tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50579047763185516072024-03-14T05:14:15.202-04:00Defending the Cause of Orphans...Isaiah 1:17Spreading the love of God through missions from Commerce, Georgia to Lom, Bulgaria!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-14664646198649925672018-08-06T20:53:00.001-04:002018-08-06T20:53:14.667-04:00Sunday, August 5th <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On my very first visit to the orphanage 10 years ago I met Katya and Nikolina. We had a special bond and over the years that has continued. I communicate with them via Facebook and Google translator through out the year. Nikolina is now 24 and is married and has a 4 year old daughter, Vicky. They live over and hour away from Lom and manage a dairy farm. Nikolina was able to come and stay in Lom for a few days with her daughter Vicky while we were in town. It allowed us to spend a lot of time together. It was wonderful and she has really been practicing her English so communication was a little easier. I also got to spend time with sweet little Vicky. She is precious, well behaved, and was so much fun! Vicky called me Baba Susan. Baba is the Bulgarian word for grandmother. Makes my heart just melt! Nikolina is a good mother and I'm so proud of her. <br /><span class="im"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="im">Katya is 22 years old and also has a child of her own, Svetlina is 10 months old and is so cute! Katya lives with her boyfriend, his parents and extended family. She says at times it is very difficult but is determined to be a good mother for her child. Nikolina and Katya are determined to be the kind of mothers they wish they had had. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="im"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y93ePzjE4W8/W2jo-WJsUYI/AAAAAAAAeeE/PG96qB8pIOYl10vhRPwwTsQ_5-2KozjdQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7393.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y93ePzjE4W8/W2jo-WJsUYI/AAAAAAAAeeE/PG96qB8pIOYl10vhRPwwTsQ_5-2KozjdQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7393.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="im"><br /></span><span class="im"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsY4wU6nsLM/W2jpVl7PtrI/AAAAAAAAeeU/b98XR1txSgYJBkOv8s2a_Jwr-w0--YbwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7353.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsY4wU6nsLM/W2jpVl7PtrI/AAAAAAAAeeU/b98XR1txSgYJBkOv8s2a_Jwr-w0--YbwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7353.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_A_OdAe-L3g/W2jpWB-B7FI/AAAAAAAAeec/xYmhfOYSl8Q6c1UYQEucAralt3NmxYcxACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7396.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="618" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_A_OdAe-L3g/W2jpWB-B7FI/AAAAAAAAeec/xYmhfOYSl8Q6c1UYQEucAralt3NmxYcxACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7396.jpeg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1qZuCHhvRs/W2jpWrG4C3I/AAAAAAAAeeg/3URG8Q-ty0Izr0jHHsvdUFFBS79sje8AgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1qZuCHhvRs/W2jpWrG4C3I/AAAAAAAAeeg/3URG8Q-ty0Izr0jHHsvdUFFBS79sje8AgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7398.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iS5ZOQNvHEE/W2jpX4f5l7I/AAAAAAAAees/yz0owDNsJYspNGghLJG4JSTa7VtdAGxygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iS5ZOQNvHEE/W2jpX4f5l7I/AAAAAAAAees/yz0owDNsJYspNGghLJG4JSTa7VtdAGxygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7430.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunday was another day of visiting our kids. In the morning we spent time with the kids at the second group home. This group home opened after the orphanage closed. It’s on the opposite end of town from the first group home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Several of our kids are there as well as some new ones. They were happy to see us and we spent several hours making bracelets, coloring and playing soccer (well Jennifer, Nicky and I didn't play soccer, but luckly our translator Steffi's son was there to kick the ball around with the guys!). We caught up on how they were doing. They are all teenagers now except for one small boy Joseph who loved playing chase with Nikolina's daughter Vicky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We discovered they needed some new soccer balls and jump ropes so Vanessa and Sashco walked to the store with us to pick them out. It was time to say goodbye so there where hugs and well wishes all around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nv07eQ8MMZY/W2jpX16qI-I/AAAAAAAAeew/BS0ijzYTMFoN4Dn4QTlr-NkPFXqZMzQawCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nv07eQ8MMZY/W2jpX16qI-I/AAAAAAAAeew/BS0ijzYTMFoN4Dn4QTlr-NkPFXqZMzQawCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7417.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AgvuDG7t5_g/W2jpXyujy8I/AAAAAAAAee0/QYyHNWcpE-o5DsSLKPCBLxQ5Kgb4Um5kQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AgvuDG7t5_g/W2jpXyujy8I/AAAAAAAAee0/QYyHNWcpE-o5DsSLKPCBLxQ5Kgb4Um5kQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7450.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHwlrbcoxD4/W2jpXVE6rzI/AAAAAAAAeek/EoM7iMeCL-MSs4ZD1LxL6T_bMfJ5cbXiACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHwlrbcoxD4/W2jpXVE6rzI/AAAAAAAAeek/EoM7iMeCL-MSs4ZD1LxL6T_bMfJ5cbXiACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7401.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After lunch we went to the special needs group home to see Bobo and Gloria. Both were at the orphanage. Bobo is one of the triplets that grew up in the orphanage. His brother Miso and and sister Krasa are now living in Sofia in a transitional home for orphans and are doing well. Miso takes the bus to Lom when he can to visit his brother. The home is a wonderful facility with a very caring staff. We enjoyed tossing balls, coloring and doing puzzles with the kids. We feel really good about Bobo, Gloria and the other residents. They seem happy and well cared for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghrdg1PrH80/W2jpXWk0hkI/AAAAAAAAeeo/Z3bA-3kSc3MhP_dH6xn9PLluvSHQkw3JwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghrdg1PrH80/W2jpXWk0hkI/AAAAAAAAeeo/Z3bA-3kSc3MhP_dH6xn9PLluvSHQkw3JwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7407.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GACY0xg0Y8/W2jtTI8TJpI/AAAAAAAAef4/rMknVBtdonAvCmme1TDD-c67q1zTKlLAwCLcBGAs/s1600/image3-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GACY0xg0Y8/W2jtTI8TJpI/AAAAAAAAef4/rMknVBtdonAvCmme1TDD-c67q1zTKlLAwCLcBGAs/s320/image3-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQAjnCjxojw/W2jtTZWTKBI/AAAAAAAAef8/_mMX_IURiNYBJJafKkhowWg4fzwAWeGEgCLcBGAs/s1600/image4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQAjnCjxojw/W2jtTZWTKBI/AAAAAAAAef8/_mMX_IURiNYBJJafKkhowWg4fzwAWeGEgCLcBGAs/s320/image4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCYf_X3yAmc/W2jtZ4L0H4I/AAAAAAAAegI/Y53qaCoPbVcJhFsZRsH3DYyxXSShcT__ACLcBGAs/s1600/image1-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCYf_X3yAmc/W2jtZ4L0H4I/AAAAAAAAegI/Y53qaCoPbVcJhFsZRsH3DYyxXSShcT__ACLcBGAs/s320/image1-4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-58861434850183213792018-08-06T20:51:00.001-04:002018-08-06T20:53:32.511-04:00Saturday, August 4<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We set out on our Back to School shopping trip Saturday morning. The town of Lom, Bulgaria has a downtown square surrounded by several shops. Since Walmart has not come here, these little shops offer a fairly good variety of many different items. There are several shoe stores and clothing stores along with a shop for school supplies and a couple of toy stores. Last year was our first experience taking 15 Bulgarian kids shopping with only two translators. I think the group home directors must have heard about our chaotic expedition because this year they divided the kids into smaller groups. This made shopping a little easier for us. We divided up and took the boys to the stores they preferred and the girls to the stores they liked. We encouraged the kids to select jeans and tops that they can wear to school. Each child also bought shoes. Most of the kids are teenagers so they have very definite opinions about clothing! The girls enjoyed the opportunity to try on outfits and get opinions from their friends. One group home recently got a cute 6 year old boy named "Go Go". His director personally brought him and we all accompanied them to the children's shop. Go Go was excited to choose his new clothing and action hero underwear. This year's shopping trip was much smoother and enjoyable than last year's trip! We are so grateful for our congregation and friends who have supported the Bulgaria mission fund each year! Your contributions made 15 to 20 kids very happy! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Katie's daughter, Bo, was home from Denmark this year. We had not seen her since she translated for us five years ago. It was so good to see Bo and catch up! Bo was a tremendous help again this year translating for us!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Saturday was a good day filled with shopping and sharing time together. We met new kids and reconnected with kids we know. We spent time talking and sharing news. The kids remember everyone who has come to visit. They really missed not being able to see the other members of our team, too! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">After lunch we spent a few hours at the original group home in Lom. This home opened 10 years ago and we have supported them in many ways. Their director, Katia, is so friendly and appreciative of everything we have done! She is in charge of 8 or 9 kids including little Go Go. Katia was eager to brag on each child! She gave us very detailed reports of their progress in school and other activities. She told us about their recent "Master Chef" contest within the group home. The kids organized the contest with three teams. Each team cooked and served a different dish. Everyone tasted and voted on the winning team. Katia also told us about Gloria who won a scholarship prize by writing an essay. Her prize included money to purchase books and a cell phone. Gloria is entering the 11th grade and she hopes to go to college and become a photographer one day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UOGqhJGzWE/W2jsNm8aVhI/AAAAAAAAefc/unLCVwI-Btgiz-jKG-A2GbrtazWlS8nZwCLcBGAs/s1600/image1-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UOGqhJGzWE/W2jsNm8aVhI/AAAAAAAAefc/unLCVwI-Btgiz-jKG-A2GbrtazWlS8nZwCLcBGAs/s320/image1-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UV6miPL6uHY/W2jsNkPdKrI/AAAAAAAAefU/cyh4PKG_sNM8sUo2_00qQDWYIigzQ9WKACLcBGAs/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UV6miPL6uHY/W2jsNkPdKrI/AAAAAAAAefU/cyh4PKG_sNM8sUo2_00qQDWYIigzQ9WKACLcBGAs/s320/image1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqxs9CL5N1E/W2jsNmuKSnI/AAAAAAAAefY/E5n6igfuIdocwemJJKA-1gwOq42fiY24ACLcBGAs/s1600/image2-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqxs9CL5N1E/W2jsNmuKSnI/AAAAAAAAefY/E5n6igfuIdocwemJJKA-1gwOq42fiY24ACLcBGAs/s320/image2-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILk4cqvqdWM/W2jsOGzVbqI/AAAAAAAAefg/5SSJ8PTxu_04mGpBOPcXH5T-sJQhIJM-gCLcBGAs/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILk4cqvqdWM/W2jsOGzVbqI/AAAAAAAAefg/5SSJ8PTxu_04mGpBOPcXH5T-sJQhIJM-gCLcBGAs/s320/image2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZjlJQ4BAgA/W2js7UQv7DI/AAAAAAAAefw/Na9SQCz0ahMJOH8GXa66bgrBT673OUevQCLcBGAs/s1600/image3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZjlJQ4BAgA/W2js7UQv7DI/AAAAAAAAefw/Na9SQCz0ahMJOH8GXa66bgrBT673OUevQCLcBGAs/s320/image3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTBVTY1a49I/W2jtZvnUwEI/AAAAAAAAegE/eWEeWui8gOYcGGxdpneXeeyLoK6kSqvTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/image1-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTBVTY1a49I/W2jtZvnUwEI/AAAAAAAAegE/eWEeWui8gOYcGGxdpneXeeyLoK6kSqvTgCEwYBhgL/s320/image1-3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-9816211605141136082018-08-05T14:15:00.000-04:002018-08-05T14:11:57.500-04:00Lom: August 3, 2018<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">August 3 - Plan A: This is what was supposed to happen. Our van, with automatic </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">transmission and large enough to carry 6 people and their luggage, would arrive at 9:30. