March 27, 2008 – The Renewal Christian Centre in the UK has been working in Bulgaria (BG) for a number of years and because of that has begun developing some good relationships with several of the churches and Pastors. As the FM Missions Rep here we have also begun being the eyes and ears of Renewal in BG. It is has been a great time of getting to know both the English and the Bulgarians.
This weekend I (Al) will be traveling with 5 other Bulgarians to the Renewal for a leadership conference and then a meeting about how to deepen the relationship that already exsists and the establishment of a training program to equip pastors to lead their churches.
I have been working over the past few months at getting documents ready and getting things translated back and forth so that all sides have the same information in their language. It has been a lot of work but it has been good.
This next week we are going to begin discussions of what to do next? What steps will we take to move the relationships between Renewal and the UK Annual Conference and the group of churches in Bulgaria to the next level of connection and accountability.
So this week pray for
1) safety in travel as we fly to the UK and back
2) God’s spirit and wisdom to rest on all who are part of the discussion that we might know what God wants us to do next
3) the leaders of both sides, that they will get to know the others better and that a true understanding of partnership can be learned by all.
It is a great time to be serving God here – we might be on the edge of some amazing things happening. Your prayer are important as we discuss this and as the Brits say – “sort this all out”.
Thanks again for praying and partnering with us as we serve God here in Europe.
March 20, 2008 – For most of you reading this it is Easter Weekend. We pray and hope that you are able to understand and be reminded again of what Jesus did for us when he died on the Cross.
For us in Bulgaria we do not celebrate Easter until next month. With Bulgaria being an orthodox country by decree, it follows the orthodox Calendar. Which has Easter at a different time of the spring most years. I went on line and tried to figure out why and did not understand why (here is a link to the simplest explanation I found http://www.smart.net/~mmontes/ortheast.html).
next month we are looking forward to watching and learning how they celebrate Easter here and we will write about it then.
Some whom we have talked to have asked us are you going to still celebrate Easter this weekend? To which I said well we will be celebrating with our family and friends back home as we can but it will not be the focus here. I was suppose to help do the first service in a new church in the out in country but they have postponed that because the weather isn’t suppose to be very good! So we will have a quiet day listening to an Easter Service on the Internet and worshiping with each other.
We are here because of what Christ did – we live and are getting to know the Bulgarian and Balkan people because of what Christ did. We will reach out and love them and share God’s message as Chirst did. We are not here to impose a new schedule or calendar but help then meet and understand the real Jesus of EASTER - whenever they choose to celebrate it. For I am pretty sure God is more interested in the motive of what we do than the date we do it on!
This week continue to pray for:
Our Bible Study – that it will continue to grow both in numbers and in depth of understanding
Our Language Studies – that we will remember what we are learning
The Contacts that we are meeting and working with – all over Bulgaria that they will grow to bear fruit for the kingdom!
March 13, 2008 – the last two weeks we have had visitors at our bible Study/Church. Let me tell you about it –
Last week an aunt of one of our attenders came with him this past week to the Bible Study in our home. We shared the word and in it shared what it means to be a Christ Follower. During the prayer time she prayed and asked Jesus to come into her heart. So WE REJOICE! and Now will follow-up with he! Pray for this
New Believer – I didn’t even know about it until the next day as she prayed in Bulgarian and the prayers aren’t translated. Our teacher/translator told us during class the next day. She is from out of town so she has returned to her home – but we know a Pastor there that we are getting her connected to!
This week another of our attenders brought a niece and nephew (in college and High School) to the study. After it was done I asked how they liked it and if they had any questions. They said it was all new and that they had never heard any of this before. They hung around and talked a bit more. Pray that they will return. I gave my card to the young man who is still in High School and said we would be glad to come to the English class if they wanted to let the English teacher know. Pray that we might also do this to build more contacts.
These are exciting times as we live and work among the people here in Petrich. There is a hunger and desire to know more. Pray that we will know what to say when!
Also, as you enter Holy week – with Palm Sunday this week we want to pray that the Christ who died for you will make himself even more real to you as you serve Him!
March 6, 2008 – I am writing to let you our prayer partners in on an idea that has grown into a project that will change the lives on many teens. It is called “Love Bulgaria” a youth evangelism training conference. Here are the details.
The People:
Since arriving here, in Bulgaria, I have notice almost no focus on the young people in the churches. I have noticed many teens and seen the hopelessness in their eyes. I have also watched as the West is influencing them and their behavior. They believe that American teens are like what they see on MTV and other pop culture shows (They do get American Cable TV). They need to see a different way of life.
The Plan:
I have also connected with an organization called Missions Possible Bulgaria. This group is trying to help reach the young people of Bulgaria as well.
So this summer (2008 and hopefully every year after that for a while) we are wanting to hold a Youth Conference – called “Love Bulgaria” to train the Bulgarian Youth to share their faith. It will be a combined event using the American Teens (This year the Spring Arbor Youth Group – Maybe next year your group) and other trainers to make this happen. It is designed so that Bulgarian Teens will partner and get to know Solid Christian teen and to getter they will learn to share their faith and do evangelism.
We want the Bulgarian teens to really get to know - On fire – sold out American teens for Christ and realize there is hope – there is more to a good life than what they are seeing on MTV!
The Problem:
So what can you do – well one of the problems is that the average income in Bulgaria is still only about $4,000.00 a year and so most families would never be able to afford to send their teen to an event like this. They will have to pay something but it will not cover the whole amount. So I am looking for funds to help scholarship Bulgarian Students to this. (Now they will be solid kids and approved by their church so we are investing in the hope of the future in Bulgaria). All told we are wanting to raise at least $8,000 (by early June) to help send Bulgarian teens. I have challenged youth groups to do this and some are but we are also looking for support from other sources as well. I have broken the amount down and we are looking for 100 sponsors at $80 each.
The Possibilities:
So maybe your family or a small group or your Youth Group at church could take on 2-3 students – through special offerings or by a special fundraiser or maybe by doing a tithe on the fundraisers they are doing.
If interested please let me know and I will phone to talk more about it. (I have an internet phone that I can call the states for free) I think we might be able to create some creative ways to help your group get excited about missions and what God is doing. And if the project goes well we want to do it again and will be looking for other youth groups over the coming year to come and help with this conference.
Here is a Video we created for the youth groups to help them better understand the need.
Youth Evangelism Training Conference
July 18-20, 2008 – Sofia Bulgaria
Love Bulgaria!
Learning to Care, Learning to Share with all the HOPE in you!
1 Peter 3:15 - But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
Thanks for you time and consideration of this project!
This week Pray for
1) all the details to come together (locations, transportation and trainers)
2) the right Bulgarian Students to be chosen to come
3) the funds raised to make this happen
Here is a Link to give directly to this account of line:
This weekend I (Al) will be traveling with 5 other Bulgarians to the Renewal for a leadership conference and then a meeting about how to deepen the relationship that already exsists and the establishment of a training program to equip pastors to lead their churches.
