We made it to Dupnitsa Bulgaria! We had a 13 hour travel day on Sunday to get to Sofia (the capital) where we had leadership development weekend. Sofia is a beautiful city with a grand architectural history. The buildings were definitely picture worthy and the people constantly assumed we were Bulgarian. I didn’t think I was much of a city girl, but I highly enjoyed this place. Of course it could have just been the company I had with me.
We stayed in the Nightingale Hostel and I have to admit it was a pretty rad joint. A little rough around the edges and filled with strange quotes and wall art, but it was enjoyable. The staff were pretty laid back. The kind of people that sit on the couch just listening to old rock music. We got to share the Gospel with one couple who worked there and that was a lot of fun. One of my favorite memories honestly. They had so much curiosity, it was beautiful to see someone so open minded. They could have walked away at any point, but chose to ask questions and listen.
On check out day, as we were headed out to get some coffee when the owner comes walking up the stairs with a gigantic veal breakfast pizza and these cream cheese filled pastries. A traditional Bulgarian Breakfast just for us! It was all super delicious and such a fabulous gesture. Sadly, most of the squad had already left earlier that morning, but lucky for us, most of the squad left earlier so we got to eat as much as we wanted.
BUT that wasn’t my favorite part of the trip. Let me back track a little bit.
So what do you think about when you hear someone say do a good deed? Or show kindness to others? One thing I usually think about is walking an old lady across the street.
After talking to the couple about hearing God’s voice and what not, a bunch of us were hungry and ready to eat. We headed on our way to find food with no particular direction or restaurant in mind and there in the crowed I see this little old woman about to take these two large bags up this giant staircase. And when I say little old woman I mean she was probably not even 4ft tall and hunched, walking with a cane at about .5 miles an hour. With our missionary minds we stopped to help her up the steps and carry her bags. (I almost didn’t say anything because I didn’t want there to be miscommunication that we were trying to mug her or something, but luckily someone else had the same thought and was glad I spoke up) One girl took her hand and the others took her bags. When we got up the step she continued to hold my friends hand and pointed in the direction she needed to go. From then on we knew we couldn’t just help her up the steps we had to bring her to her destination and that included walking her across several streets. I loved how I could look around at all of our faces and see that everyone was happy to do this.
I wished I knew her language and could speak to her. Then God have me an idea. So many people around the world know the song, Amazing Grace, and you can sing it. HAHA. I wasn’t about to sing. So I started humming the tune. Probably too quiet for the woman to hear, but some of my squadmates heard it and started singing. It was real interesting singing this song while walking along the sidewalks at the speed that you walk a bride down the isle. It was awkwardly beautiful. After a while everyone stopped singing and the woman turns around and says something to our lead singer (Liz) in Bulgarian, of course, and we assume it was about the singing so Liz asks if she wants us to keep singing and starts again, the woman says, “Da” with a smile on her face. God’s bringing the joy. We just so happen to be the way He brought it. When we got to her destination we had someone translate and she told us thank you for walking and singing as well and gave us all a sweet little handshake.
I wasn’t the one who got to hold her hand or bags (she was real particular about that), but I was thankful to be a part of that story and glad I didn’t allow fear or my own wants to get in the way. That’s something I need to work on.
How you can pray:
-A guy named Steve to hear God’s voice and know how to answer
-A woman named Stan to seek God’s face and know that He is pursuing her
-The little old lady to find more people to help her out
-Our ministry this month. (Teaching English, sanding walls, painting murals, giving testimonies, and teaching woman and children ministries)
-My teams health as well as my own. (My throat is sore and nose is stuffy. I think it has something to do with the weather here because it is so cold.)
-To be fully funded before November