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We would load up, and Susan would drive the 3-hour trip to Lom with stops in Mezdra </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and Montana to visit some of our kids. This is what really happened: The minivan arrived </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a little late; it had manual transmission, and it did not have room for six people and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">luggage. Susan bravely offered to drive anyway, but there was no way we were all going </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to fit in that van! I use the word bravely because roads in Bulgaria aren’t great and are </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mostly two lanes. Bulgarian drivers are known to pass other cars any time, anywhere.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plan B - Sadly, we didn’t have a Plan B, but Steffi quickly got to work and made one up. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She and the hotel manager began phoning rental agencies. No luck. They even phoned </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">some of their friends who owned vans. No luck. Fortunately, Steffi was able to get in </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">touch with a transportation company who worked with her school. They had a van! They </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">had a driver! It would be large enough for us and our luggage! It wouldn’t be available </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">until 2:30, but it was our only option.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">V</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an and driver were a little late but they did arrive. The driver was skillful and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">uncomplaining. The main highway to Lom was closed, so he had to take a longer, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bumpier detour. He will return to Lom on Monday morning to take us back to Sofia. We </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">continue to be impressed by and thankful for the kindness of Bulgarian strangers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stopped in Mezdra to visit Bobby and Sylvia who were originally in the orphanage in </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lom but were moved to Mezdra when the orphanage closed. We always refer to Bobby </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as “Smiling Bobby”; we have never seen him without a smile on his face. We were able to </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">give them news of some of their friends in other group homes and a few of the girls who </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">had been adopted and were now living in the United States.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our next stop was in Montana to see brothers Zoran and Alex, mine and Wayne’s special </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">favorites. They left the group home to be reunited with their mother in 2012 and are doing </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">well. As usual, the brothers argued back and forth about who was the smartest, the </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cutest, the most athletic, etc. We also met Zoran’s girl friend who seemed shy and maybe </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a little overwhelmed by us.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was after dark when we finally made it to Lom. As soon as our driver dropped us off, he </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">headed back to Sofia. He didn’t get home until after midnight. It had been a long and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stressful day, but we still had one more task. We met with the directors of the three group </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">homes and Lom’s Director of Social Services so that we could plan for our days in Lom. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We managed to have supper around 10:00. It was a long day but a happy one filled with </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">meeting old friends and making a few new ones. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZYs-TdbzhM/W2YM8VFStfI/AAAAAAAAebg/ECqy9DmKc40jZxu8Lag6soghHXnkCA5xQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZYs-TdbzhM/W2YM8VFStfI/AAAAAAAAebg/ECqy9DmKc40jZxu8Lag6soghHXnkCA5xQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2974.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bobby and Silvia</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93ev2FYeiOs/W2YM7--_gzI/AAAAAAAAebc/TkcJbofbqagl4M8_Gxb5NZTDsj9_Q5xgQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93ev2FYeiOs/W2YM7--_gzI/AAAAAAAAebc/TkcJbofbqagl4M8_Gxb5NZTDsj9_Q5xgQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Zoran and Alex</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-70971826449853513992018-08-05T14:06:00.001-04:002018-08-05T14:11:16.147-04:00Sofia: August 2nd <div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">August 2 - Early start today! Steffi met us at the hotel so that we could do some shopping for </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">our Bulgaria kids who no longer live in Lom. Zoiko, Dobri, and Misho met us in downtown </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sofia. Zoiko is a student at the university, and Dobri will begin his university studies soon. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Misho and his sister Krasa also live and work in Sofia. We have known these guys since 2007.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are so proud of the responsible, hardworking young men that they have become. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Marinka and her baby son Christo joined us also. Marinka is a very dedicated mom, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christo is so adorable! He was unbelievably content during several hours of shopping and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">walking around downtown Sofia. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dorene, a former orphanage resident and now a young man in his twenties, joined us for</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">supper. He has been working in Sofia for four years now. He works at a gas station full time (No </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">self service gas pumps in Bulgaria!) and also does construction work as a part time job. Dorene </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">says that he was able to get this job because he learned a lot working along side our FBC men </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">doing renovation work on the orphanage.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our first trip to Lom was in 2007. This year we are celebrating ten years of successful mission </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">trips and wonderful friendships in Bulgaria. We hope that we have made a difference in the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lives of our children in Lom. They have certainly been a blessing for all of us.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now for the not-so-good news: Steffi received a call from the van rental place saying that the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">van we were supposed to get tomorrow morning had been in a wreck. Unfortunately, this was </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the only van that they had with automatic transmission. They promised to do their best to find </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">another van with automatic transmission and would deliver it tomorrow morning as promised. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We hope for the best but fear the worst!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IadLP1Lfadk/W2c9h4F8KgI/AAAAAAAAeco/2BQqU1P57_0BOKT7ozC0GL-C8uCyHCnnwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IadLP1Lfadk/W2c9h4F8KgI/AAAAAAAAeco/2BQqU1P57_0BOKT7ozC0GL-C8uCyHCnnwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2964.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rfNMFqVyKs/W2c9nn53BPI/AAAAAAAAecs/YgfXIrYzKIEwG7zUuF7KlZNn359a6Cz3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rfNMFqVyKs/W2c9nn53BPI/AAAAAAAAecs/YgfXIrYzKIEwG7zUuF7KlZNn359a6Cz3wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2970.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dobri, Misho, and Zoiko </div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-68065454774132505522018-08-01T12:03:00.001-04:002018-08-01T12:03:53.639-04:00Back to Bulgaria--August 2018<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a smooth trip from Atlanta to Sofia! We are so very thankful for all the prayers! We had supper tonight with Steffi, our friend and translator along with two of our “kids”, Zoiko and Radi! It was great to see them! Zoiko has two more years of university. He has been battling cancer for the past year. He goes back to Turkey in September for a final checkup. Radi looks good! She is working full time at a restaurant in Sofia. It was good to see them and catch up! We are so grateful that they are managing on their own in Sofia!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6S_DQgyFwU/W2HZfUMdQrI/AAAAAAAAeY0/8iGhCG0xLvseMTEBXmxOJKkOIf9XUA5igCLcBGAs/s1600/38241934_10214986543490608_4169493820766945280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6S_DQgyFwU/W2HZfUMdQrI/AAAAAAAAeY0/8iGhCG0xLvseMTEBXmxOJKkOIf9XUA5igCLcBGAs/s320/38241934_10214986543490608_4169493820766945280_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vMCTA90L9sk/W2HZmwOJhmI/AAAAAAAAeY4/M05AxbJYtoAk6AfYQ8uc_uEw-0IpP78ogCLcBGAs/s1600/38254437_10214986543530609_5718658854800064512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vMCTA90L9sk/W2HZmwOJhmI/AAAAAAAAeY4/M05AxbJYtoAk6AfYQ8uc_uEw-0IpP78ogCLcBGAs/s320/38254437_10214986543530609_5718658854800064512_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-3813693313920540592017-08-01T20:49:00.003-04:002017-08-01T20:49:22.973-04:00Update on Naiden
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">Meet Naiden, my first and best friend in Bulgaria. Briefly, this is Naiden’s story.
