I will come home to the Seattle area in a few days and although I miss being home, I will miss being here in Bulgaria as well. It has been an amazing summer full of hope and promise. I had a conversation with Nadia last night and am even more encouraged about her faith and the growth we are continuing to witness in her. Nadia is the girl from Roman,in whose flat we have been having the bible lessons. A week ago Viktor went back to her apartment and confronted the people who have been causing so many problems with calling the police and making Nadia feel so unwelcome. This time Vikor was armed with Bulgarian law. Although he never became angry, his attitude was firm and his argument sound. "How can a 22 year old orphan girl with virtually no life skills integrate into society without any help and with so much opposition from you?" he would ask. There was no response. They were informed that they were breaking Bulgarian law with their prejudices, and although one older woman was still quite belligerent,the rest were seemingly quite repentant and Nadia has been treated well from that point on. Praise the Lord!
I recently spend 9 days in Obzor with the children from both facilities from Roman and a small team from the Seattle area and from Vancouver, BC. We had a sweet time with the kids and the Lord's presence was evident throughout. Although we were met with a little resistance at the beginning of the daily bible lessons, the Lord blessed our time and children from other orphanages came to check us out and stayed for worship and lessons. Many thanks to Craig and Cathy Dulin, Vlady Mladenov, Alex Mladenova, Illyana Mladenova, Avia Mladenova, Joelle Burch, Brittney Derouin, Bre McDaniel, and Jon Boks for their contributions and efforts in the "VBS" Bulgarian style. It was a huge hit and the kids were blessed.
I had a great conversation with Ludmill Yatanski, the senior pastor at Blaga Vest, the Calvary affiliate in Sofia. We discussed mutual goals with the children from Roman and possible future alliances, with an emphasis on orphan outreach, which admittedly, they are very weak in at the moment. We also talked about CCE's mission trip to Bulgaria in the summer of 2011, and ways to best meet the needs of the children. I will be in touch with him throughout the year and I know that we can count on him for prayer and support! Please be praying for host families for the children involved in the Bulgaria Child Project.
I will travel to Roman on Monday for one last visit with the kids before returning home. Viktor will travel with me and for this I am thankful and blessed. We will spend the night in Roman and I will pass on your greetings to the children.
All for now from Sofia, Bulgaria. Thank you all for being so faithful with your prayers throughout the summer. See you soon! In His love and for His glory, Mark
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Greetings from Balchik
Balchik, Bulgaria is a picturesque town 40 minutes north of Varna. I am taking a few days of r&r before the team from Washington State and British Columbia arrive. I am looking forward to seeing the forthcoming smiles and embraces when we meet with the children at the seaside in Obzor on the 10th of August.
On a serious note, many of you are aware of the difficulties we have been experiencing with some of the tenants in the apartment complex where Nadia lives. People in Bulgaria are not tolerant of dark skinned gypsy population, but are even less tolerant of people who read and study the bible with out the aid of an Orthodox priest. That includes all evangelicals in Bulgaria. We are considered sects and are feared. Nadia's neighbors, whom I have met on 2 occasions, have collected signatures to have us stopped and to have Nadia evicted. I have contacted a civil rights attorney and he has assured me that no Bulgarian laws have been brooked and that Nadia should go to the authorities and lodge a complaint against these people who have been causing her so much grief. the landlord is sympathetic with our cause but is fearful of police retribution. This is a serious matter and is worthy of our prayers.
On a lighter note, 3 of the kids from Roman were given an abstract thinking test last weekend by Blaga Popova, a Bulgarian educator in charge of one of the Christian schools in Sofia. The test was comprised of 2 parts. The first, tested kids up to age 13. The second, people from age 13 to adult. All three, Mariella, Svetla, and Pati, scored extremely well on the first part, and Mariella and Svetla scored in the high average in the second part with Pati not far behind. The most important ingredient, motivation, was present in all three.
It has been suggested that the best way to educate these kids is to bring them into Sofia for the entire school year. This will take a lot of co-ordinating and host families willing to take on the burden, will need to be found. This is a worthy endeavor and will benefit all concerned. Please be praying for this.
Thank you all for coming alongside me in our efforts here. Our endeavors will have eternal benefits.
Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
All for now...In His grace and for His Glory, much love to you all, Mark
On a serious note, many of you are aware of the difficulties we have been experiencing with some of the tenants in the apartment complex where Nadia lives. People in Bulgaria are not tolerant of dark skinned gypsy population, but are even less tolerant of people who read and study the bible with out the aid of an Orthodox priest. That includes all evangelicals in Bulgaria. We are considered sects and are feared. Nadia's neighbors, whom I have met on 2 occasions, have collected signatures to have us stopped and to have Nadia evicted. I have contacted a civil rights attorney and he has assured me that no Bulgarian laws have been brooked and that Nadia should go to the authorities and lodge a complaint against these people who have been causing her so much grief. the landlord is sympathetic with our cause but is fearful of police retribution. This is a serious matter and is worthy of our prayers.
On a lighter note, 3 of the kids from Roman were given an abstract thinking test last weekend by Blaga Popova, a Bulgarian educator in charge of one of the Christian schools in Sofia. The test was comprised of 2 parts. The first, tested kids up to age 13. The second, people from age 13 to adult. All three, Mariella, Svetla, and Pati, scored extremely well on the first part, and Mariella and Svetla scored in the high average in the second part with Pati not far behind. The most important ingredient, motivation, was present in all three.
It has been suggested that the best way to educate these kids is to bring them into Sofia for the entire school year. This will take a lot of co-ordinating and host families willing to take on the burden, will need to be found. This is a worthy endeavor and will benefit all concerned. Please be praying for this.
Thank you all for coming alongside me in our efforts here. Our endeavors will have eternal benefits.
Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
All for now...In His grace and for His Glory, much love to you all, Mark
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