A BabyBox Opened the Door to the Gospel

October 26, 2026
A group of people walking along a dirt road, one carrying a large white box, in front of a small house with a tiled roof.
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A Young Mother in a Slum Village Found Faith in the Midst of Hardship

IRINA GRIGOROVA, MP worker in Bulgaria

I will never forget my first meeting with Ana. She was barely 18 years old and had just become a mother. She lived with her parents in a small, cramped room in a slum village. Her husband had gone abroad in hopes of finding work to support the family. Meanwhile, Ana was desperate: where would she get the things her baby needed?

We met Ana at exactly that time. As we delivered a large box of clothing, diapers, and everything her newborn would need, she became overjoyed.

But in addition to practical help, we also brought the most precious gift of all: the gospel of Jesus—the One who loves, saves, and heals.

An older woman reaching to hold the hand of an infant being held by a young woman.

Three years later, we delivered Christmas packages for children in her village, and I made a point of visiting her. Ana had a second child and her husband had returned. To my sorrow, I learned that Ana’s life had turned into a nightmare. Her husband beat her, leaving scars on both her body and soul. She was deeply distressed.

We had a long conversation and I told her about the hope we have in Jesus. I also encouraged her to seek support from the local church.

The next time we met, Ana’s demeanor was very different. She told me about the decision she had made after our last conversation:

“After you left, I began to pray and decided to go to church, just as we had discussed. I remembered what you said – that Jesus sees me and loves me. That gave me strength not to give up.”

Ana had gathered her courage and crossed the threshold of the church! There she found support and love.

But God did something even greater. The last time I spoke with Ana, she told me with tears of joy in her eyes that her husband had stopped beating her.

Two women standing outdoors, each holding a young child.

Baby Boxes create a connection with families and open the door for ongoing work with them. The seeds of faith that we have sown through the Boxes and have watered over the years have produced fruit. Ana now has hope, and she knows that she and her family are in the safest hands – God’s hands.