Greetings From Across The Seas

Hello from Bulgaria! As you've probably already learned from Lindsay, I have been spending the last several days on a missions trip here in Bulgaria. The majority of my work has involved building relationships with Bulgarian teens through football. The team that I am a part of (from Kirk of the Hills) is fairly small, but we joined with another large team from Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, along with some American and Bulgarian missionary kids, we put together a football team consisting of 14 players, myself included...as the 25 year old veteran, haha. I had no idea what was in store for us. We actually had official matches scheduled - 6 of them over a 5 day period - in the central city of Pazardjeek (which is where we were staying) and two villages - Malo Kanarae and Ogyanavov. We played actual teams from those villages in actual football stadiums with real spectators! It was a good thing that the team from Charlotte brought complete uniforms for us to where which gave us a sense of unity and professionalism. I can't go into the details of each match. But I can tell you that we had a BLAST. It was so amazing to be playing with some very good footballers in front of a crowd. They enjoyed playing against the Americans. We played each team twice - so there were good opportunities to meet players and form relationships. We spent time in conversation after each match over Cokes and some tasty Bulgarian snacks.

Unfortunately, protestant evangelical Christians are classified as sects/cults by the Bulgarian government - who's national religion is eastern-orthodox Christianity. Protestant Christians are grouped with Jehovas Witnesses and Mormons, who also have missionaries in Bulgaria, seen passing out tracts and going door to door. Overall, they are not welcome as the majority of the population identifies themselves with the Orthodox Church. Though we never directly shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with most of the Bulgarian teens we played football with, many of them changed their perception of the Evangelical Church in Bulgaria. Because we spent time playing football with them and talking over Cokes, they concluded that we were not there only to convert them, but we were there to have a relationship with them. Many teens walked into the Evangelical Church of Pazardjeek for the first time in their lives. It was truly remarkable. I could go on and on - but I look forward to sharing some personal stories with you when I come back to the States.

I leave for London in a few hours. Tomorrow morning I will take the train to Wales where I will visit with some local friends there, as well as visit one or two schools that I am interested in for doctoral studies. After spending three days in Wales, I will travel back to London where I will spend five days with some MTW missionaries in their outreach to Muslims in London. I return to the United States on 1 July. Please pray for safe travels and good health. I am truly enjoying this day of rest off of my feet - which are still quite tired from all of the football.

I cannot believe that I will be marrying the love of my life in 6 weeks! Though I am very pre-occupied while here in Bulgaria, not a day goes by where I do not think about the wedding and all of the excitement that accompanies it. I miss Lindsay more than anything. I cannot wait to see her. And I cannot wait to marry her. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and is praying for us. We love you all and look forward to sharing our special day with you! Thank you!

Jeremy