International Initiatives^SM, a Ministry of WMU^®

Beginning of Life . . .

We are at the "beginning" all during our lives. We are always beginning something. New ministry, new project, new church, new . . .

It is so interesting to start something new, to see a new beginning. But what can we say about the end? Do we know where the end is located? Sometimes the end is the beginning.

Beginning of Life ministry in Moldova meets with people in many different circumstances. A young lady named Lena called our hotline a few weeks ago. She said that someone recommended she talk with us regarding a "wonderful" opportunity she had to study and work in the Czech Republic. We invited her to our office to talk more about the situation. She came a few days later.

She was so excited to leave Moldova and find a new job in a new place. She was very tired of her work as a designer of soft-furnishings. She is very skilled, but her boss pays her a very small salary. However, he turns around and sells her work for hundreds of dollars. She could not find a better job because the situation is similar in all private businesses.

Her friend saw an advertisement on a pillar by a street. She read about a "great opportunity" to work and study in the Czech Republic. She called and a "kind man" said that she would only have to pay $500 and he will take care of documents, tickets, and other important things. He convinced her, and she paid. She convinced Lena to go with her.

They were very naïve when they trusted that man. We began to gather information about that institution in Prague, about legal opportunities to study and to work there, and about that man. We contacted our colleagues in Prague, called the International Organization for Migration, and discovered more information. By God's leading, we discovered that it was a human trafficking attempt. We shared this new information with Lena; she was amazed because that man "looked so kind." Even though she was hesitant from the beginning, she had already paid $500–her salary for five months! She started to talk with her friend.

Later she questioned the man about her fares. He promised that he would call her next day. A day, a week, and then three weeks passed. He has disappeared. She understands now that her trust in him was mistaken. But they are so thankful that we saved their life and honor.

Lena is happy that she called the Beginning of Life office. We praise God that this "end" was her "beginning." We pray for her, and we are trying to help her find a new job; it is not so easy in Moldova. We pray for more opportunities to share this type of information with women and help them find good jobs. It is our dream to start a business for such women and girls, a new beginning…

Every day we are at the new beginning . . .

Vladimir Ubeivolc

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