A kindergarten formed for Adventist children has reached farther than originally planned. Many of the children are not Adventist, creating a beautifully unexpected mission opportunity.
Early learning is about more than letters and numbers. In Sofia, Bulgaria, this kindergarten is helping children grow with purpose, care, and faith.
"Our kindergarten is called Colorful Hope. This is a building we have rented for about 10 years.
At that time in Bulgaria there weren’t any Adventist education alternatives. The educational system in our country is a secular one." —Maria Kiriova
For Maria, that reality created a burden and a calling. As her son grew older, she thought about how she could change things.
"I wasn’t ready to give my child to an environment that is secular in this crucial stage of his development. So I prayed, and in only four months this kindergarten opened its doors for the very first time." —Maria Kiriova
What began as a place for Adventist families soon reached far beyond the church.
"At the beginning, we thought we would create a place for the Adventist families and children. But interestingly about 80 percent of the children enrolled in our kindergarten come from non-Adventist families now." —Maria Kiriova
"When all children are here, we start with praising songs. Then we have a story, which is from the Bible. And then we have lessons." —Ralitsa
For many families, the impact is deeply personal.
"It was one of the most beautiful things that happened for us in the last year." —Maria
Maria drives nearly two hours every day to bring her son here.
"Every minute in the traffic, every kilometer, I'm happy to do this for him to come here. It's really special. I felt the spirit here, the spirit is extremely special." —Maria
The values children learn don’t just stay at school. They make an impact on them even at home.
"Sometimes it's very funny because even when we're walking somewhere, he just has a spark and says, ‘Don't worry, Mom. God will take care of things.’ And even with praying, because we don't normally pray at home before we eat, but he sits on the table and says, ‘Okay, now let's pray.’ I’m happy because I want him to be like this." —Maria
This quarter, a portion of your 13th Sabbath Offering will help Colorful Hope Kindergarten continue to influence lives throughout Sofia.
"This is not a church project. This is a project of church members. If you invest in education, you are investing in the future development of the church.
The children and the young people are its future. If we don't understand these things, we are limiting our future. So we will be very thankful to every person and any donation that anyone would like to give for this project." —Milan
Please pray for this kindergarten, for the children and families it serves, and for Adventist education ministries. Thank you for your support of Colorful Hope Kindergarten and similar projects around the world.
