Ministry
Mission Partners International, formed in 1991, is a partnership ministry effecting outreach to Children, Seniors, and Pastors (and their Churches) in the former Soviet Union. We serve to partner donors in Canada with dedicated ministry leaders in Ukraine and Belarus.
Why does MPI Work in the Former Soviet Union?
One of the tragedies of the fall of communism in the countries of the former Soviet Union was the poverty and economic confusion that surfaced after the collapse. After living under marxism and communism for over 70 years, governments and people alike were not prepared for the chaos that ensued. The transition into democracy and capitalism was acompanied by financial collapse, food and fuel shortages, corruption and moral degradation. People were facing the ultimate consequences of the inevitable collapse of the communist system.
Wages:
Many adults cannot find work. For those that do, salaries are miniscule compared to North American or European standards, even for highly educated professionals such as doctors and lawyers. Those who must survive on government pensions (such as the elderly) receive an amount far below poverty levels.
Food:
In these countries, especially in the cities, food can cost as much as it does here in North America. People have not been able to afford luxuries such as meat, cheese, or prepared foods for many years. There are families who have not eaten meat for as long as they can remember.
Since the financial crisis hit in 2007/2008, food inflation has driven up the cost of even basic food staples to all time highs. The recent social and economic turmoil in Ukraine and Belarus is making a bad situation even worse.
Medical Care:
In this financial climate, although medical care is supposed to be free, the growth of user fees has rising drastically. Hospital patients must now provide their own food and buy all of their necessary medications. Generally, free health care is substandard and often life threatening. Therefore to obtain an adequate level of care, patients must pay extra.
Crime and Addictions:
The basic moral and spiritual values that are at the foundation of many western societies was slowly stripped away by 70 years of Soviet enforced atheism. Moral decay and economic hardship has contributed to widespread drug and alcohol addiction, as well as high crime rates. In Russia alone, there is an estimated 6 million men and women using illicit drugs.
Today, MPI is partnering with churches and ministries in the former Soviet Union in order to minister to suffering people. Check out more information on our website about specific areas of ministry, then get involved by becoming a partner with us to meet these needs.