Mission Without Borders New Zealand: Overcomers 2016

Annual Magazine of Mission Without Borders New Zealand

overcomers 2016

Mission Without Borders is an international Christian organisation, founded in 1960, dedicated to serving the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those suffering the effects of poverty or persecution.

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS From the Director’s Desk

Overcomers magazine is published annually and distributed to everyone on the Mission Without Borders NZ mailing list. Extra copies are also available free of charge on request for distribution to interested groups, such as church groups, craft and knitting circles, schools and youth groups. If you would like more copies, please telephone the office on 0800 469 269 (AK 309 6969).

Overcomers is published by Mission Without Borders (N.Z.) a charitable trust registered under the Charities Act CC37218

Contact Details:Freephone: 0800 469 269 Phone: 09 309 6969

Editor: Andrew Wilks

Send all correspondence to The Editor, Overcomers, PO Box 56264, Dominion Road,Auckland 1446

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.mwb.org.nz

www.facebook.com/MissionWithoutBordersNz

Contributors/Photographs: Andrew Wilks, Liz Wilks, Liz Clarke, Ronnie Nicolson, MWB staff writers.

Design: Karen Power, Australia

Printer: Broderick Printing & Design Ltd Glenfield, Auckland

© 2016 Mission Without Borders (N.Z.)

Bank Accounts for Online Banking:General donations and sponsorships06 0185 0122206 12Bibles and literature06 0185 0122206 25

Cover Photo: Ioana lives in Romania. She is supported through our child sponsorship programme in her community. Read how she is getting a chance of a better future (page 8).

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Dear Reader

Turning the pages of this magazine, you will quickly see that Mission Without Borders has a huge number of ways in which it reaches to the disadvantaged in Eastern Europe. But we don’t do this task alone. We have partners in the work: volunteers who assist our staff in each country,

local churches, and other missions or charities. Perhaps the most important of all are the ones in our support countries – people like you, for example - whose contributions in money, kind or prayers when added together make the goal of seeing lives changed for good move from Dream to Reality.

Thank you for all that you do to help us – you are very precious to our colleagues and those being helped in our field countries. Every time I visit them, they ask me to pass on their thanks, greetings and appreciation for all that you do.

I would like to share with you what God laid on my heart for the team in the Rivne office, Ukraine, when we travelled there last September. “Life may bring much pain. For Ukrainians, it may be big things, like mass starvation (Holodomor), the shame of anti-Jewish atrocities, Chernobyl, and now the war in the east that continues to claim more and more Ukrainian lives. But God understands sorrows. Jesus the Saviour and Suffering Servant is described in Isaiah 53 as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” But there is another time coming, when God our Father will welcome us into His eternal Kingdom. And before we enter, He Himself will greet us, personally. He will stand in front of us and look us in the eye and with handkerchief in hand, wipe every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4) Each tear is like a specific sorrow, loss or sadness. And then, we will dwell with Him forever with great joy, and I think that because so many others will be full of joy, heaven will be uproarious – especially the Ukrainians!”

To me, the healing of the nations is what it’s all about. That’s the God I want people to get to know, here in NZ, and in Eastern Europe, where until only 25 years ago, Christianity was either despised, State controlled or outlawed.

Be encouraged – you are a part of every good thing that you read in this magazine.

Sincerely

Andrew WilksNZ Director

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Contents

8

12

14

3OVERCOMERS 2016

4 Chernobyl 30 years on

6 StreetMercy More than just food

7 Prison Care/ Soup Kitchens Reaching the abandoned and lonely

8 Child Sponsorship Ioana - opportunity for a better life

9 Summer Camp Kiwi supporters visit a Summer Camp in Romania

10 Profile of an Overcomer A former orphan becomes a home-owner

12 Family To Family Sponsorship Life becomes better when someone listens

13 Empowering Women Help targeted to women and their families

14 Seeds of Hope Helpingfamiliesbecomeselfsufficient

15 Winter Rescue Throwing families a life-saver

17 Scholarships - Training Education - breaking the cycle of poverty

18 News Highlights from the Field Recentnotesfromoursixfieldcountry

managers

20 Operation Cover Up A letter from Liz Clarke, important information

and thanks from the children and families helped

22 New Zealand Activities News and ideas from around New Zealand

about Kiwis getting involved

4 MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS NZ

The

Fact

s The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster was the biggest nuclear catastrophe in world history. Radioactive waste will continue to poison the environment and affect many thousands of people for generations to come.

Last year when the NZ sponsor group visited the Mission’s Training centre in Sarny, Ukraine, they asked the General Manager, Volodymyr Khomych about his experiences as a “Chernobyl Liquidator”. In 1987 he worked as a truck driver for a roading gang around the Chernobyl Power Plant and even did some work on top of the damaged nuclear reactor. Later he had a non-malignant lump removed from his thyroid, which doctors told him was caused by exposure to radiation. During the 30 years since the Chernobyl disaster, he has worked relentlessly tobringhope to thehelpless.Becauseof thispeoplehave identified theMission as being like a ‘Guardian Angel’. Volodymyr and the team in Sarny, 150 kilometres from Chernobyl, have supported children, families and the elderly, hospitals and medical centres, for many years. They have provided beds and bedding, medical items, clothes and shoes, construction materials and all sorts of humanitarian aid. The Mission’s training centre in Sarny provides government-approved training courses in cooking, computers, and sewing to young people from poor families. They have also provided ante-natal support to expectant mothers. Volodymyr’s son Alexander (“Sasha” in the article opposite) works for the Mission also.

