small Group Leadership training 26-28 May in Bulgaria and the new Baby Box Project to support and share the gospel with mothers from very poor gypsy families. 22 / Metin Mintaz, Turkey: Pray for God to raise up Turkish Christians as elders and deacons and that many others will come to faith. 23 / Pray that the church will be able to purchase a building and increase its legal recognition by the Turkish government. 24 / Pray to Almighty God for Turkey as it changes from a parliamentary system to a presidential model, with increased power in the hands of President Recep Erdoğan. 25 / Pray that God will provide better employment for Uğur in Turkey as he seeks to provide for his family. 26 / Pray for Cem as he follows up people interested in the Bible Correspondence Course in Istanbul.
27 / Pray that our brothers and sisters in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey will be able rent a small place they can use for worship as there is no home suitable for meetings. 28 / Transform Europe Now: Please pray for final editing of the next TEN magazine. 29 / Dusan Beredi, Serbia: Please pray for the thirty men and three women being supported at the Rainbow Centre for heroin addicts; where the ministry is based on personal experience of Christ. 30 / Our Alpha Courses in Novi Sad continue, so please pray for each new person who attends. 31 / Pray for the 40 children who attend the Royal Rangers scout meetings in Novi Sad and for our efforts to expand this work.
June 2017 1 / Galina Dzhuzenova, Russia: Please pray as we prepare for the summer camps. We need to obtain all the permissions and funds for the camps. 2 / Dragan Manev, Macedonia: Pray for our new church plant in the town Resen where there is no evangelical church. We desire to relocate there as a family in June 2017 to do a deeper work. 3 / Didi Oprenova, Bulgaria: Pray for Bulgaria’s president, Rumen Radev as society
faces widespread poverty, discrimination of minorities, and high rates of divorce, abortion, emigration of youth. 4 / Pray for the church and all Christian organisations working with refugees and migrants in Bulgaria and pray that they will find new hope in God. 5 / Pray for church leaders in Bulgaria as they face the challenges and stresses of ministry, and cope with the expectations of their congregations. 6 / Pray for the Sofia Baptist Church Renewal Centre that provides food and medical care for homeless people and for the educational programme for Roma children. 7 / Tefik Musoski, Macedonia: Pray that the 30 children we work with will know Christ and to grow in their faith. 8 / Pray for us as we make home visits for the group Bible studies in Bitola. 9 / Please pray for our daughter, Shimka who is due to change schools in June. Pray for wisdom about her future. 10 / Pray for Tefik and Anita in Macedonia to persevere in the fight against all forces that rise against them.
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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Prayer Diary
Teddy & Didi Bulgaria
Tefik & Anita Macedonia
11 / Maca Turner, Serbia: Please pray for families who receive food parcels from Christian Fellowship Church in Sombor and that their hearts will be open to the gospel. 12 / Pray that the Christian Fellowship Church in Sombor, Serbia will have a greater impact on society and the city. 13 / Pray for Maca’s family in Serbia and for her own spiritual growth. 14 / Mark McCormick, Moldova: Pray for the planning of the missions due to take place in Moldova during the Autumn and that ‘experienced proclamation evangelists’ will get involved. 15 / Stefan Hanganu, Moldova: Pray that we could start a Day Care centre for children from socially vulnerable families where they could receive practical help and learn about God’s love. 16 / Pray for all those in Moldova who responded to the gospel in recent weeks and that they will bear fruit in their local villages. 17 / Please pray for the newly formed church group in the village of Lepureni, Moldova following the mission in November 2016.