Naiden lived at the orphanage longer than any other child; he was only a toddler
when his parents left him at the orphanage. They never visited or contacted him
again. He doesn’t know if he has brothers, sisters, or any other relatives. For his
entire life all holidays and birthdays were spent at the orphanage. The orphanage
became his home and his family.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">In 2007 on my first visit to the orphanage in Lom, Naiden and I quickly realized
that we shared an interest in gardening when he proudly showed me his small
vegetable garden. Through our translator, I told him that he and I could weed the
garden together the next day. By the time I arrived the next morning, he had the
garden completely weeded; he had worked into the night to get the job done.
This was our first indication of Naiden’s amazing work ethic.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">Life wasn’t easy for Naiden. When we arrived at the orphanage in 2008, Naiden
wasn’t there. He had been sent away for special treatment for his “anger issues”.
He was able to return to the orphanage for one afternoon so that he could visit
with us. His permanent return to the orphanage was questionable. However,
being the resilient young man that he is, he overcame his problems and was
back at the orphanage in time for our arrival in 2009.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">Through the years many of the older boys looked forward to working with our
men on various repair and renovation projects in the orphanage. Naiden became
one of the most dependable and able workers. From the age of thirteen Naiden
would find a summer job in town, usually doing hard manual labor on a
construction site. He would finish his job and return to the orphanage around
4:30, just in time to get his orphanage work assignment from Wayne and David.
After supper he would begin his orphanage assignment, many times working until
3:00 or 4:00 AM.The next morning he would leave the orphanage around 7:00 for
his summer job. He kept up this schedule throughout our entire visit.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt;">Naiden now lives in Sofia and has a good job at a construction company keeping
an inventory of supplies coming in and going out. He has friends and a good life.
Although there is nothing in his early years that would predict a happy and
successful life, no one deserves it more than Naiden. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">I love a story with a
happy ending! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Nicky </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52xs_zLb5VI/WYEhew0ZmlI/AAAAAAAAOzk/jys4yS9ny2wRlEIYD216axHCans2ak-RQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52xs_zLb5VI/WYEhew0ZmlI/AAAAAAAAOzk/jys4yS9ny2wRlEIYD216axHCans2ak-RQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ5SlM9f2NE/WYEhe9154aI/AAAAAAAAOzk/m_4JRGrqAkkDwIUWjOuUo30qiqCahh-3QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ5SlM9f2NE/WYEhe9154aI/AAAAAAAAOzk/m_4JRGrqAkkDwIUWjOuUo30qiqCahh-3QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10a0Yxb-zls/WYEhez6UqOI/AAAAAAAAOzk/D_p6BuZPxcs4_b_0GubfJNGAT4ow8YOgACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10a0Yxb-zls/WYEhez6UqOI/AAAAAAAAOzk/D_p6BuZPxcs4_b_0GubfJNGAT4ow8YOgACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-2359813094727105112017-07-30T14:50:00.001-04:002017-07-30T14:50:09.638-04:00The Girls <span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">After a very dumpy and curvy drive thru the mountains back to Sofia, we are in our hotel and will be leaving <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">at 4:45 am</a> in the morning to catch our <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">7:00 am</a> flight home. It has been a wonderful week!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"> I have had a special relationship with 2 girls which was establish the first year I came to the orphanage in 2008. They were 12 and 15 yeas old then. They are now 20 and 23years old. Both are out on their own. Katya is living in Lom with her boyfriend and her boyfriends parents. She is expecting a baby in October. Nikolina lives in a near by village with her husband and little girl Vicky. They have a small dairy farm. Nikolina's husband speaks English and I told him about the family Shirley Show Cattle business back in Commerce. I gave him a Shirley Feed & Seed hat to wear on his Bulgarian farm. He said " Great, now Shirley Feed & Seed has gone international!"</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I keep up with both the girls through Facebook during the year, especially Nikolina. We talk, via Google translator" several times a week and she sends me pictures of her and daughter Vicky. The Bulgarian word for grandmother is BaBa. The first time I saw them on Thursday, There were hugs and kisses all around and little Vicky was calling me BaBa. Yes....that melted my heart! She is such a smart little girl and her father is teaching her English. She is only 3 years old but has a great vocabulary of English. She also stayed up with Nikolina and I after <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">11:00 pm</a> each night visiting and she never cried or got fussy. She does not have a lot of children to play with where they live so she was enjoying all the attention. She also took to Beth, from England, and cried when she had to go home.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">No matter who we are, where we live, or our circumstances, we all want to be loved and valued. I am grateful these girls and all the children along the way have come into my life. It has been a blessing to my life. I carry them in my heart until we meet again!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Susan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKqXOMk3eO4/WX4qJXQfaJI/AAAAAAAAOuw/E9vTtBLRwKIdCSohHXTbwr0-7UitTk3RgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKqXOMk3eO4/WX4qJXQfaJI/AAAAAAAAOuw/E9vTtBLRwKIdCSohHXTbwr0-7UitTk3RgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3F9Dmbxmoy0/WX4qJVFxqPI/AAAAAAAAOuw/9W2rs1fiNuwIrh7kJmgR7WtWvvaY5TtbQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3F9Dmbxmoy0/WX4qJVFxqPI/AAAAAAAAOuw/9W2rs1fiNuwIrh7kJmgR7WtWvvaY5TtbQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ7WDkZxHOs/WX4qJU_OyzI/AAAAAAAAOuw/QSTe2PgRMHwPc7qzmkfgvhKQIRJLyZg3QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ7WDkZxHOs/WX4qJU_OyzI/AAAAAAAAOuw/QSTe2PgRMHwPc7qzmkfgvhKQIRJLyZg3QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1atQLtooK_g/WX4qJRpsvtI/AAAAAAAAOuw/H3eLA8OgyPsC4EvaneRGvTtlM3q4Hd4qACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1atQLtooK_g/WX4qJRpsvtI/AAAAAAAAOuw/H3eLA8OgyPsC4EvaneRGvTtlM3q4Hd4qACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-19625721818515056932017-07-30T08:34:00.001-04:002017-07-30T08:34:15.012-04:00Last day in LomIt's Beth from England on blog duty today, so please forgive any British-isms y'all!<br />
<br />
This morning we trekked up the hill to the group home, where the children from the old kindergarten home were also waiting for us. Thankfully we had come prepared with loom bands and playing cards, so we spent an hour or two playing, chatting, and fielding a thousand questions such as "Is Coca Cola the same in English?" from Loucho. Some of the group played a boisterous game of spoons outside. (No cutlery related injuries reported!) The goodbyes were hard, as they always are, but we've become fairly adept at trying to limit the tears, by making our move quickly. Thankfully we can always rely on Jennifer to be equipped with Kleenex, as it is not only the children who find it difficult.<br />
<br />
David and Emily did an excellent job getting us across country to Belogradchik, a natural fortress rock formation, dodging enormous convoys of farm machinery. We met Nikolina, her family, and Katya at a restaurant overlooking the rocks, and had a delicious lunch with break-speed service. A slightly hairy drive later, and we were at the rocks, which some of the group had visited with Kris in 2007. It's absolutely stunning, with dramatically perched rocks forming a very convenient fortress. Nikolina's husband gave us an excellent history lesson, explaining the various empires and conquests in the fortress' past.<br />
<br />
We got back in once piece, and had a wonderful final group dinner, with Adi, her daughter, Nikolina and her daughter, Zoiko, Katya, and Radi joining us. The little girls delighted and entertained us. It's been wonderful seeing our 'girls' grow into young women, caring for their own babies with patient love and affection.<br />
<br />
Ten years of visiting our children in Lom have provided us with a lot of memories to reflect on during our last evening here. A few of us have shared memories of the various children after dinner, looking at old photos, and reminiscing.<br />
<br />
We've seen so many changes in the way looked after children are cared for in Bulgaria. Whilst the orphanage was never an ideal environment, it improved dramatically over the years, with staff appearing more engaged and attentive each year. It was cleaner, brighter, and more suited to its purpose by the time it closed. The European Union has pushed for more children to be in group homes, providing something similar to a family environment, in an attempt to limit the extent to which children are institutionalised by their childhoods. Many of the youngest children have been adopted or fostered; ultimately our hope for all of the children.<br />
<br />
We have worked with some amazingly patient, compassionate, and innovative people. The staff do a terrific job of caring for challenging children, with limited funds, and very little remuneration. We have been welcomed by the congregation of the Baptist church, and greeted every year as old friends. Various people from the town have dropped in to help us over the years.<br />
<br />
This year would not have been possible without Steffi and Sammy, our gracious and patient mother and son duo, who translate for us at the group homes, in toy shops, and in restaurants. Steffi maintains contact with our children throughout the year, and I doubt that we'll ever really comprehend how much work she does on our behalf. She is an enormous blessing, and an amazing ambassador for Christ. She loves the children as much as we do. Sammy has a brilliant sense of humour and has inherited his mother's patience.<br />
<br />
