Numbering the Days ~ 1 March

 

 

Changing Seasons Happy October! I recently stood looking out over a sea of bright autumn colors in a favorite spot here in Bulgaria. Standing silently, surreally, in awe of the bright, colorful beauty, I couldn't help but echo Lucy Maud Montgomery's quote, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!" Her words ring truer every year. Depending on where you are in the world, I know the October "flavor" varies a bit. For my North Carolinian friends and family, my memory - and a glance at the week's forecast - reminds me that summer temperatures fight hard against the cooler days arriving. For my friends in Ukraine, I'm starting to wonder how many more weeks until the first snow will make its appearance. But here in Bulgaria, the temperature wanes refreshingly cool, the bright tree leaves sing the song of changing seasons, and I am reminded of the seasons that have changed and are changing.    Nearly three seasons have elapsed since my last update back in March. There I told the tales of my discipleship training school with YWAM in Ukraine and Turkey. And since that time three physical and symbolic seasons have come. Spring held the season of returning home from DTS. It quickly filled with family catch-up time and a transfer to Bethany Global University to pursue a degree in Intercultural Studies and Bible/Theology. Between getting lost in studying, a part time job and family time, the spring days passed quickly and happily. The second season, summer, came with an unexpected and exciting opportunity to spend 6 weeks in California with YWAM's School of Intercessory Prayer (or SOIP). This opportunity felt like a catalyst, preparing me to launch from one season to the next as I learned how to organize and facilitate intercession times and continue growing at a heart level. I grew in my authority and confidence as a believer, experienced more of the heart of the Father, and practiced walking more in-step with the Holy Spirit. Beyond that, the YWAM Yosemite community is made up of truly phenomenal people, and it was a privilege to enjoy life around them for the summer. Shout out to the YWAM Yosemite faves!     Finally, the closing weeks of summer arrived and the moment I had been looking forward to since winter 2020 came. After 581 days away (and yes, they were counted), I returned to the "dream land" - Bulgaria. After being away for a year and a half, I wondered how I would experience the return back. However, from the moment I arrived, it was as though I had never left. I was back in the country I loved as though I had never been gone. And these days have been sweet. One of my best friends from the YWAM school in the Netherlands, Marielle, flew in to join me, bringing her fun and adventurous personality, along with the answer to prayer to have someone to work closely alongside of. Mini DTS Marielle and I were on staff with YWAM Bulgaria working with a small team to re-pioneer Discipleship Training Schools in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, the 6 month school was postponed due to COVID, but a week long Mini DTS course was still held. This week was a total treasure, as young believers from Bulgaria gathered to worship, intercede, enjoy fellowship together and have lectures from amazing YWAM speakers about the Father Heart of God and Living as a Missionary Interculturally. I was impressed more than I can say with these young believers. The leadership, talent, and gifts overflowing out of each one of them inspired and challenged me as I sought to challenge and inspire them.  Other Highlights  In the weeks and months following mini DTS, there have been many happy reunions, a national church conference, travel to various Bulgarian cities, and, finally, a sense of routine and rhythm as the school year began and English classes, Bible studies, Alpha course and a teen group began with the church in Svishtov.  Along with life in Svishtov, we've loved the chance to spend about half of recent weeks in Shumen, a town about 3 hours away from Svishtov, with Debbie and Brenton Driscoll. All in all, these Bulgarian days are full and treasured. Without being able to get a visa (thanks again, covid), my days here are slowly coming to a close. Next month I'll be flying back to the American world to jump back in studying and be "home for the holidays" for the first time in a while. Seasons change, but there's great beauty in each of them. Happy Autumn, all - enjoy the season!

Still in His Hands

One of the vital aspects of mission work, ministry - and life in general - is planning. We consider the vision God has given and how to work with Him toward it. Somewhere along the way, however, we learn that, despite our best planning, we are not the ones who decide the future.

