Missionaries in Sofia that we got to meet/serve with week 1
I found missionaries who work with Roma (gypsy) people online. I emailed them first, and then of course stalked their names on facebook. I've found that more people respond on facebook, than through email. Yup, we are definitely in a social media generation! -Anyways, found this couple who have two kids and friend requested the lady. I saw they were from Corpus Christi on her page.
So she accepts me a few days later thinking she new me from Shreveport.-Apparantly her husband was stationed at Barksdale in Shreveport, where we are from, for 7 years! I've never heard of them before, but go fig we would meet them in ministry in Bulgaria of all places! We skyped Drew's brother and are telling him how bizarre the situation was, and he mentions his friends who served in Bulgaria with Roma people. Drew went to college with that couple and played Halo with him on finals week. He says, well they are back now, but let me see if they know them. Yes, they are best friends and did ministry together.
(Group being baptized 🙂
We have had the honor in meeting up with them and spending a couple of days together and are getting to go to there church next week hopefully and love on beautiful Bulgarian and gypsy kids! This couple has been such a blessing. Honestly, they are like kindred spirits. You know when you immediately just click with
someone and feel like you could talk all day everyday with someone? That was this couple for us. They love Jesus so much and have really walked through some extremely difficult times these last 3 yrs in Bulgaria, but have walked in wisdom and in His strength. They are truly an inspiration.
On Sunday, half the team went to the International Baptist Church in Sofia, and half went to Blaga Vest (which means good news), which is a Calvary Chapel Bulgarian church. The International service is in English and the team got to meet with the pastor and his wife afterwards. Also, a couple from South Africa who adopted a gypsy
girl, were inspired to start the Lora Foundation in her honor, and were having their camp that week. Watch the BBC documentary on orphanages in Bulgaria-inspired by Lora's story, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQZ-ERQczj8
(half of the team with the pastor and his wife) (team with Lora)
Half of our team got to go. If you know our team, you know that we have a crazy love for the less fortunate, and Roma people, esp kids. The camp was a camp for gypsy kids all full of smiles and so quick to love! These kids captured the teams heart in just a few hours! This opportunity, I believe, was God romancing our team.
The other part of the team went to Blaga Vest and surprisingly they had earphones for people to use for translation. Hallelujah we all got to praise God and hear His word in English that Sunday! We met really neat people and again-the world is so small-we met a girl that did Navigators in Atlanta, which is what Casey on our team also did. They had several mutual friends and we were so encouraged in meeting her and hearing how God was using her this year in Bulgaria.
(Meeting with the pastor of Blaga Vest a few days after going to the church 🙂
God blessed us so much and it was just our first week in Bulgaria. Found friends we hope to have for a lifetime, got to go to church and worship in English, and our team got to dance with Gypsy kids. Can't wait to share what God has done since. Join us and pray for these sweet people who serve the Lord and are reaching unreached people. God is moving in Bulgaria and I'm blessed to be here and see Him move.
