Anthony opened the door and yelled “Sofia?” to some unsuspecting Bulgarians.
We got a “Da” back, so we assume it’s the correct place and we all stumble out of the train 3 minutes into consciousness. (Da is the word Romanians used for ‘Yes’ so we pray it’s the same here).
As we emerged into the main center of the train station, I notice the Bulgarian Alphabet is completely different than English. We can’t even pretend to read a single sign, but it’s okay because a man named Al (who I called a day earlier) has set up a nice young girl named Callie to pick us up at the station and walk us to the nearest McDonald’s (an oasis to anyone who’s traveled away from America, has been traveling for 26 hours and doesn’t know any Bulgarian at 7AM on a Sunday).
We were then escorted to church around 9AM where Callie quickly goes to change into her bridesmaid dress. There is going to be a wedding today at church and we’re all now invited. Since we are guests, we’re also asked to sit in the front of the church. We are now 14 random Americans sitting in the front seats of this church for a girls wedding whom we’ve never met before, wearing attire that is suitable for climbing a mountain or crawling into bed at best. Sweet.
After the service, Al meets us at the sanctuary so we can go see the historical sights of Sofia and grab some lunch with another American missionary, Bob. He and Bob offer to take us to this amazing pizza place where they also offer to pay for the entire bill.
After seeing a few more sights and taking another 3-hour bus-ride, we make it to where Al lives, Petrich, Bulgaria (about 12km from Thessilaniki, Greece). There at Al’s home was prepared a feast of homemade chicken noodle soup, tomato soup and grilled cheese!!! (yes, I am excited about grilled cheese and tomato soup! It’s probably a lingering desire from the cold rainy days back in Ireland). THEN he informs us that not only are he and his wife going to let 7 of us sleep at his house, but he has two friends nearby who are allowing the rest of us stay with them. 2 girls went with Maria and 5 girls went with Peggy. When I walked up the stairs of Peggy’s home and looked over at the twin-sized bed that was sitting there for me I thought I was in heaven. The duck tales print on the blanket and striped pattern that mimicked one I had at my home in Ohio spoke a huge amount of comfort to me. Thank you Jesus!
We woke up the next morning to a huge spread at the breakfast table that Peggy prepared for us, coffee with milk and sugar, tea, orange and strawberry juice, cheese toast, peanut butter, honey and bread. Breakfast being my favorite meal of the day, and coffee being something I’m admittedly addicted to, this all brought me more joy than I’d like to admit.
Most of the people who have helped us since we arrived in Bulgaria had less than 12 hours notice that they were needed to help us, some less than a few hours, but they still offered everything they had to us, knowing only that we were a group of Americans here to serve the Lord! I’m currently sitting on the same bed I fell so peacefully asleep on last night wondering why God has opened this door of hospitality to the 14 of us? We didn’t know we were coming to Bulgaria until 4 days ago, but we asked God where we were supposed to go and here we are. It’s so clear that these people have the spirit of God in them… I can’t even imagine opening my home to one stranger, let alone 14. I may have given someone directions to the nearest hotel, but not invited them in and given them everything that was mine OR stopped my life for 4 days to serve them.
This month is supposed to be about Asking The Lord what we are supposed to do and where we are supposed to be. God has given us a big unlocked door, I cannot wait to walk through and seek what’s on the other side. Please pray for us that we hear God speak in the next few days, that we follow that voice and that we bless these people as we have been blessed by them.
These two faithful followers have been in Bulgaria for the last 2.5 years and have dedicated their lives to doing the Lords work, including taking in each and every one of us on team Proclaim I61 and team Fuel, feeding us and guiding us to our next step. They are a pair that need your support and prayer as well. Please check out their website to see what they’ve been doing in Bulgaria.
