Bulgaria

We got to know Pastor Filip Rashnev of Full Gospel Church in Sofia, Bulgaria. He and his team regularly visit two temporary shelters which give a bed to 125 homeless kids and 450 adults. In 2023, the boiler of one shelter broke down and needed a replacement, as temperatures in winter goes down to -15C. Gain UK sent finances for a new boiler and some Christmas boxes to help them. The kids and adults in the homeless shelter were so grateful for the gifts and the new boiler, it brought comfort and solace to everyone in that shelter.

In December 2024, GAiN UK, together with GAiN Germany sent 1,000 boxes of donated goods to help the people in these shelters get through the harsh winter. Inside were blankets, duvets, warm clothes and shoes. We also partnered with Samaritan’s purse and sent 150 Christmas shoeboxes. Pastor Filip sent us this report:

"I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in providing a whole truck filled with clothes, shoes, winter jackets, and Christmas gifts. Your kindness and support have brought immense joy and comfort to so many in need during this season of giving.

Thanks to your contribution, we have been able to distribute these items to over 20 different cities and villages so far. The smiles on the faces of children and adults alike, as they received your gifts, were a testament to the profound impact of your kindness. Many of the children were overwhelmed with joy, and their happiness will remain a cherished memory for all of us who witnessed it.

One story that deeply moved us was of a young boy named Ivan, who arrived at our distribution point without outerwear on, despite the freezing temperatures, the boy didn't have ANY outerwear on...it was around zero degrees Celsius. When he was handed a warm winter jacket and a pair of shoes, his face lit up with a smile that brought tears to our eyes. He kept thanking us repeatedly and wore the jacket immediately, shivering less as he clutched his new belongings close to his heart.

Another memorable moment came from a little girl named Maria, who extremely rarely receives Christmas gifts. When she unwrapped her present and found a plush toy inside, she hugged it tightly and told us it was the best day of her life. Maria’s joy was contagious, and her gratitude was a reminder of how much a simple act of kindness can mean to a child.

Talking about Christmas gifts. We were able to organize about 150 gifts for a children’s shelter near our church, with which we regularly collaborate. However, in December, a very active member of our church approached me and informed me that he had promised 500 gifts on behalf of our church to children in remote villages and other needy areas. I was shocked! How could he make such a promise without consulting me? Feeling overwhelmed, I went to God in prayer, seeking guidance.

Two days later, I received an unexpected call from an organization that provides Christmas gifts, asking if I would be interested in receiving some. I said yes, and they generously supplied about 200 gifts. The very next day, another organization doing similar work reached out and offered an additional 200 gifts. While this brought us closer to the goal, we were still short by 100 gifts. To my surprise, two pallets on your truck were filled with Christmas gifts! Wow, what a great provision!

So we were able to receive, store, sort, and distribute over 900 gifts to different locations, spreading joy to children who might otherwise have gone without. Thank you from the behave of all who received the gifts and the clothes.

Here is the number report for your information:

Reached families: 1366
Approximate number of people: 3120
Approximate number of children below 18: 1220
Distributed: 4510 kg
Distributer Christmas gifts: 900
Distributed Clothes ITEMS.... N/A (too many to count)

The timely arrival of the truck allowed us to ensure that these blessings reached those who needed them most, especially during the cold winter months. While a big portion of the items has already been distributed, we are committed to continuing this effort in the coming weeks and months to reach even more communities in need.

Your partnership in this mission is a true blessing, and we are honored to work alongside you in bringing hope and warmth to so many lives. Thank you for embodying the spirit of compassion and for being such a vital part of this ministry."

Pastor Filip Rashnev
Full Gospel Church, Sofia, Bulgaria
Thank you for enabling us to be a blessing to those in need.

Heidi Helbig Serving with Global Aid Network (GAIN) UK, humanitarian partner of Agapé UK Spring 2024