Operation Winter Rescue1. Ukraine: Pray for the ordinary people who are suffering

hardship. With Ukraine now in an energy supply crisis, keeping warm is a real challenge. Government family benefit payments have also run out. People are anxious as winter approaches and many are already trying to stockpile firewood for the cold season.

2. Pray for the governments of all the countries we serve and for those departments responsible for allocating aid and resources during the winter months. Pray these officials have great wisdom and forge good relations with MWB staff and other aid agencies.

3. Severe weather isolates some communities and limits access to electricity and water. Pray for communities who are affected by sub-zero temperatures – particularly those deprived of public attention and care.

Gift In Kind4. Gifts in Kind (aid such as blankets, clothing, shoes, hygiene

items and linen) is very important at this time. Please pray for efficient and timely releases of the container shipments as they arrive at the borders and for wisdom for our staff as they seek to make best use of limited resources in the midst of ever greater needs.

5. Thank God for the companies and dedicated supporters donating such essential gifts and give thanks for those who donate funds to help with transport costs.

Education6. Of all the children who go through State Homes in Moldova,

only 1 in 10 have positive future prospects. The others fall prey to human trafficking, drug addiction, crime, imprisonment and suicide. Please pray for God to raise up more workers who will reach out with His message of redeeming love to those that will otherwise struggle, especially the teens aged 14-18.

7. Please pray for the young people who have left school at 18 and are now starting their training and university courses.

8. Pray for ones attending English language classes from our sponsored families like Velida (Bosnia): “I am a middle-aged woman. I never expected that I will get a chance to learn again. I am happy for the chance I’ve been given to learn the English language for free.”

Community Collaboration / Soup Kitchen/ Street Mercy9. Please pray for the people attending the soup kitchen at

Hunedoara, Romania where our partner is a large Pentecostal church that reaches the poorest in the area. Since the Soup Kitchen was established in 2009, a good number of those helped have made Christian commitments and been baptised.

10. Please pray for the outreaches at the Soup Kitchens in Lapraka and Berat, Albania where around 80 people are fed each day (budgeted for only 60!). Please pray for the expansion of the Soup Kitchen work to other partner churches so that even more people can be reached.

11. Mihai, Bulgaria: “I can’t thank you enough for everything you do. Your support means a lot to me. You are my only home”. Pray that people like Mihai will continue to benefit from hot meals, warmth, clothing and hygiene items through Street Mercy.

12. Illeana, Romania: “I am 84 with no family. I felt so good when the people from the centre came to visit me. They offered me support and brought me food.” Pray that vulnerable people like Illeana continue to benefit from MWB’s community centre support.

Christmas Provisions and Celebrations13. This is the time of preparing for Christmas-related outreaches,

including the Operation Christmas Love boxes for families, puppet shows and plays with a Christmas theme for children and adults in Children’s Homes and Community Centres. Please pray for the volunteers, performers, co-ordinators and staff during this busy festive season – may they be blessed with good health and stamina to endure the busiest time of year.

14. Christian Puppet Theatre – This time of year brings many opportunities to retell Bible stories. Pray for those sharing the Nativity through theatre that they are inspired by both the incarnation (birth of Jesus) and children watching.

15. Celebrations of the birth of our Saviour. “The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all.” Titus 2:11. As we celebrate God’s love for us, give thanks for this transforming message which continues to impact people’s lives each day.

Operation Christmas Love16. Ukraine: The boxes of staple foods and Christmas treats will

have even greater importance this year as all Ukrainians face higher living costs and great uncertainties. Please pray for the team of volunteers who will help our staff pack several thousand of the special gift boxes, for those distributing them, and for those who receive them, that they may receive more than just food and treats, but also the Peace of God in the person of Jesus, who is the real meaning of Christmas.

17. Marc, Romania: “The last few years have been a horrible time of pain. Thanks to you, I opened my heart to Jesus and He filled it with joy, hope and love.” Give thanks for OCL! Pray for MWB’s staff preparing to deliver 30,000 parcels to people like Marc this Christmas.

