How Stuffed Animals Bring Hope to Moldovan Orphans

Moldova. Eastern Europe.

I didn’t get to go…..but my prayers did.

The missionary group I worked with was based in the States but traveled to Moldova and Romania several times a year, doing what they could for the children in the orphanages. Most of the children were there because their families couldn’t afford to take care of them, so they were given up to the state for care and placed in orphanage homes. The children were well-fed, well-cared for, and well-educated.

They were also taught God’s word. 

The children were given the necessities through donations of money and items – school supplies, clothing, medical and dental care, shoes, blankets, and even basic plates and cups to use in the orphanages so that the children would not have to wait so long to eat during meals. 

But one thing they didn’t get much of was the “kid things” – toys, stuffed animals, dolls, balls, etc. The fun stuff. These were not necessities for daily living, but for a child…..they were. These simple items gave them hope, the opportunity to be creative, use their imagination, and obtain a bit of joy in the sterile environment where they lived and were schooled.

So, to fill that need and to put a spiritual aspect to the gift, the children were sent stuffed animals. Hundreds of them. These were not just run-of-the-mill stuffed animals – these animals had tags that said “Isus Te Iubește” in the Moldovan language. This means Jesus Loves You in English. They also had picture symbols for the little ones who can’t read.

The animals? They weren’t new ones because the cost would have been prohibitive. A local thrift store would periodically give me all of the stuffed animals they didn’t sell. I had volunteers who mended and laundered them so they looked like new.

They were then prayed over – a prayer that each child who touched the toy would be given the opportunity to learn about the saving power of Jesus, be protected from the devious plans of the enemy to steal their soul and grow up to be mighty spiritual warriors in their environments. 

These animals went with a purpose – to bring joy to a child’s heart and remind them that there was a God who loved them, and wanted to have a relationship with him. 

God can work through anything. 

If you can’t go, don’t give up – do what you can.

And the most powerful thing you can do is to pray.