It has truly been a miracle to see how many families and children we have been able to assist in the most remote villages and neighborhoods of Bulgaria during the last two months since we began The Hope Campaign. So far, 920 families have received hope food boxes in 16 different regions around the country where we conduct our programs with the children. Although the lockdown restrictions in Bulgaria have been extended through late June and we are unable to hold any outreach programs for the kids, our partnering churches and teams have continued to stay in touch with the families, children, and orphanages. Most of the food had to be delivered by foot from home to home, and each visited family personally expressed their gratitude toward you – our partners!   

We are so glad that the teams had the opportunity to visit with the kids as well. To say the children are eager to go out and play on the playgrounds we installed last fall, or to be a part of our fun weekly programs is an understatement! They continue to ask when the third playground is going to be installed. Our goal was in June; however, the kindergartens and schools are slowly opening, and large gatherings for children are not allowed this month. Therefore, we have decided to move the installation and opening of the playground to the latter part of August , closer to the start of the new school year.

Despite the uncertainties that are ahead, we are sure of God’s faithfulness and provision through each of you who believes in our work and partners with us, and we are certain that His plan is greater than the plans of the governments!

Thank you for joining us in prayer and thank you for your faithful generosity! Together we will continue to bring HOPE to those in need as we share The Gospel and provide tangible assistance as the hands and feet of Jesus!

THE DARKNESS COULD NOT ERASE HER SMILE

Testimony from Our Hope Campaign

Gulovitsa is a remote village located near the Black Sea on the East Coast of Bulgaria. Public transportation is not available and most people living there have no electricity or running water. However, our partnering organization in that region, Faithful Steward, heard of the enormous needs in the area and wanted to assist the kids and families through our Hope Campaign .

After walking for several miles with all the food boxes, the team was pleasantly greeted by the people who had heard about the food distribution. They were waiting in front of their ‘homes’ with hopeful anticipation. As you can see from the pictures below and on our website , these families live in shacks made out of cardboard boxes, cloth, and any other material they can find in order to survive.

One particular lady, Alex (name changed for protection), and her three children, stood out to our team. Their little home was dark, almost bare, and yet her three children were disciplined, helpful, and respectful to the team. In the village, they have the reputation of being grateful and optimistic despite their many challenges. Contrasting with her tiny, dark shack, this mother’s smile shone so brightly, the darkness seemed to disappear in only the strength of her smile. 

Our goal is to open a new children’s program in that village later this summer or early fall. Over 100 kids live there, completely uneducated and living in abject poverty. While this may seem impossible for some, we know that we can make a difference!