Success!!!

We had our very first English Forum on Monday of this week. Six girls showed up. Good thing because our topic was "Love and Romance". We had three texts to read and analyze. The first one was the lyrics to Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies", an article from Cosmo entitled "6 Benefits of Divorce", and a Buddhist poem called "On Marriage". Its been fun challenging the Christians with things they would not normally see and hear, and asking them listen wholeheartedly to things they do not agree with.

Everyone who came loved the time together talking and is excited to come back on Thursday! The next topic will be "Respect", all aspects of the word. I love not knowing what people will say and think. If you have any suggestions on topics or texts, please let me know! Another American came from the Peace Corp and her name is Jessica (far left). She holds a doctorate of clinical psychology and is working with Kremi (far right). She got in on Saturday and Kremi and I both feel that she is in Shumen for two years to come to know the Lord. What in insightful and interesting woman she is. I am so glad to be able to get to know her. The girl taking the picture is Bella, she is Katya's (fourth from the left) best friend and a beautiful girl with an incredible mind, and totally open. She is going with Katya to a Christian youth camp next week, we are hoping this is the time she comes to know the Lord! (By the way Bella, if you are reading this, we all hope you come to know the Lord. Just wanted to put that out there. You're great.)

This coming meeting, we will have three boys join us! Girls are great, but its nice to add a little testosterone into the mix. Keep praying for our little group and what happens to it after I leave...I have only two more weeks here!

New Territory

Family camp finished a few weeks ago with such a success! God brought together a team of five high school kid's helpers and the week went amazingly well. Count them, one, two, three rainy days and we never lacked for fun things to do! Praise Jesus. Bobby, Rali, and I have been getting great reports back about how families have been so encouraged by the time of rest and quality time.

Lately, I have been struggling with feeling useless in a foreign country where I need to be so busy doing things for the Lord. I haven't written in so long because I felt I haven't anything worthwhile to say. Talking with people and praying, the Lord revealed an idea for what I call and Open English Forum. We bring people together from different social circles, religions, even towns that are young adults, and who want to improve their English. English is key and the drawing factor. We will meet twice a week starting this Monday. The meetings will have different themes that are broad enough to have lots to discuss and enough common ground to not have a black and white answer on either side. The goal is for Christians and Non-Christians to learn how to listen to each other and eventually build a deeper relationship out of that group time.

Every Bulgarian I have talked to (Christian and Non-Christian) has been ECSTATIC about this idea. They are willing to bring friends and come twice a week. My prayer is that after I leave, God will raise up a leader or two to keep the meetings going and keep reaching people. But, I also feel very strongly that this is an area where a big spiritual attack could be coming. Please pray for our new group and what happens to it after I leave. Please pray for our time together, that it will be fruitful. Please, pray for my heart that it stays in Bulgaria and in the Holy Spirit for the next three weeks. I am beginning to miss home. This is such an important part of our ministry here. Please, please pray. I won't survive this alone...