"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need…
…Practice hospitality."
My experience with the believers in Bulgaria has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. These people embody what Paul preaches in Romans 12. They live to share Christ with their city. Their time is spent serving and praying, talking and asking questions, being vulnerable and authentic with one another. My Bulgarian brothers and sisters have demonstrated in the past week, more love and passion for the Lord than I have ever seen in myself. Pastor Yavor Kostov, his daughter Sarah (our wonderful translator), son Philip and wife Maria are wonderful, joyful people. The church secretary, Pollie, has a beautiful spirit and sweet smile. She laughs and loves everyday. They are truly loving Christ and His people each day.
Visiting the Castle in Vidin with the Kostov family.
I’m beginning to realize that I had no idea what hospitality looked like until I came here. Our team has been blessed with refreshments at almost every house we’ve been to, offered the best seats and given complete attention by everyone who’s at home. On Tuesday there was a Bulgarian “pot luck” dinner with the church and it was amazingly tasty. Not only has the food been fantastic, but the fellowship here is deep. I have heard more testimonies and been asked to share my story more than I have in my entire life and I’ve only been here since Saturday! Each morning from 9-11 we’ve been going as a group to visit a church member or family to speak with them and encourage them in the faith. The people are not shy and will ask about our families, dreams and personal walks with the Lord. They genuinely want to hear about our faith and our struggles. We have prayed together and understood each other even through the language barrier. There is so much faith and authenticity in the Bulgarian believers here. They depend on the Lord and are thirsty for more of Him.
As I was thinking about all of these conversations and experiences it occurred to me that I have heard more about the lives of these people than I have from some of my own family and friends at times. Certainly in the future I will be more intentional about asking and sharing the good things that the Lord has done. There is such joy and encouragement in fellowshipping with other believers and I know that God intends for us to be vulnerable and open with each other in order to build each other up into the men and women that He would have us to be.
When I share about those who have shown hospitality I want you to truly understand. It is not only that they invited us into their homes and gave us their time, but many people sent their children to the store to buy drinks and snacks for us to have. In one run down village we talked with a woman who had been divorced and whose very young daughter had just gone off to marry an older guy. She was struggling with a small income and could not come close to affording the electric bill for her house. She was real in sharing her pain and questions about God but she kept the faith. Even in her extreme poverty and uncertain situation she gave all she had to honor us. As we left I was holding back tears because of the humbling experience I’d just had. Before we had walked down the street her neighbors were offering us vegetables to take home for dinner. These people are keeping the faith. They are running the race. They are living the gospel.
Breakfast picnic in the park with our new friend, Madlan.
Madlan and me…bunny ears provided by Pollie 🙂
The team with Madlan and Pollie after our breakfast in the park!
Oh God, will you teach me to love like you? Will you give me your compassion and grace for your people? Break my heart for what breaks yours and let me exude the hope of Jesus Christ in all I say and do.
