We woke up to this morning in Vratsa to the beautiful mountain in front of the hotel. It's a wonderful part of God's creation. We drove a little more than an hour to the town of Vidrare, where there is another handicap orphanage. The Morristown team has been there in years past, although they didn't spend much time there and didn't know too many of the children. It is a very different home than Berk 4. It's in the middle of town and is colorful and well kept. They have a very engaged director (who speaks English quite well) and also a music and arts director.
And what a treat we were in for! June 1 is the International Day of the Child, so in celebration, they put on a music program. It was a big production, and we weren't the only guests. There were many folks in from the community, and the mayor sent greetings. There was also a mission group from Trevecca University in Nashville and a group of nursing students from Shorter University in Georgia. Upon arrival, we were greeted with piping hot, fresh baked bread with Bulgarian spices, and everyone was given a small bouquet of flowers cut from the garden.
All the children were in their best clothes -- the boys all had black pants, white shirts, and red bow ties, and the girls had on their best dresses. There were songs sung, poems recited, and dances performed. It was an impressive show! They actually take shows on the road sometimes and recently even entered a talent show of area schools. They shot fireworks for the grand finale. The whole program was outside, and it was perfect weather.
Afterwards, we got to spent time playing with children, rubbing backs, and holding them. It is such a joy to be with such special children. In addition to the children who performed (who were the ones able to do so), there were many more children outside with us. We were also able to spend some time with the director, and we prayed with him as a group before we left.
This is a great home, and Paul and Judy have a great relationship with the director. They have also hired someone through Bulgarian Child who lives there and works there.
In the afternoon, we headed back to Sofia and went into the city for some touring. We ate at our favorite Chinese restaurant and then arrived at Hotel Jasmine, where we have stayed in the past. We debriefed and had our devotional and decided to work tomorrow on packing logistics -- everything that came over that needs to get to orphanages and the manger scenes that the Berk 4 residents make that need to get to the U.S. to be sold. We were just too tired to do it tonight! We were excited that our eleventh bag finally arrived today from the airport.
Tomorrow we take an excursion over to the city of Plovdiv. It is the second largest city in Bulgaria and was once a Roman city, so there are lots of Roman relics still there, including a large amphitheater still in use.
Signing off from Sofia,
Team Bulgaria
