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.
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