CIS Partnership for the Church of the Nazarene

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to the CIS (former Soviet Union)

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me …" Matthew 25:35-36 Last year NCM instituted a program to help feed the needy in Russia due to the poor harvest and hard winter. We asked Carla Sunberg, Compassionate Ministries director for the CIS, to share some stories and successes from last year. Carla writes:

Volgograd	In Volgograd they have been providing a weekly hot meal at the ministry center. This is often the only meal where our older people eat meat. We are afraid that they are surviving on bread and tea most of the time. Near Volgograd they are also helping support an Orphanage. The orphanage is in the town of Kollach. We have bought them a cow and chickens to help with the on-going needs of feeding the children. Last winter we also bought grain for the animals.

Ukraine	In Ukraine we have been delivering clothing and food to the poverty-stricken area of Western Ukraine. We have been able to deliver food and clothing to a region of 10 villages in this area. We would like to continue ministering to these individuals.

Moscow	In the Moscow area we have been helping to provide food to a shelter for children of alcoholic or drug addicted parents. Usually we supply fruits to this shelter, to help provide the children with a well-balanced diet.

Kasimov	In Kasimov we have provided food on several occasions. The administration of this city has asked us to help them. This past summer they allowed us to come and have a Vacation Bible School with needy children in the town. We need to continue to help these people.

Vaskino	The village of Vaskino is located near our Youth Center, south of Moscow. This village has 5000 inhabitants. We are hoping to help these people through the winter months with food and school supplies for the children.

Viasma	We have been able to supply food to many individuals. The city social services department has provided us the names of needy individuals. On New Year's Eve Lena, our Pastor's wife took food to a family whose name she had received. It was a single mother with five children. When Lena arrived with bags of food, and little gifts for the children the mother began to cry. Russians celebrate their holidays on New Years. This mother said that she had nothing for her children for the holiday -- no food, no gifts. She asked Lena if she was an angel. She couldn't believe that this was brought just at her time of need.

St. Petersburg	Bags of food have been provided monthly for needy individuals.


This past winter we were able to feed thousands of people in the CIS through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. We are unable to predict exactly what this next winter holds but we read in the newspapers that the harvest is expected to be even worse this year. We have received reports that this summer they have had locust infestations of Biblical proportions in the Ukraine and these are wiping out the crops. The economy has not improved and the banking system remains in collapse. We would like to be prepared to help people again this winter. Our plan is to use every church and preaching point as a location for feeding people, or for delivering food. This winter this would be 20 different locations where we can deliver food. Monthly packages of food are prepared at these locations and provided for needy individuals. The packages include food staples such as rice, noodles, flour, cooking oil, tea, sugar, canned meats, etc. The Need We need about $500 a month per location to assist with food. With 20 locations providing food and assistance, that means we need $10,000.00 a month to help with food. We do this during the winter months (November through April), after the local produce is gone. This totals $60,000.00 to fund this program through the winter. How can I help? Money can be donated to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to Russia - Feeding Program code# ACM1248. Funds should be sent to the General Treasurer's Office, 6401 The Paseo KC MO 64131. If the funds are sent through your church, your church can receive 10% credit. The funds will be forwarded to the Field. We are unable to receive food shipments due to customs regulations and perishability. It is much easier and cost efficient for us to purchase the food locally and deliver it where it is needed. However, if you wish to send clothing and other supplies, then please see our package information page for more information.

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