Blessings and Joy for Baby Maria and Her Family

The humble house on the side of the mountain was full of people. Its only room had two beds, a stove, and a pile of folded blankets on top of an old table. Above one bed hung a baby hammock, and on the other bed was a kitten, curled up sleeping.
Men, women, and children were sitting in the room. Some were family members; some were neighbors. They were visiting with one another around the warm stove, waiting for spring. Winter is a time when there aren’t many jobs available.

We were in the village of Slatina, about 60 miles east of Bulgaria’s capital of Sofia. Baby Maria was sleeping in the hammock. She was only two months old, and this was her home.
Maria is the firstborn of her 17-year-old mother, Anka. They share the small house with Anka’s mother, aunts and uncles, and their children and grandchildren. Maria’s father went to work in Germany to support his family six weeks after she was born.
We have known Anka and her mother for a long time. They have always been present when we visit the church in their small village. This visit was specifically to give them a Baby Box.
The white box was laid onto a bed, and everyone in the room watched as Anka lifted the lid. Her face lit up with a smile as she examined the contents inside.
The others in the room shared her joy and expressed gratefulness for the gift. The package contained
clothes and care supplies for little Maria, who needed them very much.
When Maria awoke, our team member Irina held her. Anka had put socks on Maria’s hands so she couldn’t scratch her face. Inside the Baby Box, she found little gloves for just that purpose. The baby yawned and then smiled contentedly.
Before leaving, we prayed for Anka, Maria, and the rest of the family. We thanked our Heavenly Father for them and asked for His protection over little Maria’s life.

BY PÄIVI RANTA