This page contains information about Moldova amidst the Russia-Ukraine war conflict, from a missionary perspective. I will be posting here any reports from Moldova regarding the current situation, as well as prayer intentions and opportunities to help. I encourage you to check out the information here and, above all, to pray! Wojciech Borys, director of the Mission of the Friends of Moldova
03 / 10 / 2022
The current situation in Moldova does not allow for optimism. Residents of the country on the Prut and Dniester rivers are afraid of the coming winter, high prices, and the danger of a real invasion by Russian troops, several thousand of whom are stationed in Transnistria. There are far fewer refugees from Ukraine than before. Many of them have returned to Ukraine, or have made the journey further west.
The three churches to which we, as The Mission of the Friends of Moldova, have entrusted funds to cover their costs of caring for the refugees are: 1/ The 'Maranata' Church in Strășeni and Negrești, 2/ The 'Agape' Church of Recea village and 3/ The 'Vestea Bună' Church in Strășeni. These costs include transportation, food, utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet) clothing, medicine, and education. These churches have provided assistance to a total of more than half a thousand people from Ukraine!
I want to strongly emphasize that this service was carried with great commitment and dedication by our sisters and brothers in Christ, often against many difficulties and problems. I personally had the opportunity to observe and participate in various activities for those affected by the turmoil of war. Not everything went smoothly. There were many tears shed, days spent feeling helpless, unanswered questions posed.... At the same time, however, it was a time of many blessings, the establishment of deep relationships, beautiful friendships; a time of shared prayers and.... souls saved! Praise be to the One who can turn evil into good!
20 / 05 / 2022
- The President of Moldova, Mrs Maia Sandu, thanked the Agape Church, of which Ion Cotorobai is pastor, for its assistance to refugees from Ukraine in Moldova. This is yet another close community appreciated by the highest state authorities! It is gratifying that the help offered by the church in the village of Recea has been recognised by the President, and the appreciation expressed encourages further work. As Missionary Friends of Children we have been working with this church for many years. At present, our joint efforts are focused precisely on supporting Ukrainians who have been thrown onto Moldovan soil by the war. Thank you to everyone who supports the MPD ministry in the country and the Prut and Dniester in any way, so that together we can bring help and be a blessing! And to the Lord God alone be the glory! See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova". See photos illustrating the aid
Here is what President Maia Sandu wrote:
"Dear members of the 'Agape' Church community,
Thank you for the important work you have done in recent months to support refugees in Ukraine after their country was engulfed in war. I appreciate the dedication with which you have given your resources, time and energy to help these people - mostly women, children and the elderly who have been driven from their homes without their own will.
You, through your generosity, care and openness, have offered refugees a warm and welcoming home in Moldova, a safe haven in our country. We have shown that we are a small country with a big heart. The generosity of Moldovan volunteers has rightly become known and appreciated around the world.
The exemplary mobilisation and organisational skills you have shown during this period, together with other fellow citizens, give me hope. I firmly believe that together we can change our country for the better, we can build here a free, peaceful and prosperous society, a friendly and warm place, a little corner of heaven where you want to live and build your future.
Thank you very much!
With my compliments,
Maia SANDU"
16 / 05 / 2022
- Mrs. Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, thanks the church 'VESTEA BUNÃ' from Strășeni for helping refugees from Ukraine! This is one of the three communities that we as Children's Friends Mission have been working with for years, now also in the work of providing support to Ukrainians in Moldova. Congratulations to Pastor Adrian, as well as to the sisters and brothers of the church 'VESTEA BUNÃ' (Good News). Thank you all Dear Ones, who by supporting the ministry of MPD have a part in helping the refugees from Ukraine in Moldova! And to the Lord God be the glory! See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova". See photos illustrating the aid
Here is what President Maia Sandu wrote:
"Dear members of the Good News Church community,
Thank you for the important work you have done in recent months to support refugees in Ukraine after their country was engulfed in war. I appreciate the dedication with which you have given your resources, time and energy to help these people - mostly women, children and the elderly who have been driven from their homes without their own will.
You, through your generosity, care and openness, have offered refugees a warm and welcoming home in Moldova, a safe haven in our country. We have shown that we are a small country with a big heart. The generosity of Moldovan volunteers has rightly become known and appreciated around the world.
