Total Travel Time to Bulgaria (from Albania): 12 hours, 36 minutes
Language: Bulgarian
Currency: Lev ($1= 1.48 lev)
Time Difference: 8 hours faster than CST
1. For the first time ever, I had wine during communion.
2. In order to get back to our house after leaving, we had to walk up a hill mountain that took 15-20 minutes. It eventually got easier.
3. Throughout random parts of Bankia (where our house was), there were fresh water fountains that dispensed water continuously. There was an immense fresh water spring underground that gave the people the ability to obtain free water 24/7.
4. Corn and bologna are normal accessories for a pizza.
5. Sometimes our public bus would come to a random stop and people in vests/uniforms would load to check our tickets. If you didn’t have a ticket, you were fined.
6. It wasn’t uncommon to meet a couple that could not keep their hands off of each other. There were times when they would be so physical I would blush.
7. In order to get to our ministry sites, we either had to take a 30-40 minute bus ride, or we had to take a 30-40 bus ride AND a 30 minute metro ride. Then, repeat to get home.
8. We were referred to as “angels” on several occasions. Our ministry contacts were amazing. They loved on us, cared for us, and treated us. We did not deserve the attention they gave us.
9. We were responsible for our own meals in Bulgaria, unlike Albania. So, my team and I made meals several times a week. We finally were able to make American food: pesto chicken, baked penne, hummus crusted chicken, and grilled cheese.
10. When we walked to our bus stop, we were usually greeted with a couple of street dogs. It started with one dog, Benji (named by Team Radical Obedience), then it quickly turned into two, sometimes three. They would walk us to the bus stop, wait with us, and most of the time they greeted us once we got off the bus to walk back to our house. It was lovely.
11. My word for this month was trust. I’ve learned that I don’t trust God as easily as I thought I did. Sure it’s easy to trust God when things are good- when your team gets along and you feel unified, when nothing bad is going back home, when you love your ministry contact. But, why is it so hard to trust Him when things go wrong? We start to become anxious and dependent on our own might, knowing that god can do exceedingly and abundantly all that we ask. I don’t know why I don’t trust Him during hard times. It would make my life so much easier. I’m thankful that He was able to reveal that to me, so now I’m walking in that: TRUST.
