God bless the children

I was speaking to a family tonight about supporting me for Bulgaria...during that time their 4, 6, and 8 year old children went and gathered money from their piggy banks to give to my ministry. That was the best $14.84 I've made so far!

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

My first outreach in English!

The Saturday before Easter I got to go on my first outreach with Created. I joked about this being my first outreach in English because the only other outreaches I've been on were in Bulgaria. 

We went to a very popular local strip club and brought the girls Easter baskets. I was able to talk to 2 out of the 6 girls that were there performing and I look forward to going back again and building those relationships. 

We went out to the same club this past Wednesday evening and it went really well! The 2 girls that I got to speak to at Easter were not there that night, it was all different girls there from before. We brought them each a flower pot (with flowers of course) and brownies and got to speak to 3 of those girls though which was great! One girl we were talking to briefly had to leave to go perform, and I was hoping that we would get to talk to her again, but she got pulled into a private room with a man which was disappointing. 

Please be praying for one of the girl's son who is being tested for autism today. She is frightened and not sure how she can manage having a son with a disability. Pray also for a girl who says she does not go to church because she practices witchcraft. This was disturbing to me and I hope that she can be reached with Christ's love through us. 

New things happening!

Sorry I haven't written on here in a while...

Here's what's going on!!

Praise the Lord that I have reached 50% towards my monthly giving goal! This is wonderful that God is providing! I was hoping to make it to 80% by April 1st so I could go to my final training in July, but that does not look like it's going to happen. Please keep praying that I find the remaining members of my support team so that I can get to Bulgaria asap! My next goal and plan of attack is to reach 100% by November of this year, go to my final training in January (which is the next time they have it) and then leave for the field immediately after in February. 

This is doable!!! Please keep praying!! There are such amazing things happening in Bulgaria right now...my team has partnered with an organization called, "Servants Anonymous" and it will be a rehabilitation program in Sofia helping these women to get the counseling and help they need to regain their identities and overcome the trauma they have endured. It can happen!! We have a girl right now in communications with our team about starting her own jewelry making business. So exciting!

One other thing that has me super excited right now is that while I wait to get to the field in Bulgaria, I will be doing His work here in Gainesville working with an organization called Created doing outreach with women/girls who are trafficked right here in my backyard. I will be going on my first outreach this coming Saturday, April 3rd. Please keep the girls we talk to, me and the team in your prayers.You can read more about Created on their website.  

Thank you Christ Community Church!

This past Sunday, August 24th, I was given the opportunity to give my testimony and speak about the work I will be doing in Bulgaria. Rob prayed for me after I spoke which was really special because he will be leaving next week to move to Mississippi.

I also found out that the children decided to give myself and my friend Rachel (who is traveling around the world right now doing mission work) their summer offering towards our missions. So awesome! Thanks kids!

Daughters of Bulgaria Christmas

The team in Bulgaria went out to the streets and brought gifts to the girls. I received the following email and picture:

DofB gathered together to wrap the presents and pray over them and over the night. 

For our Daughters we had scarves and hats (thanks to Abby), calendars (thanks to Hertsmerk in Vienna) and cosmetic bags (thanks to the ladies from the vision trip a few months ago! they were beautiful and so full!)

For the children we had sets of hats, scarves and gloves as well as toys, school supplies, toiletries and some candy! 

"Dirty whores"

Now that I have your attention...if the title of my blog post offended you...please keep reading.

Two Saturdays ago I did something that I rarely do...I went to Starbucks to have coffee (sorry Dunkin Donuts) and use their wifi to complete my homework. I was having a terrible time concentrating on my homework at home because all my dog wanted to do was play and he kept hitting keys on my laptop and it was annoying me to no end...thus began my adventure at Starbucks...

 As I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather we were having, a well-dressed man around his mid to late 40s sat down at the table next to me and began reading the newspaper; we exchanged pleasantries and than went about our business. Time went by, and I noticed that the man was staring at me and my computer quite frequently, but I did my best to just ignore him, even though I was growing uncomfortable. I smiled apprehensively at him and asked if he was having a good day, which supposedly served as an invitation for him to join me at my table. Now, being the "good missionary" I am (LOL) I should have just welcomed him and thought about how this is a great opportunity to meet someone new; however, I was actually thinking, "dang it! I should have stayed home with my dog."

I looked at this man closer, he was definitely at least in his 40s, he had wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. I thought this could be a good sign that he laughed a lot; I came to this conclusion as well because he was not saying a word to me, only smiling at me strangely. I politely asked his name to which he responded, "doesn't matter", so I, in turn, did not offer mine. He then cut to the chase and asked me why I was wearing a Bulgaria shirt. I looked down and indeed, I had put on my Sofia shirt that morning, not even really paying much attention. I shared with him that I had friends that lived there, and that I planned on moving there within the year. He became a bit more friendly at this point, telling me he was from Turkey and that he knew Bulgaria very well. He then asked me what my "fascination" was with that country and why I would want to move there. I explained that I was in school for psychology and Christian counseling and that I was also a missionary that was going to be joining an established team in Bulgaria. He probed for more info on the specifics of what I would be doing there, and as cautious as I was trying to be (he gave off a very sinister vibe) I ended up just telling him that I was going there to offer counseling to women in general. I did not feel comfortable disclosing too much info to him.

He felt the push back I was giving him and ended up turning belligerent towards me; he told me I was a "stupid American" and that I had no place being in "his part of the world" as a "crazy Christian." He also said to "stay away from the dirty whores on the streets" because they were right where they belonged. This was interesting because I hadn't mentioned at all about working and dealing with prostitutes. He said he knew women "like me" and told me that if I did go there and try to talk to the "dirty whores" that I would have "another thing coming" to me. He was literally yelling at me and making a spectacle. People were staring and one guy (rather than step in) was taking video. I was in COMPLETE shock and basically just politely stood up, told him that I would pray for him and then walked to my car and went home.

I'm not sure if I should have said more to him, or if I did the right thing, but either way, I have been praying for this man and the rest of the men who either don't care about, or abuse these women.

Have you been Spiritually Harrassed

I really liked this today from my daily devotional...

In the spiritual realm we deal with spiritual harassment from Satan and his legions. The Bible says "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph.6:12). It is important to recognize when we are coming against these forces. Satan attempts to distract us from our calling and destiny in life. We often trivialize the reality of the spirit realm of evil.

Paul tells us we must set our minds to deal with the spiritual realm of evil when it impacts our lives. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:13).

The next time you feel obstacles have been placed in your life designed to distract you from your God-ordained mission, remember Paul's words and stand firm in Christ.