Friday, May 27, 2016

News from Kazakhstan

Thank you for your help!
We started off this year with the Weissensee action for a new kitchen in the juvenile home of Teen Challenge in Kazakhstan.

We were able to send a donation which enabled them they to start the reconstruction of the kitchen area almost immediately. A few weeks ago we received the following message and a series of photo's:

Hard work with a smile
"Thank you very much for your care and love. You gave a lot of joy and happiness to our children with your great blessing. Before our kitchen was not safe for kids. We were praying for the new kitchen, dishes and other things. Finally God answered our prayers and provided everything for us, through you.

The children really like their new kitchen very much. They say: “It is 'fancy', clean and comfortable!!!” And when we were building the kitchen their eyes were shining and a big-big smile was on their faces. During the construction and while buying everything for the new kitchen their hearts were full of joy. Now everyone likes to clean the kitchen :)
We are very grateful that you were willing to help us by donating this offering for us. God will bless you and your ministry abundantly."

Everything new and shiny
Isn't it great to see that donations are spent well? We can only hope that this will make you just as happy as they are. Please, feel free to forward this blog post to family, friends and acquaintances who helped to raise the amount and let them know how much joy their generosity produced.

There was some money left over and they have decided to use it to fix up the central corridor. Every penny is used to make the house more beautiful.

In July we (Jan and Marja) will visit the boys home in Almaty and there is no doubt will will bring back more pictures and news.

All professional equipment
We already have plans to share another project in Kazakhstan on this blog in the near future. Funds are urgently needed to fix up the dormitory in the Teen Challenge woman's home, where currently 20 women + 30 children are living . Keep an eye on this blog!

Your general GIFTS (large & small) are always welcome, because we have a lot of projects on our waiting list! You can make your gifts payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U


Thursday, May 19, 2016

Visit to Teen Challenge Albania

Jan & Orges in Tirana
Earlier this month Jan went to visit Orges & Blerina Hysenaj in Tirana. They have recently opened a Teen Challenge coffee house. Orges took Jan to the streets ...

Orges has a heart for the hopeless addicts in his city and he speaks regularly with them in the streets. In doing so, he establishes good contacts and invites the men to come to church and to the coffee house ...

In front of the coffee house
The coffee house is a nice place to meet and to have further discussions. It is awesome to see how hopeless men receive hope again as they begin to realize that another life is possible with the help of God. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe with a long history of Communism and Atheism. More than 60% of the population is Muslim.

By the way, Albania is a beautiful country. Jan and Orges went around Tirana on bicycles, a nice (and Dutch) way to see everything! They invited three men to come to the church and later to the coffee house, and the came. One of them decided to give his life to Jesus, victory over darkness. Pray for him.

The didn't mind to take a photo with Jan
While in Albania, Jan stayed in a guest house of Hope for Albania, an organization that also has its roots in Papendrecht :) He was very well looked after by a sweet Dutch couple: Koos & Dinie.

Orges has hope for those who struggle with addictions. One man, a small beginning. We would really like to encourage and support him in his work among the least of these. Funds are needed for the rent of the coffee house (250 euros per month), for a coffee machine and a kitchenette, evangelistic materials, music, movies ... you name it.

Stunning views
Do you dare to have hope for a nation where many people have never heard of the love of God? Please, make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: ALBANIA.

Let your light shine!

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Project sponsoring summer camp Teen Challenge Ukraine

Fun for young and old
Thank you for your generosity, we were able to donate 4,000 euro for project repair Casa Nuova in Italy. We will go there late August with a group for a workweek. Currently we are fundraising for project coffeehouse Teen Challenge Tirana, Albania. Jan is visiting at the moment, so more news as soon as he gets back.

This week we also want to ask your attention for the summer camp in Ukraine that is being organized each year by Teen Challenge Ukraine and the Jewish Messianic congregation of Pastor Sergey Romanenko. They expect around two hundred participants in Berdychiv.

The camp will be organized for men and women who are in drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine. But also volunteers, workers, leaders, pastors, church members, children and family members are very much welcome. A mid week camping out, playing games, laughing, Bible study, music, food and just plain fun... too much to mention.

We might sometimes forget, but Ukraine is still a country at war. Besides that they are in a severe economic crisis and for many people this midweek will be the only chance for some kind of a vacation.

The camp will be held from July 4-8 and it costs about 20 euro per person to participate. Financial difficulties will stop people from signing up, but for 20 euro you will make it possible for one person to go to this summer camp in Berdychiv. That's awesome, isn't it?

So, if you have it on your heart to help, please send 20 euro (or a multiplication thereof) to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U stating Summer camp UKRAINE.

As far as we are concerned: shared joy is double joy :)