Saturday, September 26, 2015

Project shelter/rehab Baranovichi

Crowded celebration service
Recently we were in Belarus for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Teen Challenge in that country. Миссия "Возвращение" is the name used for the rehabilitation work there, or 'Mission Return'.

A beautiful name that reminds us of the story of the prodigal son who returns to the father. There are currently nine men's and women's centers in Belarus, two of which we have visited while there.

We want to tell you more about one of these centers; it is an old nursery school that was vacant for seventeen years. Mission Return has very good contacts with the city of Baranovichi and the building was given to them for free a few years ago. It currently houses a shelter for homeless men and a men's rehabilitation center.

The renovated men's center to the right, the kitchen will be in the middle, the women's center on the left is being renovated
Homeless people can get a bed, clothes and food for up to four months. During that time they are encouraged to make the decision to enter the rehabilitation program, where they will live, work and study for at least eight months. We are happy to hear that many of these men have decided to begin a new life!

Inspection of the rooms :)
At the moment hard work is going on, at the request of the city council, in order to open a crisis center for abused women. The rooms are almost finished! The work is mainly done by men who are in rehab and with a lot of help from churches in the area. All in all, the former school houses a few dozen people already and they are in urgent need for a professional kitchen.

Traveling Light has received a specified gift for the purchase of the necessary kitchen appliances, which we have forwarded to Mission Return. Well, we do not have to explain how happy the Belarus team is with this gift :) Once the kitchen is placed, we will share more photos.

To the left the renovated part of the building
We are very happy and thankful that we can contribute a bit to this beautiful work by donating and by visiting this beautiful home. We are very impressed with the work among the addicts, poor, homeless and abused in Belarus.

Dining hall at the shelter
It is great to see how strong God's light can shine in the darkness and how God's love changes people's lives, one by one!

Do you have a heart for people in need and do you want to support these kind of projects?

Then please send your gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Hungary update

Michel plays his guitar for the young refugees
We are currently raising funds for the work of Michel & Janet van Boxtel of non-profit organization Embrace who have swapped the luxury of a life in the Netherlands for working among the poorest in Hungary.

They had no idea that, so soon after their move to Hungary, they would come face to face with the 'refugee situation' if we may call it so for now. Fortunately, they are able to offer a helping hand and shine their light!

Michel & Janet write:

"The refugee issue is immense and yet we can be of significance in this. We personally help at the tent sites in collaboration with the Baptist Aid.
At the Hungarian border

This help consists of assisting nurses, helping parents with their children, handing out appropriate clothing etc. But also chatting with the people, playing a game of soccer and of course Michel plays his guitar and we sing! The camp residents are, as always, attracted to the music and that opens the door to communicate!

From the Baptist Aid the question came to us if we could help to collect relief supplies. After a lot of hassle, many emails and calls a truck load arrived from the Netherlands. The largest part was collected and loaded by the Reformed Church in Sliedrecht (part of their cargo is also destined for eastern Hungary and the Ukraine) and Blankenburgh. They provided also sixty mattresses.

At one of the food distribution sites (Maglódi Ut) the desire rose to establish a church for all these homeless people. The team leader of this location has asked us if we could please come to help. Of course we will do so! "

Well, offering a helping hand wherever you are! That is simple and effective. Donations for the work of Michel & Janet are very welcome! Please send your gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. Make sure to mention EMBRACE HUNGARY.

THANKS!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Opening chapel Teen Challenge, Slovakia

Guests are arriving
Do you remember it? On December 6th, 2012, we announced project chapel Sered, Slovakia.

It started with a drawing of a small chapel that was going to be constructed on the premises of ​​the Teen Challenge rehabilitation home.

We were able to bless them with a generous gift in three phases for the construction of this house of prayer.
On September 5th and 6th we were in Slovakia for the official opening of the David Wilkerson Memorial Chapel, which is the full name of the chapel. They also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Teen Challenge in Slovakia.

The chapel fills up!
It is great to see how beautiful the building has become. It already serves as a church to the neighborhood! The men in the rehabilitation program have co-labored with the construction workers to build this beautiful chapel and they're proud of the work of their hands.

It was a great honor for us to be allowed to give a speech on behalf of Traveling Light and to bring greetings from all of you.

The chapel is located right next to the rehab home
Finally, the men in the program have a quiet place, a place for prayer and reflection and that surely is a blessing when you share a room with several other guys on a daily basis.

With the help of your generous gifts this project has been realized.

THANK YOU on behalf of the staff and students of Teen Challenge Slovakia.