July 4th in Sofia, Bulgaria

Just a quick note to say how blessed I am to be in Sofia, Bulgaria today. I’m spite of my shortcomings, God continues to open doors. This week, our team of three are at Blaga Vest (Good News) Church, serving and getting ready for camp. Tonight, Anthony Martinez will teach in the mid-week Bible Study. Thank you for your prayerful support!

Watch tonight’s service live at 11:30 AM EDT here.

Christmas 2015 Memories

I’m getting ready for another visit to Bulgaria and am looking forward to whatever God has in store. It has been several months since our trip to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Greece. I figured I’m overdue to post the words that were on my heart as we left…

Sitting on the plane, half way over the Atlantic, I first thank God for His grace and His mercy. In spite of knowing the man I am, He has shown grace in more ways than I could even recount. He is worthy of much more praise than I could ever give and He has been gracious to me in ways that only He could.

During the past two weeks, Brenda and I have enjoyed great blessings from God. While not with family at home, we have been blessed with family half way around the world. Brothers and sisters, whom I love dearly, have been used by God to show His grace. From the smiles of little children, to the embrace of older saints, God continues to bless by using His people.

As the aircraft left the ground, as has been the case over the last few years, I felt pain and sorrow as I looked out the window. The faces of brothers and sisters, whom I will not see again for a long time, and faces of those whom I was unable to see on this visit continue to pass by in my mind. Yes, my own comfort will be enjoyed when I return home, a part of me remains in these lands far from me. This part continues to ache.

I am so thankful for time with my wife and the opportunity to introduce her to so many that I love. The hospitality and love blesses me beyond words. The sights, the sounds, the aromas, and the tastes linger on; but the love of God through His people fill my heart and is cherished forever.

One of the blessings, on this trip, is a long flight where God has worked on my heart. He has taken the burden within and has helped me give it to Him. With many prayers, I thank God for my Christian family and I will continue in prayer every day. With renewed determination, I look forward to the time we meet again.

For now, I thank God for my family and friends in the U.S.A. I also love them dearly and appreciate their support and the love they continue to show. One day, however, there will be no parting, no pain, no tears, no heavy burden of deep longing. One day, all God’s children will be together forever. I look forward to that day!

The Power of Prayer

Today is the fourth day for the Bulgaria-Macedonia Servant Team 2015. God has answered many prayers already and I want to thank those who are lifting this ministry to our Heavenly Father. We've seen His timing, His guidance, His leading in church services. We've been blessed in Skopje, Macedonia through His Spirit and His people. We've seen Him make a way for us in unexpected ways as paperwork just "appeared" as needed at the border crossing. We've felt His presence so strongly in Stolnik, Bulgaria that it was nearly overwhelming. God is doing what God does best and He's answering prayers. To those who have been praying, THANK YOU! To those who want to be part of this work, please help on your knees. 

Much travel is ahead and the lives of many men, women, boys and girls will be imacted by God. The gentleman seen in the picture proudly lifts the Bulgarian flag. Pray for these people as God moves among them and the the churches here as they find God's will among such as this man. 

Bulgaria - Macedonia 2015

The LORD says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Barnabas is one of my favorite men of the Bible. His real name was Joseph, but was given this nickname which means "Son of Encouragement." What a powerful statement, to be called that instead of your given name! This is the calling of our Bulgarian - Macedonian Servant Team... to serve and to encourage fellow believers.

This year, I'll be returning with the Bulgarian - Macedonian Servant Team from Bullhead City, AZ as we support and encourage fellow believers. We will be visiting brothers and sisters in several parts of Bulgaria and Macedonia. In an area where the protestant church only accounts for 1% of the nation, God is at work in the hearts of His people. In a place where the persecution is sometimes subtle, but very real. In a place where real believers are feared and often ridiculed.

We will visit and serve churches in Sofia, Svishtov, and  Macedonia during our eighteen day visit. Once again, a full week of youth camp will bless many children and adult. This will be our chance to serve children and teens.

