In every country, the needs of SMS missionaries and their ministries are great. Slavic Missionary Service seeks to assist each project, as funds are received and designated. In Bendery, Moldova the facade of Grace Church needs to be renovated. The church has raised enough money to begin the project. Therefore, the front of the building and one side of the church can be resurfaced, but funds will be needed to finish the other two sides. Also, a new gate in the back of the church was necessary in order to deter vandalism on the church property. Praise God that funds have already been received, and the new gate has been installed.
For a few years now, the interior of the church has needed significant renovation. The leadership of the church realized that they must ask the congregation to be willing to give "a little extra" in order to accomplish some of the projects within the church. The floor in the foyer of the church desperately needs to be tiled, for cracks are starting to appear in the concrete. This would be their first undertaking. On a Sunday the pastor asked the congregation to assist in this worthy project.
Approximately, six hundred dollars would be required to accomplish this assignment. There are sixty members in the church. Each member of the church had been asked to give ten dollars to accommodate this task. During the Friday meeting of prayer, the pastor again requested each member to consider giving the extra money to complete the floor project.
After the service, one woman came to Pastor Peter and told him that she was very poor. It was nearly impossible for her to find "extra" money to give to the church. She wanted to give but had barely enough to pay for her necessities at the present time. Peter reassured her that God understands and will honor her willingness of heart. During that same meeting, little did he know, another woman went to the treasurer of the church and gave an extra ten dollars for this woman. She wanted her gift to remain anonymous.
That Sunday, the pastor shared this wonderful experience to the congregation. "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). As of this date, all the money has been received to begin tiling the floor in the foyer.
