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!