“After all these years, I feel like I have a family here”

How a boy abandoned to a Romanian orphanage found support and family at Mission Without Borders – and is now a much-loved volunteer

Abandoned to an orphanage at birth

“I first heard about God while in the orphanage, when Mission Without Borders started visiting us.” 

Born with disabilities, Adi was abandoned by his parents as soon as he was born. He grew up in a series of Romanian orphanages under Communism.

“I don’t remember exactly when I got to meet my parents for the first time. I just remember I cried,” Adi said. 

His parents kept their distance, however, despite Adi’s efforts to get to know them. 

“I would bring flowers to my mother’s house, feeling hopeful each time,” he said. “She would open the window, take the flowers, but never invite me in, always sending me away without a word.”

A new family in Mission Without Borders

Fortunately, Adi found another kind of family, among the friends he grew up with, and later, with Mission Without Borders staff, who began visiting the orphanage where he lived.

“I remember how the Mission used to bring us lots of goodies and how much I loved spending time with the staff and volunteers,” he said.

Those moments were filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging that we hadn’t felt before. Their presence, faith and love for God made a lasting impact on my life.

 

Adi is now 46, and thanks to the Mission’s scholarship programme, he has worked for many years at a local bakery. 

He is also a much-loved volunteer at the Mission’s warehouse, where he helps organise and load donated goods every day after work.

Adi shares, 

After all these years, I feel like I have a family here.

 

Spreading the joy

Cornel, chief of the warehouse, said, “It’s become a tradition for Adi to take a full week off from work and dedicate it to helping pack the Operation Christmas Love parcels. It’s very important for him to help spread the joy to families who might otherwise struggle to celebrate.” 

Operation Christmas Love sees 8,000 boxes distributed in Romania to help families living in poverty, and a total of 38,000 given out in Eastern Europe. Without the help of incredible volunteers like Adi, this crucial campaign would not be possible. 

1,300

Every year, over 1,300 volunteers like Adi give their time, skills and energy to help build a better future for people throughout Eastern Europe. 

Join Adi in his generosity towards others – and donate to Operation Christmas Love today. 


Give now

EXPLORE OUR STORIES

FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST NEWS

Give hope and dignity.