OverComers Magazine April 2012

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS

2 MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS NZ

Overcomers is published by Mission Without Borders New Zealand

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

Contributors/Photographs: Andrew Wilks, MWB International staff writers, Liz Clarke, Liz Wilks, Jenny Whitlock, Gaylene Burgess

Design: Husk Creative, Mt Albert, Auckland

Printer: Kalamazoo Wyatt and Wilson Ltd, Christchurch

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

© 2012 Mission Without Borders (N.Z.)

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

Cover Photo: One of our new friends from the streets of Romania.

A Word From the EditorDear Reader,

Mission Without Borders NZ is one of 11 offices around the world, representing thousands of supporters – people just like you – who give time, money, resources and offer prayers for needy people in Eastern Europe.

What is distinctive about the six countries where we work is that they are all struggling and straining to pull themselves up and out of the effects, social, economic and spiritual, of the Soviet communist era. Corruption, widespread organised crime, depleted infrastructure, under-resourced medical care and education: the list of challenges facing the peoples of these countries seems endless.

At a personal level, many face illnesses that in the West are treatable; others face poverty because of stagnant local economies with few jobs. Many take to alcohol and drugs to relieve their pain. Sheer desperation drives some to abandon their countries, in search of work in Western Europe and beyond. Pain and suffering can be found everywhere.

We serve a God who is not silent on the matter of pain.

It is the living Lord Jesus Christ that we present as the source of hope behind every blanket, piece of clothing, bread, plate of soup and new Bible that we distribute to those we are helping. We are confident that our message is the same message that the early disciples took to the Roman world and beyond. It is a message of life-changing hope and of transforming love.

Thank you for supporting our work. You may think your contribution is small in relation to the need, but you are very much part of everything we are doing. And lives are being touched and transformed.

Please be encouraged by the real-life stories in this edition of Overcomers.

Warm regards

Andrew Wilks Director of Mission Without Borders NZ

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.


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 Missions 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).

3OVERCOMERS 2012

Contents4-5 Eastern Europe Update

Perspectives and news from around our six field countries

6-7 Taking Mercy to the Streets MWB’s new StreetMercy project in Romania and

Bulgaria

8 Sowing for a Harvest Our Seeds of Hope project has taken off

9-11 Operation Cover Up What’s been happening with this great project around NZ and in Eastern Europe

12-13 Supporter Visits in 2011 News from the Kiwi group that visited Ukraine and Moldova

14-15 Holding on to Life Meet Oksana, one of our true overcomers

16-17 Summer Camps 2011 A Kiwi’s experience of a children’s camp in Bulgaria

and a Ukrainian boy’s testimony

18 Getting More Involved Child sponsorship, supporter tours and leaving a legacy

19 MWB Projects Some of MWB’s projects and how to help

20 Sponsoring a Family What F2F sponsorship does

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Eastern Europe UpdateUpdates from around our six field countries.

RomaniaMoldova

Ukraine

Bosnia

Albania

Bulgaria

Poland

Germany

Belarus

Czech Republic

Austria

Slovakia

Hungary

Serbia and Montenegro

Macedonia

Croatia

Slovenia

EcoNoMyHigh unemployment, inflation (especially food prices), and public debt, mean the economy is vulnerable, like that of others in the region.

PoliticAl situAtioNExtreme tension exists between the ruling majority and the Socialist Party opposition. Four

demonstrators were killed at a protest rally in January 2011, and mistrust of the government continues. A political stalemate means corruption, organised crime and economic problems are not being properly tackled.

sociAl coNDitioNsLack of adequate taxation and therefore, lack of funds for infrastructure, healthcare, and

urgent need for reform of the social welfare system, all signal real challenges for this country of about 3 million people. Problems in the justice system and terrible prison conditions need addressing. MWB works with many vulnerable groups both in the towns and countryside, especially families, mothers and children, the disabled and elderly.

EcoNoMyStandard and Poor’s lowered Bosnia’s credit rating one step to B (compare NZ’s AA or better) because of the absence of a government since the elections of October 2010, and no State Budget (meaning all institutions are funded through temporary grants).

PoliticAl situAtioNA political stalemate prevails, so nothing can be done to address the effects of the Global Economic Crisis, corruption and political interference. This discourages needed foreign investment and entrepreneurial activity.

sociAl coNDitioNsUnemployment is high. The fallout from the War (Post traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, suicides, dislocated people) continues. Religious tensions are obvious, with about 40% of the population being Muslim, the rest various forms of (mainly traditional) Christian.

Albania

Bosnia and Herzegovina

EcoNoMyBulgaria is in the EU and has a favourable investment regime, including low flat corporate taxes, to attract foreign investment, but corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary and organised crime are continuing hindrances.

Unemployment is still high.

PoliticAl situAtioNThe government is stable and democratically elected.

sociAl coNDitioNsHuge income disparities exist between rich and poor. The Global

Financial Crisis still hampers the economic growth of the country and has caused increased unemployment and more hardship. MWB continues to work with the socially vulnerable, including a largely neglected elderly and disabled sector.