We've marvelled at the progress the children have made, despite their circumstances. We've seen many stories of perseverance and hard work; children who have learnt a trade, gone to university, or raised a family. Children who have been broken, angry and lost, now leading others, caring for themselves and helping others. Whilst we have been disappointed in the choices that some of them have made sometimes, we remember that they have grown up without parents or stable carers to advise them, or give them the safety net to make mistakes. They face decisions that we can only imagine, with little experience of the world outside Lom. We hope that we've made it clear that we are there for them no matter what. We are so proud of what all of them have accomplished. The goodbyes are so hard because our love for them is ten years strong, built on good times, challenging times, and a lifetime commitment. It's but a glimpse of how God loves them, and it comes to us naturally only because He's shown us how.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wK301ukQ74/WX3SJGRJ0DI/AAAAAAAAOt0/XPczFW_oyIgpGrexD_ZIcrsWAV27RAn9QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wK301ukQ74/WX3SJGRJ0DI/AAAAAAAAOt0/XPczFW_oyIgpGrexD_ZIcrsWAV27RAn9QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHIYfAzlKik/WX3SJDChAUI/AAAAAAAAOt0/X3iiFyWK3IMxuuIaH7EMSuqXE-pPCv_fwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHIYfAzlKik/WX3SJDChAUI/AAAAAAAAOt0/X3iiFyWK3IMxuuIaH7EMSuqXE-pPCv_fwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKa7xALtgCQ/WX3SJP-RQ8I/AAAAAAAAOt0/IfPPqLIZFOYbL2ao_8o1kyWVJEpQbRBIACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKa7xALtgCQ/WX3SJP-RQ8I/AAAAAAAAOt0/IfPPqLIZFOYbL2ao_8o1kyWVJEpQbRBIACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMf2v-hYjdQ/WX3SJKSisKI/AAAAAAAAOt0/8d6YGOg_TzoGSRcKJcljh_l08d3OUFkKACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMf2v-hYjdQ/WX3SJKSisKI/AAAAAAAAOt0/8d6YGOg_TzoGSRcKJcljh_l08d3OUFkKACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yy60DVAHzA/WX3SJIPJhEI/AAAAAAAAOt0/oOTvZbLa2sQT4CDAUAIm14gGbeW78jfbgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yy60DVAHzA/WX3SJIPJhEI/AAAAAAAAOt0/oOTvZbLa2sQT4CDAUAIm14gGbeW78jfbgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdo78oAtDK4/WX3SJPFB1_I/AAAAAAAAOt0/ZBUXDyfaeoEVyxmZs_Fx2ehH5uydJFtAwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdo78oAtDK4/WX3SJPFB1_I/AAAAAAAAOt0/ZBUXDyfaeoEVyxmZs_Fx2ehH5uydJFtAwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-58425642423706025362017-07-29T07:30:00.000-04:002018-08-05T14:19:27.220-04:00Lom<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">LOM</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Friday, July 28</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">What a day! We began by shopping for toys, games, and cleaning supplies for the three group homes. Our church family as well as others in the community have generously donated to the Bulgaria Fund throughout the years. We even have one family in Wyoming who has donated monthly for several years. We and the children are extremely grateful. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Next stop was one of the group homes. This home originally housed younger children but now is home for about 8 young teen-aged boys and girls. We knew most of the children from their years in <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="misc" x-apple-data-detectors="true">the orphanage</a>. The house is neat, clean, and cheerful with a play area outside. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Fortunately, we brought jump ropes. When Sasha was at <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="misc" x-apple-data-detectors="true">the orphanage</a>, she was definitely Queen of the Jump Ropers. She demonstrated those skills once again. Several other kids took turns too. Hula hoops were also a big hit. David Applegate played soccer with the boys while others made several dozen silly band bracelets. As I write this, I am wearing three. After lots of hugs and photos, we went to the second group home. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This home houses children and young adults who are mentally and/or physically handicapped. What a wonderful place for these children to live! The home is new and was built specifically for their needs. They have a colorful new playground in the middle of a well-kept lawn which is surrounded by attractive plants. They even have a cat and kittens!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Again, some of the children had previously lived at the orphanage. Bobo, one of our most memorable children from <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" x-apple-data-detectors-type="misc" x-apple-data-detectors="true">the orphanage</a>, lives in this group home. We met the triplets; Bobo, Krassa, and Misho; on our very first trip to Lom in 2007. Bobo will never be able to live on his own; he will always need someone to take care of him. Misho and Krassa now live in Sofia where Misho works to take care of himself and his sister. The separation has been difficult for all three of them. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When we walked in, Bobo recognized us and immediately began to cry. Everyone in the room was teary-eyed. I think we were a reminder of his years in <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors-type="misc" x-apple-data-detectors="true">the orphanage</a> when he was with his sister and brother. We all knew how much he loved and depended on Misho; he misses Misho and Krassa terribly. The director was able to cheer him up by giving him the task of showing us around the home. By the time we had refreshments, Bobo was smiling once again. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gloria also lives in this group home. When she and her brother came to <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://5" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824); color: black;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="5" x-apple-data-detectors-type="misc" x-apple-data-detectors="true">the orphanage</a> a few years ago, Gloria was severely malnourished. She was the skinniest child I had ever seen. Amazingly, she was a very happy little girl. She loved playing games and doing crafts. She was thrilled with the little prizes that she won. The other children were especially kind and encouraging to her. Although she is still thin, she is healthy. It is easy to tell that she is being loved and cared for in her new home.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It was hard to leave Bobo, Gloria, and the other children, but we had one more group home to visit. This home was the first group home in Lom and is home to eight children ranging in ages from fourteen to eighteen. The boys and girls in this home are all old friends of ours. Many were living in the orphanage in 2007 when we first visited Lom. They always give us an enthusiastic welcome when we come to their home. They had all participated in preparing refreshments, cleaning, and making welcome signs.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Our big surprise was the appearance of Svetli who just happened to be in Lom for the day. He had left the orphanage before our 2013 visit, but we all remembered him. He drove Wayne CRAZY!! He always wanted to help with the construction projects but wasn’t really much help. In fact, he probably made more work for the others. Wayne tried to fire Svetli, but Svetli just wouldn’t give up. He <i>really </i>liked helping the guys and really liked Wayne in spite of Wayne’s failed efforts to fire him. Svetli told me that he still worked in construction and planned to make a career of it. He said it was all because of the work he did at the orphanage with Wayne and the other men. I told him I knew that Wayne would be very proud of him. (Wayne would also be <i>very</i> surprised, but I didn’t tell Svetli that.) </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Have you ever thought it might be fun to take fifteen non-English speaking teen-agers on a shopping trip with only one translator? I can tell you it is <b><i>not</i> </b>fun. I don’t know who thought this up and why we all went along with it. Anyway, we all walked to downtown Lom and let the children lose in a clothing store. They were thrilled; most of them had not ever had the opportunity to choose their own clothes. They were accustomed to wearing other people’s hand-me-downs. They were actually getting to pick out several different outfits and try them on. They just didn’t want that fun to stop! After visiting four or five stores, trying on countless outfits, and annoying dozens of sales people, we were done. We all celebrated with a round of soft drinks and headed back to the group home. Later that evening we saw three of our boys strutting around town in their new outfits (see photo). I guess it was worth the trouble after all. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Nicky</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9px; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cokAkHsfOKA/WXwR-Bn69GI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/DCvrT8v2fLIArnQ9DK3FZfVcYjYhLP4CwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cokAkHsfOKA/WXwR-Bn69GI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/DCvrT8v2fLIArnQ9DK3FZfVcYjYhLP4CwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2222.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ZbvDRk0aE/WXwR-EdFQuI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/df39xJtaTDAs2AdUnLY8OC3sXF-T-h-VgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ZbvDRk0aE/WXwR-EdFQuI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/df39xJtaTDAs2AdUnLY8OC3sXF-T-h-VgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2224.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No bo</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciEJNOv9LyE/WXwR-IuifOI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/uu6TwGhFomcJRCv_JWlXVA6MoFB9NvY1QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciEJNOv9LyE/WXwR-IuifOI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/uu6TwGhFomcJRCv_JWlXVA6MoFB9NvY1QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2223.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span id="goog_1052332885"></span><span id="goog_1052332886"></span><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-78407018682525758242017-07-28T10:14:00.000-04:002017-07-28T10:16:23.557-04:00Day 3: Zoran and Alex<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">We first met brothers Zoran and Alex in 2007. The boys quickly became Wayne’s favorites. He was immediately impressed by Zoran’s athletic ability and spent lots of time throwing the football with him. Zoran was also quite clever and charming; he had a way of getting what he wanted. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Alex’s sweet smile made everyone fall in love with him. After returning home from Bulgaria, obviously, we talked about Zoran and Alex a lot. Dylan began referring to them as his two new little brothers. If Wayne could have brought them home with us, he would have. Although Zoran and Alex had parents, most of their young lives had been spent in the orphanage. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In the fall of 2012 the boys were finally reunited with their mom and lived in a beautiful town in a mountainous section of northern Bulgaria. Our group visited them in 2013. Both boys were happy and healthy and were thrilled to show us around their new town. Because Zoran was athletically gifted, he had the opportunity to go to a special school for talented athletes. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The boys now live with their mom and stepdad in Montana, an area south of Lom. They go to a technical school that focuses on agriculture and mechanics. They live at school five days a week and come home on the weekend. Although they are young men now, they have retained their boyish charm. Their lives are happy, full of family and friends. Wayne would be so pleased and so proud of them!</span></div>
