Hello, this is Annette Gustafsson, Vula’s great niece. I’m spending a portion of my summer in Greece with my Thia Vula. The following is an entry from my journal.
This trip inspires me. We’re in the village of Yastrebovo, Bulgaria. We drove on the dirt roads around the village to see the residents’ homes, it made me tear up. These kids don’t own much and this isn’t even the poorest area. It forces me to acknowledge the surplus we have in the States. In Yastrebovo, where the Ministry built houses after a flooding, the houses are modest, about nine hundred square feet per home. The rest of the old houses are half that size. Their yards are not much larger but filled with plants for produce. Every inch of the yard is dedicated to producing life-sustaining necessities. Small corners of the yard house chickens and sheep. They do a lot with a little and we do a little with a lot.
I’m trying to figure out how to articulate what I’m seeing and feeling. I’m noting what pieces I want to take home with me. My sister, Lizzie, and I are noticing we don’t need a lot to be happy. God, nature, people, and some food for today is enough.
It’s a different pace of life out here. I don’t want to idealize it because these kids are struggling and I don’t want to make it sound like their poverty is good or beneficial, I’m seeing what I can learn from them and what lessons I can take home.
Yesterday, after we sang to the kids and as we cleaned the church, a girl came up to me and just hugged me; she was no more than twelve years old. She didn’t say a word, just hugged me. It is both a beautiful thing, the unspoken language of love, and also so sad— I wish I could’ve heard her story or asked her what I could do for her, but our languages stood between our conversation. Instead, a hug would have to be our form of conversation.
relaxing after a long game of volleyball
braiding Vanessa’s hair
5 Comments
Sharon Alexander
June 7, 2023
Thank you for sharing!! You are a wise young lady and it sounds like you have the loving heart of your Aunt Vula. May God continue to bless your time there. Give Vula a hug for me!
Pat During
June 7, 2023
Thank you, Annette, for your loving message. It is inspiring to read your thoughts and a privilege to pray for you and the village of Yastrebovo. Wishing you God’s continuing blessings!
jill Corti
June 7, 2023
What a compassion you have for others who have, in some ways, much less than us in the USA! And yet, who has the most joy? I also wonder, at times, who has the strongest relationship with our heavenly Father, and who follows most closely His son, Jesus Christ – those who have been given most or those who follow Him throughout all the days of their lives?
What a mature and life-giving young woman you are – and bless you for your heart for the Lord!
Hugs to Vula and your entire family!
Christine Aardema
June 7, 2023
Annette, what a beautiful post! God bless you as you serve Him there. And give Auntie Vula a big hug and kiss from me!
Barb vanmaanen
June 7, 2023
Annette, thank you for sharing your heart and posing questions for all of us to think about. Thank you for giving your love to the children and tens of Yastrebo
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