CONNECT January – March 2020
agazine M
MAKING
Difference
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• Impact Report published • God transformed my heart • Milos and his miracles • WinterHelp Appeal • Heart Cry Prayer Diary – January to March
EDITORIAL
Making an impact We all love to read the stories of people whose lives have been changed and this edition of Connect includes more transformational testimonies. However, an important aspect of story-sharing is to consider the scale of transformation. We are familiar with the call of the 12 disciples, the sending of the 72, the feeding of the 5,000, the prayer meeting of the 120 and the salvation of the 3,000. What about the size of impact being made by TEN’s partners in Europe? We asked our partners for specific numbers counted over the past 12 months and were amazed at the results. Before we get carried away with excitement, it’s important to be reminded of two facts. Firstly, our partners often receive support from different agencies and not just TEN. Secondly, we realise that our heavenly Father brings about the miracles IMPACT REPORT of increase and we thank God MAKING for making a A difference. “The one who plants and the one who waters really don’t matter. It is God who matters,
Difference
We asked all our national partners to tell us about the difference made to people’s lives during the past 12 months, as a direct result of their ministry. The three main areas of interest in this report are Compassion, Evangelism and Church Planting. We hope you are encouraged by these outcomes. Your prayers, advocacy and generous giving to TEN have enabled literally thousands of lives to be reached and transformed. We value the part you play. This report causes us to thank God for all that he is doing, especially across Eastern Europe.
We also wish to acknowledge the valuable financial support given directly to our partners by other agencies, churches and individuals.
“The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7, Good News Translation
James Vaughton, CEO Transform Europe Network
because he makes the plant grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 (Good News) Prayer remains the vital means of support for the work of TEN and we value your commitment. It makes us wonder, how much more could be achieved with even more prayer and greater provision? As you read the enclosed Impact Report, you will be encouraged to discover how many people are being reached with the Gospel. TEN’s partners are offering compassionate care to thousands of needy people, hundreds of adults and children are accepting Christ through evangelistic outreach. Scores of new leaders are being trained and new churches continue to be planted. Finally, we launched our annual WinterHelp appeal in December and are hugely grateful for each donation received. Thank you for supporting this practical ministry that demonstrates the love of God and brings food, clothing and firewood to more than 1,000 people who live in poverty.
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Welcome To see what God is doing is a gift of God. As I write, news has come through from our partners in Albania of further aftershocks following the 6.4-magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Tuesday 26th November. Despite the lack of UK news coverage, Albania’s strongest earthquake in decades is a major catastrophe for this country with 51 dead, hundreds injured and thousands left homeless. I’m reminded that our awareness of what is happening around the world is very limited and blinkered by what we watch. Reflecting on this, I think of Elisha praying that God would open the eyes of his servant to see God’s perspective (2 Kings 6). As Christians, we often have a diminished view of all that God is doing around our world. With this magazine you will receive our Impact Report, the aim of which is to give you a bigger view of what God is doing through our partners. I hope you find it as encouraging as we do. It is a story that you and the team at TEN continue to play a part in, and we are deeply grateful to you. I’ve now been at TEN for over six months. It’s been a wonderful whirlwind and there is so much I am thankful for, including a recent visit to Moldova. It was a privilege to visit our partners in South Moldova as well as the great team at Beginning of Life in the capital, Chisinau. Looking ahead my main focus will be a new TEN strategy. I’m excited that we have taken Rachel Graham on board as Teams Coordinator. She will be a key member of the team as we work towards engaging a new generation in the work of TEN. Thank you for your support. Please pray that we will have eyes that see what God is doing and play our part as we embark on 2020.
