Greetings all!
It's been some time since I posted to this blog, but don't think there hasn't been development and progress toward our goal of working in the mission field in Sofia, Bulgaria! We had a simply amazing trip to Sofia in June/July, capped off by three days in England with some of our dear friends, Brent and Miranda Poff. We returned to the US reinvigorated for the Work, wishing we could stay and continue on the ground.
But things still have to be done here. We continue to look for congregations to support us, but this is proving to be nearly impossible in this economic climate. Indeed, even pleas to those we know for the immediate goal of bringing Vania to Nashville for a month have largely not proved fruitful. We will continue to work, trusting that the Father will provide in His time.
We were very blessed to find a lady here in Nashville from Shumen, Bulgaria. She has agreed to give us weekly language lessons, which we began several weeks ago. We are meeting on Wednesday nights at the West End Church of Christ, which has graciously agreed to lend us a room. I already feel smarter!
On Wednesday this week, I will be flying to Dallas to participate in a Cross-Cultural Discipleship Conference hosted by Missions Resource Network. I am thankful for my friend and Chi Sigma Alpha brother Richard Ashlock and his wife Joanna for hosting me, and I'm very excited that a former student Brandon Kaag, who is now a youth minister in the area, will also be attending. I can't wait to spend time learning about ways to be more effective in sharing the gospel, and encouraging others in their walk with God!
We have plans also to be at the West Ark Church of Christ in Fort Smith, AR on Oct. 21st. I have been invited to share with that church some of my experiences with the work in Sofia, and how West Ark has been an important facet of the developments in the Vazrazhdane congregation. I can't wait to reconnect with our brothers and sisters who share our love for Bulgaria and her people!
We need your prayers. We are thoroughly and faithfully convinced that no amount of effort on our part will bring us to Sofia, or accomplish for the Kingdom what needs to be done. Only the blessing of God will equip and enable us to be his instruments, and we ask that you spend time before the throne asking for his active work in our lives.
May our loving Father bless us all richly as we serve Him!
