Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today

The hardest part of our humanitarian mission is finding non-governmental organizations (NGO) to partner with.

After assessing humanitarian projects done in the past throughout Slovakia, we noticed 90% of projects were done in the Eastern parts of the country. One city in Slovakia we focused on, Trenčin had never had a LDS Charities project. 

We felt impressed to reach out to the young missionaries in that city. The Elders were familiar with the city homeless shelter; they had done service projects there. With the aid of the Branch President, who is a founding member of the church, help set a meeting with the homeless shelter. 

During the meeting with the director and city officials we asked what their greatest need was. The director stated last winter was a cold harsh winter, many people did not fit in the shelter. Many homeless have addiction or health problems and staying out in sub-zero temperatures is very dangerous. We were told they could really use an Army tent, floor mats, and sleeping bags for an overflow when the temperatures dip far below zero.

A police officer said he would drive around and locate homeless to drop off at the shelter to stay in overflow tent.  They are going to offer social services, including addition recovery counseling to those brought in.

The homeless shelter is an old run-down crowded building.

Bunk beds are squeezed into rooms with tight living quarters and a lack of kitchen and restrooms. Staff are especially concerned for those left out in the cold due to addictions, and some who suffer illness.

The plan was to provide an emergency tent shelter for homeless persons and provide them at least a warm place to sleep and get a bowl of soup. 

In addition to the tent, a wheelchair was requested for a few invalid homeless people at the shelter.

One invalid woman was thrilled to see a wheelchair available for her.

The missionaries providing service stated “After helping to set up the wheelchair, we got to see the moment when one of the people residing there, Viera, got to see it and sit in it…then they asked us if we could do some service for Viera in which we would help her go to the post office to pick up her mail. In the past it would take a total of 4 hours there and back. But, with the wheelchair the time was drastically dropped from 4 hours to just 30 minutes! It really seemed to brighten her day”.

Be the reason someone smiles today!

An Oasis of Work Opportunities

OAZA homeless shelter has hundreds of hours of service

to expanded capacity by thirty people. The plan was to add a third story onto the building and provide eight additional rooms for homeless people. Many homeless people were put to work in helping with construction of a large addition which required plastering, painting, floors, plumbing, and electrical.

One of the large rooms for which the
homeless call home.

LDS Charities became involved with floor tile and plumbing fixtures for the bathrooms. We met often with the director, a Catholic Priest, who advised much of the work was accomplished by many of the homeless men at the shelter who have skills.

A few months ago we saw the rough construction and have been amazed to see the transformation of painted walls, tiled floors, and bathroom fixtures installed. LDS Charities also provided beds, nightstands, and wardrobes for the rooms.

The delivery and carrying of all these items up to the third floor was accomplished by the shelter residents. The shelter has over 250 homeless men and women who are encouraged to work on premises or be employed elsewhere.

This Shelter has numerous opportunities to work, such as caring for goats, sheep, chickens, cows, or dogs. There is also wood splitting firewood, kitchen help, and sorting and cleaning crews. There is no shortage for work in such a large compound. He welcomes the chance to offer hope to the residents. 

The motto of the director is “Hope for a new life” for every individual even those with addiction problems. The director of the homeless shelter  understands the value of good work ethics as quoted by J. Richard Clarke in 1982.

"Work is honorable. It is good therapy for most problems. It is the antidote for worry. It is the equalizer for deficiency of the native endowment. Works makes it possible for the average to approach genius. What we may lack in aptitude, we can make up for in performance."

As recommended by Korsaren: "If you are poor, work. ... If you are happy, work. Idleness gives room for doubts and fears. If disappointments come, keep right on working. If sorry overwhelms you, ... work. ... When faith falter and reason fails, just work. When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead, work. Work as if your life were in peril. It really is. No matter what ails you, work. Work faithfully. ... Work is the greatest remedy available for both mental and physical afflictions." (The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life, New York: Forbes Inc., 1968, p. 427.)

Something Different about this Village

It is common to drive past Roma villages all the time. But this one struck us different.

Stopping our vehicle by the side of the road to get a better view. We couldn't help think of the many children who must live in these conditions during the coldest part of the year. Last night was -16°Celsius. Slovakia has a late week of sub-zero temperatures. 

The children of Roma endure many challenges and some are beyond their control. Greg and I discussed how we can help these families.  

We agreed to come back with some blankets. We remembered our neighbor, who gave us some money before we left on our mission. She wanted to help support our mission, but we want to give back instead of receive. She would be happy to know the money went towards some families with young children in some of the worst living conditions. 

We picked up our young translators and drove to the village and carried our bags of blankets through the bitter cold evening. A gate led to the village and soon we were greeted by Eric, who escorted us to homes with children. He told us "it is not safe here." There are wild hogs and barking dogs. 

When we arrived, the women were cooking dinner and invited us into their homes. These women live with young children with limited resources and finances. They were grateful for the act of kindness.

Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind on to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

A Latter-day Miracle

An opportunity came our way in March to travel to Germany. Several members of the Slovakia district were planning a trip to Freiberg LDS Temple to visit and do work there. We had a young woman in our branch along with her sister that were invited along as new converts. We went along to help them experience the joy of attending the temple.

Traveling to the Freiberg Temple was a 13-hour journey. After a 10-hour train ride to Prague in Czech Republic, we then took a 3-hour vehicle ride to Freiberg.  This small temple was the first LDS temple built during the communist state when the Cold War was prevalent.

At the time, the communist leaders allowed Latter-day Saints travel into Switzerland to attend the temple. They noticed they always returned home. This attracted the attention of government leaders and during a visit with the prophet the communist leaders encourage the Church to build a temple in East Germany, and then East Germans would not need to travel out of East Germany to Switzerland. Quite a miraculous event for a communist government who shunned religion.

The Freiberg Temple is located in a residential neighborhood with a German bakery just down the street. We couldn't resist stopping in to see all the pastries and bread on display.

We walked a few blocks further to the Freiberg Castle partially surrounded by tall thick walls and a mote full of water. Freiberg is a small town with cobblestone roads and tiny shops of every kind.

Inside the temples, we learn about the creation of the world and make covenants to obey God's eternal plan for each of us. We can also do ordinances for those who died and never received, for example baptism.

It is an opportunity to step away from the busy world and find peace and serenity.

The Freiberg Temple is situated on a plot of land with a LDS meetinghouse, Institute building, and overnight accommodations for travelers. The church has provided this convenient lodging with large kitchen and dining room. A nicely lighted foot tunnel allows entry from the rooms to the temple. 

During our visit we met missionaries from Berlin, Germany and their Mission President. Several missionaries have been involved in learning other languages than just German, for example, Chinese and Arabic. They have had investigators from various countries and desire to communicate with them. These fine young men were all serving 2-year missions from their home in Australia, Canada, and the United States. 

Our past prophet Thomas S. Monson said this about temples, "As you and I go to the holy houses of God, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome every temptation." 

So, What is the Purpose of our Mission?

Can you believe we are already halfway through our 18-month mission. This may be a good time to share exactly what we have been doing here, when not visiting castles.  What are we doing and how do we do it?

We are serving as full-time "Senior Missionaries" for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are Slovakia Country Representatives for LDS Charities doing humanitarian relief.

We volunteered to serve “anywhere in the world” and enjoyed the surprise of Czech/Slovakia. We also agreed to support ourselves while living here in Eastern Europe including our rent. There are 6,800 other volunteer senior couples serving worldwide in a variety of ways. 

The main purpose of our humanitarian mission is to serve our fellow man, especially those who are considered poor, homeless, hungry, or needy. We seek out organizations already serving these groups of people, and request to partner with them.

We meet with directors and managers of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and introduce ourselves as LDS Charities representatives. We explain the funds provided by LDS Charities are donations by members or friends of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we are stewards to insure they are used wisely.

A discussion with leaders of organizations is to determine how we can best help the individuals to help themselves. We never assume we have the answers to problems. We are guests in their country and they have usually already tried many ways to help people in need. LDS Charities of Slovakia does not just give things away. The idea is to help people help themselves.

 During our conversation we explain the best "projects" contain three principles which LDS Charities strive for in every project”. First, is an element of SERVICE, preferably voluntary service by the recipients, second, is becoming SELF-RELIANT or becoming better able to care for yourself. Third, projects needs to be SUSTAINABLE into the future - not short term.

Most of our meetings involve the use of a translator as so few people speak English.

Note taking and photos are necessary for a good write-up. A project report is written-up and sent to our leaders in Frankfurt, Germany. Our leaders meet monthly to review and discuss "projects" and then decide to approve or not approve.

An approved project allows us to work with the organization with our agreed upon goals and purchases. We often make several visits to the organization and enjoy getting to know them documenting the progress with photos. LDS Charities policy is to help all organizations regardless of race, religion, nationality, or other factors.

For example:

one organization we met with will cook soup and deliver it out into the homeless community. They requested help with their stove which is old and malfunctioning, and with large thermos containers with sealed covers to transport the hot soup. Their service is providing ingredients and cooking soup and then taking it into the homeless neighborhood. The new stove and containers helps the organization continue their service into the future. Can you see the three principles included in this project?

In the past ten years, Humanitarian Missionaries have completed over 162 projects in Slovakia, and 119 in Czech Republic. These organizations include disabled children & adult facilities, orphanages, schools, homeless shelters, refugee groups, hospitals, and Roma villages, etc.

LDS Charities has provided millions in support around the world. Every dollar donated goes directly to this charity as the Church covers all administrative costs.

Jesus stated, "Verily, I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." We are grateful to be acting as the Lord’s hands in serving our brothers and sisters.

PS-Any scenic "postcards" you see on Facebook are a by-product of this rewarding service. We travel all over the country.