Contents 4 News in brief 5 Sabbatical visit North Macedonia 6 God transformed my heart North Macedonia 7 Dika's story Romania 8 Church Canteen Albania 9 Heart Cry prayer diary January – March 15 Country focus North Macedonia 17 Tribute to Helen Harflett 18 Making a difference Moldova 19 Milos and his miracles Serbia 20 Sanctuary Church visit North Macedonia 21 Rachel Graham Ten Teams 23 The warmth of Christ WinterHelp
James P.S. Interview with founder Dave Foster: I have now published an article after spending some time with Dave in late summer. You can go to our website to read it: ten-uk.org/steak-and-chips 3
Cover photo: Marsel Firanj, pastor of Light for the Nations church, Korçë, Albania. (See page 8 for the full story)
NEWS IN
Earthquake in Albania brings devastation The 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Albania around 4am and lasted 30 seconds causing buildings to collapse in Durrës, Lac and Thumanë. The final death toll reached 51, with 2,000 injured. Hundreds of aftershocks have brought fear to many residents forced to sleep outside in tents and cars and there is great concern about survival through the winter months. Among the thousands made homeless are at least twelve Christian
families and three church buildings were badly damaged. Local churches have been mobilised through Albania Evangelical Alliance to provide emergency assistance. TEN is sending funds to some of its partners directly involved in the relief effort. Some tents, mattresses and bedding have already been purchased. Donate to TEN’s Disaster Relief Fund: cheques payable to TEN or online at ten-uk.org/disaster-crisis-appeal
ten-uk.org/disaster-crisis-appeal
Short-term team visits to Europe 2020
National Walks 2019
We have opportunities for teams to visit our partners to help with projects in Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Romania. TEN also hopes to run a women-only team to visit Romania in September. For more details email tenteams@ten-uk.org or visit ten-uk.org/short-term-mission
We wish to thank everyone who supported the autumn fundraising walks that |raised £1,250. Look out for TEN’s National Walks next September!
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Sabbatical visit to North Macedonia by Rev. Julian Gadsby
In September 2019 I was privileged to spend two weeks with church leaders and planters in North Macedonia. I was taking a sabbatical from ministry as Priest in Charge of the Parishes of Bucklebury, Bradfield and Stanford Dingley in West Berkshire and was keen to experience first-hand how the church was doing in other parts of the world. Europe, the forgotten mission-field, has been on my heart for a while so I was delighted when, after contacting TEN, the opportunity arose to visit. I knew very little about the Balkan region beyond its more recent tragic history. Two weeks is not enough time to see everything, but it did give me a flavour of what God is doing. A week spent in the North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, with Mirco Andreev, Leader of the Evangelical Church of Macedonia, included a tour of several different ministries. One of the highlights was a trip just over the border to Serbia, where I was able to speak at a small church formed to serve Farsi-speaking Iranian migrants. It was a privilege to hear their stories and to join in worship. There was also a visit to Shtip to see the growing church there and to see what other mission teams are doing amongst the Roma and
Muslim communities. Worshipping with these believers was very special. The second half of my trip was based further south in the country’s second city, Bitola, including a few days in Resen with pastor Dragan Manev and his family. They are doing a pioneering work of church planting. Dragan’s faithfulness to God’s call, dedication, and his faith in God’s provision were inspirational. Throughout my time there, the welcome, hospitality, and friendship extended to me, was humbling. As it should be, it was the people I met who will live longest in my memory. A great thanks is owed to Mirco Andreev, his assistant Michel, and to Dragan and Biljana and their family. It was a blessing to have fellowship with such brothers and sisters in Christ.
Mirco, Michel and Stolle in Vodno 5
God transformed my heart by Vladimir Talevski, North Macedonia
It didn’t take long for my first attempts at smoking cigarettes with my friends to become something I couldn’t resist. I was eleven years of age and within twelve months I was also drinking alcohol every day. Two years later, I was offered my first joint of marijuana and experienced the psychotic high. I went on to experiment with a cocktail of other narcotics and by the age of 16 years I was addicted to heroin. My life was in a mess and my sole goal each day was to get money to feed my habit. The next three years of my life were spent in money-making scams, selling drugs and stealing cash and valuables. By the age of 19, I realised what I had done with my life. I became chronically depressed and came close to committing suicide. In a desperate last move, I checked into a detox centre. It was run by Christians and many of the volunteers were former addicts. At first, I wasn’t interested in God. I just wanted to quit drugs. However, as the guys continued to offer friendship and shared the word of God with me, I began to feel the love of God for the first time in my life. I started to read the Bible and I wanted to live Christian life.
