August 2018 - Leadership Spotlight: Eeva in Europe
Eeva Vähäsarja is the regional coordinator for Europe and CAMENA, an acronym that means Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Eeva facilitates operations in a number of countries and has a vital role to the success of TWR Women of Hope's global ministry. Since our prayer focus for August is on Central and Eastern Europe, we wanted to ask her a little bit about herself and the ministry that she oversees.
What makes TWR Women of Hope special to you?
[Eeva:] "It’s very special since everything in our ministry starts with prayer. It’s a great privilege to pray with thousands of women and men around the world with the prayer calendar. When I pray for others, it changes my own self-centered attitude to see the needs of my far away sisters and brothers."
How has God grown you since taking on this responsibility?
"When this responsibility was offered to me about four years ago, I needed God to reveal this post as his place of service for me. Wonderful national coordinators work hard and enthusiastically to produce programs, present the ministry, and utilize creative ways to bring TWR Women of Hope into their countries. Working together with these awesome leaders has matured and encouraged me a lot."
What are some of the issues that women face in your area of ministry, and how does TWR Women of Hope help?
"Central and Eastern Europe is a vast area with many countries. In this area, women face sexist hate speech as well as domestic violence. Unemployment may force them to work abroad and leave their children at home with the grandparents.
Women often have multiple roles, striving to be a perfect mother, and a wife who has a successful career. Women may feel stressed and insufficient as a result.
Women of Hope programs and prayer movement bring hope and healing to women in Croatia, Romania, Albania, North Africa, Ukraine, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Moldova, and other countries in the former Soviet Union."
Do you have a story that you can share about what God is doing in people’s hearts?
A 30 year old listener from Albania writes:
"I want to thank you for your ministry to women. I’m one of the fruit of your ministry.
All started more than 9 years ago when my sisters started to listen to your radio programs. In the beginning, I was indifferent and didn’t want to listen to what they were telling me about God. Then my heart started to soften almost 4 years ago, when I came in contact with a missionary working in our area. She has been a great friend and encouraged me to listen to your radio programs.
I have heard that you prayed for women around the world. It was strange to me that my sisters had been praying for me even without knowing me. Now I am a believer, and I really think that prayer can change things. Using your prayer calendar, I pray for women around the world, so they can come to Christ.
This brings joy to my heart! Thank you!"
How has Jesus brought you hope in your own life?
"I came to Jesus when I was 13 years old. God has been faithful to me in his promise in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I’m grateful to the Lord that I can serve with TWR Women of Hope. In my daily work, my motto is “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord" from Colossians 3:23."
How can our readers be praying for you?
"TWR Women of Hope has produced Hidden Treasures, an audio drama for trafficked and sexually exploited women. It is produced in English and in several Eastern European languages. Please pray with me that Hidden Treasures would be a tool to bring hope to the abused women around Europe and beyond."
What is one thing that you wish to share with our readers about you and your region?
"TWR Women of Hope has a Europe and CAMENA Unite Conference in September in Central Europe. In the conference, the national coordinators of the region come together to educate, encourage and equip the participants for the following year. It has been wonderful to work with the planning team, so I’m really looking forward to the Conference!"
Thank you to Eeva for taking the time to share her thoughts with us. You can find more interviews like hers from Cambodia, South Africa, and many other places. If you enjoyed this article, consider signing up for our email newsletter. We send regular updates with the prayer calendar, inspiring listener stories, and more articles like this one.