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| Shelter for women at risk in Bulgaria |
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In a recent survey 22% of the respondents admitted to being 'beaten regularly' by their partners. A further 11% had been sexually abused, and over 50% said they knew somebody who was 'continually molested' (Bulgarian “Agency for Social and Marketing Research”). UNICEF has stated in the past that “domestic violence is widespread and serious in post-communist countries”. In Bulgaria today many accept domestic violence as a way of life, a crime so common that it is even found within the church.
Life in Bulgaria is out of balance as it continues the transition from communism. Unemployment, low wages, and a widening gap between luxury and extreme poverty continue to dominate the economy. Even though a part of the EU, people are forced to have two or three jobs to make ends meet, leaving no time for leisure. This situation can leave people feeling powerless, which often leads to pent up aggression and heavy drinking. This volatile mix then explodes into violence with more and more women and children becoming the victims.
Our partners in Bulgaria, Mission Possible, have worried about this escalating problem for years, wondering how they, as Christians, should respond. While seeking God's will in prayer last year, they were given a verse from Jeremiah 22:3, “Deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor” (KJV). |
Mission Possible
Mission Possible in Bulgaria are involved in evangelism, education and help for the needy. Projects that Eurovangelism have been directly involved in include:
Printing the Alpha resources in Bulgarian
Soup kitchens and literacy programmes for poor children
Training programmes to help Roma girls find employment
Distribution of humanitarian aid
Training and conferences such as a recent “Coping with Grief” seminar |
This has given them the vision and determination to open up a shelter for women at risk. Following this vision, they have now purchased a building and are faced with the awesome task of refurbishing it and training up a team to run the shelter. Rumen Ivanov, Director of Mission Possible, and his team, are fully aware of the difficulties and responsibility involved, but they are committed to making an inroad into this terrible problem. Rumen himself is really sticking his neck out, as a pastor of a church he risks much criticism from his peers by starting this project. Providing a shelter for women to escape abuse and violence within the home, Rumen will be seen as separating families. But the abuse cannot continue and Mission Possible know that something must be done for those suffering - they need to be rescued.
This is a big vision and Mission Possible need our help to see it happen. Not only is there an entire derelict building to be put into order and a professional team to be trained, once it is ready there will be an ongoing need for funding to help the many women (and their children) who will pass through the doors. Women who hope for love, care and restoration. |
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One such woman Mission Possible told us about we will call Ivana. “Ivana is a typical 25 year old gypsy, who like many others, was married when she was 15. Then one day, her cousin brutally raped her. For two days she did not dare tell anyone and when she finally told us, we took her to a doctor, accompanied her to the police, and encouraged her to tell her husband. When he heard what had happened, he battered her, broke a chair on her back, and drove her away from the home. The court case continued for over two years, and every session the rapist smiled across the court at her, knowing a gypsy lady would not be believed.”
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Helping a woman with three children, unemployed, abused by her husband and with psychological trauma from the rape, is not only a matter of a good Christian heart. There is a need for knowledge and experience in providing spiritual and psychological support. She also needs housing and finances until the court case finishes. When the threat posed by the violator is removed, serious and persistent efforts will be needed for restoration of the family, and for emotional healing to take place.
Please pray for Ivana and for the others like her, that God will heal and comfort them. Pray also for Mission Possible as they seek to help women like this and “deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor”. |
"Maria became pregnant with her third child not long after accepting Jesus as her Saviour. Her husband tried to force her to have an abortion, so she left home for a few months and gave birth to the child. Today, her daughter is six years old, but the harassment from her husband continues. He spends all his wages on alcohol, and Maria must support her family whilst being the victim of physical abuse.
Maria says “I am no longer worried about myself. I am used to this, but my children suffer a lot. My oldest daughter is a teenager and every time she sees her father come home drunk, she goes out or curls up in bed, expecting the usual beating.” Maria is seeking advice, protection and help. For all these years she has passed through all the stages of anger, malice, forgiveness, guilt...
Despite the constant harassment, she has not filed for a divorce, but seeks support and hopes that God will send people to help her and the children. Maria needs a place to be restored, a place she will not be startled at every door slamming, a place she can receive help from Christian psychologists, so that she can move on and raise normal and physically healthy children." |
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| How you can help |
Mission Possible are committed to this shelter for women at risk, to help women like those you have just read about. Please help us to support them, so that they can “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” Proverbs 31:8 (NIV). Please mark your gift ‘Bulgaria’ - any amount you give will go towards the realisation of this project, restoring women and giving them hope please click on the link below and mark your gift ìMission Possible î.
For further prayer requests please see the June Prayer Diary online.
You can also visit our Prayer Blog for immediate requests. Click Here. |
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