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Project 039 - Bulgaria's Brave Believers |
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Our Christmas Parcel Ministry
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A visit by John Eld, Chair of Trustees Bulgaria is the poorest country in the EU. This is instantly seen as soon as you enter the country. You have to work for 40 years to get a pension, which is about £160 per month. The neediest in Bulgaria cannot help themselves without aid and encouragement from elsewhere. The churches I visited had much of the feel of churches described in Acts and Paul’s letters. There is a deep faith in and expectation of God. In most congregations, there was a mixture of believers, enquirers and non-believers. Parcels were given to all present. It is good to be able to help poor believers, as in the Bible. The way in which we help each other is a witness in itself. And then by helping those outside the church, we also show God’s love to them as a form of outreach. Whistle-stop tour – with a difference Our British understanding of a whistle-stop tour is a series of short visits. In my recent tour for Siloam Christian Ministries in Bulgaria, some visits were longer than others… Please contact me (john@siloam.org.uk) for further information about the summary which follows. Based in Ruse, we began my stay by visiting the sick in their homes, giving food parcels, praying and observing the Lord’s Supper. The next day at the church, pastors from other regions came to collect parcels. One day was spent visiting Roma churches. 5 years ago, I was asked to pray for Krasimira, a four year old girl who’d never made a sound. Now she can hear and is slowly learning to say words.
Another day of going to churches brought us to a lively church with many young people actively involved. Worship songs were streamed from the internet through a projector onto a screen at the front. Back in Ruse at a service, Bishop Peter told the story of one man who walked 22 kilometres (approximately 14 miles) every Sunday to get to the church in Silistra. He had just recently been ordained as a pastor – and was with us that day. Then a baby was dedicated and a bucket was passed round for a free-will offering for the couple and child. Pastors from other churches then came to collect parcels for their villages.
Pastors from other churches then came to collect parcels for their villages.
On Saturday, children and teachers had been in school – why? Because this year they would have an extra day off at Christmas, so had to make it up! It was interesting to meet with a school teacher who teaches English from 1.30 to 7.30pm (others do the 7.30am to 1.30pm shift). Then I went to the church where they were putting on a lunch for widows. The next day I left for home. The work, however, goes on, with lunches for the lonely and poor, adult families, youth, etc, further parcel distribution in villages and home visits (including some planned for Christmas Day). People profiles (Please note that this is a very brief outline of just a few believers and some of the numerous home visits.)
Left: visiting Tanaska in her home
Tinka – bed-ridden and effectively lives in a bed in the kitchen, looked after by daughter Bistra.
Bishop Peter oversees this extensive ministry. He is capably assisted by his sister Donka who is church secretary. Her husband Maren also serves in ministry and did most of the driving along with Milen, Bishop Peter’s son-in-law. Bishop Peter with Donka and Maren (right to left).
On this trip, I discovered that Bishop Peter has spent time in prison – for smuggling Bibles. It seems he would agree with another prisoner in jail named Paul who wrote, ‘what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel’ Philippians 1:12 (NIVUK). A truly biblical perspective from one of Bulgaria’s brave believers! |
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