"In other disaster relief news from NCM, the global organization reports only $3,270 (U.S.) has been received for Bulgaria Flood Relief. This summer, Bulgaria experienced two devastating floods in the western and southern areas of the country. The region experienced more flooding September 21, adding at least two more fatalities to growing death toll. As much as 75 percent of their harvest has been destroyed and they are expecting a hard winter due to the flood damage and growing inflation. Two million people are still without roofs and hundreds of thousands are homeless from the summer floods.

Joel Mullen, director of the Southest Europe Field, gives the following report on the effects of flooding in Bulgaria: 

“We all want to say thank you once again for your continued prayers for flood victims in Bulgaria. Together with a small group of Bulgarian Nazarenes from Sofia and Montana, I was able to visit the small village of Protitovzi yesterday to survey the damage and evaluate ways that our church can be of assistance to the people of the village. 

“Protitovzi is a village of approximately 500 people, which is situated near a river in the northwest part of Bulgaria. It is a very poor village with 80-90 percent of the adults unemployed. In August, flash floods came from the surrounding mountains and hills and struck the village twice in one week. 

“The flood waters came at the village from three sides and flooded the main street and most of the homes, as well as the gardens and fields. The small drainage ditches were not adequate to carry the flood waters away before they did significant damage to the infrastructure of the village (roads, power 
supply, and water supply). 

“The Bulgarian government is providing assistance to repair the roads, to restore the power, and to enlarge the drainage ditches. However, they are doing very little to provide assistance to the families of the village. The greatest immediate needs are food and stoves/wood to provide heat for the upcoming winter. Beyond these immediate needs, there is also a need to provide them with seed to replant their gardens and fields.

“As we talked with the people of the village, it was amazing to note that no one asked us for help. Nevertheless, Pastor Valeri, Pastor Malene (who lives in Protitovzi), and the members of the nearby Montana Church of the Nazarene are ready and willing to sacrifice and to give to show Christ's love to the people there. They have already done so much to assist the village.“

“These Bulgaria floods have not been highly publicized in the international media, yet they have been devastating to many families in small villages like Protitovzi. Thank you to everyone who has been praying, and to all who have contributed so that we can reach out to them in the name of Christ.” 

--Joel Mullen, Southeast Europe Field

For Jesus through CFD NMI,
Carolyn Bott -- PH 407-851-1123