In Krupnik, Bulgaria, many Roma families live trapped in poverty. In the Roma community it is common to drop out of education early because of discrimination, poverty, and a lack of support. Later on, it’s challenging to secure well-paid work because of a lack of education – and the cycle of poverty continues. Poverty is often compounded by relationship difficulties, conflict, alcohol abuse, and a sense of hopelessness about the future.

Todor, 32, lives in Krupnik with his wife Elmira, 26, and three children – Sofia, seven, Krisia age five, and Teodor, age one. They share a house with Todor’s parents, where they have a room of their own and share the kitchen. Although Todor has always had a gift for

hairdressing, he didn’t have a good space to work from and made very little money from it. Todor had attended church from a young age, but in his teenage years he grew cold towards God. He and his wife, living in poverty, went through a difficult time of frequent conflict, not knowing how to move forwards.

The best decision in my life was to walk with Jesus and give my life to him.”

Todor shares hope with his clients every day in his shop

When the family were enrolled on Mission Without Borders’ (MWB) family sponsorship program, they began receiving regular material, emotional and spiritual support, visited regularly by MWB staff member Emil, whose daughter also works for the Mission.

Emil said, “There was one period this family went through that was very difficult. Todor and his wife almost got divorced. With the help of God, I had many conversations with them and so did my daughter, who also works for the Mission. Things really changed and now they are a solid couple.

“The other difficult time was when Todor’s father died. The whole family was very broken by this. We spent many hours with them during this time because they needed us.

“Now I can say that Todor is a very stable man, taking care of his family. He looks after his mother. He’s a person I can work with really easily as he’s so hardworking, and if he needs something, he is very open and he tells me.”

Todor and Emil have become close friends through their work together with MWB.

“Now the local church is very important to the family and they have good relationships there.”

As he got to know Todor better, Emil realised that there was a great opportunity here for Todor to excel as a hairdresser – if only he had the support he needed. MWB went on to provide Todor with a self-sufficiency project to set him up, and now he rents a salon that has been furnished and equipped by the Mission.

“I can tell you that in this whole region there isn’t a hairdresser who is better than Todor,” Emil said proudly. “People who live more than a kilometer away will travel here to get their hair cut – especially when there is a wedding or a big party.”

He added, “Todor is very responsible and loves his job. At the beginning of his journey he took courses to learn his profession and still he wants to develop more and more, and learn new things.

“For us, it made a lot of sense to help this family out with a self-sufficiency project. Todor’s had this business for one year, and thanks to the self-sufficiency project, this place has furniture and everything he needs.”

Todor said, “I have three children and the help that MWB has provided to our family is very significant. Both the spiritual impact of the Mission and also the material impact are very important to us.”

He gestured to a bracelet on his wrist, and said, “This bracelet was given to me at Christmas. Normally I don’t like jewelry, but I keep this because it reminds me of God’s love.”

In his hairdressing salon, too, Todor’s faith takes center stage. He has framed Bible verses and put them on the wall – Joshua 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11, and his favorite verse, John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Thanks to all the support we received from the Mission, I have a big hair salon and regular clients. Most of my clients ask me if I am a Christian when they read the verses and that way, I can tell them about Jesus and share my testimony...

“In my profession, I meet many different people, and that is the reason why I put some verses on the walls,” Todor said. “Thanks to all the support we received from the Mission, I have a big hair salon and regular clients. Most of my clients ask me if I am a Christian when they read the verses and that way, I can tell them about Jesus and share my testimony.”

Thanks to Emil and his family shining the light of God’s love in Todor’s life, now he shines a light every day in his workplace.