Maca
Serbia
Mark
Moldova
Stefan
Moldova
18 / Vance Golomeov, Macedonia: Pray for the churches in Stip and Sveti Nikole, Macedonia to demonstrate a good witness among their families and other unbelievers so that the churches will grow. 19 / Please pray for Vance and his wife, Tanja and their children, Ana, Stefan and Andrej, and also for the healing of my mother, who all live in Macedonia. 20 / Nesa Radeka, Serbia: Please pray that we will soon finish the work on our new building in Novi Sad, which will also be a community centre with rental income for the church. 21 / Roma Munteanu, Moldova: Pray that the children will respond to the Bible stories and trust in God. 22 / Please pray for the women’s ministry across Moldova to become fruitful and blessed with unity. 23 / Andrei Ghidion, Moldova: Please pray for the house being built as a home for up to seven orphans and for the registration documents.
Vance & Tanja Macedonia
Nesa & Vesna Serbia
25 / Viorica Tataru, Greece: Please pray for the salvation of the ladies that the Lord has set free from the bondage of sexual exploitation. 26 / Pray for God’s protection upon the street outreach teams in Athens who share the love of God in the darkest places. 27 / Please pray for God’s provision for a transition home or apartment in Athens where those helped out of trafficked situations can find rest. 28 / Benjamin Martin, Spain: Pray for Francisco and Pilar who accepted the Lord while in prison. Along with their two children, they now attend our congregation in Torremolinos, Malaga. 29 / Valeriu Munteanu, Moldova: Pray for the spiritual growth of the church members and for boldness in preaching the gospel. 30 / Pray that the proclamation of the gospel in rural areas of Moldova will not be hindered by village leaders.
24 / Pray for the children who attend the Day Care Centre in Burlacu, Moldova who come from socially-vulnerable families.
Go online to read and share each day’s prayer request www.ten-uk.org/join-us-in-prayer
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Available on PC, tablet and smartphone
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Harvest for the Hungry 2016
Harvest for the hungry 2016 –
Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who supported Harvest for the Hungry in 2016. UK churches raised an amazing £18,000 through collections and fundraising! Your generosity is already making a real difference to our many partners across Europe and the people they are helping. To date we have been able to help 30 partners in ten countries.
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Thank you very much. Your support for Harvest for the Hungry was a big blessing for many people in this stormy, cold winter. Daniel Stracinski, Montenegro
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Through Harvest for the Hungry, Compassion Ministries in Moscow has been able to make food parcels available to many elderly people and families in need over the Christmas period Galina Dzhuzenova, Russia
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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hurches chose some imaginative ways to raise funds; a music concert, a special sale of pumpkins to a church congregation and a bread and cheese lunch raised over £1,000! A little effort can reap surprising results. Our wonderful God takes our skills and efforts for his kingdom and blesses them. As funds are distributed, our partners will continue to feed many hungry individuals and families over the coming months. We’ve already received responses from our partners about the difference your gifts are making to the lives of needy people in Europe. Thank you again for your wonderful generosity through Harvest for the Hungry. Responding to the needs of the poor in this way demonstrates God’s love to the poor of this world. Please continue to pray for our partners as they continue to distribute food parcels this year, that God will touch and transform many lives.
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Harvest for the Hungry 2017
Harvest for the hungry 2017 –
25th Anniversary Celebrations! Can you believe it? Harvest for the Hungry has been going for 25 years this year!
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t was started by TEN pioneer, Derek Wade back in 1993. For the first ten years Derek coordinated a major logistical operation involving schools and churches across the UK. Many thousands of food parcels were donated, collected and transported in scores of huge trucks across to our partners in Europe who organised delivery to thousands of poor families. Back in the nineties there were times when the shop shelves in Eastern Europe were bare and supplies extremely scarce. Since 2005 it became more cost effective to raise funds and for our partners to purchase food items locally in Europe.
Fundraising for Harvest for the Hungry: Anyone remember the 2007 Euroaid Matchbox Appeal?
