Eastern Europe (MNN)–Since the implosion of communism in 1989, deteriorating incomes, widespread unemployment and social disintegration plunged the people of Eastern Europe into abject poverty.
With a population of 4.5 million, Moldova is the smallest and most densely populated of the former Soviet countries. It is home to a mixture of peoples – Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, and a Turkic people group, the Gagauz. The Moldovan people are mostly Orthodox, although few attend church and many have never heard the Gospel.
Operation Mobilization’s Sandy Maki-Soini (mahkee soynee) and her husband are working in Greater Europe. This week, their team made the rounds to the most destitute areas, with the hope of bringing support to the existing ministries. “My husband is traveling into Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Bosnia bringing relief supplies, and he’s also starting small development projects over there such as a bakery and a woodshop.”
Evangelical churches are growing despite occasional persecution and increasing poverty. Maki-Soini says the relief supplies they bring, along with the opportunity for small business, do a lot for the sharing of the Gospel. “He’s working with the churches over there, and helping them to help the poor people around them. When they go into the houses of these people and visit the institutions, then they just naturally have open doors and it just leads to questions about God loves you, we love you and we want to take care of you.”
The OM-team in Greater Europe is especially looking for long-term church planters, pastoral and training staff, development project and literature co-ordinators, bookkeepers and administrative staff. They also need more experienced people who can help co-ordinate and teach in our national training program.
