A Spring Harder Than Any Other For Those In the Slums
The end of winter is the most difficult time for families in Bulgarian slum villages. The savings from the previous summer’s short-term jobs have been exhausted. During the winter it is difficult to find any work. Every year at this time families suffer from severe shortages of everything. Even bread is hard to come by.
During this miserable season of cold and hunger, we work with local church volunteers to provide soup to the children, poorest families, and elderly in the villages. It’s heartbreaking to see these people. The lack of basic necessities not only deteriorates their health, but also undermines self-esteem and hope.
In the village of Karnare, thirty children come to the soup kitchen at the church. They grab their spoons with ravenous appetites. God has opened the door for us to these forgotten people. In addition to food, we have been able to distribute warm winter clothing, boots, and Baby Boxes.
Since January the villages have been hit by two flu epidemics. First came the “A” flu, and then “B” raged through. Every time our team visited the villages, all the residents coughed and had runny noses.
Who could have guessed that flus A and B would be followed by an epidemic that would create a state of emergency not only in Bulgaria, but worldwide?
No one can tell how many of these people are or will be infected. Hygiene in slum villages is rudimentary. Families live in shacks without running water. There is no talk of washing your hands regularly with soap. No one thinks of a face mask when they don’t have a jacket, or healthy food to improve immunity when they lack even bread…
We cannot meet all their needs,
but we can share the Good News with them
and do what we are able to
with God-given resources to help them survive.
