Exactly one month ago on July 10th I left my home and family in North Carolina. I have certainly missed them these past few weeks and I enjoy the times I've been able to connect with them through email or Skype. Still, it's hard to believe it's been a month. That means I only have 10 left! At this rate, I'll be home next week.
I think that I still need to find the balance between longing to be with people I love in the States and focusing on the task here. Yes, I could just make this a big countdown and check off each month as it goes by, but that's not what I'm here for. I'm here on the Race to live and love and pour out myself so that God can pour back into me. It's not about checking off the calendar until June 2012 when I'll be on American soil again, rather I should understand that I have ONLY 10 months left to be able to spread the Name of Jesus among the nations.
This month I have found a new family here in Vidin. The Kostovs have been so wonderful to us as we were able to minister beside them in many ways. Acho, Pollie, Madlan, Maryanka, Afghani, Rosa, Biser and other church members have showed up on many days other than Sunday to spend time with us in prayer, in the Word and just to eat or dance. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my brothers and sisters here and I know I will never forget them. They have all promised to continue to pray for us over our coming month ahead. They have spoken amazing words of encouragement over us and declared great things for the Kingdom. It has truly been a blessed month.
When I signed up for the Race I knew the whole "11 countries, 11 months" theme but I forgot one minor detail. In each of those 11 countries there would be someone or many someones that I would learn to love and trust dearly. This month, the church in Vidin and the Kostov family have become very dear to me. So, one month after leaving my immediate family and Beulah church family in Statesville, I had to say goodbye to the Kostovs and Acho. They left this morning for a vacation and some much needed rest. I know this is all part of the process, and it will happen 10 more times, then again when I leave my team and squadmates. I do have a hope and some joy in the fact that this is not truly "goodbye, adios or ciao". It's simply "see you later". As Pastor Yavor said, "If we don't see you now, we will see you again in heaven." Praise God for his sweet blessings of fellowship with other believers and the promise that we will be with Him for an eternity 🙂
Some pictures of my new family:
Sarah Kostov and me at the fortress.
Pollie and Danny at our church dinner.
Acho and Kalin at the party.
Afghani, the most awesome guy ever. Period.
Madlan and Me at the park.
This may be media overload, but if you're still reading and want to see a quick video…here's our best performance of "Baby Shark" with Acho at the lead. Pastor Yavor has grown to love it and he requested that we share it with the church last night!
