Some months on the World Race seem to pass in a whirlwind of coming and going and colors and faces and food. But some months seem to pass slowly enough for you to begin to feel at home, yet too fast because before you know it, you are boarding a train to take you away.
My month in Bulgaria is one I will cherish. After traveling all month in Albania, having a place to call home and new friends who somehow quickly became like family was exactly what I needed.
The truth is I came out of my month in Albania feeling haggard. I felt tired and spent and in addition to being one of my toughest months on the race, it was also the much-dreaded middle part of the race. The part where you have been gone from home for such a long time, yet you still have a long time left until you will see home again. I also got sick for the first time on the race at the end of the month, food poisoning, not my favorite memory.
My biggest prayer for the month in Bulgaria was to have strength and energy. And that is exactly what God gave me. I felt renewed hope and strength day by day as we went through the month and looking back I know where that energy and strength came from.
Our month was filled with laughter as we worked together to help clean and prepare the new church building. The hours spent cleaning and painting passed quickly as we sang while we worked and ran through the dark stone hallways of the ancient storage facility.
We also spent time visiting nursing homes and churches in the area. Bringing love and encouragement to those we visited.
I will miss Bulgaria with its delicious foods and rolling hills, but more than that, I will miss the new friends I gained last month. I am beyond thankful for my month in this beautiful country!
