In my whole time living in Bulgaria, the constant theme has been, “Bulgaria is in need of hope.” And so…
We’ve been praying for hope.
We’ve been seeking hope.
We’ve been offering hope.
And then, something amazing happened.
We saw hope.
My team and I were asked to join an English class at a local Sports school. This particular English class had 6th, 7th and 8th grader Bulgarians. This school has a sport focus, where students break out from academics twice a day to train in their sport.
As we entered the English class, we were sat at the front, where we were asked many different questions by the students.
The idea was that the students could practice their english while learning about our culture and life. I enjoyed the questions they asked, simple things like our names ages and where we lived.
Like a perfect opportunity, one boy asked, “who is your favorite god?”
The teacher hesitated, glancing over at the principal as she explained that we don’t usually talk about this in school, but she’d allow us to answer.
We were then able to explain that the whole reason we were here was because of Jesus.
It was in this classroom that God showed me that the hope we had been praying for was right there in front of us. In the eager hands that were shooting up to ask questions.
These kids weren’t hanging their heads low in hopelessness. These kids were winning medals in their sports. These kids were speaking english way better than I could speak Bulgarian. These kids were bright. These kids were the next generation of Bulgaria.
I think a lot of people have given up on Bulgaria.
I think, in some ways, Bulgaria has given up on Bulgaria.
But you know what?
God hasn’t given up on Bulgaria.
He has a plan for this nation and its a good plan.
Within the church we have been partnering with, there’s this elderly couple named Tonka and Peta.
(Tonka in the middle, Peta on the right)
This is one of the sweetest couples I have ever met in my whole life. They speak absolutely no English and refuse to believe that we don’t understand Bulgarian. Tonka is very good at repeating herself again and again, hoping that at some moment we’ll finally catch what she is saying.
These two own a farm on the upper end of the village we stayed in, Kalipetrovo. They grow apples, grapes, squash, tomatoes, peas, pumpkin, peppers, onions, potatoes, etc. For them, farming isn’t a hobby, its a livelihood.
As you can imagine, their farm is huge! Together, they farm it all, by hand, on their own. Nothing stops this couple from working hard, not even being in the hospital(which did happen to one of them, at which point, they got out of the hospital and got back to work.)
Back home, we get mad at my grandma for pulling her weeds and yet these two are handling a whole farm on their own. It’s incredible.
Tonka and Peta, although they might not see it, are people of hope. They persevere even when the odds are against them. They make a difference even when everyone says their too old. They bless and keep blessing even when everyone else says no. (Just try and refuse food or drink when you come to their home, its basically impossible. We tried. Tonka is a determined woman.)
Lastly, I’d like to introduce you to one more person.
One day, after getting on the local bus(which is a pretty small vehicle) we took up much space and the everyday travelers were in quite a stir. We received lots of looks and curious glances. A few people tried to talk to us, but we couldn’t speak Bulgarian and they couldn’t speak English, so after a while both parties gave up until…
This one particular man got on the bus. He had tattoo sleeves down his arm and was wearing a pretty nice backpack. After a while of Bulgarians chattering at the front of the bus, this man turned around and translated for us. “Where is your stop?” He asked.
So thankful for someone who spoke English, we told him and he translated to the bus driver and whole party of curious commuters.
As our stop arrived, we said good-bye and thank you and went about our day.
Later, as we waited at the bus stop to go home, we noticed a familiar face. It was the translator from the bus. As we got to talking with him, we learned that his name was Milen and he was a local tattoo artist. His shop was literally right behind the church we were partnering with. We talked with him as we got on the bus together and then all the way until it was time for him to get out at his stop. Afterward, my team and I talked about how cool it was that we saw this guy twice in one day.
And then, the next day, who should we come across again?
Milen.
We repeatedly kept running into this guy and eventually…we became friends.
(From left to right: Zack, Marius, Shea, Milen, Andy, Lisa, Me, Jake)
Milen has become one of these people that we enjoy being around. There have been various times that we just pop into his shop to say hello.
One of those times, he pierced my nose….
(I may have been a little excited about this nose piercing!)
We’ve been praying for Bulgaria, that God would bring hope. We’ve been asking that the people would be restored and made new in Jesus. I think God’s been showing us that He’s not only answering our prayers, but He’s already been raising up hope-bringers.
The children of the sports school bring hope by embracing life and understanding that they have something unique and beautiful to bring to their country.
Tonka and Peta bring hope to their community by being consistent and committed.
Milen brings hope by using the gifts God has given him and blessing his community.
God is at work in Bulgaria.
Would you continue to pray for Bulgaria? Would you pray that first and foremost, that the people of Bulgaria would experience the love of God and the life and salvation that Jesus offers?
Would you pray for the sports school and that the kids would continue learning and growing to impact the nation they live in?
Would you pray that Milen tastes and sees that the LORD is good?
Thank you so much for all your support and prayers!