God’s Guardian Angel

Photo: Volodymyr giving out Christmas Love parcels

• CHERNOBYL • 30 years on. . .

Date and place: 1.20am, 26 April 1986, Chernobyl Power Station near the town of Pripyat. It is 100kms north of Kiev and 20kms from Belarus.The accident: Human error led to the over-heating and massive explosion of one of the four nuclear reactors. Large quantities of radioactive gases spewed out into the air blowing over parts of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia and then into Europe. The level of radioactivity released was over 100 times that of the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki atom bombs combined.Evacuation: Around 350,000 people were evacuated from the region including 45,000 from Pripyat which is now a ghost-town and has been declared unsafe for 24,000 years. An exclusion zone, known as “Death Valley,” has been increased from 30 to 70 square kilometres. No humans will ever be able to live in it againShutdown: The last working reactor was shut down in December 2000. A new $1bn arched shelter was built and slid into position over the top of the accident site in 2015. Casualties and the Aftermath: 7 million people living in the affected areas received the highest known exposure to radiation. About 600,000firefightersandrecoveryworkers(liquidators)wereexposedto high radiation when cleaning up and some died afterwards. Thirty years on, cancer affects many of the people of this region. Birth defects have increased by 200%. Some 6000 children and teenagers suffered thyroid cancers in the years after the accident. Today in Ukraine, 85% of children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry “genetic markers” that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation.

You can read the full interview with Volodymyr on our web site www.mwb.org.nz/chernobyl.

5OVERCOMERS 2016

Thirty years after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, cancer and other illnesses continue to afflict the people living closest to the disaster zone.Last winter, staff from our Ukraine team went with Family Coordinator Sasha Khomych to meet the Kyryshko family who live in Stepan, near Sarny, 320 kilometres from Chernobyl. Stepan is infamous for war-time atrocities against its Jewish population, some 75 years ago. Now, it is not blood that has seeped into its soil, but something more sinister still.Igor and his wife, Halyna have nine children and struggle with the devastating impact of physical illness. Halyna has cancer; her eldest boy has Down Syndrome and the youngest a rare respiratory disease.On arrival, Igor showed the team the new wooden floor he has built with materials provided by theMission. He is a welder by trade. All nine children gather around their mother on a bed that doubles as a couch in the lounge. Halyna, a scarf tied round her head and clearly unwell, is still the centre of the family. The whole family sings a welcome song about the perfect place in heaven God has prepared for His faithful people. Ukrainians are good singers, but the moment is tinged with sadness. Halyna’s elderly mother arrives to lend a hand. “We don’t like to ask for help but there is only so much I can manage at the moment.” Halyna is recovering from her fourth round of chemotherapy.

“We heard about MWB through our local church back in 2007 when one of my sons was very ill. Sadly he died, but the Mission was there for us then and they are supporting us again today.”Igor has a bright and warm personality but the team can see the strain he is under. “Thirty years on, here we are, but what can we do? We cannot feel anger. We have to live. So many people have cancer around this area. When the

nuclear accident happened, the authorities here said nothing, and for many, it was too late.”When asked if their faith has made them doubt God’s goodness, Halyna said, “I don’t want to leave my children. I want to be here to help them grow. But if it is my time to die, I’ll accept it, I am ready to go.” Then one of the team, overcome

with the emotion of the moment, through tears exclaimed “This family is just so positive!”“We know many caught up in the conflict in the east of the country with Russia and as a mother I hear their cries and know what it is like to fear for your children’s welfare.” Halyna continues. “We are very grateful for the support we receive. We want to look after ourselves and as Christians we want to help others too, but at the moment it’s very difficult.”Wrapped tightly in her fur coat, Halyna waves us goodbye at the door. The team leaves the rural town with lingering impressions, a mix of concern and hope for this loving family.

Helping them to cope

How can you help?We have Ukrainian children and families who need sponsors right now. See pages 11 and 16.

• 30 years on. . .Photos: Igor and Halyna, future uncertain //A family of nine – usual in rural Ukraine

“We want to look after ourselves and as Christians we want to help others too, but at the moment it’s very difficult.”


StreetMercy More than just Food

Georgi (67) has been living and begging on the streets of Sofia, Bulgaria, for four years after having to sell his home because of debt.

Last year, he was offered a well-paid job in neighbouring Greece but he was deceived. He got lost on his way backhomeandarrivedinSofiawithfrozenfeet.Hemanaged to hobble to the StreetMercy van to get some hot soup and bread. On this cold snowy winter’s day he was wearing only a pair of wet and holey canvas shoes.

Two days later, we heard that he had been admitted to hospital to have most of his toes amputated because of frostbite. When we went to visit him, Georgi couldn’t hide his joy. We gave him rubber boots and warm socks as well as some soup and bread. Later we were able to buy him some new, warm winter shoes, but no one could give him back his toes.

