“The church is the only place where I can be myself.”Quality of life for the elderly in Moldova is disturbing and one of the lowest in Europe. As an example, only 50% of elderly households in the country have access to a proper sewerage system. Yet, despite the immense material challenges they face, it is the desperate loneliness in old age that can have the most devastating impact on their lives.

Mission Without Borders’ Community Centre in Chisinau aims to meet the material, emotional and spiritual needs of the elderly in the community. In partnership with the local church, every lunch time, at least 50 elderly people come to eat, socialise and hear God’s Word. The kitchen also provides for 10 others in the community who are home bound because they are paralysed or disabled.

At 72 years, Iaroslav’s pension barely covers his basic needs. His children rarely visit him and when they do they care more about who will inherit his home rather than his daily needs. “Reading the Bible, sharing a meal and talking with friends is the only thing that gives me hope each day,” he says.

Larisa is 80 years old and is blind in one eye. For her, the church is the only place where she feels loved and valued. She has two daughters who are both abroad and she has not seen them for years. “Every morning when I wake up,” she says, “the first thing I do is to thank the Lord for one more day on this earth and for the people who donate and help us survive. I also pray to God that He will protect my right eye so that I will be able to see until I die.”

After the elderly eat they listen to a sermon, and lately some have decided to be baptised. Many now attend the Sunday church service too.

“The demand for this service in the local area is significant,” Fiodor Nicolaevich, the church Deacon says. “So many elderly are in need and Social Services cannot cope with the demand, so this project aims to help fill that gap.”

June 2016

Once the elderly have left the Centre, the staff then prepare for the children to arrive after school. Around 30 children from the local area arrive daily, they are given a warm meal, fresh fruit and spend time doing their homework and attend English classes and Bible lessons. They can even take a shower and have their clothes washed.

Vlada, 10, attends the Community Centre each afternoon. Her mother abandoned her a few years ago and left her with her frail grandmother. Due to her experiences, Vlada is a very timid child who struggles to trust anybody. When she was invited to the Community Centre she experienced love and care from people she did not know, which amazed her.

“The church is the only place where I can be myself,” Vlada says. “I like to come here because we learn about God and I know that He loves me and this makes me happy.”

We are glad that the children don’t just come to eat at the centre but also to participate in the different activities offered including the scripture lessons. Our joy is that many of them have already started coming to church and that they have also invited their parents. We continue to witness the great work that is done here and we thank God for it.

Life in Moldova, is hardest for the Elderly and Children.• According to Global Age Watch Index, the standard of living in

Moldova rates as one of the lowest in all European countries.• The elderly and children are the most affected and socially

vulnerable classes in Moldova• The Quality of Life Index for Moldova is only 35%, indicating a

life of desperation, especially for the elderly.• Despite a rise in state pension payments, the basic needs of the

elderly are still not covered.• The minimum pension payment is a mere $90 AUD/month. It

covers less than 60% of their basic needs.• Poverty is four times higher in rural areas than in the cities.• The elderly have limited access to public utility services,

especially in rural areas. Only 25% of households are equipped with central heating and only 50% of households have access to a sewerage system.

• According to official statistics, chronic malnutrition or stunting affects 6 percent of children under 5.

• Children are exposed to high levels of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as domestic violence and harsh discipline.

• 75% of children between the ages of 2 and 14 have experienced violence at home.

• One out of five children has one or both biological parents working abroad. Children left behind end up being cared for by their elderly and poor grandparents, or, in some cases, they live on their own. A horrifying thought to consider the impact this has on their nutrition and welfare.

Just $50 will provide a month of hot meals & Community Centre facilities for a person

in need.

Anna’s Calling - Serving the Paralysed in

Cantemir,Moldova.Two years ago, Anna’s husband passed away. She was alone, her children were far away and she did not know what to do. The first Christmas she was on her own, she received an Operation Christmas Love parcel from the local church in Cantemir, Southern Moldova.“At first I was skeptical about the church. I had grown up knowing very little about God. My family and I were very poor. When I received the gift, my heart softened and with a friend I went to the church and my life has changed, even though I am now 77.”

