A Stolen Heart

 Bless the Lord O' My Soul!

Today was probably the most emotional day with lots of ups and downs. First we had a children's festival in a village called Gita. When we arrived the pastor immediately called us over to see the new church site. The church is only nine months old and they were already setting ground and walls for a church. Awesome!

Next we started the children's festival. As always it was a little awkward at first. But these three girls - Bonika, Sabrina and Albina - gave me high fives after I gave them some bracelets. An idea popped in my head - could I teach them some of the old clapping games we used to do? It doesn't hurt to try! I began something really simple with them and they loved it! They were all smiles and giggles - oh, what a sweet sound! They stole my heart. We got Cassidy and Rachael to play as well. Then Ben swung them around all while they were still laughing. Towards the end of the festival, a few teenage girls join the clapping games and taught me a few they do with each other. Another neat thing that is international. I hated to leave Gita and the girls, but we had to go to Chirpan.

Me with Albina, Bonika and Sabrina.

A few miles down the road, we arrived in Chirpan. Chirpan is a Turkish Roma village. Stefko explained to us on the way that this was the worst village he sees. He said he bring them clothes, but winter or summer the children do not wear shoes and are barely clothed. Stefko does not know what they do with the clothes he brings. The village does not have running water - a life essential. He asked the city to run water out to this village and they refused. How can people conscientiously treat others this way? When we pulled up, children started swarming to us when we arrived. These children were positively beautiful! They had dark hair and skin but light hazel or green eyes. Simply breathtaking! Peggy noticed a child coming down the road holding a container with a snake. On the other side was a child clasping a live dove. Talk about some possible symbolism! Next we entered the church which is the largest of any of the other churches we have visited. Their first song was a Bulgarian version of "My Heart Will Go On." One of the later songs was sung in a Turkish Gypsy dialect. Wow - that was very neat to hear! Peggy and Cassidy began taking children's photos for Christmas Shoeboxes. The kids started flooding in so they took them outside the church for pictures. While they were outside - Ben began to sing his worship songs. He ends worship with one where we all sing "Hallelujah", then we sing "Slava na Boga", then the Roma "Slava na Aveska" which all mean "Praise the Lord". This is always a powerful song because both the Roma, Bulgarians and Americans can sing together. During the song all of a sudden we hear all the children's voices in unison singing "Slava na Aveska" with us. Oh! What a sweet and wonderful sound that was! I looked at Rachael - she was crying. I looked at Cassidy - she was crying. I was crying. It was incredibly powerful. Just amazing! This sweet sound out weighed the hard conditions.

Church and worship in Chirpan just after the children sang Slava na Aveska.

Later that night at debriefing, we tried to come up with ways to get water to the village. Ultimately though - they need the Gospel more at the moment. For such a large village, the church population was very small. I pray that their church community is able to grow! I pray leaders for the community are created with God's blessing.