Next,wewantedtofindGeorgiaplacetolive.Thesocialcentre for homeless people was unwilling to take him because he didn’t have a current residence permit. All we could do was to explain his situation to them and pray for a miracle. The miracle happened:

In 2015, Mission served an incredible 103,294 meals to the homeless in Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania. This would not have been possible without your help. We also gave out blankets, warm clothing and boots, hygiene, medical and emotional help, shared the Gospel, gave haircuts, washed clothes and offered showers.

Georgi was allowed to stay and with much joy and relief he received his residence permit. We still take him soup and bread as well as the dressings he needs. Georgi is extremely thankful and with teary eyes, tells everyone what the Mission has done for him.

“Food is essential for the hungry person but our care goes beyond just giving them food. StreetMercy aims at touching their hearts. We call them friends, care for them and try to win their trust. Then, we can share the good news that Christ loves them and wants to turn their lives around.” Anna Atanasova, StreetMercy coordinator, Bulgaria

Georgi with his new residence permit

Georgi recovering from surgery

More than just Food

7OVERCOMERS 2016

Prison CareXhemile, 27, from Albania hasn’t seen or talked to her three small children since she was arrested two years ago for killing her mother-in-law. Her husband and his family have sworn that she will never see her children again. Even her own family has “forgotten” her. Relatives are afraid to visit Xhemile in prison because it could provoke honour killings between the two families.

Reaching the Abandoned and Lonely

Soup Kitchens A Community OasisTheMission,workingwithourpartneringchurches,operatessoupkitchensinallofoursixfieldcountries.Through the generous support of our donors, we are able to reach out to countless children, families, the elderly and disabled. Soup Kitchens are like an oasis of hope – not only offering a warm nutritious meal, but love, shelter, counselling and friendship and most of all the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

MWB helps men and women prisoners in Bulgaria, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Each pack contains toiletries and hygiene items and confectionery. Clothing, shoes and Bibles are also given out when possible.

Inmates receiving the PrisonCare packs

“The parcels provide items for my personal hygiene that I could never afford. I also feel that I’m not forgotten, and it makes all the difference. I have started to attend the church services that are held in the prison.” Recently, Xhemile accepted Jesus as her Saviour and has started a small discipleship group with her two cellmates. She told us, “I am saved now; a new life has begun.” It is a joy to see how God is working in her heart - giving her peace and hope for the future.

Xhemile, participating in a folk dance

She doesn’t like to talk about what happened but her cellmates say that she had suffered terrible abuse from her mother-in-law. Now abandoned and lonely, she misses her children very much. She has no one to care for her or to bring her extra food and toiletries, so when the PrisonCare parcels are distributed, it is a special day for her.

Albania

Romania Moldova

Ukraine

Bulgaria Bosnia


Ioana lives in Daneş, an isolated village in Romania, where unemployment and poverty seem inescapable. She attends an outreach centre that the Mission runs alongside a local church. The sponsored children who go there are provided with food, medical and emotional support and educational help with the chance of a Mission scholarship where appropriate.Ioana is the eldest daughter of a large family. Her parents are often away for days at a time collecting bottles at a local rubbish dump. They cannot adequately feed their children and sometimes they have given them alcohol to mask their hunger and to help them sleep. Ioana’s grandfather tries to look after them but he cannot keep up with such active children.

Each day Ioana goes to the outreach centre to have the only meal she will likely eat for the day. She brings back a loaf of bread, yoghurt and sweets for her siblings who devour them ravenously. Despite life’s challenges, Ioana seems somehow unaffected, smiling all the time.

Asked what she loves, she says “I love singing and drawing. I love coming to church when it is my birthday because I feel special. I feel sad is when my parents scold me for not looking after my brothers and sister properly.” Then Ioana adds “I would like to be a teacher when I grow up.” Watching her look after her siblings in such harsh conditions, she seems quite capable of fulfillingthisdream.

Natalia, the Mission’s co-ordinator said: “My heart broke when I first visited these children. They were dirty, hungry and they lived in such derelict surroundings. Yet, Ioana is so resourceful and courageous in how she cares for all of them. Please continue to pray for them.”NB: One in eight Romanian children goes to bed hungry, and thousands abandon their education each year because of their parents’ lack of support. The future seems hopeless for these children, but with the support of faithful sponsors and the sharing of God’s love, change is possible.

The Opportunity for a better Life

WE NEED SPONSORS URGENTLY - see page 11

Child Sponsorship

Ioana at the outreach centre

Ioana with her grandfather, brothers and sister outside their home

Ioana 2nd from right with her family

9OVERCOMERS 2016

“In July last year, I with two others from Ranui Baptist Church in Auckland visited the young people from Nou in Romania. Our church has supported them for more than a decade so it was great to finally be able to meet some of them in person. Whilst there, we had the opportunity to attend a MWB Summer Camp. The children had come from around the southern part of Romania. They were having a great time doing activities, eating good food, studying the Bible; singing, swimming and playing games. I was impressed with the amount of biblical understanding the children have and how much enthusiasm they showed in everything they did. Some of the young people we had supported over the years were now camp leaders themselves. During my short visit I was impressed to see how Summer Camps are helping to give the children a well-rounded, Godly, fun experience; laying a solid foundation that they can build upon for the future.” Ronnie Nicolson

Summer Camps Kiwi Supporters visit a Summer Camp in Romania

SUMMER CAMP INFOSummer Camps run in all ofoursixfieldcountries,usually between June and August. Over 3500 attend these camps often described as “Heaven on Earth”

Throughout the year we run other programmes such as Bible Correspondence courses, Emotional Support groups, Education classes (dangers of human trafficking,selfesteem)andDream Bus outings.

