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“For I was hungry and you gave me food... I was a stranger and you welcomed me...” — Matthew 25:35 ESV This past February marked four years since the war dramatically changed the lives of millions of people in Ukraine. The world’s response has shifted over time — some still remain deeply engaged, while others have found it difficult to stay connected as the conflict continues.

Every day, elderly men and women in the Broșteni, Romania area who have no one to care for them receive a hot meal delivered right to their door. Along with the food comes a warm greeting, a listening ear, and a helping hand from Iosif, who faithfully travels nearly 15 kilometers by bicycle each day, regardless of the weather. For the elderly he visits, the meal meets a practical need, but the visit itself often means even more. It is a reminder that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten. What makes these daily visits especially meaningful is the story of the young man making them.

If you have ever held a newborn in your arms, you know that few moments in life can match it. Yet the Bible tells us there is one moment that does — the moment a soul is born again. Heaven itself rejoices. Recently, I experienced two such moments in a single church service.

Dear friend and partner, God has used your generosity to build something extraordinary in Romania. And right now, at the edge of a new school year, thirteen young people are standing at the most important threshold of their lives. Our ministry at a glance Broșteni Children’s Home - A safe home and a devoted team for vulnerable children. 6 Ministry Feeding Centers - Serving hundreds of families with food, clothing, and school supplies. Youth Transition Program - Education, skills & spiritual mentorship for teens aging out .

A Romanian saying goes: “Small children, small problems. Big children, big problems. If you are a parent—or have ever helped raise a child—you know how true this is. In the early years, the needs feel simple. But as children grow, so do the responsibilities and the costs. The emotional weight deepens. The decisions become more complex. Raising children stretches your time, your energy, your patience—and often your finances.

Winter in our region is long and bitterly cold. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make even the simple walk to school difficult — especially for children who only have thin summer shoes. At Bread of Life Children’s Home, we are dedicated to meeting the daily needs of the children in our care. During the winter months, heating, utilities, and food become urgent priorities. At times, because of these pressing expenses, replacing personal items like clothing or shoes must wait. Yet even in these moments, we see God working quietly behind the scenes.

In northeastern Romania, in Botoșani County, winter does not ask if anyone is ready. It comes suddenly and harshly, with long nights and a cold that seeps into the bones. For many elderly people in isolated villages, each day is a silent struggle — with the cold, with scarcity, with loneliness. Pensions are small, help is rare, and the silence inside their homes feels heavier than the frost outside. In Baranca, Hudești commune, we entered a home that has stayed with us. An almost 80-year-old man, struggling to stay mobile and weakened by illness, lives in very difficult conditions. Yet he is not alone — he cares for his 50-year-old son with a disability, completely dependent on him. A frail father who can barely move continues to carry the weight of caring for his child.

In March, spring begins to appear across America. Days grow longer. Temperatures rise. But in Eastern Europe, winter often lingers — and this year it has been one of the longest and harshest in recent memory. As winter stretches on, the hardest reality sets in. Food reserves are gone. Firewood is nearly finished. Strength is fading. What should be a season of transition instead becomes a test of endurance.

Across Eastern Europe, millions still live in severe poverty. In countries like Romania, nearly one in five people is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and the elderly—es pecially widows—are among the most vulnerable. Many survive on very small pensions that barely cover utilities, leaving little or nothing for food.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) This verse reflects our journey together. When God, you, and the Bread of Life team stand united, lives are changed, dignity is restored, and hope is reborn among God’s hurting people.

Sponsorship at the Bread of Life Home is more than financial support—it is an act of faith that changes lives on both sides of the relationship. When sponsors step forward to pray for, mentor, and invest in a child, they become part of a story of hope, healing, and belonging.