Bulgaria

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EcoNoMyMoldova is possibly the poorest in Europe. Inflation and unemployment are high. The country needs foreign investment. It imports most of its energy needs and its economy is agricultural rather than mineral resource based. Between 2005 and 2011, 200,000 people abandoned farming.

PoliticAl situAtioNSince 2009, six attempts to elect a president have failed, while

two parliaments were dissolved because they did not have a majority of 3/5ths to support the president. In 2011, two attempts at electing a president failed. In January 2012, the latest attempt also failed. This significantly slows reforms.

sociAl coNDitioNsThe impossibility of solving the conflict connected with separatist Transnistria, economic decline, a decrease in population due

to labour emigration and a low birth rate, along with an ageing population, all make for a hard life in Moldova. State benefits for families and the retired are inadequate (on average NZ$70 per month). There are 500,000 pensioners. Reforms in the State residential care of children will continue at least until July 2012. MWB has many opportunities to help improve people’s lives.

EcoNoMyRomania was hit hard by the Global Financial Crisis. Although the economy grew a little in 2011, there are still large areas where unemployment is high (through factory closures and in many rural areas, for instance). Romania has the potential to become a strong economy in Europe because of its mineral resources, energy resources (oil, gas, coal, wind and nuclear) and agriculture.

PoliticAl situAtioNMembership of the EU and conditions of International Monetary

Fund (IMF) loans to prop up the economy have meant that certain economic and social reforms have been required, including for example the down-sizing of State Homes (“Placement Centres”) and sending children back to the poor communities where they came from. In January 2012, the Prime Minister resigned under pressure because of austerity measures and higher taxes (GST went from 19% to 24%), and a new Prime Minister and administration were installed.

sociAl coNDitioNsThe difference between urban and rural living standards is becoming more marked. Many especially in rural areas face unemployment, and are forced to migrate to survive. Keeping children at home to work the land and transient living cause many, especially among the rural and Roma (gypsy) communities, to miss out on basic schooling and to remain illiterate. Nearly all Romanians have a TV but only 70% have a washing machine! Price inflation is hitting the poor the hardest.

EcoNoMyUkraine borrowed heavily from the IMF to stabilise its flagging economy in 2010, but reforms required by the IMF have slowed. Some short-term investment in infrastructure is occurring because of the football “Euro 2012” tournament, jointly hosted with Poland. Corruption and the need to encourage foreign investment hamper further development. The government still operates a “controlled economy” approach, for instance restricting imports to protect local producers (even tightly scrutinising aid MWB

brings in). Inflation was about 9% in 2011.

PoliticAl situAtioNTensions remain strong between the government of President Yanukovych and opposition parties, the largest headed by his presidential rival Yuliya Tymoshenko. In-fighting and tensions because of constitutional changes (like extending the term between elections) divert political attention away from the main reform challenges.

sociAl coNDitioNsThere are still some 100,000 children in Ukraine’s State Homes (internats), many of whom are “economic orphans” because of the parents’ inability to afford to feed and clothe them, rather than their having no parents. We have not yet seen any changes to government policy in this area, other than some improvements in government funding for repairs and maintenance. Rising food prices are hurting many families and other poor people, especially in the rural areas.

Moldova

Romania

Ukraine

In January this year, we launched a new outreach to the most socially vulnerable in our field countries, those with no homes who live on the streets. We call it “streetMercy”. We have started in two cities, Sofia in Bulgaria, and Craiova in Romania. MWB staff and church volunteers use a van and service trailer as a mobile soup kitchen, to feed out hot soup and bread, part of the staple diet in Eastern Europe. We want to give the hungry more than just food in their stomachs: hope and a reason to live! We are getting to know some of the street people. let us introduce you to some:

shelter. I am afraid for the children for there are so many drunkards and drug addicts there. Thank God that my husband has worked as a construction worker and has people he knows. We are now staying in one room with a friend, but we can’t stay there long. As soon as it gets a little warmer we need to search for something permanent. Probably I will apply for a council flat. This would be great if my husband could find a job.”

Biser is usually out trying to find work so he can bring some money back home. Verka has worked off and on as a house-cleaner and also selling at the open market, but it is hard as she has to look after the pre-school aged children.

“The warm soup delivered every day is a gift from God and we appreciate it. This is a chance for us to eat a warm meal and then maybe have some money left to eat in the evening.”

Verka Gandova and Biser Gandov are parents of Iliana (6) and Valentin (4). Verka’s parents live in Sofia, but after a disagreement over her choice of husband, they don’t have any contact. Her husband had a fight with his own father, and his father turned them all out onto the street.

Verka tells us, “Life has been so hard for us. We are constantly on the move hoping for someone to shelter us. There is no way we could go to the homeless

“The bag from which he sniffs glue is his constant companion.”


