Tanya with the flour: she in turn, cares for the elderly in her village

Why did Christ come? The answer in Isaiah 61:1 was one of the messages that Margarita Dimitrova took to the town of Nova Zagora in southeast Bulgaria in the lead-up to Christmas.

Margarita is one of 19 pastoral workers supported by Blythswood in Eastern European countries. “My goal is to develop the new evangelical community in Nova Zagora,” she says. Margarita is accompanied by her husband and by a group of women from the city of Sliven, 40km away.

Isaiah’s prophecy speaks of Jesus bringing good news to the poor and healing to the broken-hearted, and Margarita’s ministry reflects that practical concern, bringing flour to families in need. Tanya, from a village near Nova Zagora, is one of many to benefit. “She lives in great poverty but still takes care of elderly women who ask her for help,” Margarita says. “Two weeks ago, she had breast surgery and it is difficult for her to cope with travelling to Sliven for examinations and treatment.

“But despite the difficulties, she perseveres in faith and always finds time to attend our meeting. When she received the flour, she was very happy and grateful.”