Convoy of Hope Europe

April, 2009
The country of Macedonia has presented impressive opportunities for Convoy of Hope Europe outreaches. We have worked closely with Brian and Colleen Thomas to establish a consistent relationship based focus in areas surrounding Skopje, Macedonia. In the past several years Convoy of Hope Europe has distributed thousands of bags of groceries to those in need at guest-centered outreaches.

Recently Convoy of Hope Europe also assisted with construction projects in Shutka, Macedonia outside Skopje. The project is sponsored by Calvary Church in Naperville, IL in partnership with Convoy of Hope Europe and Save Europes children. We worked with teams from the US and Europe completed the interior of a church building where 100 children will now be served lunches five days a week. The same building houses a Saturday childrens outreach program. The team completed a large eating area, kitchen, classroom, storage room and fencing with gates. This building is currently being used on a regular basis to meet the needs of the community.

There was also a community outreach held during this time, which hosted over 350 guests from the community with a focus on children. Adults received groceries to assist them in their desperate situations. For the long term, Convoy of Hope Europe is broadening the existing Adopt a Community exposure in Shutka by building an educational facility on the same property as the feeding program. The goal is to assist these small children eating a bowl of soup to become university graduates who return to Shutka and continue helping their community. Please pray that God will clear the obstacles quickly.

Shutka is one of the places adopted by COHEU as part of its “Adopt a Community” initiative. Eventually they hope to build an educational facility on the same property as the feeding program.

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20.6.08

Update on Negotino

Brian Thomas our partner in Macedonia reports: “they have already given out food parcels to over 120 families . . . each receiving a personal visit in their homes". That night they were already planning to go to another village to continue this ministry of mercy and care.

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26.5.08

Days of Hope in Negotino, Macedonia

Convoy of Hope Europe had "4 Days of Hope" in Negotino, Macedonia with over 1,500 men, women, and children in attendance. They worked with missionaries Brian and Colleen Thomas, a 9 member Chi Alpha team from Arizona State University, Negotino Pastor Goran, Skopje Pastor Mirce and other regional churches. The "4 Days of Hope" began with community service work, cleaning and digging flower beds, picking up litter and painting the soccer field fence where the primary event was held.

COHEU also worked in Shutka, Macedonia. They partner there with the Thomas' and "Save Europe’s Children" to provide a feeding program for Roma (Romanian Gypsies) children who receive a lunch three days a week. Unfortunately the water for the soup had to be hand carried nearly 2 km. to the site to make the soup. Thanks to your help COHEU was able to make a well at the site operational and expand the feeding program to 5 days a week. A local team presented a drama called "The Puzzle" to over 200 children who responded excitedly to the presentation. After this, a film was shown to another group. Saturday morning was the main event with children's games, eye exams, medical checks, free hair cuts, food on site for the guests and entertainment. All guests were asked to sign up for groceries to be delivered to their homes. Pastor Goran and his team would be responsible for delivering these groceries to nearly 100 homes in the following weeks.



Saturday evening the drama was presented again as well as a gospel concert with over 220 people in attendance. Sunday morning was a church service which guests from the weekend events attended and celebrated with 4 regional churches. The tent was jammed with over 500 people. Reports of lives being impacted were shared. One 70 year old woman listened from her home to all the presentations throughout the weekend and finally came to the site and spoke with Brian Thomas and told him she wanted to be a part of this church.