CEE Story From The Mission Field
Heifer Distribution Project Changes Lives
April 24, 2008
On a picturesque hillside sits a dilapidated farm where Georgia and Milan live with their two sons. Their life has not been easy. Milan is an alcoholic and has, in the past, been abusive and hostile to the Gospel. He worked and lived away from home in the capitol city, and left the upkeep of the farm in Georgia’s hands.
These conditions caused Richard Bell, International Board worker who is involved in the heifer distribution project (HDP) in Croatia, to doubt their suitability for receiving three bred Holstein cows, but Georgia’s kind spirit and generosity convinced him otherwise.
“She was sensitive and accepting of any spiritual conversation and was immediately open to attending a Bible study with the one believer in the village,” Richard said.
Sharing the gospel is the goal of Richard’s program. Croatian farmers are often poor with little hope of providing for their families. Through giving them Holstein cows, the HDP provides them with a potentially steady income and helps them start anew. While the workers befriend them and hold them accountable, they also have the opportunity to guide them toward a relationship with Christ.
“Georgia cared for those cows like they were her very own children and even hand- milked them after the three calves were born,” Richard said. “Even better, she was also a faithful participant in Bible study.”
Milan also came to Bible study but was very disruptive and hurtful. However, he did accept a Bible and eventually left his work in the city and came back to the farm to help Georgia.
“He came again to Bible study carrying his Bible and sat quietly,” Richard said. “We were all amazed!”
Though the family has continued to have some struggles, their lives have improved. Once impoverished, they now receive a regular income from the sale of milk. Milan is more open to spiritual things, and has become a better care-taker. In fact they used their new income to buy their first tractor.
“It has been three years now since the beginning of the project and Georgia is now milking five adult Holstein cows,” Richard said. “We feel certain that she has come to know the Lord, and she is a joy to visit!”