News and Stories
WELCOME
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FAMILY
MILOJEVIĆ
We visited the Milojević family from Kragujevac and had a chance to donated "shoebox" packages to them and opportunity to talk with grandmother Svetlana and her grandchildren, Dimitrije, Lazar and Luka.
They are recipients of social assistance and live in difficult conditions. The house they live in is in a very bad condition and they currently don't have enough funds for much needed renovations. Mother Marija and grandmother Svetlana work part-time jobs to make their family's life a little easier.
In addition to the packages and food we donated to them, it is always equally important for us to listen to the life difficulties that vulnerable families are dealing with, and even for a moment to encourage them with gifts and show solidarity.
Love, kindness and care for people who are in need can be felt in each package. With this visit, we officially completed the distribution of shoeboxses for this year. From December 2023 until today, thanks to the wonderful people from Great Britain, the Blythswood Care organization in cooperation with our association Blythwood Serbia, 7,000 "shoebox" packages were donated throughout Serbia.
Bojana's Story
This is the Roma family Nikolić from Ruski Krstur.
The heads of the family is grandfather Dragan and grandmother Mira. The children on the pictures are their grandchildren who live with them in difficult conditions while their parents work with secondary raw materials.
Unfortunately, last year, the stable for their horse, which meant a lot to them, burned down in a fire, so their life, which is already difficult, has become even more difficult.
Jovica, as the representative of Blythswood Serbia in Ruski Krstur(North Serbia) , had the opportunity to make them happy with New Year's shoebox packages that are packed in England, and we encouraged them with gifts. The grandchildren were most happy with the toys from the "shoebox" package.
The Story of Milica
Milica (13) learned about the Blythswood Camp through the afterschool program and attended the Christian camp organized by Blythswood for the first time this year.
Her most cherished aspect of the experience was the opportunity to form new friendships during the camp.
When asked about the main theme of the camp, 'Who are you following?' (we asked Milica),
"I realized that apart from all the people on the Internet, there is also Jesus whom I will definitely continue to follow after the camp. I particularly appreciate the new acquaintances and the Christian-friendly atmosphere."
Staša's story -
Camp Timok, Serbia
Her name is Staša (13), and she is currently in the eighth grade of elementary school. Staša's mother is unemployed due to health problems, making her unable to work. To cover basic family expenses, the father engages in strenuous manual labor.
Staša attended the camp for the first time, situated in the eastern part of Serbia, within a charming village near Zaječar. Nestled in the beautiful natural surroundings of eastern Serbia, the camp provides a unique setting.
Group Bible Study and Singing Workshop
Staša aspires to become a skilled singer, and the camp offers her a platform to pursue that dream. Leaders and mentors at Camp Timok actively encourage Staša, fostering the development of her potential. The positive impact of Camp Timok resonates profoundly, shaping the further growth of children's talents.
Connecting with Children from Diverse Cultures
Attending a Christian camp for the first time has left a lasting impression on Staša. She particularly appreciated the approach used for Bible study at the camp, creating a memorable experience.
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EXPLORING DOCTRINE DEEPENS FAITH OF CHRISTIANS IN SERBIA
Christianity Explored in Eastern Europe
When Andrija heard David Armus speak about the Christianity Explored course, he knew it was
something he wanted to do. He already was a Christian and he approached the pastor of his church
and persuaded him to order the booklets and DVDs to hold the course in their own small town near
Niš in southern Serbia.
“I always believed in God,” says Andrija, reflecting on how the course changed his outlook. “But I
didn’t have the assurance that whatever I was going through, God was by my side.
“Christianity Explored helped me to understand much more deeply the main doctrines of sin and
salvation. The more we get to know Christianity, the more we get to know God and his will for us.
God is omnipresent and always around us, guiding our lives.”
Since its publication two years ago, the Serbian edition of Christianity Explored has been used by 40
groups in 18 locations around the Balkan state, engaging the hearts and minds of 264 participants.
Sponsored by Blythswood, it has been used by Baptist, Pentecostal and Evangelical Roma churches
and groups. David Armus observes: “Cooperation between protestant churches is better and closer
thanks to Christianity Explored.”
Andrija is 20 and hopes to study music at university. He says: “Christianity Explored was a perfect
tool for my spiritual growth.”
Young people in Serbia who participated in Christian Explored: Andrija describes it as a perfect tool
for spiritual growth
Darko's Story
Before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Darko regularly attended the "After School Program," one of Blythswood Serbia's projects. Darko is in the fourth grade, and he experienced significant motivation through this program provided by Blejcwood Serbia.
Darko is facing challenging circumstances as a social case. Abandoned by his parents, he spent part of his childhood on the streets. Currently, his elderly grandmother is his guardian, and they are living in dire conditions in an old house that recently caught fire.
Alongside the challenges of poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unfortunate incident, their plans have been severely disrupted. Darko is unable to sleep in his room, forcing him to find an alternative place to spend the night.
A few days after this unfortunate incident, I visited them, and thanks to Blythswood Serbia, they received hygiene packages. This gesture held significant meaning for them, and more importantly, it served as a source of encouragement. Knowing that someone is thinking of them, someone wants to help, has been one of the most empowering experiences for the elderly grandmother.
Moreover, Darko expresses great joy at the prospect of rejoining the Afterschool project once the pandemic subsides.