O goodness. It’s been awhile. So what’s been happening, you ask?
Team changes
Culture changes
Continent changes
A lot of changes and a lot to process. So let’s start with team changes. Sadly, I am Courageous Love is no longer together, but I get the privilege of being on a team with 5 lovely ladies. We call ourselves S.Ho.W. (Strength, Honor, & Wisdom)- as we’re some of the um, more mature (in years- read: older) ladies on the squad. It’s so strange going from a co-ed team to an all girls team. I’m used to having brothers. I’m still getting used to sisters.
These ladies are wonderful and I couldn’t be more blessed. Some days, I still struggle with leaving my old team behind and loving on my new team. I know it’s not right, but I feel like I’m not being loyal to Courageous Love if I move on with my new team. Some days, I don’t want to learn to love new people only to lose them like my last team.
But I know God has a plan and a purpose for our team. And so each day, I have a choice to make: love my new team or miss out on what God wants to do in & through us.
It’s harder to sulk when you know you have a choice to obey or disobey God, but sometimes it still takes a lot of prayer for strength & determination to get to the right decision. Good thing God loves to give strength and love and patience.
So culture changes- yea. Um, I still may be thinking in Spanish. And answering people in Spanish. Gosh, I miss Spanish! Can I tell you something about the Bulgarian language?
It’s stinkin hard.
Not only are there different words for our words, as you would expect with a different language, there are different letter sounds. Like a lower case m makes the sound of a t. And an upside down looking v is an L. And a B sounds like a V. And there’s zeds. Y’all, I can’t even…
But can I tell you about Bulgarian people? They’re amazing. We had the pleasure of going to 2 church services on Sunday and I have never felt so welcomed or loved (and like a celebrity). The worship leader saw us and intentionally started singing some of the songs in English so we could join in (Let it Rain, etc). Such warm smiles. Such warm hearts. And such hospitality- tea all around!
Halfway through our 80.5 hours of travel to Bulgaria, I was sure I was going to hate Europe and especially Bulgaria. I was cold, tired, hungry, annoyed with the techno music on the bus, tired, cold, tired, and cold. I was sure the 2 months in Europe were going to be awful- something to be survived, not lived. Then I met our hosts, John & Jane, and the people at the church. My mind and heart were forever changed. Bulgaria is beautiful and God is doing some awesome stuff here. If you ever get a chance to come to Bulgaria- jump on it.
So yes, change is hard. Really hard. But really worth it. Jesus, help me remember that over the next 7 1/2 months (and the rest of my life)!
“Malaria is kind of like a unicorn. You don’t really know what to do with it, but it’ll be ok.”- Kelly Griffin (Sage advice from a new team mate.)
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Fundraising update: I am over 70% funded (Praise Jesus!) and only need about $4300 to be fully funded. Please consider financially supporting me in God’s work. And as always, prayers are needed just as much as financial support! Thank you guys for all you do!
