Alive and Well

 

In the past two weeks…

 

I have eaten plums, figs, apples and walnuts right off the tree, grapes right off the vine, and carrots and peppers straight from the garden

 

I’ve played outside more with kids, more than what seems like I have since I’ve been a kid myself

 

I’ve pulled weeds till my fingers calloused

 

I’ve woken up earlier than I have most of college to go for runs

 

I’ve eaten and made almost every meal with others

 

I’ve learned to play some guitar

 

I’ve consumed more coffee than most should

 

I’ve laughed until I could hardly breath

 

I’ve laughed, loved, encouraged, 

eaten, worked and lived 

side by side with others without speaking the same language.

 

I’ve seen hurt

 

I’ve felt heartbreak

 

I’ve been lifted up and encouraged

 

and 

 

I’ve loved.

 

This is what life is about.

 

 

This is Bulgaria.

 

A country the size of Tennessee which recently got its independence in 1991 from a long history of communist rule.

 

 

The effects of communism are very evident in the people who live here. The abandoned and outdated buildings, the unjust welfare and social systems, and the harden hearts towards outsiders of most who live here. 

I’ve lived in Bulgaria going on my third week now and this new way of life has ultimately made me feel so alive and well.

Regardless of the past history for the citizens of Bulgaria, the streets are filled with bustling people, crowded cafes, cute old ladies pulling carts of tomatoes and onions, street dogs, and families walking their children to school. There is an upbeat kind of hope in their step and pride in who they are.

My team and I have been working with a very small church; 20 or so members in a town called Svishtov. The city is small but also has a university here. Everybody really knows everybody in Svishtov. Our living conditions have been every World Racers dream. We have  been living in what reminds me of a studio apartment, which is the church. We live on the main street of the city above a clothing store. We have a full size kitchen, a toilet, shower, and we have something to sleep on. The city is pretty safe, and I’ve had the blessing to run here. For me, this is a biggie. 

The ministry this month has looked like volunteering and doing yard work for a disability center, helping with English clubs, babysitting children from the church and making relationships- relationships with the church members as well as the people who live here and showing the love of Christ. 

Most people in Bulgaria have never seen the love of Christ; much stems from dating back to their communist history. Bulgaria is built on the Orthodox church but it’s strictly rituals and religion. People pay for prayers from priests and most have no idea that you can have free salvation through the Lord. People who read a Bible are seen as part of a cult and are ostracized. The love of Christ is not a common thing here. People are not nice to strangers. Generosity and kindness to people outside your family is unheard of. Most have harden hearts towards the thought of knowing who God is. I’m not the type of person to tell others their belief is wrong, but I am the type of person to love others regardless just like Jesus loves us. 

So if you ask me how I’m doing, I’d say alive and well. I’ve felt pretty alive this month continuously pouring out myself to others and sharing love and receiving it in the same way. If you asked me how Bulgaria is doing? I’d say they need some more of Christ’s love.  If you asked me how you can help? I’d say pray for the ministry teams here. Pray for the hearts to be open and pray for more lives to be changed by His love.