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Bulgaria: Christmas in a Shoebox
With 430 shoeboxes in tow, a small group from the congregations of Seckach, Schwegenheim, and Speyer traveled to Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, in November 2022. Upon arrival, they first purchased basic foodstuffs and assembled them into food parcels. Their first stop was a children's and disabled persons' home in Pernik. There, our brothers and sisters had the opportunity to share the good news and distribute the shoeboxes to the children. They also visited the congregations in Krivodol, Dondukovo, and Belo Pole, participating in the services with singing and sharing God's word.
After the services, food parcels and shoeboxes were distributed in these locations as well. The brothers and sisters were able to make many home visits and distribute further food parcels and shoeboxes. In Drenovets, they visited a nursing home and held a service with the residents. At the end of the service, a call was made, which more than half of the seniors followed, and they allowed themselves to be prayed for.
The trip concluded with a visit to one of the poorest regions of Bulgaria, where people lack warm clothing during the cold season. Our brothers and sisters were able to share their faith and distribute food parcels and shoeboxes. By God's grace, a total of 86 food parcels were distributed on this trip, providing relief to many people in the near future.
Learn more: https://cdh-stephanus.org/bulgarien-2/
Siblings in distress: Donations and 7 hectares
Last year, approximately €700 was donated monthly, which was used to help street children. These children lack daily food and basic necessities such as clothing. In addition to supporting the children, four pastors received €150 each per month, enabling them to dedicate more time to their ministry. The needs of families were also addressed: approximately 36 food packages were distributed.
Regarding the "7 Hectares of Land" fundraising campaign, the required sum has now been reached, so donations have been stopped and the project is now concluded. If further donations are received, there is the possibility of supporting another hectare. In this case, the fundraising goal would be approximately €5,000.
Learn more: https://cdh-stephanus.org/arme-menschen/
Uganda: Improving lives through electricity sources
In November 2022, the team from Grüne Leuchte GmbH & Co. KG donated and installed photovoltaic systems and a floodlight system in Uganda. The school run by CDH-Stephanus near Kampala, where children from the orphanage are educated, was chosen as the recipient. A total of 12 employees and two siblings dedicated themselves to equipping the orphanage in this impoverished region with renewable energy.
Under the leadership of Steven Hensel and Valentin Schaumlöffel, the first solar panel was installed on the roof of the guesthouse within the first day. Ten more panels were installed over the next nine days. Plans are in place for employees to regularly maintain and inspect these panels. Additionally, after ten years, the first floodlights were finally installed on the buildings – a great help to the local residents. They no longer have to work in the dark in the evenings.
Thanks to God's wonderful guidance, the money donated by the company was also enough for a new kitchen at the school. The old fire pit had stood unprotected in the middle of a field. The rising smoke often injured the cooks' eyes while they were working. Now there are three new stoves, allowing the cooks to prepare food comfortably and safely, and the children have a proper place to eat.
Learn more: https://cdh-stephanus.org/uganda/
India: Christians among Hindus in need
The children are very happy with the gifts that were brought along.
In November 2022, eleven siblings from the communities of Pforzheim, Speyer, and Tostedt joined forces to travel to northern India. Over 15 days, they visited ten cities, stopping at orphanages and village development projects. Children from Germany had designed cards and personalized them with their photos. These cards, along with other gifts such as bubbles, coloring books, shampoo, sweets, and fruit, brought joy to many children. Additional donations, including balls, frisbees, and medical supplies, were also delivered to orphanages and hospitals.
The group gained extensive insight into the work of the missionaries on the ground. The brothers and sisters were able to see how God uses people for His work and what is possible when we trust God with all our hearts. In India, there is increasing oppression and persecution of Christians, as the state aims to make India a completely Hindu country. Our facilities are increasingly being visited by authorities with accusations that children are being converted to Christianity.
The following example illustrates God's great work: A woman, on behalf of the authorities, visited a school in a slum. There she heard children singing loudly about Jesus and asked them if they were being forced to do so. The children denied this and enthusiastically told her what they had learned in school, named leading politicians, and sang the national anthem for her.
After a conversation with a slum dweller who spoke enthusiastically about how fortunate the children were to be able to attend school and learn to read and write, a change occurred. The woman approached the teachers and asked them to go to the prison to help the young people there as well.
Let us pray together for the staff and children in the projects, so that our brothers and sisters can continue to serve there without hindrance.
Learn more: https://cdh-stephanus.org/indien/
Disability services: Church service for the deaf and mute
In recent years, there has been an increase in church services specifically for the deaf and mute, tailored to their needs. People come from all over, even if they don't yet know God. Fellowship with others who share the same fate can be very uplifting. Through these services and fellowship, many people find the Lord in their distress and experience comfort and support. After each event, the attendees always look forward to the next one.
Because this ministry works with people who have special needs, the staff must also be trained accordingly. Separate seminars are held for this purpose. The catering and organization of the training courses are financed by donations collected for disability services. We experience God's support daily, because He provides for the ministry materially and also gives everyone the necessary strength and power.
All those involved in this ministry, especially the deaf and mute and those affected by disabilities, are deeply grateful to all donors and helpers. May the Lord bless everyone and continue to open hearts so that each person may help according to their abilities, and that the Lord's work on earth may never cease.
Learn more: https://cdh-stephanus.org/barmherzigkeit-fuer-schwerbehinderte/
A ray of hope: The work bears fruit
Liane and Annette have decided to serve God.
Due to the recent suffering, there is an ever-increasing need for help in Ukraine and Latvia. The circumstances are difficult, yet the Lord continually grants success and willing helpers. The main goal is to lead hearts to Jesus who do not yet know Him. In Latvia, two young girls, aged 13 and 14, have decided to follow Jesus and serve Him.
The girls have a very difficult life because their parents can't find work, leading to many problems at home. At the local children's center, the two became friends and together decided to leave their previous lives behind. They now regularly attend meetings and participate in youth events. Kitia can also tell a similar story: she and her little sister were placed in an orphanage at a young age due to neglect by their mother. Miraculously, they were rescued from the orphanage and brought home to their grandmother.
Through the children's center, they heard about God and experienced the love they hadn't received from their mother. After a long time, their mother moved to England, and despite their past experiences, the sisters longed to join her. About six years later, Kitia and her mother converted to the Lord and were baptized. Today, they believe and serve together. These examples show that the fruits of God's labor are not immediately visible, yet God works and answers prayers despite great distance.
Learn more: https://cdh-stephanus.org/strahl-der-hoffnung/