<span class="HOEnZb" style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: #888888;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11pt;">Nicky</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Bb8UoUmGBk/WXtE3ARO8PI/AAAAAAAAOn0/vZ0BTp4rNbE-XntZ54FxtZOWQ2D5XV4agCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Bb8UoUmGBk/WXtE3ARO8PI/AAAAAAAAOn0/vZ0BTp4rNbE-XntZ54FxtZOWQ2D5XV4agCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_2203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOS3lfEJUFQ/TEMeycHYo0I/AAAAAAAAAFY/yVcdG3k3D0AZeuXoA2_km7FBJI8H2xDjQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOS3lfEJUFQ/TEMeycHYo0I/AAAAAAAAAFY/yVcdG3k3D0AZeuXoA2_km7FBJI8H2xDjQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/IMG_1343.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-22174974562840010992017-07-27T18:30:00.002-04:002017-07-27T18:30:37.698-04:00Day 2: Mezdra, Montana, and Lom<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Today after doing a little shopping in Sofia while the men toured a couple of churches, we went to Mezdra. While in Mezdra we went to one of the group homes to visit and tour the facility where Asia, Bobby, and Sylvia live. Afterwards we walked to town with Asia, Bobby and Sylvia. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">While in town we bought them shoes and school supplies as well as two board games. Asia has been adopted and will be moving to Seattle Washington in August. Some of the team left their addresses and phone numbers for her in case she needs us for anything. She has already taken some English lessons.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Our next stop was to see Kassandra in Montana. She is 16 now and has a year old little boy. Of course this is not an ideal situation. It took 30 minutes to convince her boyfriends family to let them come see us. The family would only let her come with the baby if a family member came too. So they finally got to the restaurant where we were waiting and we got to visit for awhile. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">While in Montana we picked up two of our favorites.....Zoran and Alex! They are coming with us to Lom and we will drop them back home on our way back to Sofia on Sunday. They will be staying in the group home they used to stay in before going back to live with their mother and step-dad. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" /><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Accomplished a good bit today even with the police stopping Emily!!!! No ticket!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Karen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akD2liwHFOs/WXppYJ1uxMI/AAAAAAAAOlU/SRH9WTG4ZCM7jr30bySkhjwINFATqH2CACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akD2liwHFOs/WXppYJ1uxMI/AAAAAAAAOlU/SRH9WTG4ZCM7jr30bySkhjwINFATqH2CACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--mFWDgj8Z5Q/WXppYHU82kI/AAAAAAAAOlU/Z-rvLpNZc1YhiEIPD0owYlrtRYcYwf2mwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--mFWDgj8Z5Q/WXppYHU82kI/AAAAAAAAOlU/Z-rvLpNZc1YhiEIPD0owYlrtRYcYwf2mwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2196.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E21E12GEJYQ/WXppYGLrpBI/AAAAAAAAOlU/-VG98wQ2o64BWNfYiJv6b68rH1SV0AtYgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E21E12GEJYQ/WXppYGLrpBI/AAAAAAAAOlU/-VG98wQ2o64BWNfYiJv6b68rH1SV0AtYgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2195.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95ua0EtTedk/WXppYNjwXSI/AAAAAAAAOlU/qw9xQhSlgmcgItqCbLEbeZMfS-5LknEoQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95ua0EtTedk/WXppYNjwXSI/AAAAAAAAOlU/qw9xQhSlgmcgItqCbLEbeZMfS-5LknEoQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2194.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtXFpadY9Lk/WXppYIPatiI/AAAAAAAAOlU/iWr0Ma4WTjUJg6l1PzMblkloNdVcu2JgwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtXFpadY9Lk/WXppYIPatiI/AAAAAAAAOlU/iWr0Ma4WTjUJg6l1PzMblkloNdVcu2JgwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2193.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-23852518195372419912017-07-26T17:17:00.001-04:002017-07-26T17:17:44.312-04:00Day 1: Sofia<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been two years since we last came to Bulgaria, so we should not be surprised at how much things have changed. The main orphanage in Lom closed this year and all of the kids that we know have been split up and sent to live in different places. Since we do not have an orphanage full of kids in which we could work, this year's trip has been very different so far. The other major change is that many of "our" kids have grown up! Today we saw eight of the kids from Lom who are now living in Sofia. We were very impressed with each of them and surprised at how well they are doing. Zoycho is 23. He has completed his first year of university. He has a part time job at a bakery and hopes to get a degree in social work. Naiden, Anatoly and Darine all have jobs and live on their own. Benny has completed a year of military school and has the rank of a sergeant. He has three more years of school. Misho and his sister, Krasa and another boy, Yannislav, are living in transitional housing for young people and working. They all seemed very happy and we enjoyed supper with them! We also saw Marinka in a town south of the city. She has a newborn son, Christof. We enjoyed meeting her boyfriend and seeing their new family. We are very grateful to have Emily and David Applegate from the U.K.! They have been great to drive us around this trip. Beth Watts, our other friend from the U.K., is also here! As always, God provided us with a wonderful friend and translator, Steffi! She will be guiding us around is week in our quest to see the kids. Our dear friend, Kris Angelov surprised us and came to greet us when we arrived. He also stopped by our supper. Kris is the reason we came to Bulgaria in the first place. He and his wife, Tedi, inspired us to share God's love with these children. We are grateful to God for allowing us so many opportunities to serve him and love these kids over the past ten years.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jennifer</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pUQFj_NuX4/WXkEo3g5ulI/AAAAAAAAOiA/rTxeEbrwaFgM6GrtvF9h22pLPnx3xzzCACLcBGAs/s1600/20170726_164543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pUQFj_NuX4/WXkEo3g5ulI/AAAAAAAAOiA/rTxeEbrwaFgM6GrtvF9h22pLPnx3xzzCACLcBGAs/s320/20170726_164543.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aside from doing magic tricks, Zoycho also works at a bakery in Sofia</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gkufhJsWYQ/WXkGAqMygLI/AAAAAAAAOi4/5UpQFOcLc6Uxh1vqectr8a9sV_ZkNN1_gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gkufhJsWYQ/WXkGAqMygLI/AAAAAAAAOi4/5UpQFOcLc6Uxh1vqectr8a9sV_ZkNN1_gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfflc5iHEuE/WXkEn-rXgZI/AAAAAAAAOh4/w0wqzdcpMUwZr0HXpSHSv28jW0mnVkH5wCLcBGAs/s1600/20170726_170304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfflc5iHEuE/WXkEn-rXgZI/AAAAAAAAOh4/w0wqzdcpMUwZr0HXpSHSv28jW0mnVkH5wCLcBGAs/s320/20170726_170304.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Karen and Benny</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCk7KxF_RF4/WXkEny3FxWI/AAAAAAAAOh8/3j90zHXHN7Eh8zY_Wx-Grso7GxQWfx3vgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170726_194459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCk7KxF_RF4/WXkEny3FxWI/AAAAAAAAOh8/3j90zHXHN7Eh8zY_Wx-Grso7GxQWfx3vgCLcBGAs/s320/20170726_194459.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Group Dinner in Sofia </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd6dS-2gnas/WXkGIuQB1aI/AAAAAAAAOi8/jbHER8Vnqgk2ckAaZ17FXpQe7feO-pspQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd6dS-2gnas/WXkGIuQB1aI/AAAAAAAAOi8/jbHER8Vnqgk2ckAaZ17FXpQe7feO-pspQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CoFU1UajmiU/WXkGIsiiXFI/AAAAAAAAOi8/b8GQ70mGU5MkS0jgnVR47duUGyOaXYsDgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CoFU1UajmiU/WXkGIsiiXFI/AAAAAAAAOi8/b8GQ70mGU5MkS0jgnVR47duUGyOaXYsDgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2186.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4s0F6TC51Xo/WXkGIqhfEUI/AAAAAAAAOi8/4qtgVnhNP4cOeO12ZMCbcREXThvrGdL4QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4s0F6TC51Xo/WXkGIqhfEUI/AAAAAAAAOi8/4qtgVnhNP4cOeO12ZMCbcREXThvrGdL4QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNtCnFIdm-c/WXkGItCnuWI/AAAAAAAAOi8/MkquS-0s8pItHiwXDiOvKxhaJIKrT40tACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNtCnFIdm-c/WXkGItCnuWI/AAAAAAAAOi8/MkquS-0s8pItHiwXDiOvKxhaJIKrT40tACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7-uIPuMEtY/WXkGMaZ9FiI/AAAAAAAAOjA/v7jYqk8C7PAko6-rFxQHyKZb9_5LPlmFQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7-uIPuMEtY/WXkGMaZ9FiI/AAAAAAAAOjA/v7jYqk8C7PAko6-rFxQHyKZb9_5LPlmFQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2189.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Darine works at a local gas station</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxI3j0lKHe4/WXkGMfliTGI/AAAAAAAAOjA/KVsW38uOwqQNnWSPKhjuXXIdUGcuX28uwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxI3j0lKHe4/WXkGMfliTGI/AAAAAAAAOjA/KVsW38uOwqQNnWSPKhjuXXIdUGcuX28uwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2190.