By the age of 19, I realised what I had done with my life. I became chronically depressed and came close to committing suicide. As hard as I tried to do things the right way, my life didn’t change, and I was disappointed by God. Then the Word of God came into my life, “You can’t build your home alone.” I understood that I was trying to become a better person by myself. God told me to let Him to do the work in my life. That was the moment when the Holy Spirit entered into my life and God transformed my heart. I stayed as a volunteer at the detox centre for five years and then moved back to my birth city, Bitola where I started visiting the Evangelical church. Today I am a church elder, happily married to Elena and we are blessed to have a newborn daughter, Sofija. 6
Dika's Story Dika* lives with her three children in a Roma community on the outskirts of the village of Tarcea in NorthWestern Romania, only a few kilometres from the Hungarian border. As is common in many Roma communities, the quality of housing in Tarcea is poor and families earn income by sending their able-bodied members over the border to do seasonal agricultural work in Hungary. Those who are ill, disabled or with caring responsibilities remain at home and hope that their family members will earn enough in the short work season to sustain them through the year. Dika is a woman in her mid-fifties. Before she knew Jesus, she was ill with increasing problems, following a diagnosis of cancer. Her husband had left her a while ago, leaving her to provide for their three chilrden.. After listening to Dika’s story, Pastor Gavril visited her and the family in their home; he opened the scriptures with them and prayed with them. Over the months that followed, she became convinced that she needed to be baptised and in October 2019 she was baptised along with six others from the village. When Dika started to trust in Jesus Christ her life began to change for the better.
The doctors believe that the cancer is retreating. She is now happy and contented with her life. She is also convinced that the Lord has healed her disease. Whilst she remains under medical supervision and is still undergoing treatment, the doctors believe that the cancer is retreating. Pastor Gavril asks for ongoing prayer for Dika as she continues her journey in faith and restoration to full health.
*Not her real name. Photo: Dika puts her faith in Christ for healing and salvation 7
Church Canteen Marsel Firanj was born in Albania’s post-Communist era and from an early age attended children’s meetings in church every Sunday. He accepted Christ into his life at just ten years of age and developed a great love of stories from the Bible. Such was Marsel’s hunger for God’s word that he excelled in the regular Bible competitions and won his prized first Bible which he still treasures to this day. Baptised at the age of thirteen, Marsel grew as a Christian and knew God’s call upon his life to be an evangelist. In 2012, he planted a church in his home town of Korçë. To further equip himself for God’s work, Marsel spent two years of parttime study in Biblical theology at Tirana’s International School of Theology and Leadership, with help from TEN’s sponsorship programme. Today, Marsel pastors a church of around fifty believers and regularly takes the Gospel to surrounding villages. In Korçë, he also runs an outreach project for those in great poverty. With funds from TEN’s WinterHelp appeal he has set up a church canteen catering for up to thirty people who face hunger and acute loneliness.
At the canteen these people are offered a regular hot meal and they learn about the hope in God. They experience God’s love in action. Read the story of one member of the canteen group on Page 23.
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HEART CRY
Prayer requests from across Europe
January – March 2020 ten-uk.org/pray
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— JANUARY 2020 — VASILE & MARIA GRIGORITA MOLDOVA 1 Please pray for the children attending the New Year’s Day camp in Moldova.
VJEKO MRSIC CROATIA 2 Please pray for this week’s Winter Camp for teenagers on the theme Growing in God.
DRAGAN & BILJANA MANEV NORTH MACEDONIA 3 Please pray for all those being reached through this week's Orthodox Christmas evangelistic outreach supported by the puppet team from Bristol.
VLADIMIR & MARLJANA CIZMANSKI MONTENEGRO 4 Please pray for the teenagers attending the January camp in Montenegro. 5 Please pray that the government would speed up the paperwork for the beginning of our church building project in Podgorica.
DUSAN & MIRJANA BEREDI SERBIA 6 Please pray for the 40 children attending the four-day Royal Ranger Winter Camp. 7 Please pray for everyone taking part in today’s Christmas Village outreach in Novi Sad.
TEFIK & ANITA MUSOSKI NORTH MACEDONIA 8 Please pray for all those reached during the Christmas evangelistic events that took place in Bitola, Kicevo and Krusevo. 9 Pray that every young person who received a Christmas present from the church would show interest in the Bible study group for students.
DUSAN & MIRJANA BEREDI SERBIA 10 Pray for the conversion of every participant in the new Alpha Course held in Novi Sad.