Christian Outreach18. Please pray for more local churches in Moldova to see the

possibilities that partnering with MWB can offer them in terms of Christian outreach and ministry to their own people. Pray these churches will be open to expanding their vision to reach their communities with practical help and the Gospel.

19. Ukraine - Mykola (Director MWBU) reports that churches are gathering to pray together and conflicts between Christian denominations and groups have all but ceased. Young people gather in town squares to pray for their country and for the war to cease. Pray for the churches and church leaders we work with that they might be a light in their communities, and continue to reach out to those in the eastern regions affected by the war.

20. Please pray for good relations with local authorities who will endorse and support MWB’s work among the socially dis-advantaged. This is especially important with State Children’s Homes/schools at present.

Elderly21. Pray for the 500+ elderly and disabled who are reached

through the Elderly Clubs run by MWB in Bulgaria.

22. Pray for the pensioners and disabled who attend our Soup Kitchens and Bible studies. Pray for those who are coming to education classes and MWB centres for medical check-ups.

Sponsorships23. Please pray for all of our children (approx. 12,000) in our

Child Rescue International sponsorship programs in Ukraine,

Moldova and Romania, and those in our Family to Family programs (approx.1760) in all 6 field countries as the colder weather sets in.

24. Family sponsorships – supporting families to stay together is crucial for helping them tackle poverty and social exclusion. Pray that through family sponsorship, MWB can help remove daily pressures driving families apart.

25. Families in Crisis – For families who regularly face insecurity, we provide essential food and clothing. Pray that through this initial help, families will want to continue working with MWB to receive long term support to move towards self-sufficiency.

Praise Points/Answers to prayer26. The economic crisis in Ukraine means that State Children’s

Homes are seriously under-funded this year. MWB Ukraine planned for only 700 children to attend Summer Camp this year, but the Homes directors were so delighted to be able to send 945 Ukrainian children this year! Thank you for your support.

27. MWB has been established for 54 years now. The international leaders gathered in Greenwich, London in September, for our two-yearly Conference. One key realisation is rather than short-term projects or aid, MWB is distinctive for its foundation on solid long-term relationships – with local churches, local authorities, supporters, and sponsors. This is how we work together to “reach people for Christ” in Eastern Europe.

Child Rescue International28. Ukraine - Iryna is (14). Her parents are both deceased. She

has a brother and two sisters. Their Grandmother is their guardian but cannot afford to care for all the children so Iryna and one of her sister’s live in the Children’s Home. Iryna is in good health and is in grade 7 at school. She has mild learning difficulties and receives special education. Iryna’s sponsor passed away recently so she now needs a new sponsor to carry on in that ladies footsteps.

29. Romania- CRI in Community - David (9) comes from a needy family. His parents are legally married but have gone abroad to find work. Only his father is employed but earns a small wage. David’s Grandmother takes care of him and his 2 brothers. David is visually impaired. He is in grade 1 at school and is doing well in his subjects. He is a glad, friendly and active child. David would like a sponsor to show him God’s love and care.

Dear Mission Without Borders Prayer Partner,

Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers for the poor people of Eastern Europe, especially over the harsh, cold winter months. Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May He hear each daily prayer lifted up to Him and provide His love and blessings to those in need.

Blessings, Mission Without Borders, Australia

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “ Matthew 6:2-4

P O B Ox 7533 S I LV E R WAT E R N S W 1811

10 S T U B B S S T R E E T AU B U R N N S W 2144

P H O N E : 02 9647 2022

E - M A I L : austra l ia@mwbi .org

W E B : w w w.mwb.org.au

• Please also continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and stabilization of the political and economic life of the country.

• For quick and successful clearance of Gift in Kind items at the Ukraine Borders.

Mission Without Borders Australia

• Please pray for God’s hand to continue to be over the selection of a new National Director, that in His timing, He will provide the right person to fill this role and lead the team into the New Year.

