Mission Without Borders’ Operation Winter Rescue 2009/10 Program has provided support to the needy, socially-vulnerable and large families, in order to help them  face the harsh Northern winter again this year.

In Moldova alone, The Ministry of Economy estimated that every fourth Moldovan person lives under the threshold of poverty.  They also added that over 100,000 people are suffering from malnutrition.  Those living “under the threshold of poverty” are those who are able to spend at least 800 lei (R730.00) monthly, while people that suffer from malnutrition receive incomes of less than 450 lei (R410.00) a month. The Ministry of Economy asserted that in villages, the rate of poverty is even much higher than in the towns.

The prices of food and monthly necessities have increased dramatically; even before the World Economic downturn started in 2008.  Frost appeared within the first days of November and temperatures in most of our Eastern European field countries fell to well below zero.  People have pleaded for money to pay for heating services in towns and to buy wood and coal in the villages. These requests, as well as the amounts requested have increased dramatically since last year, but salaries and wages have remained the same.

There are so many people that need urgent assistance; but nobody close to them to offer a hand of help. There are many ill, poor and distressed people with nobody to help them resolve their health, financial and emotional problems.  There are heavy-hearted people with tears in their eyes who try and face insurmountable problems on their own, but very often end up committing suicide.  There are children seen going barefooted in winter, wearing thin clothes and who, many times, warm themselves with a kitten or a dog that they hold tightly to their breasts.  For many of these distressed folk, MWB has again proved to be an oasis where they received help.

During the coldest winter months, Mission Without Borders continued with its Operation Winter Rescue project, bringing hope and relief to the many children’s institutions, poor families, and beneficiaries at our Community Centers as well as many other needy people.  Our OWR Project offers a ray of hope to those who have lost it. Through this project, needy people are brought to the realisation that God loves them and that He extends His grace and love to them through the mission’s sponsors and donors.

Through the implementation of the OWR Project again during the 2009/2010 winter, Mission Without Borders’ beneficiaries will receive warm blankets, winter shoes, socks, pants and other items with which to warm their bodies. In addition to these items, the beneficiaries will be offered Bibles, New Testaments and other Christian literature with which to warm their souls.