The exemplary mobilisation and organisational skills you have shown during this period, together with other fellow citizens, give me hope. I firmly believe that together we can change our country for the better, we can build here a free, peaceful and prosperous society, a friendly and warm place, a little corner of heaven where you want to live and build your future.
Thank you very much!
With my compliments,
Maia SANDU"
22 / 04 / 2022
- Pastor Adrian's Vestea Bună ('Good News') church in the town of Strășeni, Moldova, continues to bring aid to refugees from Ukraine. It is one of three churches with which, as the Mission of the Friends of Children, we work closely to help minister among the refugees. Since the beginning of the war they have been going to the border with Ukraine, transporting Ukrainians to Moldova, providing shelter and in many cases transporting them further west. They are constantly caring for several dozen people and providing the necessary assistance. I encourage you to consider financially supporting this church and the other two that we help in their ministry among refugees.
See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova". See photos illustrating the aid
13 / 04 / 2022
- Our Moldovan missionary Nicu, is working and even expanding the ministry! This is really good news! Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine has changed a lot. Very many refugees have come to Moldova. Many children... Some of them ended up under Nicu's wing! Thanks to the support provided by generous Donors who have continued to help Nicu through the Mission of the Friends of Children since November 2020, he already had, so to speak, ways and materials prepared to care for children from Ukraine and, of course, from Moldova. A ready-made computer lab, LEGO bricks (and laptops and Lego we are still collecting!), finances, various art materials, and above all a friendly heart and faith in him that the Lord God makes it all possible and will guide it. And recently, he was able to buy a new table for activities with the children of the village of Zubrești (by the way, we could use more tables)! I thank beautifully everyone who helps Nicu's ministry in prayer or financially. May the smiles of the children in the photos be a joyful encouragement and proof to you that it is worth praying; that it makes sense to share your goods; that there is a powerful God who blesses, saves and transforms evil into good!
See more photos
05 / 04 / 2022
- About 23 refugees have found their refuge in Recea, Moldova. The number is fluctuating. Some - a few - decide to return to Ukraine, others wander further west, but there are new ones. And there are those who have made themselves at home within the hospitable confines of Pastor Ion's church. They found here not only a safe roof over their heads and food; they found a substitute for normality. And above all, many of them have heard the Good News in these bad times! They are grateful for the help and the word of God! They all share the same pain and the same wound inflicted by cruel Russia. Only the Gospel has the power to heal and transform these crushed hearts! This is one of the three places we are helping since the beginning of the war thanks to the enormous kindness of the Donors! There are people (you may be one of them) who, with their prayers and money donated through the Mission of the Friends of Children to Moldova, make it possible for the refugees from Ukraine to feel a brotherly hand and real help! Thank you beautifully for this generous support! I continue to ask for it and encourage you to pray!
See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova". See photos illustrating the aid
29 / 03 / 2022
- See photo albums illustrating churches in Moldova helping refugees from Ukraine in partnership with MPD:
25 / 03 / 2022
- Thank you for your prayers, your financial support, and all your encouraging words about helping the refugees in Moldova! I assure you that every financial gift, time spent in spiritual warfare, and good gesture makes a difference! It is thanks to such kind and friendly commitment of the Donors that we can show a brotherly hand to the refugees from Ukraine in Moldova! As Missionary Friends of Children, we are in constant contact with the three churches that provide aid. The fruits of these joint efforts are happy faces of children, calmer hearts of adults, assured livelihoods and joy of service. And all this in a cruel time of war... Let us pray that God will stop the machines of war, that hearts will humble themselves before the Creator and the Almighty, that people will sober up! I encourage you to pray this prayer and to support financially the relief of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.
See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova". See photos illustrating the aid
18 / 03 / 2022
- The ministry of many churches and missions in Moldova is now focused on supporting refugees from Ukraine, organising accommodation, border work, etc. At the same time, this is an opportunity to preach the Gospel and show God's love! See how our brothers in Christ Nicu and Gheorghe are using the opportunity to share the Good News during this difficult time and how they are providing practical help.
