What did God teach me?
God taught me several lessons this month: how joy can permeate a community of believers, exceeding expectations in generosity, and the fact that I actually can teach well.
Much of the time we spent in Mikrevo, we did not have a translator. As a result, we communicated as best as we could. In process, my teammates and I shared so much joy with our neighbors. We danced with the children, shared meals, played soccer, sang songs, and more. Throughout my experiences this month, I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much. The joy of the Lord was among our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As we laughed and learned with our gypsy neighbors, we experienced an outpouring of hospitality. My team constantly moved from place to place, we slept in many different homes and on many different beds. Our hosts sacrificed a lot to provide us with comfort. In addition to beds and food, they also blessed us with cake, make-overs, clothes, and cameras. (I’m not kidding about the last one.) Through their example, I learned about how to truly be generous. I also learned that it can be difficult to accept generosity, but I need to humble my pride and be thankful for what others are willing to do for me.
Finally, I learned that I can teach. I have had many experiences teaching – bible lessons for children, history lessons for college kids, geography to kids in India, and several others. I never really enjoyed teaching, nor did I think I was very gifted in that way. In Guatemala, Kellie Surratt told me that I would be teaching our weekly team Bible study. I was not very happy with this idea, but I was willing to do my best. I have been willing to let God work in my life in this area. This past month, I have really grown in how I prepare for our team Bible studies and grown in my confidence in speaking the Word of God. For our first children’s program in Mikrevo, I was asked to teach the lesson. I agreed to it, not super thrilled about it. With the help of my Asian counterpart, I prepared the story of Daniel. That evening, speaking with a translator, 30 or so people (adults and children), listened intently to the story of God rescuing Daniel. I am always intimidated by public speaking, but God blessed the lesson. I have no idea how it happened, but I had a rapt audience throughout the entire story. The experience gave me confidence that God has blessed me with the ability to teach.
Who will I remember?
Mladen – Mladen was our contact this month. He has a huge heart and enormous passion for God’s Church. He wants to see a new generation of believers raised up as leaders. He pours his energy and heart into his work for the Lord. Our team has laughed, prayed, and debated together with him. I love his passion and drive to see great things happen in Bulgaria. I will always remember his hysterical laughter when we “were killing the fish.”
Ivan – Pastor Ivan is the leader of at least three different churches. His home is in Mikrevo with his wife and two children. He graciously welcomed us to Mikrevo and took exceptionally good care of us. He taught us Bulgarian and provided us all the opportunities we could desire of playing with children, singing, praying, or ministering to his little flock.
Ragustina – This little girl is very dear to my heart. She is the daughter of Pastor Ivan and his wife Nora. We laughed and played together all month. I tickled her and she tried to do the same to me. She follows her parents’ examples of participation in church and wholeheartedly worshiping God. I will truly miss this precious little girl.
Rumen – This month I played a lot of soccer in front of our little bible school/church home. While the other girls on my team played with the little ones and the girls, I played with the boys. I taught them basketball, volleyball, and more. Rumen was one of the kids who waited outside outside our little home everyday, hoping that we would come down and play with them. Rumen always had his soccer ball with him and was always ready for a game. I hope that through my interaction with him this month, he will continue in the church. Hopefully, Mladen and Ivan will be able to invest in him and point him towards the new life that Christ offers.
What is my prayer?
I pray within the gypsy community, there will be a revival. A wise spiritual mentor once told me that without repentance, there can be no revival. So I pray that there will be repentance and revival in the gypsy community. I want to see God work in the lives of the young people so that they will grow up to serve him. They can change their community with a change that will only come from the Holy Spirit. I pray that God will raise up a generation of leaders that will break the chains holding the young people in their community.
