School Supplies for Moldovan children

Starting school from MWBI on Vimeo.


One of the blessings of child sponsorship is being able to assist with school supplies. One of the core values of Mission Without Borders is building self sufficiency.

"We want to make a sustainable difference to the lives of those we help. We encourage self-help, provide training, help people to make changes because this is more sustainable and reduces dependency."  Mission Without Borders US 



This includes education.  In many eastern European countries, students have to pay fees and purchase their own supplies for school.  But what do you do when you don't have the money to pay those fees or buy needed supplies?  Many times, this leads to high drop out rates and missed school.  Education is one key in stopping the cycle of poverty and creating a sustainable future.

Did you know?

There are many families waiting to be sponsored in Eastern Europe.  A partial sponsorship of $25 or a full sponsorship of $100 a month will bring Christ's love, hope, and a path toward self sufficiency for families in Eastern Europe.  

The B family in Ukraine have 4 children ages 2-8.  They are strong believers and attend church weekly.  Unfortunately, their house recently burned to the ground.  They are now living in a one room home with dirt floors and an outdoor toilet.  Both parents are unemployed and the father is often away seeking work.

The N family was abandoned by the father in 2010.  The wife now raises her three children on her own in a small house owned by her brother.  She is working as a temporary laborer on a farm but that just barely pays the rent each month.  They are not believers.

 from the Mission Without Borders US newsletter

Maybe you could be the one to come alongside a struggling family during this difficult season of their life.  I can testify that there is no greater feeling than to have a family "graduate" from the program (on the path to self sufficiency).  You can obtain more information at the Mission Without Borders website or call 800-245-9191 (US office)

Mission Without Borders: Feeding Children in Sighisoara

Dracula's birthplace

When I visited Romania in 2007, I had the opportunity to visit many museums and historical places as a tourist for the first time (previously I had only been on mission trips).  I was able to re-visit Sibiu and Brasov but I also was able to visit new places and explore the history and culture.

One such city was Sighisoara.  Set in the historic region of Transylvania, Sighisoara is best known as the birthplace of Vlad Tepes in 1431.  I had planned on arriving in the morning by train from Sibiu.  Unfortunately, there were no trains departing for Sighisoara on that day.  So I got to practice broken Romanian and, with the help of the hotel, found a bus company that drove to Sighisoara every day.  The departure was later in the afternoon and I arrived at my hotel just before dusk.  So much for any good pictures.  I did get a few though, was able to visit a couple of shops and eat at Dracula's birth home (now a restaurant!) before dark.  It is definitely a city I would like to re-visit and explore.

Medieval fresco of Vlad uncovered on wall
inside his birthplace

When I received this months prayer email from Mission Without Borders, I was glad to see that they have started a new program in Sighisoara.  They are partnering with a local church and offering an after school lunch and tutoring program.  So far 35 students are enrolled.  Many of these children are from Roma (gypsy) families and have bad family situations.  "Many (if not all) of the children enrolled do not have anything else to eat when they go home, so, for them, this is the only meal they get in a day." (Mission Without Borders South Africa)

Now a restaurant

One story is shared about a boy and his sister.  They typically arrive hours early because they are hungry.  Their parents collect bottles to earn some money but spend the money on alcohol and leave the children hungry.  With this program, the pastor, cook, and teachers are able to minister to real physical needs and help mentor these children by tutoring, assisting with homework, and teaching God's Word.  This new program is already changing lives and giving these children hope and help for the future



Pray for these children that they would come to know Christ and His love.  Pray that this program would change the future for these children and their children and grandchildren.  As the cycle of poverty is broken, pray also for a spiritual awakening in these children's hearts.  And pray that God would change their parents hearts as well!

Finally a short video I found online!


Sighisoara - Romania from Gabriel Hristea on Vimeo.

Missions Monday! Vocational Education in Ukraine

Last week I received a Mission Without Borders update/appeal that focused on impoverished families and the need to break the chains of poverty for families and children.