16 / 03 / 2022
- Thanks to the generosity of the Benefactors and, above all, the goodness and grace of God, the Mission of the Friends of Children, have donated the sum of 37100 PLN (thirty-seven thousand one hundred złoty) to Moldova to help the refugees from Ukraine. This is approximately 7650 euros (seven thousand six hundred and fifty). I thank beautifully everyone who contributed to this financial gift! To the God be the glory! I assure you that all this money is used for its intended purpose and is a great help! It went to the pastors of three churches that provide assistance to refugees from Ukraine in four locations: pastor Oleg in Strășeni and Negrești, pastor Ion in Recea, and pastor Adrian in Strășeni. This outreach also includes serving refugees at the border crossings of Ukraine and Moldova, transporting Ukrainians to various locations in Moldova, and taking them to the border with Romania where they can continue their journey. A big challenge remains caring for the refugees who use the buildings of these churches and private homes. Currently there are about 80 people, but this number is changing.
Dear Friends! While thanking you from the bottom of my heart for the support you have already shown, I also encourage and appeal you to consider helping us financially! Money goes fast, there are more refugees, the problems are growing...
See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova". See photos illustrating the aid
14 / 03 / 2022
- The situation in Moldova is becoming increasingly difficult...! Proportionally (per 100,000 inhabitants) it is the poorest country in Europe that has received the most refugees from Ukraine. Very many churches in Moldova are involved in providing aid. As Children's Friends Mission we have been organising and donating support to Pastors since the beginning of the war in Ukraine: Oleg, Ion and Adrian our friends who tirelessly bring aid to refugees in Strășeni, Recea and Negrești. All these churches are committed and doing their best. They do not lack courage, empathy, love, faith or willingness to help! What is lacking is finances...! Expenses for electricity, water, gas, petrol, medicines, food, are huge challenges for these fellowships... See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova".
12 / 03 / 2022
- I join the appeal of our friend pastor Adrian from the Vestea Bună ('Good News') Church from the city of Strășeni in Moldova! I have written about them more than once. It is one of three churches with which we work closely. They need a bus to effectively bring aid to refugees from Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war they have been going to the border with Ukraine, transporting Ukrainians deep into Moldova, providing shelter and in many cases transporting them further west (see what this looks like). Finances are needed, obviously, but there is another option! If someone has a bus and would like to go to Moldova and drive and transport refugees there for a few weeks, it would be very useful! All you need is a passport! If anyone would like to donate money for this purpose, you can use the link provided, or send your gift to the account of the Mission of the Friends of Children with the note 'Bus for Moldova'.
11 / 03 / 2022
- Dears! Help is working! We have transferred to Moldova to our friends, the first part of the funds raised. This allowed them to buy food, necessary items and fuel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have already donated money to support refugees from Ukraine in Moldova! At the same time, I kindly ask for such help! (See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova").
The photos are from the village of Recea, where Pastor Ion and our sisters and brothers are caring for and giving shelter to the Ukrainians. This is one of three such places that we, as Mission Friends of Children, are feeding with the funds we receive from our collection. The others are two churches in Strășeni, Pastor Oleg's and Pastor Adrian's. Of course, we are not the only ones helping them, but still the needs exceed the ability to help... My sincere greetings and may the Almighty keep us all in His protection! See more photos from Recea
08 / 03 / 2022
- While for Poland refugees from Ukraine represent a challenge that we are able to meet, for Moldova it may be a situation that overwhelms the poorest country in Europe... Right now, any help for Moldova is hugely appreciated. There are many ways to get involved...! (See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova")
05 / 03 / 2022
- I would like to write a few words about the current ministry of the Mission of Children's Friends in Moldova. Since the first day of the war, we have been working to organise and channel aid to our friends in Moldova who are looking after refugees from Ukraine. Every day I make quite a few phone calls about this (also WhatsApp, Viber, etc.), both to the Polish and Moldovan side. I am in contact with friends in Ukraine. We are informing about the current situation and collecting money to help Ukrainians in Moldova (See how you can help - In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova"). The first tranche is already on its way. The MPD missionary base in Moldova at the 'Maranata' church in Strășeni has become a shelter for 13 refugees. At the moment we are coordinating more transport to Moldova. In fact, we spend all our time looking for support and transferring it to Moldova.
Our sisters and brothers, with whom we work side by side in various missionary activities in Moldova, are also busy at the moment bringing aid to the refugees in the widest sense of the word. The latest missionary projects of the MPD in Moldova are wonderfully in tune with the current situation: 'IT project'; 'LEGO bricks for children in Moldova'. We never imagined that they would serve the war refugees from Ukraine, and this is exactly what is happening! Also, our other ventures, such as the 'Education Project'; 'Nicu - Moldovan MPD Missionary'; and the food 'Help for Moldova' are still up and running, but I simply don't have the time to describe how they are developing and what results they are producing. However, I can assure you that we are still implementing them and they are a huge help!
