Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
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On the 26th of December, we had a Christmas party for the local gypsy children. In total, 25 kids from 7 different families participated. We bought 25 pairs of shoes and a small toy. That was their Christmas gift. We wrapped everything in festive paper so each child could feel special.
For the first time, three kids (siblings) joined us. They live with their grandparents, who are drug addicts. Their father is in prison. Their mother has abandoned them. Their living conditions are in a terrible state. They live in a two-bedroom house with an open window (just a curtain to cover it), with no beds, furniture, running water, electricity, toilet, fridge, or oven. Their little bodies were so dirty, and their heads were covered in lice. I brought them into my home, and my sister Dimitra and I gave each of them a warm bath. We then put them in new clothes and shoes from your generous donations. We then applied some special medicine to their heads. When they joined our Christmas party, they were gleaming. All of the children at the party were thrilled. They sang, danced, ate pizza, and had soda. They ate traditional Greek Christmas cookies called melomakarona and dimples as a dessert. It was a very warm atmosphere with the intense presence of the Holy Spirit. Seven of the children accepted Christ in their hearts. We ended the party with prayer. All of the children prayed, thanking God for all who donated their presents and asked God to protect them and keep them safe. They asked if all this help came because Kris Swiatocho and those who donated the money love them, and I replied, “God loves you, and He put this love in the heart of these people, and that’s why they are helping you’. Nothing of the above could have taken place without your support. I thank God for your love, your immediate response to the needs of these kids, and your generosity. You are the extended arm of God for these 25 kids. I thank you from the deep of my heart. I’m overwhelmed by your love. I bless you all in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for everything I wish you a Happy New Year full of God's favor, peace, love, and infinite blessings. Natasa Papada FROM KRIS SWIATOCHO: We have the great privilege to support Natassa Papada, a single adult who has a wonderful ministry to Gypsies, single parents and women in Corinth, Greece. ALSO: We are praying for monthly partners to provide a daily school lunch sandwich made by Natassa each morning and delivered to the families (Greece does not provide food at school) and to meet other needs from hygiene to education to food for the whole family. Your help will change the lives of Gypsy children, giving them a future and a hope. See below (left-side) of how you can donate, either direct to Natassa through Paypal or through Kris Swiatocho Ministries. |
PRAISES:
Natasa and her church are seeing a difference in their work; lives are changing. She is also seeing a difference in the work with leaders. She is praying about the next Church plant. PRAYERS: Natasa would love more funds to provide/pay for teachers on Saturday and to continue providing food, clothing, educational supplies, gas for the car, insurance, etc. Note: From Kris, I am praying for God to provide a van so that Natasa can pick up all the children at once and the funds to pay for the expense of having a van. HOW YOU CAN HELP: If you want to talk with Natasa Papada personally, email her at [email protected]. You can also find her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/natasa.papada Phone: +306974491254 or +302741036984 If you would like to donate, that is not tax deductible. You can go through her PayPal account. Use Natasa's email, [email protected], to connect with her. If you need a tax deduction, you can donate to Kris Swiatocho Ministries by clicking here or going to www.KrisSwiatochoMinistries.org. Be sure to designate your donation that it's for Greece. |
Jesus Christ's Church, Xylokeriza, Corinth, 20100, Greece
Natasa Papada is a single adult helping to change the lives of those around her. She lives in Xylokeriza village outside Corinth, Greece. Growing up Christian Orthodox, she yearned for a relationship with the Lord that was more meaningful. As a young adult, she would stop attending church, falling into a life without God. Then, at 30, everything changed. She had learned about Jesus in a way she had never known. That she could, in fact, have a relationship with him that would give her hope, direction, and love. She said she surrendered her life to Jesus and asked him into her heart to save her from her sins. To quote her directly: "I can't live without Jesus; he is my oxygen, my rock, my refuge, my comfort, my friend; he is everything in my life." After being saved, she joined a church, meeting others who would help her grow. She was inspired by this kind of discipleship and wanted to do the same for others. Then, one day, God called her into full-time ministry. She started ministering to the Gypsies nearby. Her passion for helping others inspired her to learn more, so she attended Rhema Bible College in Athens. Natasa is a woman on fire for the Lord. Besides working with the Gypsies, she loves to help with Church Planting, start ministries, and train leaders. Natasa oversees and leads the various ministries listed below: • Every Sunday: Church service that includes ministry to children and youth. • First and Third Wednesday: Single Women's Bible Study • Second and Fourth Wednesday: Women's Bible study • First Saturday: Youth Ministry • Second and Fourth Saturday: Home church in a nearby village for several families, including Gypsies • Homebound ministry • Monday-Friday: Ministry to the Gypsies (see below) • Every Saturday: Ministry/Education to the Gypsy children Note: There are occasional events, such as a Christmas party this past December for the Gypsy children, where a donor provided socks, underwear, toys, and pizza. Also, she hosts women's events, leadership training, one-on-one mentoring, etc. Gypsy ministry: Years ago, while working in her family's bakery, Natasa delivered bread to the Gypsies. Then, one day, God gave her a vision to turn it into a ministry. Twenty-five years later, it has expanded. Natasa is a mother figure among the Gypsies. She helps with many areas, including helping with paperwork they might get from the school, medical needs such as getting vaccinations, finding legal or other support, governmental paperwork, etc. 99% of all Gypsy parents are illiterate. This is something Natasa is hoping to eliminate with her new teaching model she has on Saturdays. Present Gypsy ministry:
The ultimate goal of the ministry to Gypsies, other than salvation, is to help them escape poverty and one day live outside the village, to have a regular life, a job, and a family and provide for them. |
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