Street Mercy: More Than A Hot Meal

StreetMercy from Misjon Uten Grenser on Vimeo.

I love Romania.  Really I do.  Would go again in a heart beat.  But there's one area I DON'T love.

Gara de Nord- the north train station is a colossal structure that connects Romania's extensive passenger railroad lines with the underground subway.  It's not in the best area of town (is any train station in a good area of town?)  The station itself is very clean and modern on the inside.  It used to be a hotbed for panhandlers and thieves.  Now there are armed police at every entrance.  But outside is a different story.  Lots of kids hanging around.  Then you notice the glue..  the first time I saw a kid huffing I came close to throwing up.  It makes me queasy 4 years later.



And it's not just in Bucharest.  All over Eastern Europe, homeless people wander the street, eeking out an existence, and try to get by the best they can.  Some are abandoned children, some are drug users, many are just regular folk who had a job, lost it, and eventually lost everything.



 Some people resort to begging.  Others retreat into extensive sewer systems to survive during the cold winters. 

The BEST solution is prevention.  That's where the Family sponsorship program works best- keep families intact and give them a hands up out of a bad situation into a promising future


But what about those who are already on the streets?


Mission Without Borders partners with local churches in several Eastern European cities to help those who have "fallen through the cracks".  By working with partners like local Salvation Army branches, churches, and community centers,  the homeless are provided a hot meal, a listening ear, a place for counsel and prayer.  In a word- HOPE.

"The StreetMercy meals program provides a social environment for me to improve my emotional and mental health. The fresh food gives me nutritional value and spiritual health," shared Nicolae, a beneficiary.



You can learn more about Street Mercy and the work that Mission Without Borders is doing for the poorest of the poor in Eastern Europe here (Street Mercy in Bulgaria) and here ( a news report highlighting MWB in Bosnia).

Everyone can do something!

This isn't intended to make anyone feel guilty or overwhelmed.  No one can solve every social problem.  But everyone can do something this season.  Volunteer at a local shelter, donate to local food banks, pray for and with homeless people.  Give what you can, where you can.  My local supermarket has an angel tree program where you donate and (through donated foods) one family is given a complete Christmas dinner (turkey, ham, pies, side dishes, the works!).  You can also help send a food parcel to needy families with Operation Christmas Love!



And if you are able, remember the poor, homeless, and elderly who are so dependent on others, especially during the cold winter months.



Alternative Gifts For The Holidays

What was the best Christmas gift you ever received?  Some of us may remember some special "cool" toy we received when we were kids.  I remember the 2XL ("the smartest toy robot ever made!").  The fact that this particular 2XL was purchased at an estate auction is somewhat depressing.  The fact that it still works (8 track tapes and all) is impressive.

But honestly, there are few presents that we receive for the holidays that we still hold on to and cherish years later.  If we do, it's often because of WHO gave the present more than the actual gift itself.

The Best Gift Ever

The BEST gift ever given to mankind is forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.  Sin is not a popular topic these days.  But let's face facts- it's out there.  What's worse it's INSIDE here (me, you, everyone!) as well. It's worse than ebola, cancer, and heart disease.  There's a 100% infection rate and a 100% mortality rate unless you receive the cure (Christ).  That's the best reason to celebrate Christmas- to rejoice that a cure has been provided- a way for man to return to God and conquer death, hell, and the grave.

This same Jesus- whose birth we celebrate by spending billions on gifts- also said this:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Birthday Gifts For The King

Mission Without Borders has provided a way for you to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, visit those in prison, and clothe the needy.  Through alternative gifts, you can give a gift in the name of a special person and truly change a life forever!  

Thousands of pensioners in Eastern Europe have to make a decision every day. Do I buy medicine, heating fuel, or food?  Mission Without Borders partners with local churches to provide hot meals for the needy.  Working with churches ensures that physical and spiritual needs are met and the meals serve as a way for seniors to socialize (emotional health).  $48 will provide one hot meal a day for one month.

One of the most practical gifts for rural families are farm animals.  One sow averages 10 piglets per litter and can have two to three litters per year!  These piglets can be sold to provide money for school, clothes- whatever a family needs!  This is truly a "hand up" that will set a family on a path to self sufficiency!  The gift of a pig is just $96.






"Children in Eastern Europe are not permitted to go to school if they don't have the basic equipment.  So simply by giving new exercise books, pencils and rulers you're giving a child an education, and a future."  Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty.  A gift of $20 will buy school supplies for a year for a needy child!

Last year I gave several of these alternative gifts away. Order online. The type up a letter stating why you chose this gift (because you love school, I decided to help other children with their school supplies).  You can make the presentation fancy or simple.  The main point is to keep the focus on the real reason for the season- Christ's birthday- and honoring Christ by helping others in His Name.


I don't fully understand the above Scripture passage.  But when we give to others (especially those who are never going to be able to repay us) in some way we are giving to Christ Himself.  Will you  commit to giving to those who will never be able to repay you this holiday season.  You won't regret it, I promise.

Missions Monday! A Transformed Life..

Have you ever had a "the terrible awful no good very bad day"?  Well today was one of those days.  It wasn't anything in particular..just a general malaise and generally not feeling well.  What do you do to shake it off?  I read Scripture, prayed for my sponsored kids and family, and still... Then I remembered this video...

Having visited Romania several times, I am familiar with the situation with street kids in Bucharest.  It is gut wrenching and heart breaking at the same time.  If you want to find out more, just google it.  I won't subject you to that here.

BUT GOD (the two greatest words in the Bible) reached down and had mercy on Bogdan.  He was brought to a children's home from the streets and God rescued him, no only physically, but spiritually as well.  This is his story.  Through a children's home, workers, and support from Mission Without Borders, Bogdan is a changed man.  Not only is he changed- his new family now has hope and purpose.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Back to my terrible, awful, no good, very bad day.  Suddenly it's not so bad.  God is still in control.  He is still at work.  He is still good.  And, at the end of the day, some days are just like that.  Jesus never promised us life would be easy but that “Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.” (Heb 13:5)  And He hasn't.

Hello Hotels and changes in itinerary

Bucharest has made significant progress in developing 2 star budget hotels- even within the last year.  I was originally going to stay at a Ramada in a suburban area (but cheap due to employee discounts).  But I found a 2 star hotel (built in 2008!) less than 1/2 a mile from Gara de Nord (train/bus/subway station).  Reviews were positive on booking.com and I decided to make the plunge and stay near where I need to be- rather than 20 minutes away.  There are no reviews at all on Tripadvisor (Hello hotel is that new) so I get to be the first one (I hope).  And the price is with a dollar or so of what the Ramada was going to cost (and the Ramada had some pretty ugly reviews).


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I will be returning to Bucharest on Thursday night (rather than Friday) and spending 3 nights at the Hello hotel before flying home.  I just need to set a date to visit Jubilee (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).