Congregation gives gift to Majors Don and Ronda Gilger for Moldovan ministry.
The Torrance (Calif.) Corps, led by Majors Brian and Millie Bearchell, donated over $1,500 in contributions from corps members to support Salvation Army ministry in Moldova.
Former Torrance Corps members—and at one time corps officers, Majors Don and Ronda Gilger, now serve in Moldova as Territorial Secretary for Business Administration and Divisional Commander, respectively.
Part of the Eastern Europe Territory, Moldova has 16 corps, and its humanitarian aid and community projects range from a mobile medical clinic and SeeMe Afterschool programs for social orphans to feeding programs, educational scholarships and soccer for girls.
“News of this project came on a day when the battle felt overwhelming, and I inadequate,” Ronda Gilger wrote in response to the gift. “I couldn’t believe all of the individual projects—even garage sales by the children because they cared for people living far away.”
Gilger said the money will go toward gifts for the Moldovan officers.
“Moldova’s officers are my heroes,” she wrote. “They understand what it is to be truly rich in spirit…It is my dream to give two of our officers, who have intensive village visitation ministries, their own bicycle…I also want to give good quality backpacks or side-packs to each officer, and we can fill these with tea, coffee, a notebook and Moldovan chocolates at our officers’ Christmas party. Material gifts are rare here, even at Christmas, so this will be crazy-wonderful!”