Christmas made joyful for a struggling single father and his children
Children and father heartbroken by their mother’s departure are shown God’s love at Christmas.9th October 2025
Her absence a burden: the loss of a mother
In a small house on the outskirts of a village in Romania, Florin, 31, is a single father doing his best to raise his children. He and ten-year-old Adrian, seven-year-old Anais and five-year-old Raisa were devastated when his wife walked out on the family two years ago.
Florin said, “At first the children were confused. They didn’t know where she had gone, or what to expect.
“Now Anais refuses to talk about her at all and Andreea hardly remembers her. But Adrian still carries her absence like a burden he can’t put down. He cried a lot in the beginning, and he still gets emotional every time his mother is mentioned.”
Life on the fringe of the community is challenging, with very limited resources and opportunities. Despite many issues in their community, from alcoholism to high unemployment, Florin is quiet and responsible and works hard to create a stable, loving environment for his children.
Every day a battle
The family lives in just one room that they use as a bedroom, kitchen, dining room and family room. They have no running water, and no indoor toilet or bathroom. They fetch water from a nearby well using big plastic containers.
Florin works long hours to provide for his children, while his parents, particularly the children’s grandmother, have stepped in to care for the children when he’s away.
He said, “Being a single father without a stable job, every day feels like a battle just to keep food on the table. Prices at the store seem to go up every time I walk in”
“I’m constantly left making choices no parent should make, whether to pay a bill or buy clothes, whether buying medicines if needed or buying enough groceries to last for a couple of days maybe.”
A gift that changes everything
As Christmas approaches, Mission Without Borders began distributing boxes of food and treats to families in Eastern Europe – including Florin’s. Each box also contains literature explaining how we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas day.
“Thank you for your kindness, for thinking about us and for bringing much-needed hope and joy,” Florin told Cristina, the Mission coordinator who brought the boxes. “For a single father like me Christmas can be hard, as money is tight, and the cupboards are nearly empty. Receiving a box of food and treats changes everything.
“I can’t even put into words what it means to us. Not having to worry about how to afford Christmas food takes a huge weight off my shoulders. We can now have a variety of meals and treats that make the holiday feel special.
“Cabbage rolls, soups, salads, cakes, doughnuts or crepes are some of the Romanian traditional foods we get to eat on Christmas, and I am sure my mother will now cook all of these for us.”
Cristina said, “Our Christmas boxes give families more than just food. It gives them a sense of dignity and better self-esteem. Being able to sit down and have proper meals, just like any other family, is so important. At least for a while they don’t have to feel different or less than others because of what they can’t afford.
“I want Florin and his kids to know that we care, and that God keeps His promise of never forsaking them. I also want to send them a message of hope, hope that better days are possible.”
