Hope for Bulgaria
One early morning in 1998 I opened an email from a girl named Elena. She claimed to be from Bulgaria and wanted to know what she could do to help us and what we could do to help orphans in Bulgaria.
Zane was working next to me and I told him about the email. Although I felt different about this email, I was still skeptical. We get letters every day from people in Nigeria, India, Pakistan and other countries wanting financial help. With all the email scams going around, we do not answer all the letters and put them in the trash folder. I reached for the mouse to click the delete button. I hesitated and read the first paragraph again. I again turned to Zane and asked what he thought. Although he was hesitant, he wasn't as negative and skeptical as I was. He told me not to delete it, to give it a couple of days to pray about the letter.
Every time I went to my desk, the email caught my eye. I would read it again and again. "She does not ask for money." "She repeats over and over how she wants to serve God." "Her heart is showing thru this letter, she is full of love!" I wrote Elena back. That began our work with Elena in Bulgaria.
Here is what Elena has to say about why she wanted to help:
I become a Christian right after the communist system fell down 1990. Before that no Bibles, no churches, no faith. We met at a secret place as we were still not free. When my mom knew that she wanted me to stop going to church or she will send me out from the house. I didn't stop going, just prayed and trusting God to help me. After few months she become a Christian too. I finished Bible Studies in Croatia in 1997. Bulgaria didn't have any Bible colleges at this time. While I was a student, I visited orphanage and fell in love with these sweet children. As I grew up without a father I thought it must be so hard to not have mom and dad. From this time I start feeling this is my way of showing my Christian love.
Zane went to Bulgaria on several occasions. We came up with plans for Elena's orphanage ministry. We were waiting for the freedom to open our own orphanage. Elena explains why this has not been possible:
In Bulgaria orphanages are under the government (state run). From communist time until now, the thinking still exist that these children are problems and must be put far away , in villages far away, so they cannot disturb the rest of us normal Bulgarians. I cannot explain the condition and how they live - poor. Many are sick, cold, dirty. So often they end up in prostitution or missing.
The major problem with the children they are not social! When they reach 18 they must leave the orphanage. They do not have anywhere to go, to live or work. They don't know simple things as cooking, paying bills , washing. Most of them live on the streets or prostitute. Also most of them are gypsy or very sick or disabled. No body will give them work.
Elena has such a big heart for these children.She wishes she could take them all into her own home. Elena visits the closest orphanage every time she has a chance. The government has put even more restrictions on visitors to the orphanage.
Elena has seen many changes in Bulgaria. Christians are persecuted. Corruption is high and morals are low Jobs and money are scarce in Bulgaria. People are desperate. People have no hope.
Elena has also seen many changes in her own life. She is married to Georgi Yordanov. She has 3 children: Simeon, Anabela, and Rebeka. She has had some severe, traumatic experiences in the last few years. She is a strong, sweet lady.
Because of all the changes, closed orphanages, and her own personal experiences, Elena has widened her vision for her work in Bulgaria. She visits orphanages when she can. She tries to take the children toys and other supplies. Elena has also started meeting with neighborhood children and working with people to help make their lives better too. She tries to teach them the Word of God when she can. Elena has started Bible Studies with neighbors. She also reaches out to other hurting women. Elena truly wants HOPE FOR BULGARIA!
Zane was working next to me and I told him about the email. Although I felt different about this email, I was still skeptical. We get letters every day from people in Nigeria, India, Pakistan and other countries wanting financial help. With all the email scams going around, we do not answer all the letters and put them in the trash folder. I reached for the mouse to click the delete button. I hesitated and read the first paragraph again. I again turned to Zane and asked what he thought. Although he was hesitant, he wasn't as negative and skeptical as I was. He told me not to delete it, to give it a couple of days to pray about the letter.
Every time I went to my desk, the email caught my eye. I would read it again and again. "She does not ask for money." "She repeats over and over how she wants to serve God." "Her heart is showing thru this letter, she is full of love!" I wrote Elena back. That began our work with Elena in Bulgaria.
Here is what Elena has to say about why she wanted to help:
I become a Christian right after the communist system fell down 1990. Before that no Bibles, no churches, no faith. We met at a secret place as we were still not free. When my mom knew that she wanted me to stop going to church or she will send me out from the house. I didn't stop going, just prayed and trusting God to help me. After few months she become a Christian too. I finished Bible Studies in Croatia in 1997. Bulgaria didn't have any Bible colleges at this time. While I was a student, I visited orphanage and fell in love with these sweet children. As I grew up without a father I thought it must be so hard to not have mom and dad. From this time I start feeling this is my way of showing my Christian love.
Zane went to Bulgaria on several occasions. We came up with plans for Elena's orphanage ministry. We were waiting for the freedom to open our own orphanage. Elena explains why this has not been possible:
In Bulgaria orphanages are under the government (state run). From communist time until now, the thinking still exist that these children are problems and must be put far away , in villages far away, so they cannot disturb the rest of us normal Bulgarians. I cannot explain the condition and how they live - poor. Many are sick, cold, dirty. So often they end up in prostitution or missing.
The major problem with the children they are not social! When they reach 18 they must leave the orphanage. They do not have anywhere to go, to live or work. They don't know simple things as cooking, paying bills , washing. Most of them live on the streets or prostitute. Also most of them are gypsy or very sick or disabled. No body will give them work.
Elena has such a big heart for these children.She wishes she could take them all into her own home. Elena visits the closest orphanage every time she has a chance. The government has put even more restrictions on visitors to the orphanage.
Elena has seen many changes in Bulgaria. Christians are persecuted. Corruption is high and morals are low Jobs and money are scarce in Bulgaria. People are desperate. People have no hope.
Elena has also seen many changes in her own life. She is married to Georgi Yordanov. She has 3 children: Simeon, Anabela, and Rebeka. She has had some severe, traumatic experiences in the last few years. She is a strong, sweet lady.
Because of all the changes, closed orphanages, and her own personal experiences, Elena has widened her vision for her work in Bulgaria. She visits orphanages when she can. She tries to take the children toys and other supplies. Elena has also started meeting with neighborhood children and working with people to help make their lives better too. She tries to teach them the Word of God when she can. Elena has started Bible Studies with neighbors. She also reaches out to other hurting women. Elena truly wants HOPE FOR BULGARIA!