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Marinka with her new baby and boyfriend </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-616547449006946072017-07-25T21:44:00.003-04:002017-07-25T21:49:13.705-04:00We've arrived! <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">It took us 25 hours, but we are finally here! Susan, Jennifer, Karen, and I arrived at the Sofia airport </span><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" style="color: black; font-size: 17px;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">at 11:00 PM Eastern</a><span style="font-size: 17px;"> Europe time. All of our luggage made it too! Joe flew landed just a short while before us, ending his spectacular back packing trip through Europe. </span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were met at the airport by Zoiko, Emily and David Applegate from England, Kris Angelov, and Steffi Petrova. Emily did a terrific job shuttling us all back to the hotel. Driving in Sofia is <i>not </i>for the faint of heart.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tomorrow we will see all of our kids (young men and women really) that now live and work in Sofia. We will also visit Marinka, her husband, and baby. Later in the week we will visit some of the other girls who now have children of their own. We're excited about our second generation of Bulgarian children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Znv_520NrFs/WXf1Evs-3NI/AAAAAAAAOgw/5O3rL-fhbPQPeFw_go7sSzXdi97Lq9cpACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Znv_520NrFs/WXf1Evs-3NI/AAAAAAAAOgw/5O3rL-fhbPQPeFw_go7sSzXdi97Lq9cpACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 17px;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-41482953293499724592017-07-24T11:54:00.005-04:002017-07-24T11:55:31.833-04:00Back to Bulgaria! <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> On July 24, we will be returning to Bulgaria for a week-long trip. Susan Harvin, Jennifer Sanders, Karen Westbrooks and Nicky Wilbanks will be making the trip from FBC. The main orphanage that we have visited over the past several years, has now been closed. The children were split up and put into different group homes around the country. There are now three group homes in the town of Lom. We plan to visit as many group homes as possible in Lom and other towns in order to contact the children from the large orphanage. Many of you have generously donated to the Bulgaria Mission. We plan to use those funds to purchase clothes, school supplies and other items for the children in Bulgaria. As always, the team members pay for their own travel, hotel and food expenses. The Bulgaria fund is used primarily for the children. We appreciate your support and generosity! Our team will provide a report on this trip once we return. We are not taking supplies this year, so we do not need donations of any items. We ask for your prayers as we share your gifts with the Bulgarian orphans. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745465_10153460956543704_9050856122531770091_n.jpg?oh=26df528f72116a540f1bddbe5e7ba663&oe=5A0DF13A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image may contain: 6 people" border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745465_10153460956543704_9050856122531770091_n.jpg?oh=26df528f72116a540f1bddbe5e7ba663&oe=5A0DF13A" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11755184_10153456294453704_2648807493934042408_n.jpg?oh=bf207bf45021720aa146b2a5b3bd8aa6&oe=5A0DC22B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="No automatic alt text available." border="0" height="211" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11755184_10153456294453704_2648807493934042408_n.jpg?oh=bf207bf45021720aa146b2a5b3bd8aa6&oe=5A0DC22B" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image may contain: 2 people" height="240" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11760233_10153460964533704_4389463454079958546_n.jpg?oh=29491318ea0ae54c4e4539b34e412034&oe=59FC5E29" width="320" /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-89526535710549817872015-07-20T09:08:00.000-04:002015-07-20T09:08:42.260-04:00ResiliencyThis year more than ever, we have been able to see the "fruits of our labor". Several of the our "first children" have grown up to be working adults in the real world or students at local universities. They are married; they have families. They have their own apartments. They have overcome the challenges of living in a world that at many times turned against them. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday we had the opportunity to have dinner with three of the boys that were some of the hardest workers on Wayne and David's construction crew over the years. Benny is one of 150 that have been accepted to a military university. He will start classes in August and will commit about 10 years of service to the Bulgarian National Military. He is very excited about this opportunity! He is currently living in Sofia in a group home similar to the one in Lom but for older children. Bobby is also living in the group home in Sofia and is working for Pepsi Co. He loves his job! He takes orders from companies and delivers the product. Both of these boys have been living in Sofia for about a month. Although they live rent free, they are responsible for purchasing and cooking their own meals. They are given 1 leva (a little less than a dollar) in allowance a day and can earn extra money by doing various chores. The boys told us that it has been a hard adjustment but they seem to be doing well in Sofia. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Naiden was placed in the orphanage as a baby, and has been there ever since. He and Nicky bonded our very first year through his gardening. They worked together to weed the garden and plant various vegetables. Naiden aged out of the orphanage two years ago and is also living in Sofia. He is living on his own and has a full time job working for a technology company in the purchasing and delivery department. Kris doesn't hear from him as much but he seemed to be doing well last night. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's truly amazing to see the growth and development of these kids over the past 8 years. While you can see physical changes in pictures, it's hard to describe the social, emotional, and mental growth that we have seen. They have overcome the back and forth of foster care, broken relationships, and poor living conditions. And this year, unlike many others there were fewer tears. They know and understand that we are committed to our relationship with them and that we will continue to support them, love them, talk to them, and pray for them. We aren't another relationship that is going to turn against them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall, we had a great week! I think Wayne would be proud of our resiliency to go back to Bulgaria this year without him (and somehow we survived without any catastrophes) and I know he would be proud of the resiliency that has grown in these kids, especially his construction crew. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUVpyBK-4xE/VarK6QAgTfI/AAAAAAAABeY/jqkYgs7LqXw/s1600/15770_887505155968_1178444439025288463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUVpyBK-4xE/VarK6QAgTfI/AAAAAAAABeY/jqkYgs7LqXw/s320/15770_887505155968_1178444439025288463_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKBBIjHkgNQ/VarK6eVNMFI/AAAAAAAABeg/77OEIhmvC9w/s1600/11264585_10203409192950315_5124932245068576389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKBBIjHkgNQ/VarK6eVNMFI/AAAAAAAABeg/77OEIhmvC9w/s320/11264585_10203409192950315_5124932245068576389_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-63546970874619808362015-07-16T02:12:00.004-04:002015-07-16T02:14:33.630-04:00Day 6: Nikolinka By: Anna Marie Wright<br />
<br />
Today the men continued to work on painting and landscaping projects at the orphanage. The ladies enjoyed playing games in the morning and doing crafts with the children in the afternoon. My favorite part of the day was a very special afternoon visitor. <br />
<br />
We fist met Nikolinka in our second visit to Bulgaria in 2008. She was about fourteen years old and had just arrived to the orphanage with her three sisters. Susan and Nikolinka developed a special bond, and by the end of the week, several of the girls were calling her “Mama.” Nikolinka always wore a smile, and seemed happiest when she had a hand to hold. Susan kept in touch with the girls via Facebook, and we looked forward to seeing them the following year. Months later, I was discouraged when Susan told me that the four sisters left the orphanage after Nikolinka’s sister Lily became pregnant. Around the same time, Nikolinka met and married a much older dairy farmer who lived in a town near Lom. Naturally, we all worried about the girls’ futures. <br />
<br />
Over the years, we’ve lost touch with three of the four sisters. This year however, we had the pleasure of meeting Nikolinka’s sweet family. We were all so impressed with Nikolinka’s husband. He took time away from his farm to drive the family to Lom—not once, but twice this week. He even speaks English! Their daughter Victoria has her mother’s infectious smile and sweet spirit. She was so happy held by her American “Baba” (the Bulgarian word for Grandma). We never saw Victoria fuss or cry. Her father told us that the secret to her happy temperament is a blessing with holy water every three days. <br />
<br />
When Nikolinka and her family left this afternoon, I couldn’t help but recognize this meeting as an answered prayer. You might even call Nikolinka one of the “lucky" ones. So many of the girls from the orphanage become young single mothers who will struggle throughout their lives to find financial and emotional security. Growing up in orphanage, these children are desperate to find someone to love them unconditionally. However, the loving partnership between Nikolinka and her husband is evident. My heart was filled with admiration and joy to see their love for the Lord and each other. Please continue to pray for Nikolinka’s family and all of the children of Lom. Pray that they come to know abundance of God’s love for them. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzVRzYvoK-w/VadKRUAGqFI/AAAAAAAABb4/BCIpAVcND2k/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzVRzYvoK-w/VadKRUAGqFI/AAAAAAAABb4/BCIpAVcND2k/s320/DSC_0194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-leGpr15BuZY/VadJ38_fApI/AAAAAAAABbw/mryvnM5VSwE/s1600/DSC_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-leGpr15BuZY/VadJ38_fApI/AAAAAAAABbw/mryvnM5VSwE/s320/DSC_0207.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RA4-1Vp4uk0/VadJ1igZ56I/AAAAAAAABbg/JWuj10S0GzI/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RA4-1Vp4uk0/VadJ1igZ56I/AAAAAAAABbg/JWuj10S0GzI/s320/DSC_0214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3Gti7MTh8Y/VadJ2dfT_pI/AAAAAAAABbo/cPtG8TzHh-Q/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3Gti7MTh8Y/VadJ2dfT_pI/AAAAAAAABbo/cPtG8TzHh-Q/s320/DSC_0240.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-71002225637602774852015-07-15T06:49:00.002-04:002015-07-15T06:49:36.047-04:00Day 5: The Spirit of Christmas <div class="MsoNormal">
