Our ministry has been special because our host takes us places where he is already connected to somehow. We also walked a LOT. We walk from 2 miles-8 miles a day. Here’s what we have done the first week:
Saturday 8/5
Our pastor prefaced this story with how he hates how some tragedies in our human world are upheld and grieved more than others. For instance, their are genocides that are talked more about than those who died during Communist times. He has written a book on it, but he had us read a short chapter on one aspect of this. There was a field where 800 people (intellectuals, etc.) were murdered by Communists. To this day, very few people know about this field. It was on our host’s heart for a long time to go to this area and pray over it and worship God there. So after hunting for the spot, we (him, some from his church, and my team) camped for an hour and prayed, worshipped, and said some verses over it (i.e. Psalm 23).
Monday 8/7
In the morning we went to the Danube River to pick up garbage where the fishermen go. Our host loves to fish and he wanted to serve his fellow fishermen by doing this and create an opportunity to share the Gospel.
Later in the evening, we went to play volleyball. It is quite entertaining when we play because some of us are good, some of us are very bad (i.e. me). Also, our host is VERY competitive and it is hilarious playing any sports with him or on the opposing team. We got to meet a group of people who play volleyball every night in that area.
Tuesday 8/8
We went to a center for kids with behavioral problems. For one hour we did self portraits and then the next hour we play futball (soccer). We had two young boys, but we still had a lot of fun.
That evening we walked to a gypsy community and just got to play with the kids. Our host played some Bulgarian songs, we sang the Shark song and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” a couple times, played Four Corners and Sharks and Minnows, spun kids around, arm wrestled, and more.
Wednesday 8/9
In the morning we went to an orphanage. We simply played with 10 kiddos who were around 3-5 years old. We sang some songs with them too. They broke my heart though. They were so precious and I have such a hard time understanding how a precious child could not have a family. But it seemed like that orphanage in particular was a good one, but I know not all orphanages in Bulgaria (let alone Eastern Europe) take their of the children. That evening we got to play volleyball again. This time with the group–they were REALLY good. We had so many people I also stepped out so not to be in the way and instead played a little basketball/football with one of our hosts.
Thursday 8/10
In the morning we went to the behavioral center again. This time we did crafts with shells and then played football again.
Friday 8/11
In the afternoon we went to an elderly person’s home. It seemed to be more like an assisted living and they seemed to be pretty well taken care of, which was neat to see. Our host sang some songs and then we did. Becca shared a testimony and Paige a word. What is really neat about our host is he is not afraid to share truth with people if it makes them think and brings them to Jesus. He said eternity is coming quickly and they needed to make a decision. After that, we got to just pray for them individually about whatever, kissed their hands, etc.
This is just a snapshot. We have gotten to do so much cool things!
