Chaplains provide relief to orphans

Two Division of Prisons Chaplains Provide Relief To Orphans
By Pamela Walker

A recent mission trip to the country of Moldova has left a lasting impression on Chaplain Ed Creech of Craven Correctional Institution, Chaplain Jim Hales of Wake Correctional Center and their wives.

The group traveled to the former Communist country Dec. 25 to Jan. 5. They are members of a non-profit organization called BIT Mathom, which extends ministry assistance to Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

While in Moldova, they visited six state orphanages, a church orphanage, a private orphanage, two clinics that provide support to orphanages, a hospital where abandoned babies are kept and a shelter that’s being built for abused women. Chaplain Creech described the extreme conditions of the country, "It was like stepping back in time." He says so many people are doing without the common conveniences most Americans are used to like cars, heat and running water. If you know what it was like in the U.S. during the Depression, the Hales say that’s what it’s like in Moldova today.

Chaplain Ed Creech of Craven Correctional Institution distributes donations at an orphanage in Moldova.

In 1990, Moldova, which is in Europe between Romania and Ukraine, declared independence from the former Soviet Union and, like many former Communist countries, is in a state of economic ruin. The country has a long history of foreign domination. Hundreds of people were killed in 1992 when Moldovan forces clashed with separatists demanding independence for Dnestr. Many children lost their parents in battle or their parents could not financially care for them so they wound up in orphanages.

The Creechs and Hales had a number of ministry objectives including distributing 36 boxes of clothing to orphans, distributing toboggans donated by Department of Correction staff, handing out socks, mittens, toys, fruit and feminine hygiene products. They also made contact with Little Samaritan Mission and Save the Children representatives to research other ministry projects. Two objectives that were not met were obtaining a contract to renovate bathrooms in an orphanage in Straseni and distributing kerosene heaters. The group decided to get more construction estimates for renovations because a previous estimate had almost doubled. The kerosene heaters did not arrive until after the group had left the country.

But the group did accomplish a number of other projects. They purchased and installed a water pump at one orphanage, purchased a commercial washing machine for another and provided funds to drill a well at yet a third orphanage. They also provided funds to purchase 400 meals at a soup kitchen, purchased 60 large and 40 small mattresses for an orphanage and purchased eight mattress sets for the abused women’s shelter.

"The children in the orphanages appeared overjoyed with our donations," said Creech. "They took so much pleasure in opening one box and got so excited about a toboggan or a piece of fruit. We received more hugs than any of us have had in a long time." Chaplain Hales fell in love with the people saying they are very kind and open.

The Creechs found out about the Moldavian ministry opportunities from the Hales. Chaplain Hales’ wife Judy had gone to Moldova last July as a representative of the Partners for Peace project. Chaplain Hales went about a month later with his National Guard unit as part of Operation Corner Stone.

The Hales say you can help the people in Moldova by making contributions to BIT Mathom, but more than anything they say the country needs your prayers. The Hales hope to return to Moldova someday and when they retire they plan to make more volunteer mission trips to other countries in need. The Creechs also hope to return to Moldova someday.