VANCE & TANJA GOLOMEOV NORTH MACEDONIA 11 Please pray that God will enable us to complete the church building project in Shtip during the next few months. 12 Please pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with the ten people that we wish to support through Harvest for the Hungry. 13 Pray that the wood for heating donated through the WinterHelp project would provide warmth for the poor this winter. 14 Please pray for every child who received a Christmas gift at the special outreach meetings. 15 Pray for all those who attend the church meetings held each Wednesday in Sveti Nikole. 16 Please pray that God would raise up leaders for the new church in Sveti Nikole and that the seed sown would bear much fruit.
BENJAMIN & MARIA ROSA MARTIN SPAIN 17 Please pray for the theology students in Argentina who plan a short term mission in January to Malaga, Spain.
ROUMEN & MARIANA IVANOV BULGARIA 18 Please pray for the 150 young children from disadvantaged families who will be offered hot meals at the Mission Possible soup kitchens. 19 Pray for the team of women in Ihtiman who prepare a huge pot of soup and carry it into the homes of the poor and then pray for their needs. 20 Pray for the completion of the new centre for ministry at the Dobromirka Home. 21 Please pray for the completion of the new hall for approximately 200 people for year-round ministry with at-risk women, children's camps, pastoral conferences and church leadership events.
DRAGAN & BILJANA MANEV NORTH MACEDONIA 22 Please pray for divine wisdom as we distribute WinterHelp provision and spiritual breakthrough for each family. 23 Pray for God’s provision of a house as a Hope Centre in the town Resen where we plan to have Bible classes and help people in many ways.
JOVICA & SAVKA BACVANSKI MONTENEGRO 24 Pray for good teaching at this week’s seminar about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, being led by a brother from Albania.
VLADIMIR & YULIA UBEIVOLC MOLDOVA 25 Pray for the young people, the children and the single mothers we serve through Beginning of Life. Beyond good friendships, material support and education, pray that God will open their hearts to make peace with Him and know God as their personal Saviour.
26 Please pray for the weekly ministry through Beginning of Life with up to 200 teenagers and pray that God will equip us to meet their needs in ways that will help them surrender their lives to Him. 27 Please pray for the Event Lab’s activities at the Urban Centre, Beginning of Life. Pray that all those who take part in the training and activities will be enabled as godly leaders. 28 Please pray for the Beginning of Life team, for every leader, staff member and volunteer to do their mission more effectively. 29 Please pray for stability in Moldova and that God would be among the national leaders and those who rule our country.
PETRE & DANIELA PETROV NORTH MACEDONIA 30 Please pray that God would provide the necessary funds to complete the church building project in Shtip. 31 Please pray for Robert and Krasi as they prepare to move to Radovish to lead the new church plant.
— FEBRUARY 2020 — 1 Please pray for God's wisdom and guidance for our son Ivan Petrov as he completes his Bible studies next spring.
TEFIK & ANITA MUSOSKI NORTH MACEDONIA 2 Pray for the weekly Saturday outreach in the town of Kicevo as we distribute evangelistic literature. 3 Please pray for God’s provision of two smart TVs as screens for songs and a more reliable projector. 4 Please pray for the Judo Bridge Sport Programme that brings many young people under the influence of the Gospel.
5 Please pray for the use of a minibus for Judo trips and visits to other clubs in Bulgaria.
VALERIU & ANGELA MUNTEANU MOLDOVA
6 Pray that God would provide new gym mats in the Judo training hall.
14 Please pray for leaders to help run the children’s camp we'd like to have in Moldova this summer.
JOVICA & SAVKA BACVANSKI MONTENEGRO
15 Pray for the young people to be determined to make a covenant with God as they prepare for water baptism.
7 Please pray that God would provide us with a new, affordable family apartment in Podgorica due to serious leaks, horrible smells and unhygienic conditions.
16 Pray that the leaders who work among the youth in Tigheci will have patience and wisdom. 17 Pray for political stability and good government in Moldova.
DRAGAN & BILJANA MANEV NORTH MACEDONIA
18 Pray that corruption would be eradicated and that leaders in business and politics would become God-fearing people.
8 Pray for the new home church in Resen that is growing and especially for new believers, Nikola, Borislav and Zoran as they grow in their faith in Lord Jesus.