The Spirit of Christmas <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: Dylan Wilbanks</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The mission to Bulgaria has
always been in many ways its own reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In our work here, the group, and you through our pictures and stories,
are able to see very directly the great impact our contributions can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We come, we take direction on projects that
need to be completed so the children can be more comfortable or have a more
enjoyable life, and we’ve done our best to complete them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spend time with the children, hug them,
listen to them, play with them, and we can see that we’re making them happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that were all, it would still be good,
worthy work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would still be a cause
that is easy to support because the need is great and the impact is immediate
and visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But tonight, I believe we have
enjoyed the sweetest fruit of the efforts of the Bulgaria mission—specifically
the decision to keep returning to Lom and its children and to foster
relationships with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s entry
is about a young man who makes us very proud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Zoiko is someone the group met
the very first year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Bulgaria
mission is not the first to come to Lom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he was younger, the orphanage had received assistance from another
mission group within Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through no
fault of the children, the relationship soured, and the bitter feelings left
Zoiko and others initially skeptical of our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably justifiably so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The first year, our group did not
manage to make much of a connection with Zoiko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was in 2007. The Bulgaria mission could have easily remained a one-year
mission, with the attendees cherishing their memories of work well done, but
never returning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the members could
have looked for a different mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, they decided to remain dedicated to the children of Lom and to
foster relationships that they had started to form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, they certainly did not realize
that they had started to form an important relationship with Zoiko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the following six consecutive years that
our group returned, Zoiko became a great ally, organizer, translator, and
friend to the people who attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was the one who would make the other children stop smoking for the week because
he knew we didn’t approve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As someone
who didn’t attend, his name is one that I heard repeatedly and recognized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming here, I was eager to meet the Amazing
Zoiko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I think that’s his stage
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s trained himself to be a
magician—he’s been on Bulgaria’s Got Talent, which I do not think has been his
only televised appearance.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This year, I finally got to meet
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At twenty years old, he’s no longer
a resident of the orphanage, but he took the week off of work to come help us
and spend time with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight, he
hosted us in his home for dessert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
lives in an apartment in Lom, and he baked a traditional Bulgarian pastry for
us, which was delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zoiko’s
apartment was filled with photos from our missions, crafts he had made with
members of the group in the past, and cards he had received from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also had many photos of the other children
he grew up with in the orphanage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We were all so proud to see Zoiko
doing well, and we made sure he knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
told us that after the first year and over the following years, his feelings
toward our group changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped him
understand that there were things in life to work for, and that he could
improve himself by working hard, and he started doing just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began taking jobs so that he could earn
his own money to have his own things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
also earned so that he could give back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told us he feels like our visits helped him come to this
realization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This past Christmas, Zoiko hosted
the children of the orphanage at his apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Twenty-five of them, for forty-eight hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His apartment is perfectly sized for one
twenty-year-old, but it is difficult to imagine where they all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stood</i>, let alone slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zoiko told us that they stayed with him on
the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During that time, Zoiko was working in Lom as Santa Claus (one of what I
assume must be many side-gigs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he came
home, the children were celebrating so much and making so much noise that they
could not hear him ring the doorbell and he couldn’t get in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dressed as Santa Claus, he had to go outside
and climb in the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to
Zoiko, the children of the orphanage had family to visit on Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My hope is that our mission
inspired Zoiko through the years, and that by keeping faith with the children
we’ve served as a good example for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also don’t want to take too much credit:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zoiko has worked very hard on his own and he
has a big heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we’re</i> probably lucky to be part of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i> story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that our relationship with Zoiko continues
for many years to come because he definitely serves as a good example for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There are also other children
from the orphanage who have gone out into the world and are doing well:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nyden, who works and lives in Sofia, whom we hope
to see later this week; Radi, who lives and works in Lom and has come to visit
us several times this week; Kiki, whose smiling face greets us at the hardware
store where she works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seeing our alumni, knowing that
they want to see us, and knowing that they’re entering the world doing well is
an important reminder that the relationships we’re forming with the children in
the orphanage and the group home <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i>
the Bulgaria mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me look
forward to seeing where the kids we’re working with now might go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ALTTxhQnOY/VaY6Fnj9eGI/AAAAAAAABaM/SKkoZVyGK7E/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ALTTxhQnOY/VaY6Fnj9eGI/AAAAAAAABaM/SKkoZVyGK7E/s320/DSC_0962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vz18yf_6Gx8/VaY6FtSYohI/AAAAAAAABaI/8uPDotBzl68/s1600/DSC_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vz18yf_6Gx8/VaY6FtSYohI/AAAAAAAABaI/8uPDotBzl68/s320/DSC_0966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XymKoSPjnRo/VaY6F26XBSI/AAAAAAAABaQ/MAYd5AOhODQ/s1600/DSC_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XymKoSPjnRo/VaY6F26XBSI/AAAAAAAABaQ/MAYd5AOhODQ/s320/DSC_0971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YE6FwmZdBc/VaY6dZ5l68I/AAAAAAAABag/liZi9jsaH3c/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YE6FwmZdBc/VaY6dZ5l68I/AAAAAAAABag/liZi9jsaH3c/s320/DSC_0972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OyVx59wDkA/VaY6e4fZHCI/AAAAAAAABaw/Na1lCoQHddQ/s1600/DSC_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OyVx59wDkA/VaY6e4fZHCI/AAAAAAAABaw/Na1lCoQHddQ/s320/DSC_0977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1vjAXyHQXM/VaY6eXe_lpI/AAAAAAAABak/D_VRLs7L56k/s1600/DSC_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1vjAXyHQXM/VaY6eXe_lpI/AAAAAAAABak/D_VRLs7L56k/s320/DSC_0980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ik8p3e86ro/VaY3yoNjVuI/AAAAAAAABZ4/QoycpM_GnuQ/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ik8p3e86ro/VaY3yoNjVuI/AAAAAAAABZ4/QoycpM_GnuQ/s320/image1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-31887325092465551682015-07-13T16:20:00.001-04:002015-07-13T16:22:22.270-04:00Day 4: Change <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be
compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived
well.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Ralph
Waldo Emerson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Today was day 4 in Bulgaria; day 3 in Lom. David Applegate, David Sanders, Dylan, Eric, and myself traveled
to the group home this morning to start painting the children’s rooms.