The letter started "I cannot get my mind off the poor souls imprisoned in villages throughout Eastern Europe"..  Not a physical prison, of course, but there are physical aspects.  Hunger, deprivation, lack of mobility, and lack of education and opportunity are all aspects of poverty that must be addressed in order to break the cycle of poverty.

The family to family and child sponsorship programs are designed to meet these needs- in a real physical way- to be like Christ in addressing physical and spiritual needs.  This letter focused on the real need for education and opportunity.  Many children get a basic education in Eastern Europe.  What is needed for many youth who have "graduated" from orphanages are special skills- a trade whereby they can support themselves and break the cycle of spiritual and material poverty.

I've graduated!  Now what?

When a young person "graduates" from an orphanage/boarding school what happens?  If he cannot attend an institution of higher education (or just as likely cannot afford an education) they are "set free"-sometimes without skills or a trade- only to continue the cycle of poverty.  What can be done?  When I visited Moldova, I was privileged to meet with the director of the school where my sponsored child lives.  She talked about the desire to give these newly graduated young people the skills with which they can provide for themselves and break the cycle of poverty.

A Solution

Mission Without Borders underwrites tuition in numerous state approved educational facilities.  Students can attend these institutions (which they otherwise could not afford), gain skills in computer literacy, beekeeping, tailoring, culinary arts, auto mechanics, and other trades.  The students graduate with a official state approved certificate.  Using these new-found skills, they can find employment, start their own business, or pursue further education.

The Cost

How much does an education cost?  Fortunately the costs are much lower than in the West and range from $40 (culinary arts) to $155 (auto mechanics) per semester.  While costs are low, funds are needed to make this educational opportunity available to as many people as needed.

The Need

I was excited to hear that the long term needs of needy youth are being addressed in such a practical way!  When one young person gains new skills and becomes employed, one more link in the chain of poverty is broken.  Piece by piece this chain is slowly dropping off from around the hands of this generation (and the next!)  You can play a part!  If you want to get involved in this project, you can visit the website of Mission Without Borders or call 800-245-9191.  If you are outside of the states, there are several Mission Without Borders affiliates listed at their international website.

Missions Monday! Mission Without Borders in Moldova

CRI (Child Rescue International) is the child sponsorship arm of Mission Without Borders.  They assist state run homes in Eastern Europe where children are placed because they are orphaned or their parents are unable to care for them.  They also assist in situations like the one in this video- a family has children (in this case grandchildren) but lacks the resources to care for them.  Volunteers and staff from MWB would bring food parcels on a monthly basis but also assist with other necessities- such as school supplies, clothing, winter fuel.  Sponsors can even assist with special projects as they are able- things such as new windows to replace old drafty ones.  Even a new washing machine, quality seeds for a vegetable garden, a pig or poultry to raise and breed may be needed.  All these things are possible but the program is geared toward the individual need and long term sustainability.

I was given a tour of the Mission Without Borders office and saw their work firsthand in Moldova when I visited in 2010.  They have a dedicated local staff and volunteers from churches that visit each family and children's home personally.  This allows them to form relationships and determine the best use of resources- from perceived needs to actual ones that will be beneficial for the long term.

You can read one story how sponsorship changed the Darii's family's future here.  Keep this family and the many needy families in Moldova in your prayers.  And be thankful- knowing that God hears our prayers and that He is good.

Operation Winter Rescue Moldova

This is a children's home much like the one I visited in March 2010.  These children live in dorms at the school.  Some are orphans, some have parents who cannot afford to care for them, some parents abandon their children. All of these children are disadvantaged and in great need of emotional, spiritual, and physical care.  


Every year-through Operation Winter Rescue- MWB provides warm coats, boots, gloves, and heating materials to supported schools and families.  By sponsoring the entire school, Mission Without Borders  ensures that each child is taken care of whether they are personally sponsored or not. 


Through monthly sponsorship, children are provided for physically and spiritually throughout the year.  During these cold months, could you help provide a coat or scarf for a child?  Year-round sponsorship is available for just $25 a month.Donations may be made at http://www.mwb.org/ by credit card or with electronic check by calling 800-245-9191.
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Communist indoctrination in America

And they wonder why people are homeschooling... hmmm