We went to Christo and Vania’s church today. It was bittersweet because we all knew it would be our last time to worship with our friends until be come back. Christo presided while Rick Odell preached the sermon via our translator, Reicho. Jake O’dell and Tanner Robbins led the English singing, Brian Robbins lead the communion prayer as did a Bulgarian brother. It was fascinating to see these two men communicate as they took turns discussing the meaning of the emblems. Much to my surprise, our Bulgarian brother did his part both in English AND Bulgarian. Brian is getting pretty good at Bulgarian and can navigate the entire city streets and metro, even with all the signs in the Cyrillic alphabet, but did not attempt to do his part in Bulgarian and English. It sounded great in English. Tyler Robbins led the prayer. I was such a great honor for our young people to be invited to participate in this service. They all did outstanding jobs and it was a joy to witness. Rick’s sermon spoke of the importance of the church family and the importance of hospitality and was well done. Shortly after Rick’s sermon started, we heard a little rustling in the back of the church. Five of the teens we had met in the park and invited to church had come in the door! It was amazing. We had also had another young man we met on the mountain attending as well. One of the church members brought her teen grandson for the first time too! God is so great!
After services we invited our friends to join us for a meal. Our friends from the park and the grandson all joined us. Not only did we visit through the traditional 2 hour Bulgarian meal but they returned with us to our hotel for fellowship and games. It was about 9:30 p. m. when Rick started our devotional out in the grassy area connected to the hotel. We invited the Bulgarian to join us. Only one sat down initially when the rest stood several yards away. As we sang, another joined the group sitting on the ground. Rick then begin to speak again about church family and home family. The Bulgarian group inched closer throughout the lesson as we went around our circle with each of our youth speaking on their feelings. Our devotional time ended with one of the Bulgarians, who had joined the circle earlier actually sharing as well!! By this time, the other Bulgarians had inched up to the circle and were crouched on their knees to hear what Daniel (Bulgarian) had to say. Our hearts are soaring! Our teens are amazed at how God brings people together to share his word. This has all been so incredible!!
My room is at the end of the small hall where the teens gather to play cards and visit at night. I prop my door open so they can come in and out and use my computer to get on Facebook to communicate with our new friends. I can hear them talking about their wonderment of what occurred today. My heart is singing.
In His Grace,
Cyndi
After services we invited our friends to join us for a meal. Our friends from the park and the grandson all joined us. Not only did we visit through the traditional 2 hour Bulgarian meal but they returned with us to our hotel for fellowship and games. It was about 9:30 p. m. when Rick started our devotional out in the grassy area connected to the hotel. We invited the Bulgarian to join us. Only one sat down initially when the rest stood several yards away. As we sang, another joined the group sitting on the ground. Rick then begin to speak again about church family and home family. The Bulgarian group inched closer throughout the lesson as we went around our circle with each of our youth speaking on their feelings. Our devotional time ended with one of the Bulgarians, who had joined the circle earlier actually sharing as well!! By this time, the other Bulgarians had inched up to the circle and were crouched on their knees to hear what Daniel (Bulgarian) had to say. Our hearts are soaring! Our teens are amazed at how God brings people together to share his word. This has all been so incredible!!
My room is at the end of the small hall where the teens gather to play cards and visit at night. I prop my door open so they can come in and out and use my computer to get on Facebook to communicate with our new friends. I can hear them talking about their wonderment of what occurred today. My heart is singing.
In His Grace,
Cyndi
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