Ronnie (centre) with a leader (right) and a camper

Introductions Ryan (centre) and Jiri (right) (from NZ) lead the singing


When Adrian (Adi) was born with physical defects as a result of his mum taking Thalidomide during pregnancy, he had already started his life with a serious handicap: only one arm and a partially formed right hand. He never knew his father.

Then his mother abandoned him to a Romanian orphanage, not being able to live with the shame of having a physically disabled child in a society that only valued able-bodied people, and where everyone old, sick or disabled was considered “useless” and an unaffordable liability. He grew up in State care. Then when he was 10, he suffered a catastrophic injury: he lost an eye in an accident.

But God had other plans for him. At the State orphanage, he heard Bible lessons from visiting MWB children’s ministry. Then he got to go to a Mission summer camp, and there as a boy made a lasting Christian commitment. That faith in a loving God would later put him in touch with a compassionate pastor who took a fatherly interest in him.

With support from the church and the Mission, Adi got a job with a Christian manufacturing business. With help from his employer and church, and careful saving, he has made the amazing step of putting down the deposit to buy his own studio apartment in Sibiu, where he now lives. Andrew and Liz Wilks visited him in June 2015. He proudly showed off his brand new home – before getting our Coordinator to drop him off to work. Today he is an active member of his church and a respected employee.

Profile of an Overcomer From abandoned Child to Home-owner

(Above) Adi relates his story // (Right) MWB’s Lavinia Campean (Romania) and Andrew and Liz Wilks in Adi’s apartment

11OVERCOMERS 2016MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS NZ

These Children need your help!For only $45 a month, you can become a part of a child’s life in Eastern Europe. Sponsorship is an important way to bring about change in their lives. We have many more children waiting. If you are not able to sponsor right now, we would welcome a general donation towards the Child Rescue programme.

If you would like to sponsor, please:• Tick the sponsorship box on the coupon on the back page• Ring 0800 469 269• Email us at [email protected] or go to our website www.mwb.org.nz/sponsorship

Give them hope. Become a sponsor

Corina (7), Romania Otinel (5), Romania Daniel (12), Moldova

Anastasia (5), Moldova Danylo (8), Ukraine Yulia (11), Ukraine

12 MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS NZ OVERCOMERS 201412 MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS NZ

Life becomes better when Someone listens

She had been rejected by her neighbours because of her situation and the putrid smell that emanated fromherflat.WetalkedwithBudieaboutherlifeandsharedtheloveofChrist,notjudgingherfortheway she lived, but just accepting her as she was.

Slowly, Budie became aware of the need to pay more attention to herself and her children. The Mission’s staffmadeaplantohelpthefamily:firstwegavethemfood,andthenwetaught themthevalueofpersonal hygiene and cleanliness. Next, we encouraged the children to continue with their schooling and provided the necessary clothes and school stationery, liaising with their teachers for their support.

Now, after 13 years of being in our sponsorship programme, the family’s living conditions are greatly improved. Budie (now in her early 50’s) keeps the house clean and tidy. They have new furniture and the house has been repaired. The family support each other more and enjoy spending time together.

The children have grown up and the oldest two boys are working. Budie also has a part-time cleaning job which has helped give her a sense of dignity. She’s now respected by her neighbours and the children have also made new friends. The family still has daily challenges, but they are more focused on changingtheirlife,thechildrencompletingtheireducation,andonedaybecomingself-sufficient.

We are in urgent need for more Family Sponsors - please see page 16

When the Karaj family from Albania were first enrolled in the Mission’s Family Sponsorship programme, their living conditions were extremely bad. The children were hungry, dirty, poorly dressed, and had no shoes to wear. The oldest boys had dropped out of school and were at risk of becoming caught up in crime or human trafficking.Budie, the mother, had separated from her violent, alcoholic husband. She was unemployed, and her depression had affected the children.

Budie shares “The Mission’s Coordinator has been like a ray of sunshine, helping us in every important step we’ve taken. I was jobless, helpless and desperate. I needed someone to talk to who would listen and understand my problems. He visited us often and talked about God’s love and said that my life could change. It has, and even more so since I started work. I am now proud of all my children. My life would have been a disaster but thanks to the Mission, I know about God’s great love.”

Family Sponsorship

The Mission’s Coordinator reading a Bible story

The Karaj family holding up their clothes

13OVERCOMERS 2016MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS NZ 13 13OVERCOMERS 2016

Empowering WomenLearning new Skills to secure EmploymentIn some of our field countries, women enrolled in our Family Sponsorship programme have the opportunity to attend vocational training courses helping them to secure employment and support their families. Recently, in Dabnitsa, Bulgaria, a group of ladies learnt how to sew and use industrial machinery. This will enable them to findawell-paidjobinthetown’stextilefactoriesthatservice the country’s tailoring industry.