Mustafa from Romania

Taking Mercy to the Streets

The Gandov family (Sofia)

muSTafa (BuchareST)

We met ten year old Mustafa at our trial mobile soup kitchen in Bucharest, Romania. He sleeps in the underground sewerage system area at night.

Mustafa’s parents emigrated in order to find work to survive and placed him at his grandmother’s before they left the country. He and his siblings were to live with her, but Mustafa ran away from home and ended up on the streets, finding himself together with criminals, drug addicts and other homeless people. The bag from which he sniffs glue is his constant companion, and he is already addicted.

“I really don’t want to continue to live on the streets, but I don’t dare go home to my grandmother either,” Mustafa explains. He is scared that his uncle will severely punish him. He dreams of having a job, of earning money and also of having a family of his own one day.

“I so want to go to school and to learn how to read and write”, he tells us, before slipping away.

vera GeorGieva (Sofia)

Vera looks much older than her real age (62). Having no qualifications, she has only ever had unskilled work. Her last

job was as a kitchenhand for $60 per month, but she lost her job.

Her husband died at the age of 55, but they couldn’t have children. Then Vera lived with her brother in an old ground level house comprising a room and a kitchen. “Although very small it was fine. At least I had a home. During the floods in Sofia’s suburbs in 2004, the house was swept away by the water, and we were forced out onto the street. No one cared enough to help us. We had no insurance and no government help. My brother became very ill and died in 2007. Now I am homeless.

“An old lady lets me stay overnight for two leva (about $1.60) per night, but I didn’t have any money these last few days. It was so cold. I had to look for a shelter. A woman selling newspapers in a booth near bus stop let me in for the night. So for two nights now I’ve slept in the booth. I put cardboard on the floor to insulate myself from the cold and damp. There is an electric heater but I only use it while I am still awake. If I fall asleep and it is on, I am afraid there could be a fire with all that paper in there. During the day I sit with her, and at lunchtime I come here.

“Tomorrow I turn 63. Still two more years before I can apply for the pension and 7 years till I am 70 and could apply to go to a rest home. Nobody will look after me until then. I don’t know what to do. The other day I went to this church. It is not so warm in there but I sat and listened. They gave me a New Testament. My eyes are still good and I read about three pages. I am usually out in the cold and I have nowhere to sit and read.

“Thank you for the soup you provide for us. It is hot and so good. I prefer cooked food but now that I am out I can’t cook for myself. I drink the soup first while it is hot. I keep the bread for later. This is my food for the whole day.”

dimiTar & yordan (Sofia)

Dimitar Dimov (35) and Yordan Yordanov (33) became friends at the crisis shelter where they stay every night. Dimitar has a degree from a university in Sofia. His father was authoritarian and abusive, and after

a major row, Dimitar left for good. Last summer he worked and saved money at the seaside, but was beaten and robbed of his money and documents when hitchhiking back to Sofia. He ended up on the streets, counting on the warm soup provided by MWB and hoping someone would help him out.

Dimitar’s friend Yordan is a former drug addict who came through “rehab”. His father won’t have him back home. He is separated. Recently he tried to call his 8 year old daughter on her birthday but her mother wouldn’t allow him to talk to her. Without the Mission’s help, Yordan says he might have had to resort to stealing just to live.

Dimitar says, “Indeed we come here driven by our need. We really appreciate the soup and bread you give us. However it has been so good to have a chance to speak to normal, educated people, to share thoughts and just laugh together. This helps us out of total degradation. It has been so good to know that every day you are here for us and we are not alone.”

The two men have been really open in their friendship with the coordinator and volunteers. Dimitar and Yordan have already attended the church services at the two partnering churches. The fact that they are welcomed and people are genuinely interested in their lives and hardships has stirred their interest towards faith in God.

Our visiting Norwegian colleagues bought them new winter boots because their shoes were completely worn out and they couldn’t find big enough sizes in the charity shops (see picture above).

7OVERCOMERS 2012

Taking Mercy to the Streets


In 2011, our Seeds of Hope project resulted in every family in our family sponsorship programme being offered a parcel of seeds, and the results were spectacular. Families worked hard on their plots and gardens, producing good crops of vegetables, tomatoes and other fruit for their use and for bottling. The offer of seeds encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity to help themselves ‒ a hand up rather than just hand-outs – and they rose to the challenge.

As we go to print, the arrival of spring signals the start of the Seeds of Hope project in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in our other field countries. To start the project, our MWB Bosnia staff ordered 1000 kilograms of seed potatoes, 200 kilograms of onions, and many small bags of different seed types for vegetables such as carrots, green beans, lettuces, peas, tomatoes, cabbages and so on. Everything has to suit local conditions and be of good quality. Then the parcels and boxes of seeds are sorted, assembled and distributed – no small task!

