Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Christmas packages for sailors and refugee children

As we do every year, Traveling Light wants to support several Christmas packages campaigns, namely those of harbor evangelist Alexander Eberson and that of 222 Ministries.

Alexander writes in his latest newsletter:

"Christmas is the time for me to show the sailors in word and deed that God loves them too. I want to give a Christmas gift to every sailor I visit. Will you help me with this?

What's in it? A turtleneck scarf or hat, a pair of socks, a bottle of shower gel, a notepad with pen, a roll of Mentos fruit, a Mars, a Christmas card, and a Christmas tract. Each package costs about 6.00 euro. Will you also help me with this this year?"

And then 222 Ministries, they are organizing Operation Christmas Joy (OCJ) again this year. 222 Ministries is convinced that they must invest in children, that they must give them good education and good influences as they develop. As the next generation, they are the carriers of change for the future.

An important way in which they serve children is through OCJ. 222 now has many Afghan children in need as a result of the recent crisis. OCJ's goal for 2021 is to deliver packages to at least 1,000 children, 500 each of Iranian and Afghan descent.

OCJ needs to expand to reach refugees not only in Turkey, but also in Pakistan, Greece and the Balkan countries. Until now, the focus has been on Christian refugees, but 222 wants to take advantage of the opportunities for the families to share with other Farsi-speaking friends and neighbors. This proves to be a fruitful way to expand the Church's mission.

The packages contain clothes and shoes, especially for winter, multivitamins. baby milk, toys, and educational materials. Whenever possible, 222 children will gather for celebrations, but in smaller numbers. Celebrations are really important because most children had to stay isolated due to the Covid crisis.

If you would like to sponsor a package, you can

  • send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U, or 
  • πŸ’³ Give by card 

Don't forget to mention whether it is for SAILORS or for 222.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Projects of the month in our stores

As most of you know, in addition to the projects we announce on this blog, we have a specific project each month that we support with the proceeds from our 2ndhand shop Twinkeltje and vintage store De Schor.

In October it was Bertine House in Poltava, Ukraine. Thanks to you, we were able to transfer a wonderful gift of 2,100 euro to them.

Bertine House operates under the Teen Challenge flag and offers a safe place to mothers (and their children) who want to kick destructive habits and start a new life.

On behalf of all of them, many thanks for your contributions, in whatever form!

As a project for the month of November, we have chosen the Teen Challenge juvenile home in Kazakhstan.

Maxim and Evgenia Buzinovskiyi are no strangers to us. They take care of children who, for whatever reason, cannot live at home.

They are currently raising money to renovate the common room. It has to be painted, electricity replaced, moldy walls repaired, new tables purchased (the children have been homeschooled for a year and a half) etc. etc.

By the way, congratulations are in place, because recently Maxim and Evgenia were delighted with the birth of a daughter: Victoria.

So come and visit us in De Schor (on Friday) and/or Twinkeltje (on Saturday afternoon). We have a lot of nice Christmas stuff and, as always, the coffee is ready.

Donations are always welcome. You can make us happy with your prayers and a financial gift anytime!

  • Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U, or 
  • πŸ’³ Give by card

PS: next week you can read more about the annual Christmas packages on this blog!

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Project coffee house Teen Challenge Croatia

It's been a while since we got news from the Teen Challenge team in Split, Croatia. For several years they have been running a coffee house ministry there on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The team does street outreach and this is how most of the first contacts with the homeless and addicted are being established. There is now need for a location that they can rent for the whole week, and not just on those two days.

Coffee House is a support group for people who struggle with life-controlling problems, it also ministers to their friends and family. Dozens of addicts have received help, advice, and encouragement to change their lives. Some even went to rehabilitation centers and successfully completed their programs.

The demand for help is increasing, which is nice on the one hand... people know where to find Teen Challenge. On the other hand, it is also sad to see that addiction and hopelessness are on the rise.

Anyway, they have now found a nice rental space that is not too expensive (300 euros per month).

We would like to help them with a donation, so that they can at least pay the rent for the time being. Let's hope that many find their way to freedom!

If you want to help, please

  • Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention TC CROATIA
  • πŸ’³ Give by card
  • πŸ‘‰When in the USA, make your tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention Teen Challenge Croatia.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ALREADY!