Stories From Moldova

Your Shoeboxes Make Such A Difference!

At an orphanage and special needs school, these two sweet girls (pictured below) were delighted to be part of an outreach event. Together the children sang and danced joyfully as they heard about God’s love for them and received shoebox gifts packed in the UK. One little girl with special needs absolutely loved showing off her new watch and could not believe it was just for her! A team member helped her to set the time and she proudly went round showing everyone her new prized possession.

In South East Moldova in the Chisinau district, Pastor Victor is reaching out to the poorer villages and communities where many Roma and Ukrainian-Moldovan nationals live.

Little Adriana (pictured below) came to an outreach event in a local church with her mum and grandmother and received a shoebox gift that had been packed by someone in the UK. She was delighted with her new doll, musical shaker and necklace, which she creatively used as a headband. She was so overjoyed when her Grandma told her how pretty she looked.

Pastor Victor’s church originally consisted of eight elderly members. In just three years, he and his faithful congregation have seen their church grow to over a hundred. They now hold outreach events where their youth group (largely teenagers who received shoeboxes previously) enjoy the opportunity to give something back and help run the events for other children and young people in their community!

National Leadership Team Volunteer Mihai, was keen to pass on his thanks to the wonderfully kind people who pack shoebox gifts each year:

“Our country treasures the close partnership with Samaritan’s Purse. We are so thankful for the donations and all those who pack the shoeboxes full of love which then come to the children in our country.”

Tamara’s Story

Tamara packs shoebox gifts each year and recently had the opportunity to visit Moldova. She recalls handing a shoebox to a little girl with blond hair called Julia who smiled shyly at her.

“It was really a wonderful moment,” said Tamara. “She was amazed as I unpacked it and showed her what was inside and it was wonderful to be able to help these people, knowing that they aren’t as fortunate as us, and to be able to see a smiling face and to share this moment together, it really blessed me and these memories will stay with me for the rest of my life.’

Madalina’s shoebox

“When I was 13, at a Christmas party at the church I received a shoebox present,” recalled Madalina. “We sang songs and a Bible story was explained, and then I received my shoebox. When I opened it at home I found lots of toys and things inside, accessories, school items and much more. There was also a letter from Emily inside, which I still have as it’s the first I ever received.”

 

“I was also invited to a course called The Greatest Journey, where I learnt lots of new things about God and my journey with Him began. During the course, I decided to become a Christian, and my life changed. My biggest dream is that every child in the world is grateful for what they have and trusts God and chooses to follow him. I am so thankful for my shoebox, it was the beginning of my journey with God.”

Her mother was also delighted and said:

“She was so happy when she received her shoebox. When I see my children laughing and being happy, then my heart fills with joy.”