Slava na Boga, Friends! Today, we rocked it out in a BIG way!
Our morning started in the Rockavitsa gypsy village. We led stories and songs with the children at the Baptist church, sharing that Jesus is the Light! We decorated and wore sun visors; (Note the theme--LIGHT!) Durng the church service, our group shared hymns and sang Jesus Loves Me in Bulgarian accompanied by handbells; (Thanks Blaine!) . Skip shared a beautiful message. Afterwards, the ladies of the church had sweets and juice to share with us.
The afternoon was spent at Berk 4, the home for handicap children. There is a huge variety of ages in this home, ranging from five to 38. Our focus was placing shoes on their feet. My, oh my, their feet! What moves my heart is the sweet, sweet spirit of these children. We arrived. They greeted us with waves and shouts of welcome. They escorted us off the van and eagerly helped us to unload supplies. We set up shop and within two hours we had shoes on 91 children! Debbie served as shoe sizer, measuing each foot! Jane and Bridget provided the socks. Escorted by Russ and Tom, the children then moved on to the sales team: Cindy, Leanne, Kelly, Jeff, and Ron. Skip and Thomas were the runners, handing each sales team member a pair of shoes in the size of their customer. Once fitted with a pair of tennis shoes and sandels, the kids went to see Rachel and Polly for some clothing!
Heart Moments:
*As our team sang, "How Great Thou Art" the people of the gypsy church joined with us in their language and together we praised Jesus!
*We connected with old friends: In fact, a girl asked by name for Emily, a 2009 team member.
*At Berk 4, we were blessed as we experienced pure, unabated love as grown men and children hugged our necks and held our hands. Inspite of not sharing a common language, we share a love of each other and Jesus!
*Seeing how God has worked in the lives of these children in a year's time: Today, I held a child in my lap for 30 minutes !!!! who last year would not interact with us as he thrashed and kicked about the floor alone.
*Seeing God work through our amazing team! Tom: hollering with the gypsy children. Polly: holding a 12 year-old child with cleft lip in her lap. Others: stepping out of their comfort zone to share the light of Jesus!
Friends, we are so blessed to have your love and support. Please continue to keep to us and the people of Bulgaria in your prayers.
Love,
Leanne
(with assistance from Rachel, Kelly, and Bridget)
