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Four friends have rallied together to support the kingdom they love and call home in a bid to spread happiness as well as peace of mind to those struggling during this difficult time.
American Mandy Wells, South African Lea Ligthelm, Indian Benji Jospeh and Dutch Evelien Bruckner started a support group initiative called Mercy Ministry to help those in need and those that have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
The quartet, who are all a part of Rivers of Joy, Bahrain’s Pentecostal Church situated in Saar, have been collecting contributions, be it monetary or groceries, and delivering them to less fortunate families.
“We started to help people even before the virus,” said Evelien who is an assistant teacher at a pre-school. “Our efforts grew in February this year because of the virus and its effect that it had on people losing their jobs. It really became bigger than the six families we helped. We have helped more than 120 people, most of them weekly or every other week.
“We have calculated that we have donated around BD2,000 worth of groceries and money to families in need. We help around 60 people a week.”
The giving group receives messages via WhatsApp from families that either need groceries or know of families that need aid.
Then, they send out a list of the items they need to help the families. This list includes flour, oil, tea, oats, deodorant, pasta sauce, tinned meat, tooth paste and brushes, bottles of water, soap, shampoo, washing powder, canned vegetables and more.
Evelien said: “The word is spreading and that’s how people are getting involved. We send the list to those who want to help and they themselves will buy the groceries. We then pick up the groceries from them or they bring it to our villa. “Some people will give money and we will buy the groceries. We take a picture of everything that we buy and send it as proof that we have bought it.”
Every week, they pack the groceries and that is where Benji, who is responsible for all the administration affairs at Rivers and is the initiatives event executive, comes in. He brings the groceries to the families and people in need, personally. He also takes pictures of them receiving it.
If there is a request, for example, for diapers or specific baby milk, they will try to help.
“It is a blessing that every time we were able to either buy the item we needed or receive it,” said Evelien. “It is a hard thing to see a picture of a baby, where both parents have no job anymore, and the baby has no milk. It is so rewarding when you can help. It brings so much joy.”
This initiative is near and dear to Evelien’s heart. About four years ago, her husband lost his job twice. Her children are in private schools and they had bills to pay.
“We went through a very rough time,” she said. “We never expected that he would lose his job at that point of time. We are believers. We both prayed for provision and help and it came. Sometimes, people would bring us money to help.”
Later on, her husband got another job.
Evelien said: “The heart of people here on this island is extraordinary. I fell in love with Bahrain while living here. The people are just fantastic. I know what it is to go through a hard time and that is why Mercy Ministry is so important to me.
“We are not on the earth to just make money and live for ourselves. We are here to help and serve others besides our families. It is an amazing thing when our children see that there is more outside their school life and they learn to help others as well.
“It doesn’t matter where we come from or what kind of religion we have. In the end, it is important to know that we can get the help we need from our community.”
Evelien, Lea, Mandy and Benji thank everyone who has helped and contributed in any shape or form.
She added: “This is not something that we are doing alone, it is the heart of many people coming together to help.”
To contribute, items can be dropped off to the kitchen of Rivers of Joy, Bahrain or contact Evelien on 39638002.
