Back in May, at the Europe Teen Challenge conference in Rimini, Italy, we met with our friends from Belarus. It was quite some time ago that we were able to talk face-to-face, so it was truly a joyful time!
In this picture, you see team members from several rehab centers as well as the general director of all TC work in Belarus, Michail & Rufina Balakirev. Such an honor to meet with them all again in person (it surely beats Zoom meetings).
Sergey & Kristina Tsupa are our English-speaking contacts as far as the work of Mission Return (Teen Challenge) in Belarus is concerned. They took care of the translation for all Russian-speaking guests at the conference in Italy. He is also the one who translated Marja's book 'In My Name' into Russian!
Sergey is the director of the 'Overnight Home' in Baranovichi which we visited back in 2015. Over the years we have helped them on several occasions by raising funds for the work among the homeless, the addicted, and women in crisis situations.
The women's shelter is full, the men's shelter for 75%, as well as people in rehabilitation. Sergey said: "We rejoice, when we see changes in people's lives. Pray for those, who are struggling and hope that God's victory would happen in many more lives!"
Last year they started to renew the facade of the second building. They were able to plaster about half of the building. All the work was done voluntarily by brothers from their church.
There is still some more work to do on the outside wall (they are actually thinking of giving the outside a nice color as well). They also want to fix up the big hall in the middle of the building. It will be used for the common meetings.
They are even contemplating opening up a secondhand store, that would be awesome. Sergey wrote: "We praise God for you and want to thank you one more time for your participation in this project. It is easier to serve when there are people assisting you. May God bless you and continue to multiply your ministry!"
If you have a heart for the broken and hurting people and a heart for the nations of Europe, sow a seed into the work of Teen Challenge in Belarus. You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift at:
- St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: TC BELARUS
- 💳 Give by card
- 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC BELARUS.