How it started

Mission Without Border’s Bible Correspondence Course in Romania started in 1995, as a follow up to the summer camps. 500 children came and it was their first time at a camp. Even though it only lasted a week, the children learned there is a different kind of life to that which they were used to in the Homes.

After spending a week together with them, the co-ordinators and volunteers realised how much these children needed a meaningful relationship with a constant person. The children recognised adults by their job title, who they called; directors, educators, teachers, supervisors, cooks or nurses. What these children lacked was a friend.

Most of the orphanage staff supervising the children were underpaid with no specialised training and lacked the time, will or ability to approach them. No teacher had such careful listeners as these children during camp! They were hungry for kind words. These children had barely been  caressed, hugged or talked to, so they all missed the love and care every child needs to develop into an emotionally and psychologically healthy adult. Bonds with educators and family members were weak, and the children had no opportunity to learn the social skills they would need later in life. They needed hope and they needed to feel a sense of achievement; they needed stability and needed to know they were loved and accepted just the way they were. Moreover, they needed to be listened to, not just to listen to others.

Awakened interest 

The campers were children who lived under the communist regime for a large part of their life. They were used to hearing that there is no God and that the Bible was an old book with stories invented by fanatics. This was imposed on them, and because of that they did not dare to argue or ask further questions. After the Revolution in December 1989, spiritual matters were openly discussed, so the children had some information about the Bible, but also a lot of questions. Every Bible lesson was a novelty to them, and every answer they received, gave birth to new questions. Their questions were related to the Bible, but also to matters that were not explained to them before: positive attitude, confidentiality, forgiveness, acceptance, loneliness, puberty and sexuality, self- victimisation, etc.

Keeping in touch 

When learning that God is Love, and that He loves them impartially, they could not help but wonder why He allowed them to be abandoned in the Homes. This was a difficult question, especially if asked by a small child. Behind such a question there is a lot of suffering, and such a question should not remain unanswered.

As the end of the camp got nearer, both children and MWB staff felt the need to stay in touch. Upon leaving the camp, children were given a stamped envelope, and asked to write their impressions of the camp as well as something about themselves. They were encouraged to continue to ask any other questions.

Within four months, we received 580 letters.  As the letters continued to flood in, it was realised how hungry these children were for loving, personal contact and for the knowledge of God. The children were pouring out their hearts, openly sharing about their joys and sorrows. Sorrows outnumbered joys by far. Each letter was replied to, so a very strong bond was created between the children and our staff. Every camp participant had siblings or friends who wanted to take part. This is how the Bible Correspondence Course was born!

Look and Live course 

The Bible Correspondence Course started with “Look and Live”. This first course was addressed to young children or to children of any age who had little (if any) Bible knowledge.

With the first lesson, each child received a copy of the Gospel of Luke. By reading it, the children could find all answers to the course’s quizzes. Since the graduates were keenly interested in continuing, new courses were started later, according to the children’s ages, interest and level of understanding. Each lesson was accompanied by a personal letter, which was an encouragement and gave the recipients a sense of importance. As a result, they opened their hearts more than they would have in a face-to-face conversation. Besides the spiritual and emotional impact, the educational aspect can not be omitted: the course resulted in improved written communication skills, enlarged vocabulary and a broader general knowledge. Upon graduation they received a Certificate with their name on it, which boosted their self-confidence.

The course was offered, but was not a condition for other assistance, and it was entirely free of charge.

Today 

Bible Correspondence Courses meet the spiritual and emotional needs of the children we serve, and from the beginning it was seen as a very effective tool for reaching people for Christ.

Now the Bible Correspondance Course also operates in Moldova and Ukraine for children in state orphanages.

These courses have also been established for children and parents in our Family to Family programme. Elderly people who attend Feeding Centres through our Community projects can do some of these courses as well.

Help and hope to Eastern Europe