The in-land countries where our Nazarean brethren live are similar to latitudes in the North Central areas of the United States. As such, their climates are often more harsh and extreme. Summers are extremely hot and often parched with drought, made all the more uncomfortable by the lack of air conditioning in homes, businesses, and vehicles.
Winters frequently bring extreme cold and wind, and sometimes-copious amounts of snow. This past winter brought up to fourteen feet of snow in one blizzard to portions of Hungary and Romania; the worst winter in over forty years.
Thanks to God's protection and winter heat assistance, no believers suffered or lost their lives during that period.
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The countries of Eastern Europe are blessed with many natural resources, including vast fields of natural gas in Ukraine. During the decades of Communism, cheap natural gas heated endless complexes of dull gray apartment buildings as the populations were herded to the cities for cheap labor in Soviet-style factories.
In addition, many village homes, businesses, and churches were also connected to the natural gas pipeline network for easy and convenient heating. However, after the fall of Communism and the dramatic rise in the cost of energy worldwide, natural gas is no longer an affordable heating option for most common folk. In response, most have resorted to the basic fuel over the ages... firewood.
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The Carpathian Mountains and endless forests
provide much needed firewood
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These lands are blessed with abundant wood, as forests cover the foothills, peaks, and valleys of the fabled, mystical Carpathian mountain range.
 Because most non-farming brethren own no land other than their homes, they arrange for a load of small logs to be delivered, which they then cut, split, and store for season-long heating. To assist with this effort, we have provided chain saws just for that purpose, to be shared among brethren in the villages.
 | Wood-fired ceramic tile ovens
provide warmth and comfort |
Older homes and buildings often use the ages-old technology of ceramic-tile ovens for heating, cooking, and baking. Tended by a slow wood fire during the day, they radiant warmth and comfort throughout the long, cold winter nights. Newer buildings, including businesses and churches, use efficient wood-fired boilers to power hot water heating systems.
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Radiating Warmth and Light
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 Despite ample fuel supplies and adequate technology, the primary challenge remains affordability for the most needy brethren, even as they maintain their faith in an area growing ever darker and more turbulent. As physical heat and light are necessary for life, Nazarean believers continue to radiate the warmth and light of God's Word while they uphold the witness of Jesus Christ in Eastern Europe.
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 Pray that believers will persevere against the adversary as they face physical, material, and spiritual challenges during the coming winter season.
Your donations will be used to provide winter heat assistance to those most in need across all countries in Eastern Europe. At this time, $95,000 is needed to cover commitments for the coming winter season with additional funds necessary to build reserves.
Three ways to contribute:
1. Through your local WR representative
2. Send your donation to the address below.
Checks should be made out to: AC World Relief - Eastern Europe Winter Heat
AC World Relief
Eastern Europe Winter Heat Fund 16448 S US Hwy 231 Remington, IN 47977
3. Donate Online
Specify: Eastern Europe Winter Heat
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As with most other commodities in Eastern Europe, fuel for heat is generally in ample supply. However, due to ever-present economic difficulties and obstacles, the ability to afford that fuel is an entirely different matter, especially for the elderly and infirm, those most destitute and those unemployed with large families.
Nazarene believers across Eastern Europe extend greetings to the brethren in the US and convey their great appreciation for the aid being provided through World Relief.