As Spring arrives, the families all are keen to get started on their gardens. They all hope for good growing weather and a successful crop!PICTURES (from top left to right): Sponsored families in Bosnia receiving “Seeds of Hope” for the spring sowing // The range of seeds on display for this sponsored family – Albania // Vladimir Rosulschi showing off the over 400 jars of preserves bottled by his wife for the winter // Boris Galyant showing his crop of potatoes and swedes to visiting Kiwis – Ukraine 2011

Sowing for a Harvest

Please help us provide seeds for every family in our Family-to-Family programme. $25 will buy one parcel of good quality seeds for a family. Please use the donation slip at the back of this magazine, or call us to make a credit card donation on 0800 469 269 – thanks for your support!

Would you like to be involved in this fantastic project?

9OVERCOMERS 2012

operation cover up newsoperation cover up news

PICTURES (clockwise from top): Liz Clarke // Thames OCU display – like a real orphanage // Local primary school children showing their knitting // ”So this is how it works” – carding wool, Thames // Maureen Braun and her dog Benny surrounded by Canterbury blankets


operation cover up news

11OVERCOMERS 2012


Getting involved There is no need to knit by yourself if you don’t want to! There are many knit and natter groups as well as annual gatherings and morning teas in many areas. Knitting patterns are now available through several of our knitting coordinators. They will be able to give you advice and ideas. Please contact one of the coordinators below to find out your nearest coordinator’s name and phone number.

Funds for shipping costsThe Mission needs help to cover the costs of getting blankets, clothes and other donated goods shipped to Eastern Europe. These costs run to a few thousand dollars per container. As a guide, we ask for a donation of $4.00 per blanket to help cover shipping and freight costs. Payment can be made in cash to your local coordinator, by direct deposit or online banking payment to one of the accounts of Mission Without Borders below, or by cheque to Mission Without Borders, PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446.

Mission Without Borders ocu accounts: North island 06 0185 0122206 04 south island 06 0185 0122206 05Only Mission Without Borders can issue a receipt for tax rebates (for amounts greater than $5.00). Please ensure that you can be identified from your online payment or provide evidence, such as a deposit slip stamped by the National Bank and your name and address details.

contact detailsNorth island coordinatorMrs Liz Clarke Phone: 07 378 9171 Email: [email protected]

south island coordinator Mrs Maureen Braun Phone: 03 327 6413 Email: [email protected]

What is neededThe following list covers the most important items needed.

>> Knitted, crocheted and handmade items including: • Blankets (see the suggestions box below for what is needed) • Jerseys – the greatest need is for children 0-17 years. Patterns with a crew neck are most appropriate for the climate • Scarves • Beanies • Bed socks • Gloves and mittens • Patchwork quilts

>> All sorts of items for sewing, embroidery, knitting and craft activities – fabrics, knitting wool, knitting needles, sewing needles, buttons and fasteners, elastic, cottons and threads, etc. (for the Vocational Training courses as well as poor families and elderly who would love to sew or knit for themselves, but cannot afford the materials).

>> Bed linen, towels, personal hygiene items like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, hairbrushes, etc.

No “AiDs Baby” or “Fish ‘n’ chip Baby” jumpers, please – in Eastern Europe conditions they have only limited usefulness.All donated items must be new, please, to comply with shipping and customs regulations. Thank you for your help and interest!

PREFERRED BlANKEt siZE• 63 squares (9 down and 7 across) or 7 strips

make a blanket.• Squares are knitted on size 8 (4mm) needles.

Cast on 40 stitches and knit 80 rows in garter (plain) knitting. This should make a 20cm square.

• Strips which are 160cm long are also a good idea, as this saves time when sewing up.



At a time when most in New Zealand were intensely focused on the Rugby World Cup, MWB’s Kiwi director and six supporters of the Mission slipped out of New Zealand bound for ukraine and Moldova.

Once in Ukraine, the group was able to sightsee in Kiev, obtain Moldova visas in person and then travel to Rivne in the West, which became their base. They visited families sponsored by Kiwis, an orphanage in a small town and a community youth ministry near the Polish border, where two of the group did clowning mines with a Christian message, and they travelled to the Vocational Training Centre and Mothercare facility operated by the Mission at Sarny. A special highlight was an invitation to attend the wedding of two MWB staff members in a remote village, and the reception held in a circus tent.

In Moldova, four of the group visited sponsored children, two in orphanages in the North, one in Straşeni in the centre, and one in the far south (Pelinei). They also saw the farm and training centre near Chişinau, visited Kiwi-sponsored families, met the MWB staff and saw the MWB warehouse, from where donated clothing furniture food and other goods are distributed to needy families and to orphanages. Four of the group are involved in Operation Cover Up and took a special interest in knitted blankets and hats they discovered in various places around Moldova!

Some of the impressions from the group are as follows:

Barbara: “In Moldova I met my two sponsored children for the first time, and that was special. Talking through an interpreter is not easy, but some things don’t need an interpreter. The ‘thumbs up’ is universal, as is ‘wow’, a child throwing their arms around your neck, and a bear hug. Also, the other children you meet in a home who sidle up beside you, just wanting a little bit of your time and attention, or who peer at you hesitantly around a corner, waiting for you to see them.”

