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News from Bulgaria
We're not late in offering you Easter greetings, Easter here is in line with the Orthodox calendar, which means it's later than in the UK. Eggs are a big part of Easter here but not chocolate ones! It is traditional to boil and dye them. The first is dyed red as a symbol of Christ's blood shed on the cross and it is rubbed on children's cheeks to bring health, Rose has very red cheeks as we type! On Easter day they then have an egg fight with them, they are bashed together a bit like conkers and whoever's egg breaks last is the winner.
Many hours have been spent making puppets ready for the Easter morning Worship. It was great to see these being used during the service. They will also be used on the children's ward & in schools & orphanages over the next few weeks as members of the church go out to celebrate Easter.
Many have contacted us, concerned by the flooding of the Danube.
It reached its highest level for over a century. Sadly for Bulgaria this is another flood after a year of floods caused by heavy rainfall. Thank you all for your concern. The region of Ruse is affected as well as other parts of Bulgaria. Hundreds of families in Bulgaria have had to evacuate their homes.
We helped with a teenagers camp in rural Bulgaria, it was a fun filled few days with games and activities for the church teenagers. It was also a real eye opener for us (again) to see life is in rural Bulgaria! Many live without a bathroom, cooker or hot water.
The church has started a social kitchen, food is prepared once a week and taken to the housebound members of the congregation. Members from the church prepare it and alongside others we help to distribute it.
We have been working with the Bulgarian Christian Students Union to try and start a group at the university. It has not been straight forwards and we hope and pray that it will take off.
1st March is seen as the start of spring and warmly welcomed after the harsh winter. It's part of the tradition and culture here to celebrate this with 'martenitsa'. These red and white woollen dolls are called Pixho & Penda they are worn until the first stork or the first tree in blossom is seen and then it should be tied to the greenest branch or placed under a stone. We now see these martenitsa tied all over the city.
Pete, Sam & Rose Taylor
Please give thanks for the mission taking place here
Please pray for:
- those affected by the floods
- the Bulgarian Christian StuFriday, 16 June, 2006visas and customs
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