2007 VBS Mission Giving Project
BULGARIA: Community Bible Clubs
Reaching the Gypsy Children in Bulgaria with the Good News of Jesus Christ
What comes to your mind when you think of Gypsies? I think of caravans of wandering musicians with trinkets to sell and fortunes to tell. But the Gypsies of Bulgaria were forced to give up their nomadic lifestyle many years ago and settle in ghettos outside the cities and towns. Gypsy children live in shacks without running water. They have little food and clothing. They are often placed in schools for children with learning disabilities where they are taught low-skill trades and doomed to a life of poverty. They are so ashamed of being Gypsy that they often lie about their heritage.
Donka Ivanova and a team of children’s ministers in Bulgaria know that this cycle of poverty and shame can be broken through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This summer they will travel throughout Bulgaria forming summer sports clubs where Gypsy children will enjoy games, healthy food, and be introduced to Jesus. Donka will also be training Gypsy children’s ministers in the Gypsy churches to conduct these clubs weekly throughout the school year providing further evangelization and discipleship of the Gypsy children.
The children in your congregation can experience the joy of ministering to the Gypsy children of Bulgaria by PRAYING and GIVING.
PRAYING.
· Pray that every child who attends a club will receive Jesus Christ as Savior.
· Pray that families will turn to Jesus.
· Pray that the Gypsy children’s ministers will minister faithfully and effectively throughout the year.
· Pray that through faith in Jesus and obedience to Him the cycle of poverty will be broken.
· Pray that God will provide miraculously for the needs of the Gypsy children and their families - jobs, housing, clean water, healthy food, and a good education.
GIVING. Your gifts of money can help purchase teaching supplies, sports equipments, snacks, and items to give to the children such as tee-shirts, school supplies, etc.
Getting the children in your congregation involved in this outreach ministry is as easy as...
1. Download the HH4K 2007 Mission Project Guide
2. Share with the children about the need in Bulgaria
3. Encourage each child to give a gift of money that will help Gypsy kids in Bulgaria know Jesus as Savior
Thank you for chosing Helping Hands for Kids as your 2007 Mission Giving Project.