Jessica: “Thank you for the Ukraine/Moldova experience, I found it totally humbling and it has deepened my relationship with Adonai (the Lord) and shown me that I am a member of the wider body of Christ.”

Glenda: “I was so impressed with the work of Mission Without Borders. The accountability in each country was impeccable. I have no hesitation in recommending supporting MWB in any way.”

Margaret: “I loved the families’ openness and acceptance of us as we came into their homes… I really appreciated the staff in both countries and was very impressed with the organisation, skills and dedication they have towards their jobs and the poor and underprivileged people of their communities.”

lynley: “From what I have seen, you (MWB sponsors) are making a tremendous difference in the lives of so many children… You are contributing towards families being able to get ahead in life and to break out of the restrictions that that lack of work and lack of finance have thrust upon them.”PICTURES (top to bottom): Kiwi group in Kiev // Barbara with Maria – Drochia, Moldova // Wedded MWB couple Sasha and Nadiya congratulated by a senior pastor - Ukraine // Lynley with sponsored child Romina – Moldova

SupporterVisits in 2011Ukraine and Moldova

13OVERCOMERS 2012

Two members of the 2011 tour group, Christian mime clowns Jenny Whitlock (Wanganui) and Glenda Farr (Wellington), had arranged to add on a few days to travel to Bosnia, to do some “clowning” for the people we help there. Jenny describes the highlight of her trip…

For me, the absolute highlight was the clowning drama we did for the elderly clients at the Glamoč feeding centre in Bosnia. Glamoč is a very poor village about 2 ½ hours’ drive from Mostar in southern Bosnia. It lies at the end of a road to nowhere, and for many elderly this is symbolic as well as geographic. Many elderly in Glamoč have lost hope. They have suffered greatly in the Bosnian war, having lost sons, daughters, husbands, wives, siblings and friends as well as homes, work and their futures. They are lonely, tired, cold, hungry, sad, often sick and largely forgotten. Many are too proud to let anyone know of their need and so they become isolated and depressed, especially as winter nears. Many elderly die in Glamoč in the winter.

I first visited Glamoč in 2000. There was no feeding centre there then – just the need for one. By the time I returned in 2003, the centre was up and running – much-needed and very much appreciated. I well remember one particular man coming for his meal. He stood in the centre in his long, fawn overcoat, excited because he had found Scripture that spoke to him of a future with hope. It was James 2:5: “For God has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom.”

“Look!” he said, “The Kingdom of God is for the poor! All we have here “on this earth” is bread and tea at home, and this feeding centre. But the Kingdom of God is for the poor!”

This man and his faith made a deep impression on me in 2003 so perhaps it’s not surprising that the highlight of my trip in 2011 was the presentation of the clowning drama based on those very words from the book of James to the precious people at the feeding centre at Glamoč. And afterwards, those folk were hungry for the handouts we gave them – tiny Vilene “pockets” with a cross inside and the words “you are loved by God” in their language. They wanted two or three each – and they got them. As we hugged these dear people with their beautiful gummy smiles, and held their hands, they clung to us with a quiet desperation, showing the need they couldn’t speak of.

As we left the dining room, my heart felt as if it would break in two and I doubled up in deep heart wrenching sobs. It had been a “God moment”, a time when Almighty God had allowed me a glimpse of the depth of his love for these dear, very precious older children. And I was totally overwhelmed. Thank you Father for the privilege of serving you. Jenny Whitlock. PICTURES (top to bottom): Jenny and Glenda clowning // Jenny meeting sponsored child, Tatiana, Chişinau // The rich “poor man”, Glamoč feeding centre in 2003

Poor Yet Rich As told by Jenny Whitlock


Here is the story of one brave woman, determined to do the best by her children despite facing huge odds. Meet Oksana Melnychuk and her family...

Oksana and her family living in a village in the west of Ukraine came to our notice in 2011 and were enrolled in our Family to Family sponsorship programme. Oksana is 43 and widowed. She has six children aged 5 to 12. Her number one challenge is a life-threatening medical condition. Her youngest son, Ivan (5), often wonders why people don’t greet their family with a kiss, why their mother gets her own communion chalice at church, and why his aunts came and told them they would have to leave their home. He is too young to understand what it means that his mother has AIDS.

Oksana herself comes from a well off Christian family. She and her seven siblings never went without. But because she was Christian, Oksana was unable to realise her dream to become a journalist and have a good job. Instead, her school, knowing that she was a good student, pressured her to give up her faith, but she refused. Instead, she was forced to work on a collective farm.

Oksana came to their village is a missionary evangelist and the first person to accept Christ was one Valeriy Melnychuk. His life radically changed as a result, and he and Oksana fell in love and married in 1998. It was only when their neighbour asked Valeriy to give blood and he had a blood test that it was discovered that he had AIDS, contracted during his wild single days. Valeriy was stunned to find out that not only was he gravely ill but that he could infect his wife and children. Sadly, Oksana discovered that she too was infected but mercifully none of the children.

