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. A
bout 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!