“I found good people at the church,” Anna says. “God teaches and blesses us to help others. Now I do not sit alone and worry about myself, instead I volunteer at the Community Centre and deliver food to local people in great need. It is good to communicate with them and provide them with a nourishing meal each day which so many cannot afford here. I am always moved and encouraged when I go to them.”The first lady Anna visits with food is Dusea, who is paralysed and confined to her bed. She has no family and only volunteers from the church visit her and provide her with a support network. As soon as Dusea sees Anna both women start to cry. “I feel better when I cry,” Dusea says. “It means a lot for me to get visits from Anna and Pastor Boris. Though I can do so little, Boris encouraged me that I can still pray. I pray for him all the time when I know he has a lot to do.”Pastor Boris (pictured bottom right), is Mission Without Borders Coordinator in Cantemir and he runs a number of programs and projects from the Community Centre supporting young and old. “We give opportunities for everyone who comes to church to serve the community,” he says. “Women like Dusea have no one. The church and Anna fill the gap.”“We encourage and pray for Dusea that spiritually she can be young and beautiful. We believe that if she stays close to Jesus, He will give her a new spiritual body in a place where there is no pain and sickness.”MWB currently supports 23 Community Centres and 5 Soup Kitchens in Moldova.

Will you partner with us to supportCommunity Centres?

Your gift will go a long way to bring new hope to many children, families and the elderly in Eastern Europe.

And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the

hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the

darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Isaiah 58:10Please note: In the case of this project being fully funded, any additional donations will go to where most needed.

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERSAUSTRALIA PO Box 7533 Silverwater NSW 1811 | 10 Stubbs Street Auburn NSW 2144Phone 02 9647 2022 Email australia@mwbi.org Website mwb.org.au facebook.com/MissionWithoutBordersAustralia

Host a Soup Evening and support MWB Community Centres.

We had such an overwhelming response to our soup recipes and fundraising evenings last year, so here’s another traditional soup to try! We all love a warm bowl of soup at this time of year, and it tastes so much better knowing that it could help feed a child or family in poverty in Eastern Europe.As winter sets in, it’s the perfect time to gather your friends together and host a fellowship evening while enjoying a traditional bowl of soup that would typically be served in one of our many Soup Kitchens in Eastern Europe. If you belong to a Bible study or church group this could be the perfect opportunity to raise funds in a fun and nourishing way. We have provided a simple, traditional chicken Borscht soup recipe that you can make and charge a nominal amount for those who attend - perhaps $5 per bowl to raise funds for this project and at the same time enjoy quality time with family and friends. Be sure to send us your photos and let us know how you went.

Chicken Borscht SoupServings: 8-10

Time: 3hrs

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:1 whole chicken, about 1.5 kilos, cut into parts(breast, thighs, legs, wings)1 medium head of green cabbage, sliced2 large beetroots, peeled and cubed (or 4 small)2 carrots, peeled and diced4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed3 tomatoes, diced or 1 can diced tomatoes1 onion, diced3 cloves garlic, peeled and diced2 tablespoons dried dill or fresh if you have it2 dry bay leavesSalt and pepper2 tablespoons veg oil8 cups water300ml Sour Cream (optional)

Preparation/Cooking:

Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot, cast iron if you have it. Salt and pepper chicken and place skin side down in the pot, in a single layer. Allow skin to get very crispy and brown; don’t rush this step. Once all chicken has been browned, remove to a separate dish. Keep any excess liquid and fat in the pot and sauté onions, carrots and garlic until soft and lightly browned.

Add chicken back to pot along with tomatoes, beetroot, dill, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until chicken is completely cooked through. Note: You won’t get any meat from the wings, but it is important to simmer them as they are packed with flavour and will result in a richer broth.

Remove chicken to a clean dish and set aside to cool slightly. Add cabbage and potatoes to pot and continue simmering for one more hour until tender. Taste broth at this point and add more salt and pepper to taste. When chicken is cool enough to touch, pull meat from bones in large pieces. Discard bones and wings. Once vegetables are tender, add shredded chicken back to pot. Heat through and serve with a garnish of fresh chopped parsley and dill, a generous dollop of cream (optional) and crusty bread with butter.