Valeriy’s health deteriorated quickly. He spent years in hospital. He suffered from TB and died in 2009. Although she knew that Valeriy was gravely ill, it still came as a blow when her much loved husband died.

Holding on to Life

“If I hadn’t prayed, I would have died. Prayer and reading the Bible keep me alive.”

15OVERCOMERS 2012

Since her husband’s death, Oksana has faced real difficulties. Her husband’s siblings have recently taken back ownership of her home, and the family is forced to share one room. They will have to share the house with other families in the early summer when the others move back into the house.

Oksana’s health is deteriorating. She suffers from poor eyesight and a weakened immune system, often contracting flu and colds. Medical treatment gobbles up their meagre welfare payments of about $460 per month. Oksana cannot get a job until her youngest starts school in two years.

The youngest boy has a special place in her heart. When he was two months old, he suddenly fell ill. He was in great distress and the doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong. Tests finally confirmed meningitis. The little boy spent eight days in intensive care and more than a month in hospital. All this time, his mum kept praying… And the baby recovered. Despite the likelihood of brain damage, Ivan is completely well.

In spite of her illness, Oksana works long and hard around her home, rising daily between 5 and 6 am to hand-milk the cow, feed the animals and pack the children off to school with a good breakfast. Life is busy, but as Oksana explains, she needs to keep busy and to pray a lot in order to fight back thoughts about dying. She says that despite everything, she remains positive, but it is only because God gives her strength: “If I hadn’t prayed, I would have died. Prayer and reading the Bible keep me alive,” she says.

Oksana is concerned for her children. Most of all, she wants to see them become committed Christians.

Oksana’s daily prayer is that God would grant her more years of life to see them through.

Through our Family to Family sponsorship programme, we have been able to give help to the family already: a new washing machine from the Mission and a freezer donated by their Dutch sponsors. They now have access to warm clothing, bedding, firewood and other items that the Mission can make available to families like them. They received Operation Christmas Love parcels at Christmas (January), to their surprise and delight.

Oksana is a true overcomer. In the face of immense difficulties she perseveres, holding firmly onto her faith in a loving God who hears her cries. Her story is still being written…PICTURES (clockwise from far left): Oksana Melnychuk // The Melnychuk family outside their house // Petro and his dog // All seven now stay in one room (2012) // The Melnychuk family indoors (2011) // Lyubov, Nadiya, Pavlo and Vira open up their Operation Christmas Love parcel


Each year, Kiwis contact the Mission office, offering to volunteer in one of our field countries. Several have gone to help at summer camps for children. One who went in 2011 was Gaylene Burgess, from Whangarei. Gaylene is a retired school teacher. She first travelled in Turkey, helping with a camp there, then came by bus and ferry across the border to Bulgaria. After staying a night in the city of Plovdiv with a pastor’s family, Gaylene boarded a bus for the camp…

“I bought my ticket and was on my way to camp up over the Balkan

mountains which run east/west and divide Bulgaria in half. Then we started the climb through the mountains which were very pretty with woodlands and towns large and small along the way. Sarkis, the MWB Bulgaria Manager and camp leader knew the owner of this bus company and he had arranged for the driver to do a detour for me near the end of the run into Ljas`kovets, the nearest city to the camp.

Suddenly among the woodland the bus stopped and there was the camp. I couldn’t see any people at first but as I wandered in with my luggage, children spotted me and came running up saying “Hello, hello, Nova Zelandiya” They had just finished their evening meal and the leaders were having theirs so I joined them and was then taken to where I would sleep. The camp facilities were really good but there was no room for 6 of the adults including me so we stayed at a hotel owned by the camp owners, just a 5 minute walk further down the road through the woods. How wonderful to have my own room with bathroom facilities and a spectacular view over Ljas`kovets.

The daily routine began with a leaders’ meeting and devotions at 7.30am followed by breakfast. Some of the leaders ate with the children but most of us ate separately afterwards. The scrumptious meals were served in the camp restaurant and believe me they weren’t the kinds of food we have at camps! After breakfast was the morning worship and teaching session, a swim in the camp pool, lunch, crafts and other activities or an outing, dinner and the evening worship session.

Wednesday evening was the Salvation evening when some of the leaders gave their testimonies and the children were encouraged to make their response to Jesus. July Sotirova, currently a pastor, gave his testimony. He had been abandoned young and brought

Volunteering for Summer Camp

up in a Children’s Home like many of the children at camp. Unless they are studying higher education, the children have to leave the home at 18 and most quickly get into drugs and alcohol and crime, as did July. His testimony was probably the highlight of camp for me and surely was the reason for such a powerful response to the Lord on Wednesday night, with concert items making it a long night especially after the hottest day at 40 degrees. Each child was given a camp T shirt and a goodie bag with clothes, toys, sweets etc.