LUCIAN & SVETLANA TABAC MOLDOVA
9 Please pray for the follow up of contacts made through the Christmas evangelistic activities and that God would awaken true spiritual thirst in this time of indifference.
19 Please pray that everyone who takes part in the Bible study groups would understand God's Word and open their lives to Him. 20 Please pray for more willing and able volunteers to teach English classes to the children's groups.
BENJAMIN & MARIA ROSA MARTIN SPAIN
21 Please pray that God would open a door to reach the children in the village of Larga in Moldova.
10 Pray for the team as we prepare for the Easter youth camp in Malaga.
22 Pray that God would enable the church to provide Bible lessons in the local school and that the Principal would grant permission.
11 Please pray for the salvation of Jose who at 24 years of age sought political asylum and is being supported by the church in Torremolinos until March.
MARIAN & IONICA ŞERBAN ROMANIA
12 Please pray for Alberto who suffered a severe stroke that left him partially paralysed and for his Ecuadorian wife, Carmen as they take part in the discipleship programme and hope to be baptised. 13 Pray that the church team would have wisdom as it reaches out to unstructured families and people with chaotic lifestyles.
23 Please pray that the staff team and beneficiaries of Project Romanian Rescue would enjoy good health 24 Pray for God’s blessing upon all the PRR camps and summer clubs being planned for this year. 25 Pray that God would provide funds to build a new camp site in Constanta County, Romania. 26 Pray that God would provide sufficient monthly funds to match expenses.
27 Pray that PRR would be able to purchase a house from which to run the after-school programme. 28 Pray that the good cooperation with the local authorities in Constanta will continue.
VJEKO MRSIC CROATIA 29 Pray for all the senior couples on this week’s Outback retreat on the theme, The Best is Yet to Come.
— MARCH 2020 — SERGHEI MIHAILOV MOLDOVA 1 Please pray that the vulnerable families, single parents and their children will find a path for restoration in God and the strength and wisdom to overcome the challenges they face daily.
VASILE & MARIA GRIGORITA MOLDOVA 7 Pray that many women will respond at the evangelistic event in Brinza for tomorrow’s Women's International Day.
ERION & GENTIANA CUNI ALBANIA 8 Pray for all the women who hear the Gospel at the outreaches and events marking today’s International Women's Day.
JOSIP & BILJANA PASTOR NORTH MACEDONIA 9 Please pray for the distribution of the Samaritan’s Purse children’s boxes. 10 Pray for all the children who will attend the 10week Bible study course, The Greatest Journey taking place in Bitola, Makedonski Brod, Mogila and villages around Bitola.
2 Please pray for the success of the Beginning of Life new programme called Family by God's Plan.
11 Pray that each person who attends the Alpha Course in Bitola will have their eyes opened to the Gospel and come to faith in Christ.
3 Please pray for all the children and teenagers who are finishing their therapy process at the Psychological Art Studio in Chisinau.
12 Please pray that all the families assisted with food parcels through the Harvest for the Hungry project will open their hearts to the Gospel.
4 Please pray for all the newly trained young leaders, pastors and ministers who start their holistic mission in Moldova, Central Asia, Ukraine and Russia.
13 Pray that God would lead us to those who most need assistance through WinterHelp clothing, food and firewood.
5 Please pray for God’s provision to meet the financial challenges that the Beginning of Life team are going through.
JOVICA & SAVKA BACVANSKI MONTENEGRO 6 Pray for the team from the USA as they help us in evangelism and spend time in fellowship with our church people.
14 Please pray that the church in Bitola would experience unity and growth this year. 15 Pray that God would bring more young people to faith and encourage them to be part of the church.
DUSAN & MIRJANA BEREDI SERBIA 16 Please pray that the most recent addicts, who have joined the Rainbow Centre, will find Christ and His transforming power.
17 Pray that God would direct to the Rainbow Centre those addicts who really seek help.
DARIO & SILVIJA KAPIN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
18 Please pray for the funds and financial stability needed by the Rainbow Centre to offer addicts rehabilitation without making a cost.
28 Please pray that many people in Zenica would respond to the Gospel this year.
19 Please pray for wisdom as the Rainbow Centre offers its new programme for non-residents who have reduced forms of addiction.
