LYDIA JOSHUA RON MELANIE
A BRIEF HISTORY:
Ron is from Raleigh and Melanie is from Beaufort, N.C. During their home church Mission Conference in 1996, God called them to full-time service in missions. They are currently serving in Lithuania with BWMOM. They arrived in Lithuania with a “heart” for Lithuania, but God has changed that heart in to a “heartache” for the people of Lithuania. They rejoice in God’s leading and are delighted to serve as your missionaries.
LOCATION AND CONDITIONS:
Lithuania is located in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by the Baltic Sea, Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Russia. It is part of the former Soviet Union and gained its independence in 1991. The current population is 3.4 million. It is located on the same latitude as Alaska. This should provide you with an idea of our weather. We have very short summers and snow filled winters.
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS AND OUR WORK:
After many years under Soviet rule, the people gained their independence, but the Soviet mindset continues to prevail in the attitudes, actions, and responses of most. Hopes of economic success have not been fulfilled and jobs are difficult to find. In the cold, dark days of winter, living in great poverty, many resort to suicide. Lithuania continues to hold the world suicide record, year after year. Our work is focused in Vilnius and also church plants in the northern region. We are currently working to develop Sunday school materials and programs, teachers and youth ministries. Another area is through orphanage programs and outreaches. About 75% of orphans commit suicide within 5 years of leaving the orphanage. It is a great joy to share with these young people the only hope, Jesus Christ, and to help them become established in a local church.