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An insight into the work of the "New Life" community and its projects

A soft click at the door and we see familiar, joyful faces. What will we eat today, and what story from the Book of Life will we hear and learn afterward? Thirty to forty-five expectant children gradually enter the building and are warmly and lovingly welcomed – at the "New Life" community center in Belzi.

Refuge and security

The "Bread of Life" project aims, among other things, to provide children with a hot meal they would otherwise not receive. Every day after school, they come by and enjoy a delicious lunch.

After the meal, everyone helps with tidying up, and then they do their homework together. Here, they can get help if they're struggling with their assignments or simply talk about what happened at school. Afterwards, everyone gathers for Bible reading. They discuss and reflect on what they've read. While the children listen attentively, we can observe them more closely:

There's Katja (name changed), who just turned 10. She's happy that she'll be allowed to shower and wash her clothes later in her free time. She also has her own drawer in the wardrobe to store her clean clothes. She got most of them here. She can't take them home. The last time she tried, her mother sold the item of clothing to buy a bottle of vodka.

Next to Katja sits Ilja. After a difficult day at school, he is glad to be here in a safe place. Since he received better clothes and a new schoolbag, he is teased less at school, both by students and teachers. The fact that Brother Oleg, the head of the community, spoke with his class teacher also helped.

Actually, Ilya's father should have done that, but he doesn't know him and his mother is away all day trying to earn some money for him and his three little half-siblings.

Mikhail (7 years old) also enjoys his time at the community center. He doesn't have a real home. He lives with his aunt and uncle, who took him in out of pity. They are glad he gets a meal here because they can barely afford enough food for their own children.

And lastly, there's Nadja. She's been involved in the project for a while now. She already helps out in the kitchen, supporting the whole team. At 13, she's still practically a child herself. But life hasn't let her stay a child for long.

Her father is in prison and her mother is abroad working for money. She's therefore alone with her two brothers most of the time. Her older brother is already 16, but he doesn't care about anything and doesn't look after her. He still goes to school, but when he gets home, he spends the rest of the day on his phone or goes to sleep.

In the mornings, before school, Nadja takes her younger brother (4) to kindergarten. Afterwards, as mentioned, she goes to the "Bread of Life" project and helps out there. In the afternoon, she picks her brother up from kindergarten and drives him home. All the housework is still waiting for her there. Keep in mind – this girl is only 13. How would teenagers her age here in Germany cope with such responsibility?

Worship service and individual workshops

The "New Life" community has another major project aimed at schoolchildren from the city: "Word of Life." This is an afternoon program offering around 15 different workshops, such as sewing, crafts, a computer course, photography, English, and much more.

To participate in a workshop, there is an open house during the first week of school. Children come with their parents on this day, look at the activities offered, and can register for a workshop. Approximately 125 children then attend the "Word of Life" project once a week.

Each group begins with a Bible lesson and a prayer, after which the children can participate in their chosen workshop. At the end of each session, the participants are invited to the children's group. This takes place every Sunday and offers a worship service for children of different ages. Here, they also hear a Bible story, pray and sing together, and conclude with games and a snack.

The "Word of Life" project ends with the school year, and the program starts again in September. But the children won't miss out during the summer holidays either. They are all warmly invited to the summer retreat – a multi-day evangelistic event in the city park or city center with stories from God's Word and lots of games and fun.

And then there are the family celebrations: Christmas, Family Day, summer festival, and Thanksgiving Day. On these occasions, the children bring their parents and enjoy musicals, interactive activities, and even get to present something themselves.

Be there!

All projects are supported by many volunteer members of the community. Many of them have themselves participated in one of the projects and encountered God and a new life there. However, the main burden of organization is borne by Brother Oleg Bodnar, his wife Marina, their son Ilja, and their adopted daughter Luda.

We (the congregation of Mettenheim) are grateful to be able to support the "New Life" community in Belzi with its projects, both financially and in prayer. At the same time, we welcome anyone who joins us and thus gives the children in Belzi a future and hope.

Katrin Wiens

Municipality of Mettenheim

More information about the project and the opportunity to donate:
https://cdh-stephanus.org/moldawien-belzy