Families are at the heart of what we do. If we assist the families, we show them someone cares, we can provide for their needs for today and help them work toward self-sufficiency for their future. This provision also saves some children from relinquishment to Children’s Homes, because their parents simply do not have the resources to feed, clothe and provide a home for them.
So how do we help, and do we make a difference? If you were to describe Mission Without Border’s holistic care of a family, the Stavila family is the perfect example of a family whose life has completely changed! Moldova is a desperately poor agricultural country and the desperation of many families who believe their best chance of survival is to send their husbands and sons to the big cities of Moscow and St Petersburg to find work in the lucrative construction industries. This dream is fraught with tremendous danger and stories of success are rare. The Stavila family saw sending Pavel, their young husband and father, to Moscow as their only option. Thankfully, we were able to provide them with the assistance they needed to turn their lives around for the better. Self-sufficiency is no longer a pipe dream- it is a reality they are relishing!
Why in this post-communist country is life so hard? Surely freedom means opportunity and democracy encourages entrepreneurs! On the contrary, Moldova is a desperately poor, landlocked, agricultural country. Hope and opportunity are hard to find and this is soul-destroying for many. Furthermore, most Moldovan villages are scarcely populated these days. Common stories abound of the desperate struggle of abandoned children left in the care of their ailing grandparents, as their parents joined the swelling numbers of those seeking employment abroad, while many elderly citizens are barely surviving; now adult children have left for employment elsewhere.
Happy, self-sufficient, surviving young families in Moldovan villages are rare. There are little or no employment options and for those without opportunities elsewhere, they try and eek what living they can out of the struggling agricultural industry. It is extremely disheartening to see your efforts turn to nil and as a ‘breadwinner’ see your young family struggling to survive. It is no wonder husbands, wives and parents turn to alcohol as a way to escape! The problem of alcoholism in Eastern Europe is far-reaching and the affects on the families are devastating!
Not all hope is lost however, and the Stavila Family is one such case where success is very much in their grasp! The Stavila family consists parents Pavel and Ana, and children Marcel (7) and Emanuela (4). They are a simple, modest, hardworking family with skills in agriculture. Despite their dreams and desire to work the land, and sell what they produce, they were not able to realise their dream because of sheer poverty. Thanks to enrolment and assistance from Mission Without Borders, their lives have turned around and their future looks bright!
Prior to enrolment, they believed their only solution was for Pavel to go to Moscow to earn money, but now he is able to stay with his family and earn a living! If before they did not have goals for the future, now they know what they want! If before they spent most of their free-time watching TV, today they make reading and studying the Bible a priority! If before disunity threatened their family, now they have shared thoughts, dream, ambitions and goals.
In Mission Without Borders, we have a S.E.E.M. framework for assisting families. The Coordinator, in consultation with the family, sets Spiritual, Educational, Emotional and Material Goals. For the Stavila family, it is overwhelmingly obvious that this structural help has totally changed their life!
Knowing now that God is Almighty and Merciful, their efficiency improved and a peace and assurance now dwells in their hearts and home. “We are happy that we have been offered the chance to know God and live a better life. Even our neighbours have noticed the wonderful changes in our home and lives”, remarked Pavel gladly. Now involved in their local church, they love the adult Bible Study and the children love attending Sunday School! In the evenings, the family enjoys spending time in God’s Word, singing songs and prayer. Their Bibles, gifts from MWB, are treasured, well-worn possessions, and Marcel and Emanuela love to show off their beautiful Children’s Bibles. “I love my Bible. It is so beautiful and colourful. I cannot read well yet, but we ask our Mum to read the stories to us. We have even learnt several verses by heart. We enjoy praying before going to bed. I ask God to protect my family.” Marcel said proudly. Big family highlights include the Christmas and Easter parties they attend with the other beneficiaries!
In addition to this Spiritual food and encouragement, there is no doubt the material support offered to the Stavila family has played an enormous role in assisting them to gain self-sufficiency. They firmly believe God led MWB’s representatives to their home. “Our life has completely changed, and in everything we do, we know that God protects and watches over us.” said Ana. Previously, Pavel had graduated from Agricultural College and hoped to find a good job, but with no employment opportunities available in their area, he was feeling discouraged and feared for how his family would survive. With our help, he is now able to put everything he learnt into practice. His family lives on 3 hectares of land, given by his grandparents. He is overwhelmed with thankfulness for the tractor they received while enrolled in our program. “I never dared to dream that I would have a tractor and the ability to live off the land in a self-sufficient way! I am now sure that with God all things are possible! I am so thankful for MWB’s support. We are encouraged to continue on with self-sufficiency and have we great plans for our future!”
Due to the large parcel of land they own, the skills they possess and the resources our programs have provided, the Stavila family have managed to grow all the feed necessary for the livestock they now own. They are now in a position to raise and sell additional livestock, which will provide them with the resources to care for their family and make necessary improvements to their very humble home – such as replacing the roof and digging a well to ensure they have a constant supply of water close by. “I am now courageous and hopeful about our future because I see God’s Hand at work in our family” said Pavel. Ana also plays a significant role in their busy farm projects and has instilled in her young children a love for work and helping where they can. Four-year-old Emanuela loves caring for the baby chicks, and looks after them with great authority and care! The Stavila family now considers it a privilege and joy to share what surplus they have to bless those less fortunate.
Mission Without Borders has had a tremendous affect on their lives – first by changing their minds and hearts and then by encouraging them with moral, spiritual and material support.
Mission Without Borders is unique in its holistic care for families. The program is successful, but only functions with your support. The need of families is enormous and as the winter closes in, families suffer all the more. Please consider helping the families in our care. Your gifts will ensure our programs continue and urgent needs are met, and Family Sponsorship is a wonderful way you can care for a family on an ongoing basis.
The Stavila Family was a family many thought was hopeless, without drive, ambition and opportunity for self-sufficiency; a young family destined for long-term struggle. Now, having made great strides toward self-sufficiency, their future lies ahead with hope and independence. Many more families would desperately love the opportunity to receive the structural help the Stavila Family received – your gift today to Mission Without Borders will ensure many more families can face their future with confidence and tools for self-sufficiency! Moldova is a country in need, but each of our six field countries are all overwhelmed with families desperate for our assistance!
For those able to encourage families on an ongoing basis, family sponsorship through our Family-to-Family program is a wonderful partnership changing lives. Sponsors often feel attached to ‘their’ families and love to play a part in seeing their situations improve and encourage them as they work towards self-sufficiency.
If the Stavila family had not had the benefit of Mission Without Border’s programs- made possible by gifts from supporters like you, they would be facing a grim winter. We must turn countless families away every day that need our help – your support today will enable us to say yes to those families waiting. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear many more success stories!
