My first month of the World Race is complete! That seems so crazy to me!!! Here are some thoughts about: Bulgaria, my journey so far, and what I have learned.
- The natural landscape of Bulgaria is beautiful! There are mountains and rivers and trees and cities and counties. I truly enjoyed the diversity this country offers.
- The people are at first off-putting and unwelcoming. But talk to them and begin a conversation and they are some of the most hospitable, welcoming, generous people I have ever had the pleasure of encountering.
- The Bulgarian language is HARD! By far one of the hardest languages I have ever tried to learn.
- It is MUCH colder here than it is back home. It has been nice to actually experience fall weather. J (It is only gonna get colder from here on out, so that will be interesting)
- The words on the pages in my bible have come alive in such a real way! The stories seem so different, the advice seems so much more applicable and the words in general are much more valuable
- Community is not easy. It takes effort, being uncomfortable and a lot of stretching. Yet, it has shown fruit already and I know that this aspect of my journey will bring some of the greatest growth.
- I get competitive when playing games. I don’t like losing. (But I have a team that is also competitive, so it’s just a lot of fun!)
- I miss my church family. It has been wonderful to see what God is doing in churches all around the world and it has been so neat to visit and be a part of other churches, but I truly appreciate the church family I have back home. As the saying goes, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Well, my heart is growing fonder of my church family back home and I cannot wait to share with them all that God has done.
- I serve an incredible God!!!! He blows me away every day.
- The fall of Communism in Bulgaria is still affecting people today and is still very much a part of their modern day struggles and politics.
- Young girls face being sold into marriage at a very young age, which is a reality that brings about an unnatural maturity very early in life.
- Church services last much longer than they do in the States.
- Banitsa is my favorite Bulgarian dish!!!
- Shopska salad (tomato, cucumber and Bulgarian feta cheese) is not my favorite dish, but it is yummy. Yes, I started conquering my dislike of tomatoes!
- There is a noticeable difference in the lives of those who serve Christ and those who do not!
- I entered this country being a complete stranger and feeling completely untethered to reality. I am leaving this country saddened by losing familiarity, family and friends.
- I am excited to hear the reports of what awesome things God does in the future of this country and his people.
- Greater things are yet to be done here in Bulgaria!!!
- This is my favorite picture this month. Spending 3 days with this amazing family!
- Shalom Church in Lovech has been an incredible blessing to us! They have been the answer to our prayers!
I have loved my experience and my time here in Bulgaria. Unsung heroes had been challenging and has stretched me in more ways than I could have imagined. Yet, in all of that, is has been wonderful to see my Jesus do exceedingly and abundantly above and beyond what I can ask or think of! The people we have met here have a piece of my heart and I am sad to say goodbye.
Next month I will be with my entire squad in Romania. We will spend 5 days in Bucharest doing debrief together and then move to Dragnesti to do ministry. Please pray for safety, community, health, wisdom, rest and refreshing. It will be wonderful to see what God does there and how he uses our squad!
