East LifeWater serves soup and bread to approximately 70 people each week.

The program primarily benefits elderly women who have few resources and are in need of assistance.

GHIRODA, Romania - In the month of November, residents of the small city of Ghiroda have two things to look forward to: a cold winter and hot soup. The winter comes courtesy of Mother Nature. The soup, from East LifeWater, a partnering ministry with Operation Blessing.

On November 1, the team at East LifeWater was scheduled to start their soup kitchen up again and begin serving families in need, but little did they know it would take a string of miracles to make it happen.

The marsh gas (also known as methane) connection was not available to power the kitchen and stove, so the team had to cook their first batches of soup using a simple gas cylinder. Meanwhile, although they had processed their papers for a gas connection, the subsequent waiting period was slated to take as long as three months or more.

But one bowl of soup changed all of that.

"A man that we know came to visit us," said Astrid, a staff member with East LifeWater. They served him a bowl of soup and told him about their situation.

"He made a phone call, and in 3 days, the marsh gas was connected," said Astrid.

That week, the team was able to serve soup to 70 people.

"It's amazing to see the happiness on their faces," said Liviu, founder of East LifeWater. The soup kitchen, started in May 2001 by Operation Blessing, relies largely on OBI’s monthly funding of the program as well as food donations and volunteer help. Volunteers help prepare the meals and transport them to those unable to leave their home.

In addition to the soup kitchen, East LifeWater also distributes rice, raisins, soup mix and vitamins to the community. The vitamins, boxes of chewable calcium and vitamin C, were donated by OBI and proved to be a major boost for the community’s health needs. In particular, for the elderly.

"It is a blessing for them," said Astrid. "Here in Romania, the medicine - especially the vitamins and calcium - are very expensive and they cannot afford to buy all the medicine prescribed for them by the doctor.”

And the blessings keep coming.

Bags of vegetables, potatoes, and cabbage arrived to the soup kitchen after a group of churches near Timisoara, a city located a few miles outside of Ghiroda, joined together to donate food from their gardens.

In the month of November, through the combined help of donations, funding and volunteer services, East LifeWater was able to distribute food and help to over 110 families as well as a number of churches and organizations.

And for that, the recipients are grateful.

"They told us that they are praying for those who are preparing the meal," said Astrid. "And also for you, who have made this blessing possible."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.

 

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