Sarkis acknowledged the extremely high calibre of leaders at this camp. I was greatly humbled by their devotion to the Lord also. They are so quick to pray in all circumstances…our driver never drove to our hotel without first praying.

Children from normal homes were often noticeably less well behaved than those from the orphanages. They were carrying cell phones and using them frequently.

The children left camp on two large coaches on Friday morning. I was taken by car by one of the leaders to Sofia airport to continue my travel onto Hungary. Violeta, one of the MWB office workers who was a group leader at camp, was also my main interpreter.

I was so blessed to be part of this camp and am indebted to the many wonderful people who helped me along the way. I hope that I will be able to return again and spend some time at one of the Childrens’ Homes before or after camp.

A famous Bulgarian story goes like this... The people said to God, “You gave all the peoples of the world their own piece of land but why did we miss out?” God replied, “Oh sorry I seemed to forget you... but now I’ll give you a piece of my garden to make up for that.” I can vouch for the fact that Bulgaria is one of the prettiest places on earth! Gaylene BurgessPICTURES (top to bottom): Gaylene with a child from the Bulgarian Summer Camp // Violeta, the MWB interpreter, with more children from camp

17OVERCOMERS 2012

are you a supporter of Mission without Border’s work in eastern europe and would like to do a short-term mission trip to help?

options include helping at a summer camp in one of our field countries, or at a soup kitchen, helping deliver Operation Christmas Love parcels, or

helping with our Bibles distribution.

For more information, contact us and ask for our “are You ready? (2012) brochure, or read it on our website www.mwb.org.nz – go to the How to Help page and click on “are You Ready? or call us at the office on 0800 469 269 (09 309 6969).

“Are you thinking of going? Then do it! Just go! It will be the best thing you have ever decided to do. You only speak English? Not a problem. The mission can still use you. But make contact with the mission some months before you intend to visit as there are formalities to be completed first.” – Esther Paddon (pictured at right), Kiwi volunteer to camps in Romania and Bulgaria 2010

volunteering in eastern europe

A Young Life TransformedBogdan (14), who lives at Lutsk State Home in Ukraine, has experienced amazing change in his life.

Bogden was nick-named the “white wolf” by his classmates because he was sad and a loner and different from them. His parents divorced before he ever met his father. His mother is so poor he had to go to the Home with his 7 year old sister Anna.

Last summer he went to summer camp. He loved it – and being sporty he liked the games, but he loved the worship times and Bible lessons even better. Afterwards, he got to know some Baptist Christians in a village where his mother worked, and began to go to their church.

He shares: “I always prayed before going to bed, but I could pray with other people there. I finally felt that I was not alone. I will remember the 21 August 2011 as one of the best days of my life. On that day, I decided to give my life to God.”

Since then he has changed: he smiles, no longer looks sad, and while his classmates still don’t understand him, they can see the difference in him. He reads his Bible in the evening. His teacher tell us he is doing very well in his studies, and he often comes to them to share things he has learned from the Bible. He is very good at biology, and won second prize in a competition in Lutsk. Our coordinator who visits the Home regularly tells us he is greatly inspired by Bogdan’s transformation.


we are considering offering a tour for supporters and sponsors to Romania, Albania and/or Bosnia for just 2-3 weeks at the end of april 2013.

The purpose of the tour is to visit the projects of Mission without Borders in those countries and to allow sponsors to visit their sponsored child or family.

It is only possible to give a rough estimate of costs of about $7000 to $8000 for this trip, which should cover all flights, food, accommodation and internal travel.

if there is a strong possibility of your joining the tour, please register your interest and contact details (including email and mobile phone, if you have them) with our office by letter or by e-mail so that we can keep you up-to-date with developments.

supporter tour 2013COUNTRIES:

PURPOSE:

COSTS:

REGISTER:

Your Final Word Leaving a Legacyif you would like to include Mission Without Borders in your Will, we recommend you consult your solicitor or other professional adviser to make sure your wishes are clear in your will.

The following sample wording is sufficient, however please confirm with your adviser:“I give, free of all duties and charges, to Mission Without Borders (n.Z.) to be used for its work where it is most needed:the sum of $__________________ or_______ percent of my residuary estate or_______ [description of property or assets]and the receipt of Mission without Borders (n.Z.) shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my trustees for this gift.”

If you or your adviser would like to discuss your wishes to leave Mission Without Borders a bequest, please contact us by phone 0800 469 269 or email [email protected]

And if you do decide to leave something to us, do please let us know so we can thank you now!

These children (with their Kiwi knitwear) are in a State Home in Romania. children like these need sponsors now.$40 per month will help bring them things they would never otherwise enjoy:

• Birthday, Christmas and Easter parties

• Visits from a MWB Coordinator and trained volunteers

• Access to: hygiene items (such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste/brushes, sanitary pads); medicines and vitamins; additional food for the orphanage; eye glasses; clothing and shoes; books and stationery.

