Helping Hands Eastern European Ministries started out as Helping Hands Bulgaria. At first, our work centered around the Babas we hired to care for children at an orphanage in northwestern Bulgaria.
We also began providing physical and spiritual care for the residents at a nursing home in Radomir, just south of Sofia. Rene, the director, used to work there all day then come back some evenings to play cards with the residents. She said those games were when she really got to know the residents. When Rene retired and another organization took over that work, we hired Rene to manage a program providing food packages to a group of shut-ins, always including some spiritual food as well.
At this time, we also began providing such care to a nursing home in northwestern Bulgaria. Penka, the director of that home eventually retired. We hired her as well and she provided emotional and spiritual help to the residents there. Like Rene, Penka knew the residents well. There were several other orphanages and nursing homes we helped as well. Shipments from Orphan Grain Train delivered much-needed clothing, walkers, toys, and other items to those places.
Twelve years ago, we began working in Greece. Our aid there focuses on spiritual materials placed on website. Their physical needs aren’t as great as in Bulgaria. Six and a half years ago we began working in Ukraine. God knew how great their needs would become. This past year, a dear Christian national of the country of Georgia began translating some spiritual materials into Georgian. I can’t wait to see where God takes this partnership. We thank Him for helping our hands grow and that we can be part of the ever-expanding Kingdom of God.