Growing up in poverty, religion can seem irrelevant with its traditions and rules for people who have their lives together, who aren't overwhelmed by practical questions around finding work, paying the bills, and putting food on the table.
Romania ranks as the number one most religious country in Europe, according to Pew Research Center, with 85.3% of the population describing themselves as Orthodox Christians.
However, growing up, Melisa, 17, who lives in northwest Romania, was surrounded by poverty. Her parents' small income was swallowed up by rent and bills, leaving little for anything else. Melisa's father often had to go abroad for work, as there were so few job opportunities at home. Although the family regularly went to church, there seemed to be no answers there, and Melisa craved fun and, as she got older, parties that offered an escape from everyday hardship.
"Choosing Jesus wasn't easy for me," she said.
When Melisa was enrolled in Mission Without Borders' child sponsorship programme at 10, things started to change. Her family began receiving regular food, clothes, and donated goods. Melisa and her brother were given school supplies and had the chance to go to summer camp.
It was when Melisa became a teenager that she began to wrestle with committing her life to Christ. She said, "I remember this moment when a man visited our church, giving a sermon and inviting people to give their lives to Jesus. I was torn – and I just couldn't decide whether or not to join the altar call that day. So, I didn't. But months later, the thought still lingered.
"When the same man returned a year later, I told my friend that I had to take this step, and I did, leaving behind a past of partying that I'd rather forget.
"In September of last year, I decided to get baptized along with ten other people." Six of those individuals were also associated with MWB.
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