Looking back on this month, I have no regrets.
There were moments when I wondered what I was doing there, but The Lord redeemed those moments ten fold. I have fallen in love with Bulgaria in ways that I cannot explain. I never expected to want to go back, and yet, here I am looking forward to someday making plans to return.
Here are the moments that stick out in my mind, that make the word blagadaria (“thank you”) so important, that make this past month unforgettable.
-Those moments of deep bellyaching laughter, were we just couldn’t stop–whether at the dinner table or playing futbal, or hanging out in our fort in the attic–those moments drew our team closer and filled the month with joy.
-Times where we sat on the balcony or on the lawn or in someones room and read from the Bible together, soaking ourselves in His word.
-Laying under the stars and worshipping, admiring the endless skies, His beautiful creation.
-Dancing and singing (to NSync, OneDirection, etc) while peeling THE MOST potatoes I have ever seen in my life.
-When the first bulgarian church group that came to stay at Mission Possible blessed us with bags full of treats and prayed over us.
-Having church with our Bulgarian host family and listening to their beautiful voices fill the room as they sung praises to the Lord.
-Holding precious Anabel, and hearing her sweet voice call out “Kaku” (meaning “sisters”) every time she saw us.
-When Roumen, our contact, took us to Veliko Tarnovo to explore and bought us espressos and cokes, blessing us with his kind hospitality the first day we we spent in Bulgaria.
-Laughing with Didi, our host at the hilariousness that is google translate. Language can be a barrier, but everyone understands laughter.
-Dancing with some of the village kids in the yard, letting them teach us their bulgarian moves.
-Building relationships with the village kids through futbal, frisbeee, cards, handstand contests, etc.
-Looking into the eyes of our little futbol friends and seeing their smiles as they returned day after day to play.
-Crazy dancing on the mountain top over Dobromirka, and praying for the village as I overlooked.
-Walking to sunflower fields and admiring those bright, happy flowers.
-Plucking plums straight off the trees and eating them whenever we felt peckish during our walks.
-Singing “Lets Get Down to Business” countless times as we prepared the house for the children’s summer camp.
-Meeting Michel and his wife Dee and their son Sky, walking with them to hills to see their horses, and enjoying tea and finger food in their home. Their hospitality truly made me feel at home in Dobromirka.
-Meeting the amazing British (and Welsh) group that came to help run the children’s summer camp. There were many great conversations, moments of laughter, and friends made.
-Nighttime worship and testimonies under the stars, by a bonfire. What a precious time of pouring out our hearts to The Lord and opening up with each other about what He has done in our lives. Nothing compares to soaking in His presence and declaring His goodness.
-Spending a few hours each day drawing tattoos on the kids and seeing their smiles as the picture emerged.
-Impromptu water wars in the yard with the kids.
-Special handshakes that Sashko and Mariancho taught me.
-After leading a song in worship, the last night we spent in Dobromirka and talking about the World Race, the kids surrounded us and prayed over us. The power and presence that was in the room as their prayers rose in one voicewas unbelievably touching. Their embraces and tears as they said goodbye to us brought me to tears and taught me a lesson in love. Who knew that smiling at them as they brought you their dirty plates, or playing futbol and doing crafts with them, or drawing tattoos on their arms, would make such a difference in their lives? You never know what The Lord can do in those simple actions done in love. The love they gave in return touched my heart so deeply.
-The looks on the faces of Mariancho and Sashko as we gave them a new futbal that we all signed, as well as letters and Bibles. Sashko’s smile as he read the letters and waved to each of us as he picked up another letter to read, and seeing Mariancho kissing the Bible when everyone’s backs were turned. Being able to pray for them through my tears, and hugging them goodbye. It was one of the hardest goodbyes I have experienced, but I feel so blessed to have had them in my life.
These are just a few of the moments that stick out in my mind and are engraved in my heart–moments of ministry and moments of fun. This month has truly exceeded all my expectations.
All I can say is, Blagadaria.
If you would like to help me continue on this journey, my next deadline of $11,000 is coming up in September. You can help by clicking the “support me” button at the top of the screen or in the menu bar to the left, and giving financially. Prayer is also HUGE. My team and I will need prayer as we go on this journey with The Lord and work in different ministries.
Thank you all for your support and for taking the time to read my blog!
Blessings!