04 / 03 / 2022
- They feed, care and play, comfort, pray, strengthen and add HOPE! Our brave sisters and courageous brothers from Recea church! They have already taken care of approx. 25 refugees from Ukraine, and this number will surely increase.
They need financial support because the already absurdly high prices are still rising, and they need to pay for food, electricity, water, gas, petrol... I encourage you to pray - which they always ask for when I talk to our friends from Moldova - and to help financially! See how you can help (In your transfer write: "Refugees in Moldova"). Thank you and warm greetings! Wojciech Borys, Director of the Mission of Children's Friends
See more photos
03 / 03 / 2022
- An important day in Moldova. Today, 03 March 2022, President Maia Sandu signed the application for membership of the European Union. She herself says this about it:
"The citizens of the Republic of Moldova are proving to the world that they are a mature nation. We proved this when we did not allow tyranny to settle in our country. If some decisions take time, others must be taken quickly and decisively, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the changing world landscape.
We must act immediately when circumstances demand it, and we clearly see the opportunity to ensure a safer, better life for future generations. Achieving this goal is our duty to our citizens. Today we are signing the application for the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union. It is addressed to Emmanuel Macron, President of France, the country which holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union today. The Republic of Moldova must have a clear European path. We are ready to do everything possible to achieve this fundamental national goal".
02 / 03 / 2022
- Our friends in Moldova are tirelessly bringing help to refugees from Ukraine. The latest information is that there are 13 people from Ukraine in Străşeni in Pastor Oleg's church, about 12 people in Pastor Adrian's church, and 25 people in Pastor Ion's centre. These numbers will of course change. At the moment, the most urgent need is money with which to buy food which is very expensive at the moment...
01 / 03 / 2022
- Our @RefugeesCE
representative is in Moldova, at the border with Ukraine.
"The situation is absolutely heartbreaking." Watch
27 / 02 / 2022
- The mission base of the Mission of the Friends of Children in Moldova has become a place of refuge for refugees from Ukraine as of today! Two mums and nine children have taken up residence in the newly renovated rooms of the MPD base in the 'Maranata' Church building in Strășeni! We had no idea that the LEGO bricks we collected as part of our mission project would be used for the children from Ukraine who were exiled by the war to Moldova. We are very happy that we can help at least in this way and may God be praised for it! See more photos
26 / 02 / 2022
- The diagram below shows the number of refugees who have found shelter in different cities of Moldova. It is important to note that this is official data on accommodated and registered persons. The vast majority of Ukrainians within Moldova's borders are not included here.
- More than 30,000 Ukrainians have already been sent to Moldova. There is much less food in the shops, but the government assures that there should be no shortage.
On the other hand, shopping limits are to be introduced.
- Gheorghi is our brother in Christ whom we included in an educational project some time ago. I am happy to report that, despite all the turmoil of the war, he still teaches the children and meets with them daily for training. His wife Irina, teaches English lessons on Mondays. Click on the photo below and see more!
25 / 02 / 2022
- Moldova has declared a state of emergency. It is to remain in force for another 60 days.
- Russian forces near Ukraine
- Sites attacked by Russia in Ukraine. Note how close to Moldova (and also Poland) the Russians are bombing their targets.
- A dramatic post on Facebook was made by Mrs Valentina Casian, mayor of Strășeni, where we as the Mission of the Friends of Children have our missionary base. She wrote:
"A black day in the history of Europe! (...) Ukraine is now fighting on behalf of all free nations in Europe (...) We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine (...) We strongly condemn Russia's unjustified attack on Ukraine!"
The inscription on the flag next to it reads:
"The people of Strășeni together with the people of Ukraine".
24 / 02 / 2022
- According to various estimates, between 5,000 and 10,000 refugees from Ukraine have already arrived in Moldova. It is said that eventually even 5.000.000 (yes, five million...) may arrive. The entire population of Moldova currently numbers about 2.700.000. The churches of our friends, with whom we have been cooperating for years, are already preparing their church buildings and their own houses to receive people from Ukraine.