LIVES
TRANSFORMED

The Sun Shines for Irene

Irene grew up in Catholic Seville, Spain, and was raised as such. However, like many in Europe, she became disillusioned with religion. New Age spirituality attracted her, and seemed a response to her search, but it did not fill the emptiness she felt. 

“In my worst moments, I didn't even want to live anymore. I was coming out of a painful divorce and had sunk into depression,” shares Irene. In her anguish, she began looking for Jesus. An online search connected her with an ECMI couple in Seville. 

“We have a heart for discipleship, which is a high priority at ECMI" say ECMI workers Henk and Hanneke. With a gift for hospitality, their doors were open for all, and through long, regular conversations around their table, Irene came to faith in Christ. She was baptised in the ECMers’ garden pool, surrounded by her family and friends — a joyful celebration!

At first, her family was very suspicious of her decision. Now they see in her a deep peace she had never known before. 

“The change had to happen by placing my life in the hands of Jesus”, says Irene.“The sun has finally begun to shine in my life again.” 

Her journey continues as she meets biweekly with Hanneke, discovering more of what it means to follow Jesus.

 “The sun has finally begun to shine in my life again.” 

A Life Saved

When Jeroen and Marieke responded to God’s call to go as ECMI missionaries to Romania, they did not imagine the impact their obedience would have. The ministries they started, the church they planted, the many they would help. For one man, Mr. Dumitru, it meant saving his life.

Mr. Dumitru was one of the regulars who first started attending their soup kitchen. Some time later, they were able to build for him a small house in the woods, where he could live. Things were going well. However, last year, his health started to deteriorate rapidly, becoming increasingly weak and even losing consciousness.

The hospital then refused to treat him, but the ECMI workers determined not to give up. They contacted other doctors, got him referrals, and advocated for him until, after much work and prayer, he was admitted. The next day, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer and received six bags of blood transfusions in the days that followed. The surgery saved his life.

After leaving the hospital, Dumitru stayed with an elderly woman to help him recover. When Jeroen and Marieke visited, what followed was unexpected: a moment of gratitude, conversation, and prayer together.

Transformation is sometimes dramatic, sometimes quiet—but it always requires faithful workers willing to be present and serve others sacrificially.

“Transformation requires faithful workers willing to serve sacrificially.” 

Hope for the Overlooked

Since 2016, ECMI worker Luciana has served the Roma community of Ano Liosia, on the outskirts of Athens. Families often live in hardship, children struggle at school, and the community feels overlooked.

Seeing this need, Luciana and her team created the Petalouda Center — a place to offer them more than education: a consistent presence, care, and hope. Early resistance from neighbors gradually gave way to trust. One afternoon, after a season of prayer, a neighbor brought bags of fruit for the children. As they thanked him and asked forgiveness for taking some earlier, reconciliation and understanding blossomed — a quiet but powerful moment of change.

Nearly 400 children now attend local schools with support from the center, gaining literacy, confidence, and hope. Mothers join women’s groups to share struggles and celebrate victories. Neighbors who once mistrusted the ministry have become friends.

Petalouda — Greek for “butterfly” — is a fitting symbol. Transformation here is gradual: a child learning to read, a mother finding her voice, a community discovering hope. Through the faithful presence of ministries like this across Europe, the love of Christ continues to ripple outward, transforming lives — one at a time.

“The love of Christ continues to ripple outward, transforming lives — one at a time.” 

 
A New Path

A story from an ECMI worker in the UK

I first met Fatima* just over a year ago. A refugee from the Middle East in the UK, she had already endured trafficking, forced marriage, and domestic violence in her young 21 years. Having courageously left her abusive marriage with her baby, Fatima longed for friendship and support as she learned to parent in a new culture.

Given her past, she rejected all religion and quickly shut down any conversation about God. Nevertheless, I continued meeting her regularly, offering practical support on parenting, education, and employment. Several months later, she allowed me to pray for her before an interview — which she successfully passed. Weeks later, she phoned with something unexpected: she wanted to become a Christian. Waiting for a bus in the city centre, she wandered into a nearby church and experienced an overwhelming sense of God’s peace and love.

Though initially resistant to the gospel, God had been at work through our friendship, preparing her heart so she had a Christian friend to turn to when she was ready. Fatima now attends a fellowship for Muslim-background believers and passionately follows Jesus, even amid harassment and intimidation. Pray for ECMI workers ministering to Muslims in Europe, that many more lives will be changed by Jesus.

*Name changed to protect identity.

“God had been at work through our friendship, preparing her heart for Jesus.” 

Faith from the Ruins

When the war reached Irpin, daily life collapsed almost overnight. Families fled, homes were destroyed, and those who remained struggled to find food, medicine, and support.

Through a fundraising campaign, ECMI helped local partners respond quickly to the need. Thanks to the generosity of donors across the world, volunteer centres were set up to walk alongside those in crisis, offering both practical and spiritual support.

As people received aid, hearts began to open. Many asked questions about God, some chose to follow Jesus, and daily services started in the volunteer centres. The seeds planted in those moments grew into three new church communities, led by local couples trained and supported by ECMI.

Anatolii and Olena, Andrii and Luda, and Illia and Iryna now pastor these new churches, bringing hope, discipleship, and outreach to children, students, veterans, and displaced families.

Through ECMI’s presence, the community has witnessed transformation in the midst of hardship. Even amid war, God’s work continues—lives changed, churches planted, and hope restored.

“Even amid war, God’s work continues — lives changed, churches planted, hope restored.”