THE STATE OF THE POOR IN EASTERN EUROPE

In Eastern Europe there is poverty, and hardship, and even war in some parts, and no safety net for those who are struggling. Poor families often have to choose between freezing in the dark or having food. Sometimes tragically, they can afford neither and if it were not for Mission Without Borders, many would simply die.

Half of Romania’s population continues to live under the poverty threshold. The country has too little contributors, and more elderly and social cases than they can handle. Single parents and families struggle to find food. The Seeds of Hope program is the difference between having quality healthy food or scratching in the dumps for bits of waste food just to keep themselves and their kids alive.

Poverty in Moldova has huge consequences, especially for old

people. Even though they have worked hard all their lives,

they have little or nothing to show for it. Some might receive a meager pension, not enough even for the basics. The few pensioners taken care of by their

children are the fortunate ones. However, there are lots

of abandoned old people who have to survive somehow. Many

are sick and their life is full of pain and sorrow.The Seeds of Hope program lets them grow enough fruits and vegetables so they can at least be sure they will have food every day.

Looking out at my backyard this morning, I was amazed to see not only the usual squirrels running around but robins. If that’s not a sure sign that spring will soon be here, I don’t know what is! I know I’m spoiled, living on the west coast while most of the rest of Canada is buried in snow and freezing ... but me, I’ve got robins!

Spring also means it’s time for our annual Seeds of Hope campaign. Mission Without Borders first launched this program 6 years ago, and in the past 2 years alone, we’ve supplied some 10,000 people with boxes of seeds and gardening tools. With this type of assistance and their own hands and hard work, people in Eastern Europe are able to feed and sustain themselves and their families. This campaign not only brings food to the table, but dignity and self-worth to their lives. It demonstrates God’s love in the most practical of ways, and inspires them to find Jesus in their lives.

I am mindful of just how fortunate we are to be living in Canada, where food availability is taken for granted. When I need or crave something, I just pop down to the nearest grocery store or vegetable market, and stock up. In sharp contrast, a recent OXFAM report stated that some 62 people (yes, that’s right, just 62 people in all the world) have more wealth than half the planets’ entire population. I bet those folks don’t have any worries about their food supply.

And yes, even in a wealthy society like Canada, some families still struggle to

put good quality, healthy food on the table every day. I

belong to a local Rotary club that has a

program where we provide a backpack of food for impoverished school children to

take home each weekend to make sure

they will have food over Saturday and Sunday. I cite

this to show that even for folks in need here, we have the wealth to take care of those struggling in tough times.

MWB’s Seeds of Hope program provides seed, tools and instruction if needed on how to grow food that will sustain a family over the autumn and winter seasons. A box of seeds only costs $50, and we have found it to be one of the most beneficial things you could do for that family. Often families are so successful with this project, they grow enough food beyond their own needs, that they sell the excess to generate some extra income. With this money, they are able to buy school supplies for their children or desperately needed medicines.

Mission Without Borders

Mission Without Borders

TOLL FREE: 1-800-494-4454

PO Box 2007 Abbotsford, BC V2T 3T8

EMAIL: mwbcanada@mwbi.org

In Ukraine nowadays, the situation has become worse due to sharp increases in the price of food, medicines and a six-fold increase in the cost of utilities. Inflation continues to rise, and thousands of employees have been laid off. Many thousands more work but do not receive the wages owing to them. The State has also reduced its social assistance and activities, causing more people to solicit our help. Without the Seeds of Hope program, many people in Ukraine would have little or no food over the long hash winter.

Bulgarians are constantly growing poorer. Bulgaria may very well be the poorest country in Europe. People are buying fewer products or cheaper items of lower quality while cutting costs on clothes, shoes, maintenance and transportation expenses. While bigger cities still offer some chance of finding employment, smaller towns and villages are de-populated. Living there is a great challenge, especially for those who are unemployed, disabled, sick or retired with a very small pension. Through the Gospel, Churches have the answer but lack the resources to adequately respond to immediate physical needs.The Seeds of Hope target group will increase in number as the Bulgarian economy is in deep crisis. Social Services don’t work properly, many young people leave the country and the Bulgarian nation is the fastest aging in EU with the highest rate of elderly people. The Seeds of Hope program is literally a lifesaver for many of these families and elderly who otherwise have few means to support themselves.

Albania faces a lot of economic and social problems, and political tensions. Poor families are especially affected by this situation. The number of children that are trafficked has increased as well as the number of beggars. Illiteracy has reached

terrifying levels. Homes for the elderly not only lack capacity to meet the need but offer few resources to care for the

elderly. Social services leave much to be desired. Seeds of

Hope in Albania is a growing program

driven by the desperate need of so many there.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, we

strategically develop the production capacities

of partnering churches to provide food for our Soup Kitchens. The operations in Glamoc (ElderCare) and Prijedor are advanced in that. Some volunteers and stakeholders from the local community are also involved. Many years of a good reputation within the respective communities where our Soup Kitchens are located, is visible proof of MWB’s excellent work. The officials within the mentioned communities have recognized our effort and are thankful for the dedication and hard work. In the long-term, it is intended that the local churches and/or local communities will be able to take over the operations,

thereby making this project sustainable. In addition,

Seeds of Hope helps individual families

put food on the table all winter long.

PLANT A SEED, FEED A SOUL

Throughout Eastern Europe, Seeds of Hope

brings food, extra income and of course hope to many thousands. Please donate to this project … just $50 is enough to supply a family with food all winter long. What a great investment!

God bless, and thank you for your support.

Blessings,

David Inwood NATIONAL DIRECTOR MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS CANADA

TAX RECEIPT SEASON

Just a quick reminder that where we can, we will be issuing tax receipts via email for 2015 donations. If your email address has changed recently,

please make sure we have the correct address on file. For those who cannot

receive a receipt via email, we will “snail mail” it for you.

OUR NEXT CONTAINER

We expect to ship another container early in 2016, filled with items urgently needed for the poor of Eastern Europe.

We are especially looking for summer clothing, shoes, detergent, diapers, sanitary pads,

shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, cooking oil, rice, pasta, canned food, flour, chocolate, biscuits, dishware, towels, backpacks, school supplies and sewing machines.

Your donation would be greatly appreciated. Do you think you might be able to organize a drive in your area or church to help us out? If so, please give us a call.

MEET THE MISSION

We will be doing presentations about the work of the Mission to church

groups across Western Canada.

If you would like us to speak to your group, please call 604-855-9126 or

Toll Free 1-800-494-4454

PRAYER GUIDE

Your prayers are truly appreciated! Look for the “Prayer Team” page

on our website at ...

www.mwbca.org/get-involved

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THRIFT STORE

Did you know we are opening a thrift store? It’s a great way to receive and process donations we can then send overseas. Items that are not needed overseas can be sold here, and those proceeds used to purchase items the

needy in Eastern Europe do need.