29 Pray that God would guide us in our plans for the land purchased for the bee colonies and a building for the church.
GAVRIL & AGHI COVACI ROMANIA
ALEX & MILENA VULKANOVI BULGARIA
20 Please pray for the many poor families in Roma communities who try to survive the winter with hunger and cold.
30 Pray that the faith of new Christians in Pazardjik would be strengthened.
21 Pray that many families will know the blessing of the Lord as they are provided with food and warmth through the WinterHelp funds during the winter.
JOVICA & SAVKA BACVANSKI MONTENEGRO
22 Please pray for a sister diagnosed with cancer if it is God's will to heal her. 23 Please pray for three Roma people who face great challenges due to paralysis. 24 Please pray for brother Dorin and his family, as they face their first winter since his leg was amputated. 25 Please pray for health and wellbeing upon the Govaci family as they lead much work among the Roma brothers and sisters.
ERION & GENTIANA CUNI ALBANIA 26 Pray for Erion he as continues with his Masters study on theology alongside church leadership and various ministries. 27 Please pray that the Cuni family would have protection and wisdom on managing their time and resources well and be an example to others.
31 Pray for our preparations for the Pentecostal European Fellowship conference for pastors and leaders from former Yugoslav countries, taking place for the first time in Petrovac, Montenegro.
ALBANIA EARTHQUAKE Please pray for all those affected by the November 2019 earthquake in Albania. At least 50 people lost their lives, hundreds were injured, and thousands of people suffered damage to their homes. • Pray for the Christian families who lost their homes and possessions. • Pray for the three evangelical church buildings that were badly damaged. • Pray for TEN's partners and other Christian leaders who are supporting relief efforts in Durrës, Lac and Thumanë. • Pray for wisdom as TEN allocates money from its Disaster Relief Funds to assist its partners. • Pray for the long-term rebuilding of damaged homes and infrastructure.
COUNTRY FOCUS:
orth acedonia M N
The former republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia signed a landmark agreement with Greece in 2018 to change its name to North Macedonia, to resolve a decadesold dispute and pave the way for the enlargement of the European Union and NATO. The capital, Skopje is home to roughly a quarter of the nation's 2 million citizens who are comprised of ethnic Macedonians, Albanians (25%) followed by Turks, Romani, Serbs, Bosniaks, and Aromanians. North Macedonia has 65% Orthodox Christians, 33% Muslim and a growing 4,500 evangelical believers. Evangelicals are united in prayer, outreach and ministry to the poor, including help for the large Roma community and migrants. Church planting forms part of a nation-wide strategy and more than 100 international teams visit the country each year to support the outreach of local churches.
PLEASE PRAY: • Pray for deeper unity among the 100 evangelical churches as they reach out to local communities through evangelism and practical care. • Pray for Christian believers who face the label of ‘cult’ by some Orthodox communities. • Pray for the outreach among Roma communities and the growth of Roma churches. • Pray for that the vision to plant scores of new churches will be realised as new leaders are raised up. • Pray for the nation as it struggles with change and political uncertainty. • Pray that the economy would grow and that many better-paid jobs would be created.
Photo: Skopje, North Macedonia 15
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Tribute to Helen Harflett 1950 – 2019 Helen was born in 1950 in Kenya where her father was working in coffee plantations. They returned to the UK when Helen was six and started a smallholding in Devon. Helen went to school in Exeter and then did a degree in Zoology at Portsmouth Polytechnic. There she met Tom and they were both deeply affected by the spiritual renewal that was happening across the UK at that time. They were married in 1973 and lived in Frome, where Helen worked for a local veterinary practice and set up a lab to test the animals on the Longleat Estate. They had four children and were involved in establishing Frome Christian Fellowship. When the pastor died unexpectedly in 1984 they found themselves leading a church of 100 members. They'd just had a new baby, were restoring an old cottage and running a business— quite a busy time! From August 1996 they lived in Romania for a year and Helen worked in a children’s hospital.
