By Peter Wooding
Special to ASSIST News Service
MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA (ANS) – For Jeff Thompson, founder of Eastern European Outreach in Murrieta, California, the past year of 2009 represented both contraction due to the recession and expansion as God opened new doors.
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| Jeff Thompson with Suren, director of Full Life in Stepanavan, Armenia |
Eastern European Outreach ministers to thousands of at-risk children and families throughout Ukraine, Armenia and Kosovo. But the recession Jeff says, caused them to have to cut back.
“During the year of 2009 the recession posed some very challenging decisions for us.” Jeff Thompson said. “We always pray and ask the Lord to guide and direct us, but those prayers are usually regarding effectiveness and expansion, not ministry and personnel cutbacks.
“Our finances have been down as supporters were forced to cut back in their giving. The first few months made it clear that some programs must be cut. That was particularly challenging because we didn’t want children to suffer as a result of the reduction in finances, but sometimes you have to make hard choices.
“Historically we (EEO) have always had the extra finances to support children while they were waiting for a sponsor. This year that was curtailed.”
Despite the financial challenge Jeff says they stepped out in faith to start a new ministry in the UK:
“It was interesting; simultaneously to this recession we had the opportunity to expand things by starting a new ministry in England called Mercy Project International,” Jeff said.
“Mercy Project did not require a large investment to get started and God has provided both people and funding. So we are excited to see what He is going to do with it.” Jeff explained.
“We see it as an expansion of what God would like to do through us, bringing God’s justice to the downtrodden, the poor and the needy. I’ve been encouraged to see the response of British churches and the interest of people.”
Another highlight in starting the work in the UK was a partnership with a U.K. Christian media organization United Christian Broadcasters, who’ll be broadcasting the charity’s first radio series Mercy Project Minute on digital radio across the country in 2010.
“UCB has welcomed us and embraced our shared vision for helping the poor. So yes it’s been challenging but we’ve seen God’s blessing as well,” he said.
Jeff went on to share how Northgate Church in Chester has become a “significant supporter” of Mercy Project.
“After speaking at their morning services, people lined up at our table to sponsor children,” he said. “The response was spectacular. I understand they are sending Christmas cards and one day hope to actually visit their children.
“With Mercy Project U.K., and EEO in the U.S., sponsors can literally stay with their children through college helping them to get an education and really change the world they live in.”
Highlights Included College Students Living In An Orphanage
Jeff shared that in 2009 a group of students from Vanguard University in Southern California lived in a Ukrainian orphanage as part of their mission experience.
“Learning God’s heart for orphans and widows means understanding them, spending time with them,” Jeff said. “How can we understand in a two hour visit? I call that ‘drive-by’ missions and I don’t agree with it
“The students from Vanguard actually lived in the orphanage, ate their food, observed their life, and spent a week with them getting to know them. It was very emotional for them all when they had to say good-bye. Yet, these students are now interested in giving their lives to serve at-risk children. God desires to break our hearts so He can use us to touch those who live around us. Indeed, serving Jesus can get messy. It is supposed to.”
Jeff Thompson went on to say, “In Armenia this year many young people came to know the Lord.” Jeff shared. “They have a Christian heritage in Armenia, but many people do not know what it means to be ‘born again’ or experience a personal relationship with Christ. So you must clearly explain what it means to give your life to Christ. The young people simply embraced that message. It was really fun.”
Jeff shared that he is grateful for the trust and support of donors in the U.S. and the U.K.
“Our ministry is like a tool,” he said. “We wouldn’t exist without concerned
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| A family in Armenia where the grandmother, mother, and daughters taught Jeff to make cheese |
Christians who desire to make a difference in this world. You can sponsor a child almost anywhere in the world, but with EEO and Mercy Project, you don’t just send your money in, you can be as personally involved as you want to be. We encourage sponsors to write and go visit their children. This is unique in child sponsorship.
“We are thankful for every single person that decides to sponsor a child or go on a trip. We are building up treasures in heaven and seeing needy children’s lives changed by the love of Christ.
“Despite a nagging recession and cutbacks, our Lord promises a bright future. Our Scripture verse for 2010 is Jeremiah 29:13 which says:
I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.
“May the widows and orphans experience His kindness and love through our ministry in 2010,” he concluded.
For more information please visit: www.eeo.org
| Peter Wooding is a TV, radio and print journalist and media consultant having spent 10 years as news editor with UCB Radio in the UK. He has traveled extensively reporting from countries including Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Dubai, South Korea, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Croatia, Israel and India. He reports regularly for CBN News, KCBI radio, ASSIST News and Sorted Magazine. Peter and wife Sharon live in North Wales, UK with their three children. Passionate to see God’s Justice and Mercy impact lives, Peter is director of a new UK ministry Mercy Project International (www.mercyproject.org.uk) to help at-risk young people in Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Kosovo, the Middle East and beyond. Contact Peter for consultation at woodingpeter@hotmail.com or tel. +44 1244 549167/+44 7500 903067. |
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