MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS

Big picture: TatianaTop right picture: Antonia (left) and Tamara are friendsBottom right picture: Tatiana serving lunch

Tatiana, now 27, first came to the Soup Kitchen in Moldova 13 years ago after she was found begging in the streets. She is from a large family and her alcoholic father made their lives very stressful. Now she is a volunteer there, working with the children who come there daily.

“This place means more to me than my own home. At first, I came here for a cup of milk and a cookie, then I also received some clothes, but with time I realized that this was a place filled with love and soon came to know God here. I enjoy being a part of this special work here where children’s lives are touched and changed. I love each child that comes here,” Tatiana said.

One of the coordinators explained “All of the children have their own sad stories to tell; they come here dirty, with lice, scabies – so they need not only to be fed, but also to be washed and have medical help. Bible lessons, counselling, discussions and emotional support take place here every day. They also do their homework here. They love being taught life-skill lessons

– how to behave, be polite, hygiene, how to set a table, etc. All the children found this place to be their “Island of Hope” as they like to call it. It is the place where they are loved, fed, taught, washed and

encouraged”.

Another girl, Antonina came to the centre 6 years ago after not wanting to live after her mother committed suicide. “Coming here was the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me, I love this place!”

Tamara, 15 and Mihai, 13 are two siblings that remember the day when

their father was beaten in the streets by a few men. Now their father is an invalid,

bed-ridden and all of them are taken care of by their grandmother. Tamara says, “I am so happy that God is like a father to us. He gave us this place where we can see that HE loves us. We have good food and friends. I have one problem- my brother doesn’t like me very much because my face reminds him of our mother. He cannot forgive her because she left us. But I’ve learned recently about forgiveness and prayer.”

They call it “Island of Hope”

All the children

found this place to be

their “Island of Hope”

September 2014

PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Phone 09 309 6969 / 0800 469269 | MissionWithoutBordersNZEmail nzadmin@mwbi.org | Website www.mwb.org.nz

Soup Kitchens – Community Hubs

"Having a warm meal served with love and kindness, without making one feel humiliated is really great. I have worked my whole life but now there is no work. If it weren’t for the centre maybe I would be on the streets asking for money to buy food for my family. It is like a warm, lovely home to us.” Ilviu, 64, brings his 2 year-old granddaughter many miles for a meal every day, Albania (pictured centre).

“Thank you so much for your delicious food. I do not have strength to cook now, so your lunches are a life-saver for me! Thanks to you, I can have a fresh and tasty hot meal every day. Let God bless all the people who do not let us starve.” Paraskoviya Bigun, 84, a single lady from Ukraine.

“I fell ill, needed expensive medicines and was finding it difficult to survive. I was invited to the soup kitchen where I was offered warm food; I made some friends and learnt about God’s love. I feel much better now and have stopped crying. Thank you for everything you are doing.” Zlatka Vassileva, 67, Bulgaria.

“Apart from hot soup, bread and dessert, I receive food, vegetables and candles for my home as I cannot afford electricity. The relationships with the people at the soup kitchen and the words from the Bible I have been given are the only comfort for me in this world.” Fikrie Murteva, Bulgaria, who comes from a very poor, abusive background.

Reg. Charity No. CC37218

Friendship & Outings Delivery of M

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