Summer is Coming!

And Margie is leaving! Why and where? Well, we're glad you asked.

Margie was invited by her ministry advisor, Matilda, to attend the International Teams International Leadership Forum this May.

Amazingly, for Margie, it will not be anywhere near Bulgaria. In fact, it is being held in Costa Rica this time! You may remember that back in 2009 both of us attended the ILF which was held near Kushidasi, Turkey. It was simply terrific!

Yet, due to financial considerations only Margie will be attending this May. And, she will be leading a seminar on anti-trafficking as asked by Matilda.

Thankfully, Modesto Covenant Church has made a special gift, for travel expenses, so Margie can attend the ILF. Thanks SO much, MCC-you guys are super!

Please pray for journey mercies to and from Costa Rica. Also, Margie would really appreciate your prayers for her anti-trafficking seminar to go well. Nuff said!

Marissa

Of course, you will remember her...we hope! Well, Marissa is doing just fine studying at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. She is an international studies major and simply loves being a coed.

Naturally, we are looking forward to seeing her which will be sometime in mid-June when she travels to Bulgaria for the summer.

Also, Marissa will be working as an interpreter here for a short-term missionary team from Community Presbyterian Church from Danville, CA.

In fact, Marissa knows the team leader, Deana quite well as she has attended her youth group at CPC several times while in the States. Then Deana has invited Marissa to do several special activities with her in the past.

So, Marissa is really looking forward to becoming re-acquainted with her friends from the youth group as well as working with Deana. Pray that it goes well!

If it is Tuesday...

...it MUST be Lozenets. Then again, if today is Wednesday, this means it is probably Orizari.

Yep, Keith is very busy teaching the Roma kids at various villages. So far, he is ministering in Orizari, Tverditsa, Toplochanea, Pammukchii and now also in Lozenets, the Roma or Gypsy suburb of Stara Zagora.

Interestingly enough, the city farthest away, Toplochanea, usually has the most children-actually 80 during the past two weeks! Alex graciously helps with the teaching there as yours truly is training him to take over this ministry.

Just a few weeks ago, Lozents was added as an old friend of the Browns, Pastor Tanyo, invited us to work with the children there. So far, it is going very well.

Specifically, for the past year Keith has been teaching on the life of Jesus and concentrating on the miracles He performed. Now we are covering other areas of Jesus' life such as calling the disciples, His teachings on prayer and parables.

The kids just love the lessons-especially when we have short-term missionary guests to help or interesting props.

Soon, the cold weather will be over and we will be able to take the kids outside for games which they just love.

Please pray that these children continue to grow in their faith. Next, kindly pray that those who do not know Jesus come to Him. Thanks!

Anti-trafficking Times

Yes, it has been nearly a year now since Margie started her anti-trafficking ministry along with the short-term missionary guests from YWAM.

Thankfully, this difficult ministry of hers seemed to be blessed by the Lord and really took off just after the short-termers left. Margie gained 3 gals to co-minister this outreach with her so she has the necessary help. Two of these gals are Bulgarian and one is an American missionary with the Southern Baptist Church.

Daily, Margie drives out to the Stara Zagora ring road to visit "her girls." Many of them have been abused by their pimps in various ways. Some have even been beaten by the police here. Some are sick, and others have sick children at home. One of the girls is even pregnant now and continues to ply her trade!

Naturally, Margie & her team spends time talking with the girls in order to get to know them as well as their needs and individual situations better. Next, they usually give them something to drink such as coffee or a soft drink, depending on the weather.

Often Margie's team will distribute small "goodies" along with Bible verses attached. Some of these gals have even asked for Bibles to study too, and believe-it-or-not, but some are actually Christians that once faithfully attended church here in Stara Zagora.

Good News!

However, in March something really good happened. One of the gals, we'll just call her "Z," approached Margie and told her that she wanted out. Margie jumped on this & along with Pastor Jimmy Luchev, of Vuzrazhdane Church, found a room here in town where she could live. Naturally, Z moved in and started looking for a job in order to support herself.

Please kindly pray that Z is protected against her pimp. The draw of the streets is great, but we know it is simply another type of slavery. Also, pray that the Labor Bureau here seriously helps Z to find a job.

Thankfully, Z attends church along with us now and REALLY enjoys the services. Please remember to pray for her-thanks!

Trafficking and YWAM

Roll on Wheels

Taxis, trains and buses. No, it was not a vacation, but Margie's trip to Moldova to attend an anti-trafficking conference with 2 of her friends from Sofia.

