Dear Friends,

 

We, as disciples of Christ should not think of ourselves as church members who share common belief and a two hour slot for worship on a Sunday morning.  We should think of each other as friends.  Being friends is what we are to Jesus;  we should be friends to each other as well (John 15:14).  As John the apostle put it:  “Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.” (3 John 14)

 

In this issue:

• A Complete Visit with Friends, Family and Supporters in the US
• The Lord provides all funds for VBS
• VBS preparation going full force
• Visits of missionary friends from Wales and Seattle WA
• Future Plans and Prayer Requests

 

It was great to see many of you during our 2 month visit in the US.  Although our schedule was packed toward the end of our stay in California it was indeed a precious time of seeing friends sharing our vision and work and hearing back what the Lord is doing in the lives and churches of our friends.  We felt more connected with the churches and the people that support us and pray for us--we had stories to tell and pictures to show.  It was a time of good fellowship and basking in the generosity of so many of you.  Thanks!

 

We are now occupied with the last stages of the preparation of the Vacation Bible School in the homes in Belogradchik and Novo Selo.  The Lord provided the second half of the budget miraculously again—a couple supporting our work gave the other $1,000 we needed!  It was amazing to see how little we had to do—just pass the need out—pray a bit and the Lord moved in His church and through His saints!  He surely loves the orphans and this testimony of His financial provision is just one more occasion of what we have seen Him do throughout the years.

 

We have bought most of the supplies for the VBS now, had training prayer meetings with the staff and volunteers, delegated the responsibilities, visited the orphanages, put up the posters in the homes and are (almost) ready to go.  Teresa and feel that this year we have a smaller, sharper and more committed team, partly because we ourselves have placed more clear demands, we are more confident in terms of leadership and are building on the mistakes from last year.  The teams are built of 8-9 staff and volunteers.  There are people from Yavor’s church and from our house church in Sofia.  Please, pray that the ministry goes well and all opposition of the enemy and attempts to disrupt or intimidate our work will be halted.  We need our team to be vocal, responsible and well in touch with each other and the Lord.   

 

We felt the spiritual opposition through an incident two days ago—someone stole a full tank of gas from our car parked on the street!  Gas is more expensive here than in the US and this was quite and upsetting feeling for me.  We had never had such a problem before and I never locked my gas tank cap.  Now I know better.  Yet Teresa gave me a good and encouraging perspective—as we prayed she felt that we must understand that God is our source and as the enemy steals from us he is actually stealing from God.  And stealing from God is not a good idea nor is it possible to limit His resources by such an act.  I sense that this year we will have to press for a more clear message and a more clear commitment from kids to follow Jesus.  Please, pray that this takes place as the Holy Spirit moves during each week of the VBS’s.

 

We had visits from friends from overseas as well—some dear friends of ours the Chip and Madeline Thomas came and joined us for part of the preparation of the VBS and helped with the meetings with the workers in Vidin.  It was a time of fellowship in the Spirit and encouragement.

 

Liz Stuart from Llanelli, Wales was also visiting our church and some friends in Sofia during the second week of June.  We made arrangements for me and another member of our church to visit Liz and Stuart’s church, Antioch, in Llaneli in mid July.  We will be a part of a prophetic conference with an experienced minister.  I am looking forward to getting to know the church in Wales better and establishing a deeper friendship and relationships as the Lord leads that He may use in Bulgaria and in Europe.  Please, pray that our trip will be fruitful in God’s standards and ways and that a new excitement for serving the Lord will result for both the Welsh and Bulgarian saints from this visit.

 

The House Prayer Request

 

We have a sister from our church living with us now.  She had a very difficult housing situation before and we also felt that having her live with our family would help us encourage and disciple her in the Lord.  So far we have seen the fruit of this move—she is much freer to express herself and has more joy of life and hope for the future.  However, our current apartment that we rent is getting too tight.  We love to host guests and We had started praying for a new housing situation as we planned hosting this lady several months ago. 

 

A week ago we looked at an unfinished house, an 18 year old construction site, in the outskirts of Sofia.  However, the owners ask for a price that we feel is too high and we cannot afford.  The market here sports inflated and unreasonable prices most of the time. I countered their offer, motivating it strongly why I felt the price should be two times lower and although they were visibly not happy about my offer I suggested that they think it over.  This is a new endeavor for us.  Teresa and I feel that this construction site could turn into a house that  can be a great place not only for our family but for church meetings, hosting visitors, have live-in guests, and/or accommodate 1 or 2 orphans who are at the point of leaving the institutions they now live in.

 

There is just one other catch besides the double price they ask for the property.  We don’t have the money.  Even if the sellers agree on our price we would have to come up with the amount.  The Lord will have to move and provide and/or give us wisdom how to come up with the finances for the house.  Our request is that you pray that we have God’s wisdom and yet act in faith.  We are not tied by any obligation now and the sellers indicated that even after they consider my written proposal they would not agree to it.  However, we trust that the Lord wants us to move forward and this has to be in faith—thus chances are that we may face the need to go ahead with the deal and pay the money.

 

Thank you again for all your support, friendship and prayers.  It is exciting to walk with the Lord and work for Him.  Yet it is even more exciting to share your burden and work with the saints of God who pray, support and bless the work for His Kingdom.  Thanks from all of us and God bless!