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MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS

The Jiga family from Romania have been enrolled with MWB since 2008. They live in a small, isolated house in a forest on the outskirts of Sibiu. A dirt track leads to their house. A mission co-ordinator visited them with a much needed Operation Winter Rescue delivery. “When we opened the door, we saw seven little faces together with their mother and they all shouted “Welcome!” In spite of their poor conditions, their warm greeting made us feel loved. The house has only one room which serves as a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It is poorly furnished with only some beds, a closet and a stove. It has an outdoor toilet and has no running water inside.

“Mum, is it okay to have our own blankets from now on?”

December 2014

22 MWB in FOCUS | DECEMBER 2014

Rodica (38) is raising her seven children on her own. She grew up in an orphanage, married, but is now separated from her husband who is in prison. The family allowance of NZ$106 per month is not enough for eight people to live on. Rodica’s dream is to see all her children graduate from school and get into good careers because she knows that is the only way out of poverty.

Wintertime is harder because it gets very cold and they do not have warm clothes. But through the mission they were given knitted blankets and warm clothes. Everyone chose a new hat, a new jumper, a new scarf and a new pair of gloves. They were so delighted the only thing you could hear was: “Wow! Wow! Wow!”

“I know it’s so difficult for them, especially when they go to school and see all the other children well-dressed. I just can’t afford to buy them new clothes. If it wasn’t for the mission’s help this winter, I don’t know what we would have done. I’m so thankful for all the people who reach out to us and help us.

Not only have we received all these clothes, shoes and blankets, but also firewood”, Rodica said.

The girls were given some brand new red winter boots. When their mother saw the boots she said: “These are exactly the same ones as you showed me in the store, aren’t they?” The girls started to try them on immediately – it was like a dream come true.

Excitedly, each of them chose a warm blanket and went to their bed saying: “This is mine! It’s going on my bed! Mum, is it

okay to have our own blankets from now on?” All the children believe in Jesus and know they have a Heavenly Father who takes care of them by sending people to help them.

Rodica exclaimed “You have helped us so much and I am very thankful to God above because He sent you to us. And His help always comes at the right time!” We left their home knowing that we had brought them much joy and had helped to make the difference between living and just surviving.♦

“You have helped us so much and I

am very thankful to God above because He sent you to us”

The Jiga Family enjoying their new winter warmth

33MWB in FOCUS | DECEMBER 2014

Office hours over Christmas–New Year and MailOur office closes Tuesday 24 December 2014. We re-open Monday 19 January 2015. Our next regular mail will be sent 1 February together with our quarterly Bridge of Prayer.

SUPPORTERS’ TOUR 2015We plan to offer a tour to two of our field countries in September-October 2015. Details will be notified on our website, Facebook page and in newsletters. If you haven’t contacted us yet but are interested in going, please let us know.

INCREASE IN SPONSORSHIP $45In 2014, we increased the monthly sponsorship for a family or a child to $45 for all new sponsorships. This helps us meet the higher costs of providing help. We have been writing to our current sponsors inviting them to consider the same increase where they can.

EMAIL REMINDERTo save costs and to enable us to send news right to your computer (or phone), we will be making greater use of email in 2015. If you have recently changed your email address or started using email, please email us with your name and supporter number or address details so that we can update our records.

CHRISTMAS CARDS PACKSThere’s still time to order your MWB Christmas cards packs.12 cards, $15 including P&H. Order by phone or go to our website “Shop”.

OPERATION COVER UP – Another Fantastic Effort! Thank you to all who have contributed this year to this phenomenal project that touches hundreds of lives both here in NZ and also in our field countries. The North Island container has arrived and is going by road to Eastern Europe; the South Island container will arrive in the next 3 weeks.

CHRISTMAS LOVE 2014 We have had a wonderful response from our Christmas Love appeal – thanks to all who have given so generously. Here is an exciting report just in from Ukraine.

This year Mykola and his team will be distributing 2000 Christmas Love parcels to families in Eastern Ukraine. They are planning take a truckload of boxes and to deliver them to a church in Slovyansk, Donetsk region. They will be working with the local pastors to help distribute them to the most needy families and refugees from the war zone. The whole trip will take 4-5 days.

Supporters tour group 2013 (Kiwi members)

FROM ALL OF US IN THE NZ OFFICE & THE FIELD OFFICES TO YOUWe wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Blessed 2015. Thank you for your amazing support and interest in our work. Whether you are a supporter, volunteer, prayer or knitter, you have helped make a huge difference to the lives of the needy in Eastern Europe.

Our field Directors send their Christmas greetings to you and thank you for all you have done to make their work possible in 2014.

Moldova

Romania

Bulgaria

Ukraine

Albania

Poland

Germany

Belarus

Czech Republic

Austria

Slovakia

Hungary

Serbia

Macedonia

KosovoMontenegro

CroatiaSlovenia

Sea of Azov

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Crimea

Moldova

Romania

Bulgaria

Ukraine

Albania

PolandGermany

Belarus

Czech Republic

Austria

Slovakia

Hungary

Serbia

Macedonia

Kosovo Montenegro

Croatia

Slovenia

Sea of Azov

Bosnia & HerzegovinaCrimea

44 Helping to Change Lives in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine

Feedback from the last Winter Rescue

Oxana from Moldova shared,

“I don’t know what would have happened to our family if we had not met MWB. We feel loved by such good people who care about us. It is wonderful when the coordinator comes and asks us how we are doing. He prays for us, listens and talks to us, and he also brings clothes, shoes, toiletries, and food. And now all these warm clothes, knitted socks, and blankets. We are very thankful to MWB for making this winter easier for us.”

“Thank you from all my heart for the shoes you gave to my child. His old ones were torn. We have no job and cannot buy bread, let alone shoes and clothes.”Bulgaria

”We don’t know you but we thank you for the warm clothes, caps, scarves and gloves. We cannot afford to buy them and they are so nice and warm!” Bulgaria

Our family is very poor and we have nobody to help us. Your help means so much to us. Thank you so much for your kindness and love. May God bless you with every possible blessing.” The Romanyk family, Ukraine

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERS (NZ) PO Box 56264, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Phone 09 309 6969 0800 469 269 Email nzadmin@mwbi.org Website mwb.org.nz Reg. Charity No. CC37218 facebook.com/MissionWithoutBordersNZ

Direct Credit Payments: Our bank account is 06-0185-0122206-12 If you would like us to issue a receipt for tax rebate purposes, please include or email us your name, supporter number (if you have one) and a reference code: OWR: Winter Rescue WMN: Where most needed For Bibles, please use account 06-0185-0122206-25 but please note that gifts for Bibles do not qualify for tax rebates.