BULGARIA IS THE PLACE TO BE
IT WAS A LONG BUT AMAZING JOURNEY…
This month was a time to “ATL” (ask the Lord) Team Proclaim I 61 and Fuel were together. We started our journey with one contact. Thank God for Al! He put us in contact with several people and it allowed us to have a great month and be able to pioneer through Bulgaria. We found many areas that are great places for other teams to serve in. We had a great month and this is what it has looked like for us.
SEPT 26 RIDE AN OVER NIGHT TRAIN TO SOFIA
He had arranged for someone to pick us up at the train station because he could not arrive to later that day. We get off the train and before we know it 2 English speaking people show up to take us to the church. We arrive at the church and was part of an amazing church service and a wedding. Yes, I did just say a wedding. After church service Al met us and took us on a tour of Sofia. After lunch and a tour of Sofia we took a bus to Petrich to spend a few nights.
SEPT 28TH– 30TH SPENT TIME IN PETRICH
Our time in Petrich was like a base camp. Al provided us with 3 houses for ‘free’ lodging and even did a lot of cooking for us. He provided our team leaders with all the contacts that he knew in Bulgaria. Team leaders and Logistic people spent time contacting different people and figuring out what our month would like. As a group we got an overview of Bulgaria, learned their alphabet, took a tour of Petrich. We spent mornings in prayers, went to the English club meetings, and even attended a wed night service.
We went to Sandanski not knowing what was expected. We were doing ministry with an Evangical Baptist church. They housed us and even cooked all of our meals. We really enjoyed our time here. It was full of ministry opportunities. Pastor Mitko and Angel were our two contacts.
We spent a day at Cold Water. We did not know what to expect. We thought we would spend the day with the women. We all took showers and got ready for the day. When Pastor Mitko arrived he let us know to change clothes for work. We took an hour ride up the mountain and it was beautiful. We found out that we would be painting trees for the day. We were a little shocked and just had fun with it. We used paint brushes, rollers, and brooms. After the shock of painting trees we just really enjoyed ourselves. We finished up the trees and had lunch. After lunch we picked up pine cones in a forest.
We learned that ministry looks different everywhere you go. It was truly a blessing to serve the women there.
OCT 3RD WORKED IN THE CHRUCH
Today was day of painting in the church. We painted walls, doors, and window frames.
We attended the Sunday morning service today. We decided that Don and Colin would speak. Don gave his testimony and Colin spoke about the World Race. After they spoke we got up as a group to sing. We decided to sing Amazing Grace. After a few seconds of singing the congregation joined in because they recognized the song. They all had smiles on their faces and really enjoyed our singing.
OCT 5TH OUR OFF DAY AND WE HEADED TO GREECE
Today was an amazing day. We got to spend the day seeing Thessaloniki. I really enjoyed walking along the Mediterranean sea too. Shannon also fell into the sea. Everyone seemed to have a very relaxing and fun day off.
0CT 7TH WENT TO VISIT ORPHANAGES FOR KIDS AND BOYS
We arrived at the orphanage with chips and drinks. The kids were excited. We didn’t spend much time but we did get a few minutes to slide down slides, swing, give hugs, and enjoy a snack together.
Team Proclaim I 61 worked with Mission Possible and Team Fuel spent time meeting different contacts that were in Sofia. We met Ivan from Mission Possible. He took us to a youth service that night. Anthony gave his testimony and it was an awesome night.
OCT 11TH DONS BDAY CHURCH AND CELEBRATION
Happy birthday Don. We took Don to Starbucks before church. Then we headed to church. It was a really good service. I have really enjoyed visiting this church. After church we took Don out for some pizza. Then we spent time eating dessert and hanging out in the park! Anthony even got Don a balloon!
SERVICE SHANNON KENDRA AND KATIE SPOKE
We spent the day doing some work around Mission Possible. That evening we attended a service in a gypsy village. God is really doing a work in the youth in this village. This past year they have baptized over 100 youth age kids. We arrived at the church and we had to sit up in the front on the right side of the pulpit and on the left side of the church in front was the youth. There was a about 50 or so there that night. The women sit down stairs and the men sit in the balcony. Brandy introduced us and then Katie and Kendra gave their testimony. Then Shannon gave her testimony and preached. After that the Pastor talked for a few minutes and then asked everyone to come up and pray for our team. After they all prayed for us we were sent out into the congregation to pray. It was an amazing time. God was really moving in peoples lives.
It was a cold 3 days. We raked the front yard and picked up pine cones, cleared out a timber area, and the boys did other stuff that needed more muscles than us girls had! It was a cold three days but we ended up getting a lot of work done.
Oct 16th happy birthday mom, we headed to Velika Tarnovo
A missionary from the states picked us up in his van and took us to our hostel. We were not even sure where this place was. We ended up arriving and it turned out to be a great place to stay. It was hard housing 14 people in a place for 8 but we all survived it.
Oct 17th youth conference
We spent the day at Philadelphia church attending a youth conference. It was hard at times to pay attention because we didn’t have translators. I did enjoy it though.
0ct 18th thanksgiving service and lunch
Today was an awesome service. We all had translators and the message was really good. It was their thanksgiving service and it really made me realize things in my life that im thankful for. I am so blessed and some times I over look so much in my life. Our group got to introduce ourselves and why we are here. Emily and hope gave their testimonies and we all sang. Once again the congregation joined us in singing. After the service we attended a pot luck thanksgiving lunch. It was really good and just when we thought we were done they came around with trays of desserts.
0ct 19 meet the mayor of the village, off day spend time in the city
Today Don, Kendra, and I got up to go meet Mayor Ilia. Nick, an owner of a campsite I contacted, made arrangements for us to serve in the village of Dragizhevo where his campsite is located. We arrived and made plans for our team to serve them by planting trees in the village center.
0ct 20 and 21st working in the village of dragizhevo planting tree
We arrived in the village around 9. Brandy, Don, Kendra, and I left with the mayor to get the trees. We had to take the trees and put them in a wagon pulled by a donkey. After about 4 trips we were finally finished getting trees. We get back to the site we are planting and newspaper reporters, police, village people, and our teams were all around. The people of the village were in shock that we would come to serve them for no reason. We really enjoyed our time in the village. It was nice to serve them and see their joy from it. Everyone we met was so hospitable. They cooked us lunch, served us hot milk and candy bars, and even gave us an overview of the village. Nick and Nicky were also amazing. They fed us hamburgers and fries the first night and then they served us a very delicious lunch the second day. They have a beautiful camp site as well.
Oct 22 travel back to sofia
We are back in Sofia for a few days
Oct 23 and 24th Leadership Conference
We attended a two day leadership conference. It is from the states and it’s the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. They had some amazing speakers and everyone really seemed to get a lot from the conference. I know I learned more than I thought I would.
Oct 27 leaving Bulgaria
We had a great time in Bulgaria. It was a great month and full of learning. We realized that we are not just friends this month we are a family. You learn to overlook the little things and love them through it all. We all have struggled in different areas but it was much needed to grow in a deeper relationship with God. We all have loved Bulgaria and have a lot of memories that will not be forgotten.
