Flights for Irina & Stefan
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My friend Irina is an orphan in Moldova -- a small country in Eastern Europe and part of the former USSR. She grew up in the orphanage and at 16 was taken under the wing of a ministry that provides protection and love to hurting children in Moldova. It's been five years since then, and she's one of the most precious girls I know, who deeply loves the Lord and daily pours out her life in love and service to Christ and others! Her birthday is the 29th of September and I would love to surprise her with an unexpected gift that would answer her prayers.
Here's the Situation: Irina's sister, Eugenia -- with much the same character -- is getting married to an Australian guy in December. (His church in Australia has been affiliated with the ministry that helps Moldovan orphans for a long time.) In order to obtain citizenship, she has to marry in Australia. The girls have a brother too, Stefan, and I think you all will be able to imagine the situation -- the three of them are very close to each other and Irina and Stefan want to be at Eugenia's wedding -- to be there with her and so Stefan can give Eugenia away. They're hoping, praying, and working to that end.
Here's the problem: the plane tickets from Chisinau, Moldova to Perth, Australia are about $1500 each. That's equivalent to a man's wages for a year in Moldova. Irina and Stefan are working but, they are also supporting themselves (and don't make a man's wages). There's simply no way they could make the money and the wedding is planned for December.
Irina and I have been scheming about going into business selling scarves (which we may still do) but, to make the scarves, ship the scarves to the US, and then ship them to the buyer from Montgomery made it all a little complicated. The licensing laws in Moldova are very restrictive of entrepreneurial endeavors. (This is not to say we can't do better in Moldova and we're scheming to do so but, not in time for the wedding.)
I'd like to surprise her for her birthday on the 29th (it can be a few days late) by telling her we have the money (or a good bit of it). Would you pray about contributing a little bit to the effort?
Keep these dear ones in your prayers.
Here's the Situation: Irina's sister, Eugenia -- with much the same character -- is getting married to an Australian guy in December. (His church in Australia has been affiliated with the ministry that helps Moldovan orphans for a long time.) In order to obtain citizenship, she has to marry in Australia. The girls have a brother too, Stefan, and I think you all will be able to imagine the situation -- the three of them are very close to each other and Irina and Stefan want to be at Eugenia's wedding -- to be there with her and so Stefan can give Eugenia away. They're hoping, praying, and working to that end.
Here's the problem: the plane tickets from Chisinau, Moldova to Perth, Australia are about $1500 each. That's equivalent to a man's wages for a year in Moldova. Irina and Stefan are working but, they are also supporting themselves (and don't make a man's wages). There's simply no way they could make the money and the wedding is planned for December.
Irina and I have been scheming about going into business selling scarves (which we may still do) but, to make the scarves, ship the scarves to the US, and then ship them to the buyer from Montgomery made it all a little complicated. The licensing laws in Moldova are very restrictive of entrepreneurial endeavors. (This is not to say we can't do better in Moldova and we're scheming to do so but, not in time for the wedding.)
I'd like to surprise her for her birthday on the 29th (it can be a few days late) by telling her we have the money (or a good bit of it). Would you pray about contributing a little bit to the effort?
Keep these dear ones in your prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Hannah Ford
Organizer
Montgomery, AL
Leigh Ford
Beneficiary