Tutor, Nadezhda said: “Slowly, the women’s confidence grew as they learnt many new skills to where they could make tablecloths, curtains and bed sheets. It was so satisfying seeing their self-esteem grow and the pride they took in the items they produced.”

Mother Care Earlier this year Majlinda Koci, from Durres, Albania gave birth to her seventh child, a baby girl named Alesia. After receiving a Mothercare pack she joyfully said “We thank God that Alesia has everything she needs. I didn’t have anything for my other children when they were born. It was hard to watch them suffer when they had skin infections and I couldn’t help them”.Elvisi, the father shared “I try everything I can to provide for my large family, but my income is so small that I can barely buy bread let alone powder and shampoo for the baby. We will never stop thanking you. God bless you and the donors!” The Mothercare packs our sponsored families receive are made up of pampers, baby oil, ointment, baby powder, wet wipes, infant formula, baby clothes and blankets.

Get-togethers for WomenAllacrossoursixfieldcountriesinEasternEuropewomen from our Family sponsorship programme are invited to attend different events located in soup kitchens and church centres. Here is what we offer:

• Parenting and marriage courses• Pastoral and emotional help• Life skills classes• Worship and Bible studies• Plays and celebration of Christmas and

Easter• Help with domestic violence and abuse

Women during sewing class with tutor Nadezhda standing at the back

The Koci Family

A women’s Bible meeting

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Five years ago the Sunjic family from Bosnia lost a wife and mother to lung cancer. Two years later Marinko, the father, suffered three heart attacks in three days but recovered due to ground breaking surgery at a hospital in Mostar. Marinko, a humble man takes care of his two children Lucija (14) and Noa (8), who has a disability. Because of his health problems, he lost his job as a truck driver and found it hard to find work.

Through the Mission’s Seeds of Hope programme, Marinko andhisfamilyhavestartedtofindawayforward.“This is something I never expected,” Marinko says. “I never asked for any help, but you came to my door and offered it to us. This is unheard of in a country like ours because as a rule no one cares about anyone else. But you do and I don’t have the words to express my thankfulness.”

Draznan, the Mission’s Coordinator said: “The Seeds of Hope project not only helped the family to cope with their problems but also provided a small income to meet other needs. They also received school supplies, monthly parcels, medicines, spectacles, and furniture.”

Draznan asked Marinko if he was still able to till his own land and produce his own crops to help feed his family. Marinko’s answer was emphatic: “I worked before you came to help my family, I will work now, and I will continue to work when your help will no longer be needed. I’m that kind of man – I cannot just sit on my couch and wait for help to arrive.” Since then Marinko has done what he said and produced and sold crops in order to provide for his family.

Photos: Marinko, the father // Marinko tending his garden // A family dinner using produce from the garden

Seeds of Hope

$25 will buy one parcel of good quality seeds for a family in our Family to Family Programme

Please use the coupon on the back, call to make a credit card donation on 0800 469269, or go online www.mwb.org.nz – thanks for your support!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THIS GREAT PROJECT?

Helping Families to become Self-sufficient

15OVERCOMERS 201615 15OVERCOMERS 2016

During winter in Southern Moldova, temperatures can plummet to -25 degrees. The Gojan family who live in the village of Ermoclia had only managed to collect a pile of branches from the forest to ward off the coming cold. Victoria 25 and Serghei 41, have three small daughters: twins, Samira and Evelina; and Marta.Victoria had to grow up in an orphanage for disabled children, because she didn’t live near a normal school. “It was a difficult time for me, I was very lonely and the teachers never had time to talk to me.” Later,

Winter RescueThrowing Families a Life-Saver

she was fostered by a Christian family who encouraged hertoattendayouthconferenceinChişinauwhereshegave her life to Jesus. At church, Victoria met and married Serghei. He had alsohadadifficultchildhood,growingupwithnofatherand a disabled mother. Together they had a fairly stable income. However, after the arrival of three children, thingsbecamemoredifficult.

In 2014 they were enrolled into the Family to Family programme. Winter is the hardest time for families like the Gojan’s. They particularly lack shoes, clothes and firewood.Inautumntheybegintogatherwoodbutitisnever enough. However, through the Mission’s Operation Winter Rescue project, the family received 50 sacks of briquettes which will help to heat their home until spring.

“I told them about the blessing that was on its way to them. Serghei was very emotional and thanked me as though I had given him the best news in the world. I am glad that God works in such a wonderful way through the Mission,” Vitalie, the Coordinator remarked.

As well as the briquettes the family also received coats, knitted clothing, socks and shoes. Now the family will not freeze this winter and will be able to venture outside together.

“I don’t have enough words to express our gratefulness for everything you bring us,” Victoria exclaimed. “The toiletries and food supplies are life-savers. The seedlings (Seeds of Hope) that were delivered to us in spring were also a great source of income as we managed to sell one tonne of tomatoes over the summer.”

The Gojan Family

Marta in new warm clothes Delivery of briquettes Clothing for the whole family


These Families need your help!For only $45 a month you can become a part of a family in Eastern Europe. Sponsorship is an important way to bring about change in their lives. We have many more families waiting. If you are not able to sponsor right now, we would welcome a general donation towards the F2F programme.

