Project Areas: European: ACWR Activities
Ukrainian membersgood unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith’. ACWR strives to see that no Nazarene brethren or families in Eastern Europe are cold or hungry thru local aid activities and self-help projects.
- Cash Aid for the Elderly and Needy in Eastern Europe
Cash aid to Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine provides for the basic needs of food, medicine, clothing, alms and heating fuel for the elderly and qualifying families in need, and is administered locally in each country by a committee of elders, deacons and brethren. Cash aid is monthly, quarterly or trimester, depending on the local need.
- Romania Food Parcels and Clothing Distribution
Unloading a shipment from BlufftonFood parcels, clothing and grain are shipped to Romania from World Relief distribution points such as the Distribution Center in Bluffton IN that are supported by faithful brethren, friends and Sunday School students. The New Order Amish of Holmes County OH also share in one-half of the financial responsibility of the food package program for Romania. American and European brethren coordinate aid shipments and Eastern Europe volunteer activities thru the Antioch Corporation and Arad Distribution Center in western Romania.
- Self-help Loan Projects in Romania, Serbia and Ukraine
There are many young families with children that are the future hope for faith in Eastern
A business started with self-help funds Europe. To encourage young couples and brethren to remain gainfully employed locally and support their home church, ACWR assists with self-help projects that can help generate income to support a family and perhaps employ others. Over 125 loans have been advanced to brethren to start up small businesses in activities such as agriculture, livestock, auto repair, beekeeping, bakeries, cabinetry, construction, building supplies, gas station, greenhouses, hardware, and woodworking, among others. Loan repayments are being recycled as new loans to qualifying applicants as approved by World Relief and local committees in Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.
- Livestock Projects in Romania
Helping families with food needsDesignated donations from American brethren have also provided funds to Antioch Corporation to oversee 280-300 small livestock projects annually in Romania. These projects enable families and children to raise pigs and poultry for part of their food needs. Involving the family and children in animal husbandry is also part of implementing self-help concepts of World Relief. One third of the project comes back to Antioch each year for either helping other needy brethren or for seed money for the following year.
- Farm Equipment and Tillers for Romania and Ukraine
Garden tillers have also been provided where families have garden plots to raise much of
Equipment for farming their annual food needs. In Ukraine, where land is more plentiful, designated donations have also provided for larger tractors, farm equipment and planting expenses. Brethren share the equipment to enable them to grow food for the needs of their people. They also can share the benefits with their neighbors and friends, which has created interest in the message of Christ’s love and eternal salvation.
- Summary
Even though communist rule ended in 1989, the needs of the Nazarene believers are still great and have not gone away. Consumer goods are much more plentiful, but many of the believers cannot afford to provide adequately for their basic needs. Most cannot afford to own a car and do not live in homes with the modern conveniences that we are accustomed to. The sanitary facilities we take for granted often do not exist. Large families are at risk due to underemployment and poverty level wages of less than $100 / month. In spite of all this, they sincerely wish to remain in their homeland to raise their children in the fear and the admonition of the Lord. Such a desire is the hope and promise for faith in Eastern Europe.