For 15 years before and after Romania, Helen ran the Ark Nursery. She loved working with children and was a Teaching Assistant for many years at a local Primary School. They were also foster carers with Social Services for many years and then provided emergency accommodation for homeless young people with the YMCA. Helen was a good listener and would spend hours listening to their stories that were often tragic. They got involved with TEN for more than two decades and Helen became an Ambassador and Country Champion for North Macedonia. She loved travelling in the Balkans and together they visited 12 countries in that region. She is sadly missed by so many people.
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Making a difference in Moldova by Ken Millwood, TEN Partners and Projects Officer
Making a difference sometimes requires a big vision and the courage to do what no-one else is doing. At other times, it simply requires faithful service and obedience to the still, small voice. On our recent trip to Moldova, James Vaughton and I saw examples of partners at the cutting edge of innovation and others faithfully serving in challenging circumstances. In Chisinau, we met the leaders of Beginning of Life. The vision for this church-based ministry is ‘to empower people in their holistic and harmonious development, bringing social justice, equality and transformation to Moldovan society.’ Current projects include; an Early Learning Centre which helps develop practical parenting skills, the Psychological Art Studio to help people work through trauma using art therapy, and Art Story which provides employment for young, vulnerable women with an outlet shop providing a means of income.
The next day, we drove to Cahul and met with partners who are pastors in villages in southern Moldova. Sadly, many adults have left to work abroad, leaving congregations of children, teenagers and grandparents. Children have become social orphans with no concept of parental love and care. Aside from regular services, local churches work with children and teens, run day care centres, summer camps and the annual FRANKs outreach. In some places, the Orthodox Church actively discourages new converts from church attendance as Protestantism is viewed as a cult. In this environment the work is hard and church growth is slow. Despite this, our partners maintain a joy as they share the Gospel. James Vaughton said on his first visit to Moldova: “I am blown away by our partners in Moldova. Their tenacity and creativity in the face of many social, economic and spiritual challenges is an inspiration.”
Children have become social orphans with no concept of parental love and care.
Photo: James preaching in Brinza 18
Milos and his miracles by Danny and Vera Kuranji
Milos never remembered writing the suicide note he hid in his room. He was high on drugs when he wrote it as a final, desperate cry for help. As it happened, the next day, his parents brought him to us at the Rainbow Rehab centre in Novi Sad, Serbia. His mother was a head nurse at the cardiology hospital and his stepfather was a heart surgeon. Despite their professional expertise, they sadly admitted that there was nothing they could do to help their addict son. We were the last solution for this couple and their only child. At Rainbow, we knew that Milos would be hard to work with. However, that one step of faith that we took, as we said yes to this desperate family, has been followed by thousands of steps by Almighty God. We saw God touch his broken life and how underneath the addiction there was one amazing, smart, talented man. How wonderful that God had His eyes on him when he was at his worst.
This discovery was a huge proof to Milos that God has a plan for his life, that He will guide him as he finishes the programme. Miracle followed miracle... and now we look at this young man and smile. He speaks perfect English, his IQ is way above average, he has memorised more Bible verses than anyone we know and was offered a job as soon as he finished. When he finished the programme, he decided to stay and help us for some time. We offer this option to those who complete the programme. It helps the person integrate slowly back to the real world. Milos is a miracle. We praise God for the amazing heart surgery He did in this man's life.
Miracle followed miracle... and now we look at this young man and smile. After twelve months on the programme, Milos spent his first weekend at home. He came back to the centre having found the unopened suicide note and it sent chills up and down his spine.
Photo: Milos 19
Sanctuary Church, Bristol team visit to North Macedonia by Shauna Daley
Church partnerships offer great opportunities for team visits. For the second year, our eager team of mission volunteers; Andy, Wendy, Esther, Jo and myself, visited Macedonia, now renamed, North Macedonia. On arrival at Skopje International Airport, we hit the ground running and later that day we went to a church in Sveti Nikole. Wendy shared the word on forgiveness and Andy shared about being in the light, wherever you are and no matter the situation. We had a lovely time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters. The next morning, we went to Shtip Evangelical Church to meet pastor Peter Petrov where we had a time of prayer and catching up with everyone. Afterwards, we went to the top of a hill that overlooked the city and prayed. God gave words for the city through Esther and Wendy. In the evening we led a time of worship in the presence of God.