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During the past 25 years over £1m has been raised in funds and more than £1.5m received as gifts-in-kind adding up to a massive total of £2.5 million! This means that a staggering 250,000 individual food parcels have been given to people in need. In this celebratory year our goal is to raise a further £25,000 to mark the 25 years of Harvest for the Hungry and to ensure that the hungry continue to be fed in Christ’s name. Can you help us to reach this target? TEN is planning to work with local churches across the UK to mark the anniversary with special celebration events. One such event will take place in the Autumn, where it all started, at St Botolph’s Church in Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire. We’re asking if you or your church can do something for Harvest for the Hungry this year. Can you put on a fundraising dinner, a bread and cheese lunch, a quiz night, a music concert? If you are interested in planning an event for this special year we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch melanie.griffiths@ten-uk.org.
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Transforming Europe – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
Good News Church in Romania reaches out
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to the poor
enri Coanda was a remarkable aircraft designer from Romania born in 1886 whose legacy of engineering is honoured in the name of Bucharest’s international airport. However, for the people who live in the Romanian city of Constanța, on the Black Sea, Henri Coanda was also the name given to a modern, low-cost housing development built in 2012 and designed for socially vulnerable residents. Today more than 2,000 people live in this ‘Social Campus’, having been re-housed by the city mayor. Many of the residents live in poverty and scores are illiterate, have disabilities, or are sick. Amongst all this need you will find Christians reaching out with God’s love and practical care. Johnny and Seigean Musat know firsthand the obstacles faced by those in poverty, the importance of enrolling children into school and
Henri Coanda Social Campus, Constanța, Romania
supporting them with their education. Johnny, Seigean and the team from Good News Church in Constanța regularly visit the elderly and families with food parcels, getting to know them and their needs, and helping with education. Please pray for Traian and Elena Pascalau who have led the work of Good News Church in Constanța for 20 years. The church hopes to rent a room at the Henri Coanda complex to run an afterschool programme and provide school supplies and snacks for the children. Elena reports, “During the winter, children often walk to school in slippers or they wait for their siblings to come home from school at midday, borrow their shoes and attend school for the afternoon. Another need at the campus is help to pay for electricity during the winter months. Heating at the housing complex runs on costly electricity; there is no use of firewood. Without electricity life is very difficult for those in poverty. Some families have small babies less than one year old and it’s so difficult to wash the babies, change clothes or to cook for them.” Traian adds, “We are seeing lives being transformed at Henri Coanda. A group of 14 women come together every week to study the Bible, they pray and talk about life and God. They share their needs, express their hopes and also share experiences they have with God.”
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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What’s going on in...
What’s going on in Montenegro
For more than 25 years, Montenegro was part of former Yugoslavia, a communist country led by President Tito, until his death in 1980. However, in comparison with the rest of the Eastern bloc, communism within Yugoslavia was much less extreme. Jovica Bacvanski, who with his wife Savka leads Podgorica Pentecostal Church, tells us more:
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As I was growing up I realised it was safe to live in my country. People were united in their effort to rebuild the country just 20 years after the great destruction of the Second World War. People were poor, but happy. They were united. Anyone who wanted to work could find a job. Many, who were not satisfied with the opportunities in Tito’s Yugoslavia, could travel to the West to find jobs and a better life. “After the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia in 1992, Montenegro remained part of a smaller Federal Republic of Yugoslavia along with Serbia. Then, following a referendum, in 2006 the country finally declared independence. “How are things now? People who used 18
to call themselves communists, today call themselves democrats. But they are the same people. We have a saying here; ‘The wolf changes its skin, but it does not change its nature’. Economically our country is weak with unemployment around 20%, although the tourism
Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Savka and Jovica Bacvanski,
Rock of Ages
industry along the Adriatic coast is growing. A few people are rich, while many others struggle for daily bread. The dream of most young people, who are supposed to be the future of the country, is to go to the West. The irony is that people were happier in 1965 than today in the 21st century. “Then and now church leaders were persecuted, many of them punished and despised for their faith. The needs of the country are huge—workers need places to work, new factories and firms, improved working conditions, increased salaries, enough money for daily needs, a better schooling system, less corruption, crime or illegal short cuts exist in every area of life. In 1965 there were no evangelical churches or believers. Today, there are just three registered evangelical churches and at least two other Christian gatherings with around 150 believers. Over 72% of the population of 626,000 adhere to Eastern Orthodox Church, and predominantly Serbian Orthodox. There is much to be done. Jovica’s vision is to have a Training Centre for Christian workers and home cell groups in every city in Montenegro to carry the torch through prayer and personal witness.” Jovica concludes: “There is a price to be paid whenever people united in prayer will not receive ‘impossible’ as an answer”. Finally, please pray for Impact Montenegro taking place in 2–9 July 2017. Under the auspices of the Pentecostal European Fellowship, teams from across Europe and the USA will support local believers and church leaders in a coordinated evangelistic outreach in the capital Podgorica and other towns across the country.