First, it was a taxi to the bus station. Then it was a bus to Sofia. Finally, it was a train to Kishinev, Moldova where the seminar was held.

According to Margie, the setting was rustic, but the conference was great. Far more people arrived than was expected and Margie even saw Matilda Companjen, one of our IT Europe leaders from the Netherlands.

All three of the girls came back full of new ideas, shared problems and new strategies to reach prostitutes and help anti-trafficking programs.

The next things to do was to put it into effect, which they did in Sofia.

You see, every few weeks, these gals go out on the ring road in Sofia. While there, the stop and talk to prostitutes as well as offer them goodies and small packets of useful items. One of the girls they talked with last night told them that she was a prostitute in order to pay for her 4 year old son's operation! It was a very sad situation.

Yet, please pray for Margie as well as the rest of her friends in Sofia that reach out to these most needy girls of the street. Also, we would appreciate it if you would pray for their protection too. Thanks!

YWAM Again!

Yep, YWAM is back once more. About 2 weeks ago we received an email from the YWAM director here in Bulgaria. She wanted to know if we were interested in hosting a new team, just out of training, from Switzerland.

Naturally, we agreed and now we have 8 YWAM guests from Korea, Canada, the US, and Austria. Not only have them been studying anti-trafficking, but they have also met with both Samariani and a prison ministry run by Pastor Rangel in Pazardjik.

Samariani interested the group due to all of the social work they do. Of course, we met with them for a few hours and then toured their house for people in crisis situations. Many questions were asked and answered and we were happy to see their interest in the situation of the poor in Bulgaria.

Next, part of the group traveled to Pazardjik to visit with Pastor Rangel. Rangel manages a prison ministry from his church to the local federal jail in his city. Three of the former inmates have come to the Lord, including one former prisoner that spend 20 years in this prison. Nedelcho agreed to meet with us and share his prison experience as well as testimony. Please kindly pray for Nedelcho as he attends Pastor Rangel's Congregational Church in Pazardjik. Yet, he is in dire need of a job. Pray the the Lord supply his need in this area.

Interestingly enough, there was a judge, from Pastor Rangel's church, that also answered many of our questions about people in Bulgarian prisons and the system here.

One interesting thing the said was, "I am bad but Rangel is good!" Why? Well, he pronounces sentences on convicted people, but Pastor Rangel goes to the prison with words of life for them! It was fascinating to say the least.

Last, but not least, many of the YWAM group has been helping Jon Erik and yours truly as we work teaching Roma kids in various villages. Last week, they went with us to Toplochanea and did a terrific job of leading the kids in games following the Bible lesson.

This week we will be doing a special Easter party for the church there and it promises to be a lot of fun where many memories can be created.

Please pray for us as we work together the coming weeks until they leave on May 15.

Nuff said!

A New Milestone

Believe it or not, friends, but June of this year we marked fifteen years in Stara Zagora with International Teams (IT)! During this time Josiah was added to our family, our children grew from toddlers to teens, and we walked them to at least six different pre-schools and schools.

Next, we made the transition to homeschooling with Marissa, gained our permanent residency, cared for more than a few pets, and marvelled at God's leading in several types and stages of ministry.

Yet this, our fifteenth year, also marked a first for us: our first time to attend IT's International Leadership Forum (known as the ILF). This biannual gathering brings IT leaders from all over the world together for training, worship, fellowship, and refreshment.

Providentially, ILF 2010 was held near Ephesus, Turkey, an area of great historical significance to believers.
This isn't to mention Keith's interest in the history of this area, as we also did a stop at Troy on the way home.

Naturally, we were one of the few couples to arrive by car, but even so, our journey required two days of travel each way.

Next, it truly was a privilege to meet workers and board members from all over the world. Then to hear testimonies from brothers and sisters serving in difficult circumstances and in closed countries was inspiring. We also learned about some changes and new ministries within IT, and worship and prayer times were freely sprinkled throughout the program.

Highpoints

For Margie they included:

• 24/7 Prayer Room. Several sessions were designated as "soaking prayer", new terminology for me. Personally I needed time to soak in His presense and hear from Him in some profound ways (at home I am often not patient or diligent enough to do this).
  
• Attending the "Human Trafficking" Track. After recently participating in a seminar taught by several leading European experts in ministry to prostituted women, God continued at the ILF to open my eyes and heart to the tragedy of trafficking, and what He is doing through the ministry of IT in different parts of the world. God seems to be leading me to a prayer ministry against trafficking and some beginning steps in prevention, focusing on the young girls with whom we work. (Above, a cloth "fact map" about trafficking in E. Europe).