I shared a message on faith and a testimony about how I stepped out in faith on my journey to Macedonia. After sharing the word, God used the team to speak prophetic words into the lives of His people. On Friday morning we went back to the church in Shtip to tidy up the walkway, dispose of broken furniture and clean the windows, toilets and the flooring. During the evening we met with the ladies of the church and had a great time of fellowship and food. We rounded off our short visit with a Saturday youth meeting and on Sunday visited Kocani Evangelical Church in the morning and back to Shtip in the evening. Before flying back to the UK, we spent a few hours at a beautiful water park enjoying some September sunshine. We thank God for so many blessings.
For more team opportunities, visit
ten-uk.org/short-term-mission Photo top: Sanctuary team worship; photo bottom: Sanctuary team cleaning 20
People update: Rachel Graham, TEN Teams Coordinator Tell us about yourself How did you hear about TEN?
I grew up in a Christian family in the Welsh borders, studied to become a vet in Glasgow and worked initially in the North West of England. Currently I live in Northern Ireland with my husband, where I still work part-time in Veterinary Practice. I completed a Master’s degree in Theology a couple of years ago and have done some teaching at a local bible college. More recently I have taken up triathlon, completing three to date!
I had not heard about TEN until earlier this year, but was very interested in their model for supporting national workers and encouraging UK churches to come alongside them. TEN advertised that they were looking for someone to help with teams and I felt compelled to pick up the phone and call them to find out more! After more phone calls and meetings with the team at TEN I was in no doubt that this was something that God has called me to do and I’m really excited about getting involved.
What’s your interest in Europe? I have had a heart for mission since my time at university and for many years the main focus of this has been Eastern Europe. I first became involved in our church's partnership with four small Baptist churches in Western Ukraine in 2004. I have led teams twice a year for many years and have seen the huge benefit these have been to the sending church, the churches in Ukraine and our team members both young and old. I also have a love for Albania, where our eldest daughter met her husband.
From my experience, people sometimes doubt that they have enough to offer to be part of a mission team but I would encourage people that the main criteria is to have a servant heart and a desire to share God’s love with others. Could it be that God has prepared a mission team that he wants your church to be involved with? I would love to hear from you if you’d like to find out more. Email: tenteams@ten-uk.org
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FIVE WAYS TO
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TRANSFORM LIVES IN EUROPE
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WINTERHELP 2020 APPEAL
Bringing the warmth of Christ into people's lives Thousands of families in Eastern Europe need firewood for their cooking stoves to have any chance of warmth and hot meals during the months of winter. Logs are purchased, split and neatly piled up to dry during late utumn, but not everyone can afford to buy firewood. Without state help many people have no option but to scavenge the countryside for twigs.
As a result of donations to WinterHelp, TEN's partners are able to identify local elderly residents and families in greatest need and deliver lorry loads of much-needed firewood. Here we see the church in action, demonstrating the love of God for the poor and sharing the good news of Jesus:
• Last year, the church at Novi Sad Nexus in Serbia provided firewood for more than twenty families meaning almost ninety people received muchneeded fuel, thanks to your kind giving through WinterHelp. • Our partner, Dusan Beredi in Serbia provides not only cooked meals, but offers hot showers and haircuts for homeless and vulnerable people. • Outside the supermarket, as homeless Gjergji sat begging, a man stopped to speak with him. It was Albanian pastor Marsel Firanj. Bad choices meant that Gjergji had been divorced by his first wife and thrown out by his second wife. They hated him, as did his four children. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Marsel shared the Gospel. When Gjergji heard just how much Jesus loved him, he began to cry. He was brought to the church canteen for a warm meal and afterwards they prayed. Gjergji accepted Jesus as his Saviour and received that amazing love and forgiveness.
"WinterHelp is Christian love in action that provides more than practical help. It’s an opportunity to get to know each person, to make friends and to share the good news of Jesus." Vesna Radeka, Serbia 23
Your g eneros throug h Wint ity brings erHelp th into pe e warmth of Christ ople donate 's lives. Can y to this wonde ou ministr r f u l y this y e ar ?
winterh elp.org
TRANSFORM EUROPE NETWORK W I N T E R H E L P ff 2 ff 2 A P P E A L
Help provide food, clothing and warmth for Eastern Europe's poorest families this winter.
winterhelp.org