It is strange to think that I have been on the World Race now for almost a month! What is even more strange is that I have been here in Bulgaria for 3 weeks and that the last time I wrote, my team didn’t even have a place to stay.
So, let me give you a quick update……
- We spent 3 days in a little Roma (Gypsy) town outside of Lovech. The name of the town is called Bezahnovo. It is there that we found grandmas (Babas) who cooked for us, they doted upon us with hugs & kisses (yes, really kisses on the cheeks) and lavished us with the love that only grandmas know how to give. In this town we also found family. We had the tremendous blessing of staying with; Evayn (an elder at the church there) his wife Silva, their three children (Plavo, Angel & Mariella) and the grandma (Baba). They welcomed us into their home, shared their food with us, and brought us into their community like we were one of them. It was this amazing group of people that showed me what it means to be a part of the family of God. Language was not necessary, it was the love that we shared for one another and Christ Jesus that made us family.
- On our return from Bezahnovo we did not have a place to stay. We were all confident that we would find a place, but nothing had been solidified. Then to our amazement, the wonderful Shalom Church told us they had an apartment for us and that we could stay there for the rest of the month. So good news, we have housing!!!!! Yay! Once again Jesus has gone above and beyond and has provided for our team in extraordinary ways!!
So, now that you are all caught up with the happenings, let me fill you in on what God has been speaking and doing in my life…..
I feel like the past few days I have been going non-stop; looking for places to stay, finding contacts, doing ministry, travelling, scheduling, logistics, and the list goes on. All of which was necessary to accomplish.
As a team, we have been building relationships, spending time together in prayer, and in the word. We have been going on prayer walks and sharing with one another the things that God is putting in our hearts to do. It has been such a filling and joyous time!! I have loved every minute of it!!
What I discovered is that I was inviting the Lord into my day and my tasks rather asking Him if I could be a part of HIS day and HIS tasks.
Honestly, I didn’t even know that I was doing this!!
I was praying, reading the word, being in community… all inherently great and wonderful things. All things used to build us and to grow in our walk with the Lord. But, what I found is that I was trying to replace connecting with my Savior and Friend with things that are only meant to be the catalyst not the end goal.
I pray that you hear my heart…. I believe in all of those things!!! I love praying and being in the Word and journaling and I love my community. But just because those things are great they will never come close to satisfying my soul the way Jesus does when I meet with him.
I was sitting on the little balcony of the apartment, reading Daniel (which is currently just blowing my mind right now, I highly recommend reading!!) just looking out over Lovech. It has been raining here the past few days so everything is damp and somewhat grey. There is a mixture of rain clouds and white cotton balls against a brilliant blue sky. The sun plays hide and seek as clouds pass in front of it. I couldn’t help myself, I just stopped and admired the beauty of the scene that was playing out before me.
It was in this moment as I looked over this beautiful landscape that I felt my Friend saying “look-up.”
How often do we forget to look up and see the beauty of our Savior? How often do we go throughout our day just checking off our to-do list forgetting to look up at the brilliancy of our Creator!?!?!?!
I know I do!!!
I am living in Bulgaria. I am travelling the world. I am living in community with incredible women of valor. I have seen God provide for me time and time again. I have seen His faithfulness in every way, shape and form. He has turned strangers into family and He has melted my heart for His Kingdom.
Yet in all of this, I forgot to look up and see my Father. I forgot to look up and notice Him!
So here is my challenge to us all…. Let’s take time to look up. Let’s take time to notice our Savior! Let’s take time to look at His creation and see His beautiful face!
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