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps" Proverbs 16:9, NLT

project planning, presentations, and other lectures 

Last Friday (still at the Children at Risk School at the YWAM base in the Netherlands), we concluded a week of lectures on methods of effective project planning and began making plans for our outreach in South Africa. The following Monday, the YWAM base had to make the difficult decision to cancel the rest of the school, including the outreach, and send the students home as the ripple effects of the Coronavirus became increasingly unstable and widespread. In a whirlwind, I found myself packing my bags, hugging my fellow students goodbye, and flying back to the country I hadn't expected to return to before the end of the year at the earliest. 

many send offs; packed bags lining the hallway ; and a classroom empty too early

We all have our stories, and increasingly more and more of them, of how our daily lives and the world around us feels like it's been lifted off its axis, suspending us and our lives in the mid-air of uncertainty.

But my friends, let's remind ourselves that our stability is not in our certainty! When we had lectures on the very difficult topic of human trafficking, our lecturer, despite the huge amount of information to cover, refused to even begin to enter into it before she had thoroughly convinced us of the importance of the believing that no matter what hard realities we face, what horrific circumstances we encounter, what injustices we are forced to look at, God is still good and we can still trust Him!

many wonderful memories together, both in and out of the classroom

Listen to the words of Psalm 4:6-8 in the light of our current situation:

Many are saying,

"Who can show us anything good?" (what good can come out of Corona?)

Look on us with favor, Lord.

You have put more joy in my heart

Than they have when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,

For You, alone, Lord, make me live in safety.

Just like the rest of the world, I don't know what the coming weeks and months will hold, but I so firmly believe that God has extended an invitation to know Him in a whole new way. To watch Him show up in a new way in our lives, to show how He is the richest certainty and stability, that He is still good, that we can still trust Him, that He can bring beauty from ashes and give us a song to sing even in the darkness.

the picture to the far right is a traditional Indonesian meal we ate together on the floor with our hands. It was awesome!

Since arriving back in the States, I'm at home in quarantine for two weeks. During this, I want to really seek God for what He might want to do with my time here, however long or short that will be. I also want to spend time praying for you, and would be very happy if you want to send me specific prayer needs (I'm serious, I want to pray for you! 🙂).

Be blessed, my friends! Our God stands so much stronger than the effects of Corona ever could!

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ John 1:5

Hello from Holland!🇳🇱

The Catch Up

2019 was a full year, and I have no doubt many of you are echoing that back for yourselves! When I look back over those 365 days, 3 things personally stand out to me the most: during the first six months, Bulgaria truly became home to me. It went from being a place that I was pretty sure I really liked to the country that completely held my heart. July held the challenge of surrendering life there for the time to return to the States to study and become more equipped to do what God has put on my heart. After 6 months of quality catch-up time with family, lots of studying, and an internship at a crisis pregnancy center, I was given the wonderful, unexpected opportunity of returning to Bulgaria for several weeks and closing the year there  (🙌🏻🇧🇬✈️).

2019 summarized in three pictures

Отново у дома в България {Home again in Bulgaria}

As the plane neared the airport and the mountains in all their misty beauty came into view, followed by the red-roofed houses and all the other sights that had become so familiar neared, I was left in humbled thankfulness as I was reminded all over again that God really can be trusted to write our stories. When I had flown out of Bulgaria six months before (quite honestly feeling like it was the end of the world), I never could have dreamed that only half a year later I would be celebrating Christmas with family in the States and New Year and the first half of January with those who have become family in Bulgaria.

	The days spent there were full of many wonderful reunions, quality time with dear friends, traveling through the country to visit ‘Bulgarian family’, an even a teens (plus a few grandmothers who didn't want to miss out of the fun!) New Year’s party. They were truly sweet days!

A New Adventure - YWAM Heidebeek

Then, in what felt like the blink of an eye, it was once again time to leave Bulgaria, and this time to begin an entirely new adventure - a YWAM school in the Netherlands.