If you would like to sponsor, please:• Tick the sponsorship box on the coupon on the back page• Ring 0800 469 269• Email us at [email protected] or go to our website www.mwb.org.nz/sponsorship

Give them hope. Become a sponsor

The Catic family live in a small house with other relatives. The mother is unwell and the father has intermittent work.

The Rotaru family live in poor conditions with only an outside toilet and no bathroom. Both parents do temporary work but need help to survive.

The Kulaveri family are struggling due to the husband’s long trips away to Europe to get work.

The Markuchevi Family live in a tiny room in the grandparents’ house. Both are in poor health and struggling to make a living.

The Gogolan family live in a small house. Georgeta, the mother is separated from her alcoholic husband and is determined to see all her children receive a good education.

The Golonko family of nine live in a run-down apartment. Due to an injury the father is paralysed so is unable to work. They are a Christian family.

Bosnia Romania Ukraine

Moldova Bulgaria Albania

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Scholarships - TrainingEducation - Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

The Mission’s Coordinator in Sibiu had seen Gigi’s academic potential but knew his family were unable to support him for further study. Gigi’s mother took her children to church every Sunday and did the best shecould.Hisfather,awaiter,struggledtomeetthefamily’sgrowingfinancialneeds.MWB is also covering the school fees for Gigi’s brother, Sebastian, as he studies economics and tourism. Helovesnatureandhopestofindajobinthetourismindustrywhenhegraduatesin2017.Gigi said: “We would like to thank the supporters of MWB for providing such extraordinary support to my brother and me and our family. It is so wonderful that the Mission helps young people like us to get an education in the field of our choice. Our parents could only help us so far, and our options would have been much narrower without the degree you helped us obtain. Thank you so much!”Alexandra Androne, the Mission’s Coordinator for this project in Romania says: “Investing in education is probably one of the most profitable things we can do. Through this project, we help young people to build a future of hope to break their parents’ cycle of poverty and unemployment: of working seasonal jobs for a small income, living in homes that they cannot maintain or renovate, taking refuge in alcohol and falling further away from God.”

To become self-sufficient in any country, getting an education is absolutely crucial. But for so many young people throughout Eastern Europe, a tertiary education is out of reach. One of the Mission’s key aims is to do something about this by providing help where needed - tuition, fees, school supplies, meals and accommodation. GigiBoica,27,receivedfinancialsupportfor three years through the Mission’s Scholarship and Vocational Training project. He trained to become a dental technician, graduating in 2010 and started hisfirstjobasadentist.Helivedwithhisparents, saving up enough to get married and to start up his own business with a friend in 2015.

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Gigi at work

Gigi and Sebastian in 2011 The brothers in 2016


News Highlights

from the Field

Sarkis Ovanesyan (National Manager) told the 2015 NZ tour group that the StreetMercy projectamongthehomelessofSofiaistheirmost demanding programme. Providing meals is just the start. For many, the main task is to obtain identity cards and registration that will enable the homeless to receive a government

pension, access hospital services, apply for a job and lease a flat.Twolocalchurchesprovidevolunteers.Atthebeginningofthe school year, stationery and backpacks were distributed to children of homeless Roma families. Their parents couldn’t hide their gratitude and the next day our Coordinator Annie was given some beautiful pictures the children had drawn.

Three homeless started work with Annie’s help: a baker, a hospital attendant and one deliversflyers.Ivaylosaid:“I cannot describe my feelings; I cannot even believe that I have a job like the normal people have! I am so thankful; actually I survived thanks to MWB.” Because of the atmosphere of acceptance, love and patience, Annie and the volunteers create, many homeless have started to change their behaviour and often help each other. Photo: StreetMercy , clothing the body and feeding the soul

Bulgaria

Monika Qerimi (National Manager) and her team have a particular focus on supporting the disadvantaged families in our Family to Family (F2F) programme. The biggest threat to families staying together is the sorrow caused by domestic violence. In late 2015, the MWB team joined in a 16-day local campaign against domestic violence, holding special

meetingsattheirofficeforwomeninourF2Fprogramme.Thefirststepin the road to escape from the prison of violence is to create a safe place forwives/partnerstosharetheirpersonalstory,andgainstrengthfromfindingtheyarenottheonlyoneintheirpredicament. Help is also targeted to the husbands, where they are willing to change, and to the children. Marriage enrichment courses also help couples take stock of their own relationship and family life and empower them to make adjustments. Photo: Women meet to share about domestic violence, MWB Albania office.

Albania

National Manager Dalibor Kojic’s team continues to reach out to various struggling people. One of the most vulnerableisattheGlamočsoupkitchen,where92mainly elderly receive a daily hot meal as well as needed items – clothes, shoes, blankets, hygiene needs. They also fellowship over a hot drink and play chess and do other activities. One is Boja, who told us, “We receive

the Christmas Love parcels every year but we wait for them eagerly, as if we’d never had them before. It is not about the food in it, it is about the care, compassion and love that we feel when we get it. I thank all who care for our needs. God bless them all!”

During the winter, a special Summer Camp reunion for 72 children was organised. They took part in quizzes, watched movie clips, had a puppet show, sang together and read from the Bible. The children left with a DVD in their pocket with pictures from the camp and photos to put up to remind them how precious they are in God’s eyes. Photo: Summer camp reunion – a big success

Bosnia & Herzegovina

19OVERCOMERS 2016

News Highlights

from the Field

In November 2015, Viorel Radu from Bucharest took over the running of MWB Romania. A key challenge is overseeing the hand-over of work in some distant corners of Romania to local churches

and the start of new, more intensive initiatives among poor communities closer to the base of operations in Sibiu.