• Small group time. The purpose of the small groups was to facilitate meetings with ITers we wouldn't normally meet, which meant the groups were varied and dynamic. When I first arrived at the ILF, I was shocked to learn I was assigned as a small group leader, yet I immediately fell in love with these men and women, as they shared their stories, including: a Persian woman who met God on the "refugee highway", and was called of God to minister to her own people; a worker serving at a university in the Middle East; a fascinating young history professor, who happens to be a member of IT Australia's board; a South American man and his young family (child number three was due any day) called to minister in the tense Middle East crossfire.
  
• Meals and Meetings. Without going into great detail, let's just say the food was delicious, and the relaxed atmosphere of the hotel complex was conducive to the many meetings held over meals, in the coffee bar, at poolside or on the beach. Most inspiring was meeting the new leadership in IT's young anti-trafficking ministry and gleaning information from their experiences. I also met face-to-face two of the three members of my "skype small group" this spring (right).
  

• Short-term experiences. The most helpful seminar included teaching on working with small groups, something we find ourselves involved with fairly often. The most significant idea presented was that the actual time "on the field" was the least important part of the experience. Rather the key is the change the individuals experience upon return to their home culture and how they respond to God's calling in the future.

For Keith:

• Our small group: He enjoyed meeting Serge, an IT missionary serving in Rwanda. His stories of serving in the Liberation Army to end the genocide were fascinating. Also, his ministry to the children of Rwanda was very inspiring. It was wonderful having Serge in our small group. Also meeting a gal from the Philippines that worked with youth and Natasha from the Ukraine was terrific. All of their ministry stories were fascinating.


• Fighting the Evil One: The Spiritual Warfare seminar led by Mark Anderson was also a highlight for Keith. Mark shared his own experiences battling the occult while an IT missionary in France. He also shared several practical methods to fight the good fight and have victory through Jesus in this area. Next, it truly was nice just to sit down to lunch with Mark and discuss our own experiences in spiritual warfare here in Bulgaria. According to Mark, prayer is the key. Nuff said!
  

• Ministering to Muslims: Then the Islamic Seminar was a highpoint for Keith. After attending three of these presentations, not only was he made more aware of methods to befriend and strike up conversations with muslims, but the final seminar had 4 excellent ways to present the gospel to these lost "cousins." Since the Islamic presesence and influence here in Bulgaria is constantly growing, it was a very practical presentation.
  
• Bonus Features: Last but not least, the swimming pool and grub was not so bad either...

The Experience
Naturally, one of the expectations for IT members attending the ILF is to share the experience and session information with teammates. Toward that end we shared a photo powerpoint with our co-workers. Next, we are in the process of sharing with our Bulgarian colleagues the idea of implementing some of the ideas from the Short Term Experience seminar. Margie hopes to move forward with some research regarding trafficking practices in our area too.

Frankly, we were surprised that so many people from the home office in Elgin, IL remembered us. This is especially true as we have not been back there since 2001!

As we departed for home, we both expressed the hope that we won't have to wait another fifteen years to attend an ILF!

Happy in Hungary

Trains, buses and planes. Well, not exactly, but when Margie and Marissa travelled to the SHARE conference in Sopron, Hungary, it was certainly interesting getting there.

First, it was a car to the bus station. Next, a bus to a subway station in Austria, a missed train, then different train to a bus and finally, a bus to their hotel! It was an interesting trip for the dynamic duo.

The scariest moment was when we boarded the bus in Sofia. Why? Well, there was an announcment that all children traveling with one parent must have some notarized documents from the other parent.

Naturally, this document which we have was neatly filed away at home in Stara Zagora...

Yikes!

And, this legal paper was needed was in order simply to cross the Bulgarian border.

Oh, boy!

Immediately, I began praying, and they never heard another word about this needed document from a customs offical or anyone else. Thank you, Lord!

SHARE has become a family tradition for the Browns. The people there do educational testing, provide helpful seminars and an entire deligation of educational specialists. These experts are ready to advise, suggest, and correct us along our unique education journey for Marissa and Josiah.

Undoubtedly, the most valuable minutes were connecting with other moms and educators so I can hear how they have done it in unique settings.

One of the more interesting seminars was called "Third Culture Kids: Being Green in a Yellow and Blue World."

So, what does this mean?

Basically, third culture children are kids that grow up in a second culture rather than their own. For example, Marissa and Josiah are growing up in Bulgarian culture even though they are Americans. So, they make a "third culture," by pulling in things from both American and Bulgarian culture to create their own unique culture.

So, now you know why the seminar mentioned "being Green in a Yellow and Blue World." In simple language, kids making their own culture out of two others just as yellow and blue make green.