YWAM, standing for Youth with a Mission,(https://ywamheidebeek.org/ https://www.ywam.org/))  is an international organization that trains, empowers, connects, and sends out missionaries. I am taking their Children at Risk school which equips missionaries to work with babies, children, and teenagers from/in hard places. A few of the school's topics includes

o   child development and attachment

o   working with kids who have experienced abuse and trauma

o   kids with special needs

o   teenage identity/character / social programs

o   understanding and working with children based on their personalities/ learning styles

o   family structures and working with kids from broken families

o   community development

o   abortion

o   trafficking

….and the list goes on!

	Only 4 weeks into the school and I have already gained so much through the lectures and training and already feel so much more empowered and equipped. Beyond lectures, God is truly stepping into this time in my life personally, making Himself and His presence so very real and teaching, growing and stretching me in so many ways. I am really thrilled about all He has in store through these months!

Looking Ahead

We have one more month of lectures here in the Netherlands and then will be traveling to South Africa on outreach for another 3 months.

Please pray that God will continue growing and teaching us in both our Children at Risk focus and more about Himself, and praise Him for how He's so greatly already answering this prayer! 

Please pray that God will clearly point the way that He has for me following the outreach in South Africa, and praise Him that He does go ahead and before us and make our way straight.

Thank you! for your prayers and for joining me on this incredible journey of "stepping out upon the waters" in following God.  What is God doing in your lives and circles so far this year? I always love hearing updates from you and being told how I can pray!

Blessings and hugs from Holland to you all!

One Year in Bulgaria!

One year ago today, I climbed out of an airplane in the snow-covered Sofia airport, bag in a hand and full of excited dreams for the weeks and months ahead. What I didn’t know as we began the last bit of the journey through snowy mountains and frosted countryside, was how the town we were headed to would be become my home, and how the people there would become as dear as family. I laugh to myself as I remember how I initially thought I would be spending only six months here. It took only weeks for me to realize that there was no way I would be willing to give up this dear place so quickly. In this year, I have grown and learned and changed perhaps more than in any other. I am by no means the same girl who stepped off that plane 365 days ago, though I would like to think that this version of her is a better one. When I look back over everything that has gone into a single year – the joys and heartaches and dreams and friendships - I stand amazed and simply thankful of how God directs (and redirects!) our steps when we’ll listen and follow. He has given me a gift beyond what I could have ever asked for in this time.  And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that no matter where in the world I might go in the future, thanks to all of those here who have become my family, I will now forever be part Bulgarian.

Simply Thankful

"Was it strange to experience Thanksgiving in a country that doesn't even recognize the holiday?"

"It was beautiful."

I knew thanksgiving this year would play out differently than any other year in my life. It would be a day without traveling, without extra cooking, without seeing family and being together, and wonderfully even without the despised football watching (sorry, football fans!). 

Thanksgiving day this year looked like an entirely normal (if not especially busy!) day - Bible studies, school, studying, prep work of all varieties, teaching English class, and sweet conversations with friends. 

An entirely normal day in which I was so incredibly thankful.

Without the bustle of dozen of dishes to be created, black Friday shopping to be awaited, and business to be consumed by, my head and heart filled full as I mused over all the many reasons I have to be thankful.  

It doesn't require moving to a new country (though sometimes it might help!); every now and then, let's simply step back.
Let's put aside the tradition and the busy, and let's just sit and remember.

Let's remember all the reasons we have to be thankful, aside from the food, aside from the festivities, aside even from the football. 

We have been given so many good gifts in life from our perfect Father, who we really can entrust our hearts and lives to. More than anything, I'm thankful for His perfect love, plan, and redemption in my life and in the lives of every single one of us who will place our hearts, no matter how broken, into His hands and trust Him with it. 

I can tell you from experience, He will never disappoint. 

A couple days after Thanksgiving day, we organized our own sort of Thanksgiving gathering with snacks to be made by sweet, eager helpers, games to be played and laughed over, and relationships to be celebrated. And I knew, all over again, I have much to be thankful for.