Through our team in Romania, we have at present 168 students receiving scholarships for university or technical education courses. Education remains a key pathway to leaving poverty and despair behind for young Romanians. Receiving scholarships is for many the only way they will ever be able to further their education and get out of the poverty trap. One young man training in theology wrote to his sponsor: “Thank you for your support in helping me to finish my studies; I could never have paid for it on my own. I can’t wait to become a pastor to work for God’s Kingdom. I wish you good health and I’m praying for you! - Irinel” Photo: Students from a Roma village – their transport to courses paid for by Ranui Baptist Church

Romania

TheconflictcontinuesintheindustrialeastofUkraineborderingRussia.Theceasefirebarelyholds.Casualtiesinclude over 9000 people dead and 18,000 injured. About 1.6 million civilians from the war zone are refugees either in Ukraine or Russia. Some have tried to return to rebuild damaged homes and lives. Ukraine’s economy is in severe recession.

During Christmas 2015, Mykola Bogdanets led a special delivery of 2000 Christmas Love parcels to poor families in eastern Ukraine, for those, whohavesufferedfromthewar.Mostweredistributedthroughfivepartnerchurches.Mykolasays:“Despite soaring food prices and aid having to be smuggled in, the families I visited appear incredibly resilient, but on the inside you can see that they have been through a lot. It was so important for us to help them, especially at Christmas. We hope and pray that that they will open their hearts to Christ and that the whole of the country will be at peace.” We continue to work with refugee families now living near our base in western Ukraine. Some are attending church and have come to faith. Photo: Quickly unloading Christmas Love parcels, near the eastern Ukraine war zone

Ukraine

During last year, God blessed Anatoly Kirilov’s team with 1574 Bible correspondence children to look after. “Praise the Lord! We found out that children as well as adults need to share their problems and joys. Also, they want to study the Word of God that changes their hearts. The most wonderful thing is that we have four boys from youth prison in Bender

(Transnistria) that correspond with us. These boys thank God they’re able to study the Bible and have now people who care about them.”

The Mission also reaches children in poor communities through the child sponsorship programme. Natalia (15) said, “We have many questions on the topics of true contentment and self-esteem. Our teachers don’t dare discuss these things with us. We have found out many new things from these [after-school] lessons which I am grateful for.” Photo: A Dreambus excursion for teenagers from a poor community

Moldova

Greetings dear friendsAnother year has passed since I wrote in the last Overcomers Magazine and we’re now into our 16th year. 2015 was another successful year with lots of encouraging stories from all around New Zealand. One of my favourite words is ‘kindness’. One definition means ‘the act of going out of your way to show someone you care’. This is at the heart of Operation Cover Up and it gives me great joy to see all the beautiful blankets and garments made so lovingly to bring love and warmth; showing kindness to those less fortunate.Years ago on a visit to Ukraine, it brought tears to my eyes watching children in orphanages and poor families receiving gifts lovingly made for them, showing them that people do care even from far away. Some say that they put love into every stitch. One of our faithful co-ordinators told me that she counted 98,400 stitches when making a blanket and another 99,000 stitches to sew it up, twice round! Not being a knitter myself, I find it quite inconceivable the amount of work that goes each one. As we have now sent around 117,000 blankets, we have certainly sent a lot of love!!Thankyou everyone for all you have personally done to share your talents and to be the hands that demonstrate such loving kindness towards others. I appreciate it more than I can say. Like the old song says, ’What the world needs now, is love sweet love’. Thank you so much for giving that love. It is truly wonderful.Blessings,

Liz Clarke


Operation Cover Up

Photos: Albany Coordinator Jill Devonshire and husband Ian with a garage full of knitting//Thames Coordinator, Bev Cullingford and Margaret Morritt, with their OCU display//Maureen McQuarrie introducing her 2015 Rangiora/Canterbury Committee

Main Photo: Liz with OCU’s youngest Co-ordinator. Tiani Harris, 12, works with children in the Tauranga area

21OVERCOMERS 2016

Getting involvedIf you would like to know who your nearest coordinator is, knitting patterns, or information on gatherings, please contact:North Island Coordinator: Mrs Liz Clarke, Phone (07) 378-9171 South Island Coordinator: Mrs Alison Jarvis, Phone (03) 688-0680

THANK YOUTo all our wonderful knitters

and coordinators for last year’s amazing effort

Funds for shipping costsThe Mission needs help to cover the costs of the project including freight and shipping the knitted goods to Eastern Europe. One shipping container costs over $16,000 to get to Romania or Moldova so as a guide we ask for a donation of $4.00 per blanket. Payments over $5.00 qualify for a tax rebate receipt (your name and address are needed). Payments can be made:• in cash (to your local coordinator)• by cheque made out to Mission Without

Borders, PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446

• by direct deposit or online banking payment to Mission Without Borders’ ANZ Bank account:

North Island: 06 0185 0122206 04 South Island: 06 0185 0122206 05

ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW, PLEASE, NOT SECOND-HAND.

