Season 2024-2025
Christmas is the season of hope! Mission Eurasia's "Gift of Hope" project has been bringing light and goodness into the hearts of thousands of children and their families for many years. This year the initiative covered eight countries: Poland, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Czech Republic, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The project united 373 churches, more than 2,500 volunteers and touched the lives of more than 100,000 children. Through the efforts of Christian communities, youth leaders and students of the School Without Walls, 572 celebrations were held, at which more than 140,000 copies of Scripture were distributed.
The "Gift of Hope" project is not just about giving Christmas presents. It is a mission to bring hope to places where it is sorely lacking. In different countries, teams of volunteers have organized theatrical performances about the Birth of Jesus, held celebrations, and filled the hearts of children and adults with joy. People listened with interest to the carols, participated in games and were delighted. Many children received their only Christmas present, and each of these boxes became a symbol of God's love and care.
Ministry teams visited orphanages, families in difficult circumstances, schools, hospitals, and even colleges where orphanage graduates study. It is especially important that in some countries not only believers but also people who had not previously been involved in the church participated in the project. Having learned about the project through social networks and charity events, they brought their own self-collected gifts. Such moments help to build bridges between Christian communities and the world around them, opening people's hearts to God's love.
After the Christmas events, parents began bringing their children to Sunday school and some families attended church for the first time. This confirms once again that simple acts of kindness can change lives and lead people to the true source of hope, Jesus Christ. We are blessed to see how the gifts give hope not only to the children, but also to their parents. This is what happened in the life of a young mom, Vicky. She grew up in a dysfunctional family, where her father left home and her mother drank all her life. As she grew older she began to have drug and alcohol problems, an early pregnancy, deprivation of parental rights and prison. After prison, Vika found herself in a wheelchair and started begging around the city. Soon she gave birth to her second child, whom they tried to take away from her. It was during this time that Vicky came to church and learned about God. Changes and miracles in her life appered very quickly, her first child was returned to her, she got up from her wheelchair and started to walk on crutches. She came to the "Gift of Hope" holiday completely healthy with her two daughters. Vicky and her children were very inspired by the celebration and the love and care that God showed to them through volunteers and gifts this Christmas. She is glad that the God she has believed continues to be a loving Father and a ray of hope in her life!