Admittedly, my battery was running low when Marissa and I left, but by the end of the conference, I was filled with new hope, stimulating conversations, amazing testimonies, American cookies and delicious Hungarian cuisine.

Of couse, I was able to swap curriculum we no longer needed for biographies of Blaise Pascal and Isaac Newton, as well as historical novels that our children love.

And, since Josiah loves physics, I was even able to get some good material for him on this subject.

Also, Marissa was able to be refreshed by the teenager program while in Sopron. She even played flute with the worship team there which was a first for her!

In fact, she proved her German lessons and studies are worthwhile as she translated for me while we were briefly in Vienna waiting for transportation. Thank you, Marissa!

Next, I was reminded more than once that our schooling is represented much more than SAT scores and GPAs. God pointed me again to the big picture-namely, launching my children towards God's call in their lives.

Math and Natural Sciences High School

Hi! Well, it is my turn for the delayed update on our blog, so here goes!

I go to the Math School here in Stara Zagora. And...I love it! Last spring, I was accepted to the school by taking and passing a special test. The test was hard, but, thankfully, I scored 7th out of 150 kids taking this test.

Actually, the test was taken by all of the students in our oblast (county) that wanted to apply to the math school. Since they only took the top 10 scores, boy was I happy to get 7th place! So, unlike the Olympics, 7th place really is great sometimes.

Then, we found out later, that out of the 55 students accepted, 3 of my good friends also passed the 2nd or 3rd test to join my class. It is very cool to have Josh, Martin and Radi in the same class doing something all of us love-namely, math!

Our school, which we all call the matimaticheskoto is from grades 5-12. Also, we have 750 students and share the school with another high school.

Well, I do love my school other than the fact that it is old and run down.

Now the grade system is quite different from American standards. For instance, an "A" is called a 6, a "B" is a 5, "Cs" are 4, "Ds" are 3 and "Fs" are 2-0. So, if you are getting 5s and 6s you're doing pretty fine.


Also, every single student, starting in 2nd grade, takes responsibility for a grade booklet, called a "beleznik," that they have all their grades written in by their teachers.

Daily, they have to show this grade booklet to their parents who must sign it if there is a new grade posted in it. So, everyone knows just how they are doing with their grades in school all of the time. Even all of our tests must be signed by a parent and returned to our teachers.

So, good luck trying to hide any bad grades you might get from your parents!

As you may have noticed, Bulgarian school is quite different from your average school in the US. For instance, one difference is that tests are not the ONLY way to get grades. Here in Bulgaria, we get most of our grades by getting called up for an ispiit. This ispiit means that your teacher invites you in front of the whole class. Then you are asked questions about history, science, geography, IT and math. How well you answer the questions your teacher asks is your grade on the ispiit.

Yet, another difference is that we have shifts for school that change. For instance, during 1st shift, we start school at 07:30 and finish at 12:30. While on 2nd shift we start at 13:30 and finish at 18:30. So, right now we're on 1st shift which I like. In March, we will go back to 2nd shift for the month.

Other differences are than in Bulgarian high school, there are no lunch rooms. Everyone is expected either to eat before they go to school or at lunch. We do have what we call a pavilion inside our school which sells snack food to all students.

Nearby is a bahnitsa stand where I like to buy bahnitsa for lunch with my friends. It costs 80 stotinki (about 60 cents) for one bahnitsa, which is pita bread with hot feta cheese in the middle.

Another difference it that we have to buy all of our own school books which are much smaller than American school books. They are kind of like big magazines in size. This is really nice when you are hauling them around in your backpack.

Of course, in the winter, we have great fun having snowball fights at recess IF there is snow.

Naturally, we also have to buy all of our notebooks, pencils, school kits and other things we need for school. The only free thing at our school is the air!

This year we had a 5th grade basketball team for our high school. Well, since I'm a member of the class and like basketball, I was allowed to play on the team. Our coach is a Ukranian lady named Gooba and we won first place by beating four other teams.

Sometimes, we call our school the PMG for short as this means the First Mathematic High School. Hey, it just would not work to have students yelling, "Go matimaticheskoto!" in a basketball game now would it?

Now, we just finished playing basketball for the 5th-7th grade city teams. Our team did well, but, unfortunately, we had no 7th grade players. The city tournment just finished last week and we ended up in 4th place out of all of the schools in our league.

Well, wining at least one trophy wasn't so bad!

So, if you are bored at your American school, come to Stara Zagora and join my matimaticheskoto school!

by Josiah A. Brown