As a sponsor you can exchange letters, send gifts (not Ukraine), and if required help with medical treatment costs.

Call us now to sponsor a child in Moldova, Romania or Ukraine on 0800 469 269 or fill out and send us the coupon on the back cover.

Together we can make a difference in their lives.

19OVERCOMERS 2012

MWB’S PROJECTS MENTIONED IN THIS MAGAZINEPAGE PRoJEct NAME PRoJEct PuRPosE

6 – 7 StreetMercy (StrM) A new project to feed and clothe street people, initially in two cities, one in Romania, one in Bulgaria.

8 Seeds of Hope (SOH) A project to put a bundle of high quality seeds into the hands of every rural family in our F2F programme so they can grow their own vegetables ($25 per box).

9-11 Operation Cover Up (OCU)

A NZ-initiated project to provide children in orphanages and poor families with woollen blankets and clothes for freezing winters.

10 Operation Winter Rescue (OWR)

Deliveries of warm clothes and winter boots, bedding and firewood to help families, the elderly and street people in the coldest times.

13 Soup kitchens and community centres (COM)

Outreaches to local disadvantaged families, children and elderly, who need a regular hot meal, staffed by church volunteers.

14-15 Operation Christmas Love (OCL) A christmas project to deliver boxes of staple foods, treats and the Christmas message to thousands of disadvantaged people across our field countries ($50 for each box).

8, 14-15, 20 Family Sponsorship (F2F) Our Family To Family programme helps families get on their feet.

16 – 17 Summer Camps (SC) Children from orphanages and poor families attend 10 days of fun in a Christian environment, May – July (northern summer).

12-13, 17, 18

Child Sponsorship (CRI) Children in orphanages or in “at risk” situations in their communities are reached through regular contact with our coordinators and trained volunteers.

make a donation sponsor a child sponsor a family knit woollen blankets or clothing

become a volunteer helping short-term in our field countries or here in NZ in our office or with OCU or as local rep

pray for our staff and those we are helping!

Call us at the office free on 0800 469 269 if you want to help out or need more information.

Payment Method

Option 1: Direct Credit Account Number 06 0185 0122206 12* (Please use your name, membership number as the payer reference or email confirming these details to [email protected]) *For Bibles use 25 account

Option 2: Credit Card Visa Amex Mastercard (tick one)

Name on card _____________________________________

Expiry date____/____ Signature ________________________

Card no

OR call 0800 469 269 to pay by phone using your credit card.

Option 3: Cheque payable Mission Without Borders

To make a donation to support any of the above projects, please use one of the codes above (e.g. StrM) and fill in your details below.

the code of the project/s I want to support

A tax rebate receipt is given for all financial gifts over $5.00 (please let us have a postal

address or your supporter number if you have one).

Name_____________________________________________

My Supporter Number___________________________________

Address____________________________________________

_______________________________Postcode_____________

Contact Phone________________________________________

Email______________________________________________

OR fill in this coupon and send it back to us:

Other programmes not mentioned in this magazine include our vocational training centres, mother care project, Jubilee Bibles project, Christian radio broadcasts, Bible Correspondence courses. You can read about these and other aspects of our work in our quarterly InFocus newsletter. Call us on 0800 469 269 if you would like to receive your own copy.

HoW cAN i suPPoRt tHEsE PRoJEcts? you cAN...

POST TO (no stamp needed): Freepost Authority Number 229442 Mission Without Borders, PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446

Please send me a sponsor pack now for a

Family in Eastern Europe Child in Eastern Europe

Name________________________________________________________

Postal Address_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________Post Code___________

Contact Phone (_____)______________________________________________

Email________________________________________________________

Complete and send (no stamp needed) to:Freepost Authority Number 229442Mission Without BordersPO Box 56264, Dominion Road Auckland 1446

TO SPOnSOR, PlEASE CAll US nOW On 0800 469 269.

A monthly payment of $40 is all it takes to become a sponsor under our Family to Family (F2F) programme.Your monthly payment will help bring the sponsored family:

• regular visits and support from a Mission coordinator • a monthly (at least) parcel of staple foods• warm clothing, bedding and furniture• access to medicines, vitamins, eyeglasses, dental treatment • Bibles and Christian input• school materialsAs a sponsor, you are able to write to your family and to send them gifts (except to Ukraine) and to help with urgent needs. The aim is to help transform from dependency to self sustainability – a hand up, not just hand-outs.

We have several families waiting for NZ sponsors. It takes four sponsors to support one family. We would love to hear from you. Please call our office now on 0800 469 269 or email [email protected]

CAn yOU HElP A FAMily liKE THiS OnE?

Golonko family, Ukraine (now fully sponsored).

Andrew (7) from Auckland delivering his own saved pocket money for a sponsored Albanian family’s special need. When his school has a prayer time, the children pray for their own families but he likes to pray for the sponsored family too, his mum tells us.

Helping to Change Lives in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine Reg. Charity No. CC37218


Documents

OverComers Magazine April 2012