What is needed in 2016• Knitted, crocheted or handmade blankets and

quilts (large size only)• Clothing items for adults and children only. No

hats or beanies and no baby clothes, please• Items for sewing, embroidery, knitting and craft

activities• Bed linen, towels, personal hygiene items• School stationery

Grateful recipients enjoying the warmth of New Zealand’s 2015 shipment of blankets & clothing - Romania & Moldova

Preferred Blanket Size

Thefinishedarticle,whethersquaresorstrips, must be at least 160cm x 140cm.7 strips measuring 160cm in length make a blanket. This is a good idea as it saves time when sewing up.Strips are knitted on old size 8 (4mm) needles. Cast on 40 stitches and knit stripes or blocks of colour in garter stitch (plain knitting) to 160cm length.For more information, contact a local Coordinator or check our Facebook page.


In 2015 we received a large legacy from the estate of a former missionary nurse to Northern Territories, Australia. Our work in sharing the Gospel and helping poor children and families held a special place in Sally Lindner’s heart. Her gift will enable us to grant scholarships for fees and living costs to a group of students while they study over the next few years. It has also funded the printing of 10,000 Children’s Bibles in the Romanian language so that they can be given to children whose parents and grandparents grew up being told that religion was meaningless, that God did not exist or who were persecuted for their faith.

Here in the Mission, we are always grateful to God for those who decide to make a gift that will only come into effect after they have gone. Gifts of all sizes are useful. If you would like to know how to go about it, please contact ourofficeandwewillbehappytodiscussitwithyouandsendyousomeinformation.

New Zealand Activities

We are blessed with very creative fundraisers and volunteers around the country of all ages. If you are one, Thank You Very Much! You are amazing! Some examples:

• Converting old NZ coins and foreign coins to NZ cash (MWB Ambassadors Jenny Whitlock and Glenda Farr, Wanganui)

• Sellingchocolatetruffles(AnneBoltonandherteam,Nelson)• Selling preserves for Operation Cover Up (many, including

Ann Bishop, Orewa) • An Op Shop for Operation Cover Up (North Canterbury OCU)• A garage sale (Thames OCU)• Selling honey (Margaret Scott, Auckland ph. 021 072 9356)

Leaving a lasting Legacy

Fantastic Fundraisers

2017 Supporter Tour

We are planning to run our next Kiwi supporter tour to Eastern Europe in September-October 2017.

Details including the chosen countries will be made available later this year.Twoofourfieldcountrieswillbevisited(about7-9daysineach).Please contact us if you would like to receive more information.

And there are many more community-based initiatives. This is so very much appreciated right across the Mission.

Photos (from top): Children’s Bibles given out in a school, Romania// Young chocolate truffle-rollers from Nelson Christian Academy// 2015 NZ Tour group outside the Chernobyl Museum, Kiev

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I would like to sponsor a Child ($45 per month). Please see over for my details.

Ienclosemyfirstsponsorshippledgeof$________bythefollowingmethod.

I wish to make regular automatic payments from my credit card/bank account. Please send me an Authorisation Form to complete and return. (An Automatic Payment form can be downloaded from www.mwb.org.nz/giving)

Direct Deposit to our bank account: Mission Without Borders Bank: ANZ Account Number: 06 0185 0122206 12 (Please use your name, supporter number (if any) and CRI as

the payer reference and [email protected])

Payment Options:

Cheque (payable to Mission Without Borders)

Credit Card Amex Visa Mastercard

Credit Card Number Exp______/______

NameonCard_________________________________Signature______________________________

Donate online at our website www.mwb.org.nz

I would like to sponsor a Family ($45 per month). Please see over for my details.

Ienclosemyfirstsponsorshippledgeof$________bythefollowingmethod.


Direct Deposit to our bank account: Mission Without Borders Bank: ANZ Account Number: 06 0185 0122206 12 (Please use your name, supporter number (if any) and

F2F as the payer reference and [email protected])

Payment Options:





I would like to give to help (project) _______________________________.

I enclose my payment of $__________. I would like to give a general donation of $__________ to your ministry and work. I would like to give a monthly donation of $__________ to your ministry and work.

Please see over for my details.


Direct Deposit to our bank account: Mission Without Borders Bank: ANZ Account Number: 06 0185 0122206 12 (Please use your name, supporter number (if any) and

Donation as the payer reference and [email protected])

Payment Options:





Yes – I would like to help change lives in Eastern Europe! I would like to sponsor a child through your Child Rescue International programme. Moldova Ukraine Romania

Boy Girl

Name Supporter Number

Address

Postcode

Phone Email

I would like to receive your newsletters and Bridge of Prayer. POST TO (no stamp needed): Freepost Authority Number 229442 Mission Without Borders, PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446

For more information please freephone 0800 469 269 OR phone 09 309 6969.

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Yes – I would like to help change lives in Eastern Europe! My gift details are on the reverse.


Address

Postcode

Phone Email



Donate online at our website www.mwb.org.nz

Yes – I would like to help change lives in Eastern Europe! I would like to sponsor a family through your Family to Family programme. Moldova Ukraine Romania Albania Bosnia Bulgaria


Address

Postcode

Phone Email



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Documents

Mission Without Borders New Zealand: Overcomers 2016