10 reasons to thank God for Rock of Ages Foundation in 2016 Prison ministry in Romania led by Mircea and Ronela Cristian
» 200 volunteer team members » 36,000 miles travelled » 686 meetings held » 2,872 prisoners reached » 275 prisoners prayed to receive Christ
» 998 Christian books distributed » 619 New Testaments given away » 557 inmates started the Bible Study course
» 70 prisoners reconnected with their families
» 150 blankets for female prisoners Please pray for the ongoing ministry of this nationwide ministry to prisoners and their families.
Mircea and Ronela Cristian
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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Latest News
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NEW WEBSITE FOR TEN
ast year over 8,000 people visited the TEN website and increasing numbers chose to donate online through our secure giving page. We want our online audience to grow. Making the website attractive and easy to use is vital if we want to attract more supporters and successfully engage with younger, internet-savvy Christians. We felt it was time to give the website a makeover, a fresh look with simple ways to donate online; even from a tablet or smartphone! You’ll be able to share any page on social media including Facebook and Twitter. We’ve also made it possible for supporters from other parts of the world to give using a choice of currencies. Hidden behind the pages lies some smart technology to make sure the most important pages of the site are readily found and especially the details of our partners in Europe. We’re also moving to a shorter address www.ten-uk.org although the longer name will still reach the home page. The old site was dominated by the TEN red, so we’ve added some complementary colour themes that we hope you will enjoy. Over the coming weeks we will add more content, with extra pages about the people, churches and organisations we partner with in Europe. We would welcome your feedback. If you spot something missing please let us know. Do tell others about our website and maybe your church could add a link to www.ten-uk.org.
Images: New website page examples, top – bottom: Home page, Campaigns page, Country page
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Transform Europe now / April – June 2017
Transforming Europe – WinterHelp
WinterHelp:
Thank you for your support It was in late October 2016 that we received an urgent request from one of our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina for funding to purchase logs for firewood, bags of food and hygiene supplies. This call became a catalyst for a new fund-raising campaign to be called WinterHelp.
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heard on the news, extreme arctic weather descended on Eastern Europe from Russia to Greece with deep snow and sub-zero conditions in many places. Transform Europe Now is most grateful to the generosity of its supporters in responding to this year’s WinterHelp appeal. Your giving enabled our church partners to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to hundreds of needy people.
Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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ittle did we know that Europe was about to face its coldest Winter for a generation with temperatures plummeting to minus 30 degrees. Within a month, we launched the WinterHelp appeal by writing to all our supporters and seeking donations through our website and on social media. Even the December cold snap seemed to play its part as much of the UK experienced frosty mornings and snow in the North. Online donations soon began to reach us and for several weeks we received daily bundles of reply envelopes containing cheques toward WinterHelp. The TEN office staff could hardly keep pace! To date we have received over £12,500 towards WinterHelp and for this we are most grateful. Since January we have been sending payments to selected partners who agreed to purchase supplies and arrange delivery to needy families and vulnerable elderly people. As you may have
It was touching to see tears in the eyes of parents receiving blankets and warm clothes for their children; it was heart to heart feeling to see the widows receiving warm blankets and wood for fire. Words are not enough to express the overwhelming happiness. Beniamin and Ancuta Micle, Romania
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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PleaseYOU Pray For TEN THANK LETTER FROM CEO GERRY PARTRIDGE
Dear friends, Thank you so much for your faithful prayers, financial support, time and interest in the work of TEN and our dedicated partners across Europe during the past 12 months. Without your committed involvement, TEN would not be able to have such an impact on so many lives and bring change to communities. Together we are making a difference through our programmes; Harvest for the Hungry, WinterHelp, Summer Camps, Gift Catalogue, Church Partnerships, Church Planting, Sponsorships, Training and Education. Thank you for your generosity in supporting these projects. We serve an amazing God, He has truly blessed us this past year and we have had one of the highest levels of monetary income since TEN began over 51 years ago; Thank you very much. ‘Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.’ (Luke 6:38). May you be truly blessed. We are looking forward to our new financial year with excitement and faith and are believing for more, so we can affect and change more lives. Our daily prayer is “Let Your Kingdom come let Your will be done in Europe as it is in Heaven”. We have a big God and we are expecting great things this year; Please stand with us and be amazed at what He is about to do across our very needy continent this year. Prayer is foundational in all we do and now we have more Prayer Intercessors than ever. These supporters receive weekly prayer requests and intercede for the work of TEN. Perhaps you could join these prayer warriors in interceding for Europe. If you are interested to find out more about becoming a Prayer Intercessor, just call or email the office. Since the referendum on BREXIT we have seen a slump in the value of the British Pound against all the currencies we use in Europe. This has been a real challenge for us and our partners. Please pray that we receive an increase in financial support so we can continue to support our partners and projects at the right level. Some of you may have already heard we are not running a TEN UK conference this year. Instead, we are planning an International Partner Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria in the late Autumn. We are in the early stages of planning and will let you know more details in the July magazine. While this is a partner-focused conference, we hope to provide an opportunity for some supporters from the UK to join us. Please let us know if you would like more information. May you be filled with the peace and grace of God our loving Heavenly Father. Gerry Partridge, TEN Chief Executive Officer
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Transform Europe now / January – March 2017
Transforming Europe – Summer Dreams sponsorship
Make a child’s dream come true:
Summer camps If you ever attended a Christian summer camp in your younger days you will understand the impact of being away from home and making new friends. Every year our partners in Europe plan residential summer camps in countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Serbia and some of these camps are supported by teams of volunteers from UK churches. A week at a summer camp is a lifechanging experience in which the lives of children are filled with joy, singing, games, friendship, cooked meals and comfortable beds. Many children also respond to the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Children are carefully selected, often having faced recent bereavement or living in a socially vulnerable family. However, camps cost money and the needy families of the children who hope to attend could never afford to pay. We are asking our supporters and UK churches to consider sponsoring some of the hundreds of children hoping to attend summer camps in 2017. Could you cover the cost of meals or transport for a child, or pay for a week’s stay at camp? Many of you donated towards summer camps last year and we were most grateful. Without the generous support of UK Christians many of these children would be unable to enjoy their dream.
See back cover for more details +44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.ten-uk.org
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Summer Dreams Appeal Your gift will bring an immediate smile to a child wanting to attend a summer camp in one of Europe’s poorest countries. A week at summer camp is a life-changing experience where the lives of children are filled with joy, friendship, cooked meals and comfortable beds. Many also respond to the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ.
Please consider sponsoring a child at summer camp through our Summer Dreams appeal. Without the generous support of UK Christians many children living in very difficult circumstances would be unable to enjoy their dream.
What can I give? » £90 = One week at a residential camp » £30 = Camp meals for a week » £15 = One day at a camp » £5 = Art and craft materials
How can I give? » Online at www.ten-uk.org/give » By cheque (Please make cheques out to ‘TEN’ with ‘Summer Dreams’ written on the back and send to TEN in the reply envelope)
ten-uk.org/summerdreams