• Please pray for the safety of our staff and their families over the Christmas/New Year break. May they be blessed with rest and special time with loved ones and return in 2015 feeling refreshed.

• Please pray for all our supporters and donors over the Christmas/New Year period. That they also be blessed with safety on their journeys and vacations during this time of year.

On behalf of all the staff at Mission Without Borders Australia, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our prayer partners a blessed and joyous Christmas and New Year. We thank you for your support during 2014 and for partnering alongside us in prayer this year. Our prayer for you as we embark on 2015 is for good health, prosperity and God’s blessings to you, your family and friends.

Bosnia – Herzegovina• Please pray for an even better partnership with F2F families,

and for the possible start of a new F2F location in Tuzla. • For our partners, especially the churches – they are small

and financially weak and share the burdens which affect the country – please pray they grow in every respect.

• For the MWB workers that they remain focused on the vision, be creative and stay unified.

Bulgaria• That God will show mercy and speak to the hearts of the

people who suffered in the recent floods.• For God to give wisdom and guidance to our F2F coordinators

Ventsislav Bozhikov and Emil Metodiev. • For God’s protection over the Street Mercy workers and

volunteers from Satan’s attacks in the face of intoxicated, mentally ill and other people of risk. We cannot rely on the police to constantly guard and protect them. May God give wisdom to the Street Mercy servants and control the situation by His Holy Spirit

Moldova• Pray that the local authorities will be open to MWB Ministry

with spiritual and moral support in the public schools and in communities.

• Pray for more active involvement of local churches in supporting MWB Moldova’s ministry in our country.

• Pray for clearer vision, higher wisdom and greater fruitfulness in MWB Moldova’s project implementations.

Romania• Pray for the entire country and the newly elected

government. Pray for wisdom and leadership in such a time of political uncertainty.

• Pray for a great positive impact upon the beneficiaries so that their lives will be saved.

Ukraine• To date, the war in eastern Ukraine has seen 3000 lose

their lives (including 1000 civilians) and about 3000 have been wounded. These casualties touch many Ukrainians personally, including our local staff, especially when they are from nearby towns or villages. Please continue to pray for our staff who continue to work under tremendous uncertainty and stress amongst families and others in dire need of material and emotional support.

Bridge of Prayer November-December 2014

Family to Family Sponsorship30. Yusenko Family – Ukraine. Viktor and Iryna are a married

Christian couple with 3 young children. They live in a rented one room apartment and although it has a bathroom and kitchen facilities inside, it is very small for their growing family. They dream of building their own small house one day. Viktor works seasonally in summer as a builder and during those months receives about $132 p/m. Iryna is unemployed and spends her time raising the young children. They receive a small child benefit, but it is not enough to survive each month. Please pray for 2 more sponsors to love and support them during these difficult times.

31. Karavdic Family – Bosnia. Mirel and Naza are married with two young daughters. They rent a small one room house, with a wood stove and inside toilet. Mirel is a salesman but there is no work. He suffers anxiety because he doesn’t know how he will provide for his family. Their youngest daughter recently had glandular fever and is still quite ill, recovery for her will be a long process. The family don’t own any furniture or appliances except for some drawers and two old chairs. Please pray for 3 new sponsors to support them and give them hope.

Eastern European Country Prayer Points

Following the recent management conference in the UK, each of the field countries provided us with specific prayer points they would like us to focus on.

Albania• Please pray for Albania, for stability, understanding and

improvement of the political situation in the country, the relationship between two main political forces. Please pray that the country finally gets out of the tunnel of crisis that is suffocating the country and the people.

• Pray for all the donors who make it possible that our ministry continue; we shall pray that the Lord continues to bless them during this year and that He touches their hearts and keeps them motivated so they continue to help the Mission and thus the people in need in Albania and all the field countries.

• Let us pray for the members of the F2F community in Albania and every beneficiary so that their eyes are opened, that they understand that God is near them and they let the Lord into their heart and live a new life in Christ.