Roma Ministry International, Bulgaria

The Kratsov family

We have been in contact with Radko Kratsov from Bulgaria for a number of years. Together with his wife Nevin and in cooperation with YWAM Sliven he has been active on many fronts within the Roma community, which stretches all across south eastern Europe.

We know them personally from the Roma conferences in Macedonia.

We regularly receive their newsletters and on several occasions the monthly proceeds from Twinkeltje have gone towards the work of Roma Ministry International.

Talks in the neighborhood

One million Roma live in Bulgaria alone. In his work with YWAM, Pastor Radko focuses on the spiritual development of the Roma population. He knows from experience that receiving God's love is the beginning of a new life ... for everyone!

His personal story can be seen in this very interesting documentary.

He gives discipleship and leadership training in Bulgaria and surrounding countries and helps Roma people to develop a Biblical perspective in all areas of ​​life: relationships, work, health, finances etc.

Some of the upcoming activities include:

• Plans to start a DTS (discipleship training school of YWAM) in 2020 for Roma youth.
• In October Radko will travel to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina for an international Roma conference.



Outreach, evangelism, summer camps

• In November Radko will travel to Kherson in Ukraine to conduct seminars for Roma leaders.

'A wonderful opportunity', he wrote in an email to us, it has been years since I was in Ukraine, and it's the first time I have the opportunity to give leadership training there.'

The Bible teaches us that people perish due to a lack of knowledge and vision and it instructs us to go and teach the nations. Radko and his family have responded to this. We would like to support them with prayer and a gift for travel expenses.

Roma flag

If you would like to help to bring a positive change among the Roma people, then make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: ROMA BULGARIA.

Phase 2 project Teen Challenge men's home, Moldova

Team work in Moldova, last June

Back in June we wrote about the construction work in Moldova. Our annual Weissensee fundraiser, which always takes place in January, brought in a nice amount for the expansion of the Teen Challenge rehabilitation home in Falesti. The house offers a residential program for men who struggle with life controlling problems.

A team of men from the Teen Challenge program in Czech Republic traveled to Moldova to help with the construction work, they did an awesome job.

An entire floor was built on the existing house. As with many construction projects which are paid for by donations, the job is divided into different phases. Phase 2 is about ready to begin.

During phase 1 of the construction project

On October 1st a team from Czech Republic will travel to Moldova again to help with the insulation of the roof, the finishing of three rooms and a classroom and the installation of all electricity.

The plan is to install the plumbing and heating in a third phase. All depending on the gifts that come in for this construction project.

Plans for phase 2

We have promised to raise funds for phase 2 and come up with at least portion of the required amount. It would be nice if we could send them 3,000 euro so that the work can commence on October 1st, as planned.

If you want to help (again), you can send your precious gift to St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. Make sure to mention: TC MOLDOVA.

Visit to Teen Challenge Emsland, Germany

Communal meals

A few weeks ago we visited Teen Challenge Emsland in Germany. We were invited to give a weekend seminar with the theme: the Father heart of God.

The men's rehabilitation home is a wonderful place (a real farm) where men with life-controlling problems can come to rest and recover. And although it is only a few hours drive from Papendrecht, we had never visited them before.

Bettina Ratering

Hopefully we have now made up for that 😎

Bettina Ratering and her husband Martin are the directors of the program and we know them from conferences. Because they were on vacation at the time we visited, we were welcomed by staf member Amadeus Schmidgall.

We were first given a tour of the beautiful property. Currently they are converting the building in the picture below into a beautiful new residential center. The men in the program are helping out with the construction work.

Teen Challenge Emsland

The great thing about visiting Teen Challenge centers is that we always eat together. Most conversations arise around the table. Every day more people joined: volunteers, staff members and visitors to the seminar.

Work in progress

We spoke about God as Father in various sessions and expressed His heart's desire, to see sons and daughters grow up, using many Bible sections.

Of course we were given time to pray and speak with people individually. Also, in one of the sessions we listened to God's heart, to the words that the Spirit gave. Those words ministered to all who were present and resulted in recovery and healing!

Father heart session

On Sunday morning we spoke at Christ Church in Dörpen where we were welcomed very warmly. After the service we had many nice conversations and meetings, especially with immigrants.

The mission of Traveling Light is threefold, we offer practical help (such as the work week in Italy), financial support and spiritual encouragement to Christian organizations and communities within Europe.

Deep conversations in a casual setting

It is extremely encouraging for us to see that in so many places in Europe there are beautiful, small-scale initiatives to help people get to know God and find the way to recovery and a healthy participation in society.

GIFTS (large and small) are always welcome and can be directed at St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.

[click on the photos for an enlargement]

Phase 2 project Teen Challenge women's home, Lithuania

Visiting the women's home in Slienava

Last year we were able to give a nice donation towards the replacement and raising of the roof of the Teen Challenge women's home in Lithuania.

We have been in regular contact with directors Edvardas & Rasa Kleinas and this last July we visited them for the second time.

The existing roof construction has since been replaced by a whole new construction that makes the house much higher, creating a huge space on the second floor.

New roof construction

It has been quite a job to close the roof, insulate everything, lay new beams and a floor and replace all windows. The women and children have temporary shelter in the smaller house on the same property. The time has come to install electricity and plumbing and finish off the various rooms.

We shared a devotion with the women and ministered to them personally. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and went on to visit the Teen Challenge men's home where we also did a Bible study and took time to pray with several of the men in the program for healing and restoration.

Ministering at the Teen Challenge men's home

In that same weekend we visited the city of Rukla, where unemployment is very high. Rukla used to have a large Russian army base that provided jobs for many residents. After the fall of communism, unemployment grew drastically, as well as increasing alcohol and drug abuse and crime. It seems very hard for the people to get out of that negative rut.

The kids club in Rukla

A group of volunteers from Kauno Krikščionių Bažnyčia, the church in Kaunas, has started a kids club in Rukla. What a fantastic job they are doing there. The children came running in. They sang songs together, learned a Bible verse, played games, enjoyed arts and crafts and ate pizza.

A number of children then took us into the neighborhood, they wanted to show us where they lived. They thought it was a cool to have foreign visitors. There were people everywhere who were drunk or high ... some being parents of these children.

Into the neighborhood...

Sunday we spoke in the church in Kaunas, you can listen to the message here. After the church service we talked and prayed with people for hours, with the patient help of our interpreters!

We are looking back at a very special visit. We talked with many people, seen a lot, heard a lot and above all received lots of gratitude from everyone involved, for the help and support that Traveling Light offers.

It is so rewarding to see that donations are well spent, that lives are changing and that people have hope for their city and country!

Preaching at Kaunas church

It would be nice if the women's house could be used before winter arrives. They still need funds for the house to be finished.

GIFTS (large and small) are always welcome and can be directed at St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.

When in the USA you can make a donation to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC LITHUANIA.