We greatly appreciate your prayers for our brothers and sisters overseas and for our team. The Servant Team is not setting out to evangelize the nation, but rather to encourage our brothers and sisters as they share Jesus with their neighbors. We are only here to serve. (July 1 - 17)

Many thanks to those who have already donated.   - Northern Virginia Association of Free Will Baptists		Many have chosen to financially support mission work to Bulgaria in the past. If you choose this again, you will receive a receipt from Heritage FWB Church. Thank you for your prayers and assistance.

I hope you enjoy this video last year, as we look forward to this year's journey.
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins,
 as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Christmas in July

Christmas is upon us and greetings of glad tidings abound. All around the world; men, women, boys and girls reflect on this special time of year. The children are so anxious for Christmas that many will have a hard time sleeping tonight. Receiving a gift is a special thing, but when Jesus said that it’s more blessed to give than to receive, as always; he spoke the truth.

As I reflect on the great “gifts” I have received this year, I want to share something remarkable. In July, the Calvary Chapel Bullhead City Bulgaria Servant Team flew half around the world to serve other Christians, but WE were the ones who received the gift. Sharing with friends in Sofia & Svishtov, Bulgaria and Skopje, Macedonia; we were blessed beyond measure.

Working with Blaga Vest Sofia, Blaga Vest, Svishtov, and Dobra Vest Skopje; we experienced grace and love and joy. We could never give enough thanks to our wonderful hosts, who made us feel like family, but maybe as we look back, we can just thank God for allowing such a great summer.

Please enjoy the photos as I let them do most of the speaking. In the meantime, I’ll feel like the child waiting for my Christmas in July next year!

Here is a link for the photo album.

Inner Strength

From the outside, the hull of the old boat was battered and beaten. For many years, she had seen turbulent storms and suffered much damage. Now, don’t think that it was always that way, for this old girl had seen smooth waters and had voyaged to many wondrous places. She had experienced many adventures that would excite and entice anyone. However, it wasn’t the smooth sailing that gave her the worn look, it was those storms and rocky passages that made most people shake their head when they looked on her exterior. To the passer-by, she looked like she should have been put away years ago, yet there she was, still able to stand strong day after day.

What was the secret of the old boat? What gave her the strength to carry on? Deep beneath the surface, if you were to look under the scarred gunwales, you would see an inner strength. She was held together by what most could not see, by strong steel that made her able to withstand all the calamities on the surface. It was the inner strength that gave her character.

As with the old boat, many men and women who seem to be battered and beaten continue to carry on day after day. While they may not be the most attractive nor the fastest, they hold fast and stay true to the course. The strength of the truly resilient comes from what cannot be seen from the outside. It is God who can give such strength, holding us together as he lifts us up and protecting us with His armor. I thank God that He doesn’t fail and that He can be relied upon when the storms of life come our way. 

Bulgaria / Macedonia Servant Trip 2014

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

In August 2010, the Lord started guiding me down an unexpected path. Taking my experiences and passions to allow opportunities I would have never expected. Over the past two summers, I've been blessed to work in His ministry to Bulgaria through The Hanna Project. God has moved in me, drawing me to this land so far away as I have seen Him work in peoples lives. Now, he has opened a new door.

This year, I'll be joining the Bulgarian Servant Team from Bullhead City, AZ as we support and encourage the Church in Bulgaria and Macedonia. We will be visiting brothers and sisters in several parts of Bulgaria and Macedonia. In an area where the protestant church only accounts for 1% of the nation, God is at work in the hearts of His people. Yet, all around them, people have no hope at all, or put their hope in ritual and superstition. Real believers are feared and often ridiculed. A special treat for me on this trip will be camp! We will be working at a Christian youth camp on the Black Sea. This will be our chance to serve children and teens in Narnian fashion.

We greatly appreciate your prayers for our brothers and sisters overseas and for our team. The Bulgarian Servant Team is not setting out to evangelize the nation, but rather to encourage our brothers and sisters as they share Jesus with their neighbors. We are only here to serve. (July 1 - 17)

Thanks to the following who are helping financially.		Many have chosen to financially support mission work to Bulgaria in the past. If you choose this again, you will receive a receipt from Heritage FWB Church. Thank you for your prayers and assistance.
NORVAFWB
Heritage WAC
Harold and Stacie Green

I hope you enjoy these photos from past years, as we look forward to this year's journey.