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Tackling despair, one life at a time, in Moldova
MOLDOVA — As well as supporting work among drug addicts (see previous article), the Interconfessional Bible Society of Moldova’s Hope for People in Despair project is also bringing Bibles and biblical literature to other people in desperate circumstances. Nicolai Cojocaru, a counsellor, and Irina Lavreniuk, who works among homeless people, both place God’s Word at the heart of their ministry. 44-year-old Nicolai Cojocaru works as a counsellor at the Chisinau Christian Clinic, part of the Christian Doctors’ Association of Moldova. He sees up to 1,000 people a year, bringing a biblical perspective to help them overcome their difficulties. “Most of my patients have social or relationship problems. They may come to see me just once or twice, or they may have a course of treatment. As we talk, I direct them to the Bible. Gradually they begin to feel better, because God’s Word heals their wounds and shows them the way forward. Some people call me a psychiatrist, others regard me as a priest figure. I don’t mind what they call me: I’m just happy to direct them to the Word of God. I’ll speak to anybody who needs spiritual or moral help, because the Bible contains advice for everyone. Reluctant Irina Lavreniuk was initially reluctant to answer God’s call to work with homeless people. Now, though, she ministers to 52 people, including mothers with young children and people with disabilities or diseases. “I came to the Lord in 2001 and asked him how I could serve him. One day, I was walking past some rubbish bins and noticed some people looking inside them. I heard the Lord calling me to stop and talk to them. I thought, ‘No, Lord, this is not my work, my profession is accounting’. I walked past without stopping. But the Lord continued to call me to work with these people, and eventually I obeyed. I was really surprised when I started to feel how much love the Lord gives me for these people!” Empty bottles
Many people reacted negatively to Mrs Lavreniuk’s approaches, swearing at her or bombarding her with empty bottles. There were many, though, who were in great need of God’s love and responded to her attention. She began to meet them, invite them to her house and give them practical help to tackle their problems. Before long, God started to change their lives. Many of them have conquered their addictions and are now keen to find work. Some have returned to their families and attend church. One woman whom she helped says, “I thought I was such a bad person that God would never forgive me, but he used Irina to reveal his love for me.” Expanding ministry Now several people help Mrs Lavreniuk in this work, including a former drug addict who is now studying at a theological college. She, too, plans to begin theological studies so that she has firm Bible knowledge on which to base her rapidly expanding ministry. This report refers to project 82106. For an earlier report about this project, see World Report 406. (WR 407/31 - 12.06) [3 photos] |
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For
example, last year I saw a young man who had typical problems: poverty,
constant misunderstandings and quarrels among family members. I spoke
to him for more than two hours, gave him a Bible and prayed with him.
A year later he returned, filled with joy. He told me that his family
problems had been solved and that he had peace in his heart because
the Bible had shown him God. I’m so glad that his life has changed
so much!”