Yesterday we prepped the walls by cleaning off mildew and mold with a bleach
mixture. Paint is often the easiest way to gain the most instant gratification
and today was no different; the new coats of paint brightened each room and
made a big difference. As a group, we can probably only take credit for
painting 2 out of the 4 rooms we were working on. After lunch, a group of 4-5
of the older boys at the orphanage showed up to help and eagerly grabbed every
brush and paint roller we had. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
The enthusiasm
and effort shown by the guys was refreshing to see, and not only because they
afforded us a work break. Time and time again the kids at both the group home and
orphanage show a willingness to learn new things, whether it be new work
skills, new English words, or a new sense of wanting to help and serve others.
The guys did get a little paint on the ceiling and floor, but they immediately
grabbed a towel and got down on their hands and knees to clean up without being
asked. Gloria, a young girl at the group home, is constantly trying to learn
English words while also showing a determination to teach us Bulgarian (Gloria
is definitely a quicker learner than we are). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Perhaps the
clearest case of one of the kids working to change and grow is Zoiko. Zoiko is
by now famous to all who our familiar with our trips for his outgoing
personality and magic shows. However, Zoiko wasn’t always so happy to see us.
The first year FBC came to Lom, Zoiko was difficult to work with and generally
a terror to the mission team. Zoiko is by now an honorary member of our group,
leading the activities with the kids and helping to get everyone to pay
attention and listen. He even took off from his job all week to assist with our
work at the orphanage. Unbeknownst to us, he provided water bottles and ice
cream to everyone’s rooms at the hotel. We would have never known he did this
if Kris had not told us. Zoiko is now living on his own outside of the
orphanage and has invited us to his apartment one night this week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Nearly every kid
we have come into contact with over the past 8 years has shown the same
willingness to learn and grow despite the clear disadvantages they have been
dealt by life. Anything we could possibly provide to the kids ourselves pales
in comparison to the blessings they have given us by allowing us to witness the
growth they go through year after year. This gives us hope that our work has
made a lasting impact on the lives of some of the kids we have come to know and
love, but I know without a doubt that they have made a lasting impact on us.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
By: Joe Sanders</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9TFn4zsrAM/VaQY_kPkJ0I/AAAAAAAABXU/w5jcj-CypTE/s1600/DSC09569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9TFn4zsrAM/VaQY_kPkJ0I/AAAAAAAABXU/w5jcj-CypTE/s320/DSC09569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MY0J5xfsDS0/VaQY-nfv3CI/AAAAAAAABXM/Fg17ypsds1I/s1600/DSC09570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MY0J5xfsDS0/VaQY-nfv3CI/AAAAAAAABXM/Fg17ypsds1I/s320/DSC09570.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV4tP0eSljI/VaQY_dFMWUI/AAAAAAAABXY/zOAqui_BreY/s1600/DSC09571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV4tP0eSljI/VaQY_dFMWUI/AAAAAAAABXY/zOAqui_BreY/s320/DSC09571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fB-4nTKRxQo/VaQZJdyJLWI/AAAAAAAABXk/WoKX2TMGtcc/s1600/DSC09575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fB-4nTKRxQo/VaQZJdyJLWI/AAAAAAAABXk/WoKX2TMGtcc/s320/DSC09575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yznvyVwJ4Eo/VaQbEl9EscI/AAAAAAAABXw/_YzDf4mGJjU/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yznvyVwJ4Eo/VaQbEl9EscI/AAAAAAAABXw/_YzDf4mGJjU/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CE8wl4YIdIY/VaQbFvHBO9I/AAAAAAAABX4/j1VxomLdjaI/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CE8wl4YIdIY/VaQbFvHBO9I/AAAAAAAABX4/j1VxomLdjaI/s320/DSC_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MugbZTfHcEk/VaQcdnC8vII/AAAAAAAABYM/OSBGwyZYH44/s1600/DSC09463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MugbZTfHcEk/VaQcdnC8vII/AAAAAAAABYM/OSBGwyZYH44/s320/DSC09463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O88pfKdjifQ/VaQceHdouQI/AAAAAAAABYQ/kLnjZBp0htI/s1600/DSC09503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O88pfKdjifQ/VaQceHdouQI/AAAAAAAABYQ/kLnjZBp0htI/s320/DSC09503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJOCC0gru7s/VaQcfKp4fxI/AAAAAAAABYY/mAkB56ghBxU/s1600/DSC09536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJOCC0gru7s/VaQcfKp4fxI/AAAAAAAABYY/mAkB56ghBxU/s320/DSC09536.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BK-V_VHOc8U/VaQci9qMNnI/AAAAAAAABYk/rah5L9SW8Vk/s1600/DSC09546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BK-V_VHOc8U/VaQci9qMNnI/AAAAAAAABYk/rah5L9SW8Vk/s320/DSC09546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-87829822999370109212015-07-13T00:47:00.003-04:002015-07-13T00:47:49.133-04:00Day 3: Love <iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/214473236%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-blRPI&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today, as we sat in church and listened to the sweet congregation sing, I was reminded that God's love speaks all languages. It has no boundaries--no borders. It doesn't need a translator. Please continue to pray for us as we show God's love to these children through hugs, listening, games, crafts, and laughs. </div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qun0I0K19RY/VaLVrJgsPiI/AAAAAAAABVA/r_neP9BtG-c/s1600/DSC_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qun0I0K19RY/VaLVrJgsPiI/AAAAAAAABVA/r_neP9BtG-c/s320/DSC_0382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">Consider all the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">worlds thy hands have made,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ocq6_T8SbSY/VaLV0_KEnSI/AAAAAAAABVI/J5fjAYVd7wg/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ocq6_T8SbSY/VaLV0_KEnSI/AAAAAAAABVI/J5fjAYVd7wg/s320/DSC_0345.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrDn6Sml338/VaLYGrhgAKI/AAAAAAAABWE/b8jf81fffTY/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrDn6Sml338/VaLYGrhgAKI/AAAAAAAABWE/b8jf81fffTY/s320/DSC_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">Thy power throughout the universe displayed</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-mGjIynumE/VaLWCkj3RiI/AAAAAAAABVY/Dul9kSLb5YM/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-mGjIynumE/VaLWCkj3RiI/AAAAAAAABVY/Dul9kSLb5YM/s320/DSC_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmgvWN84Zow/VaLWdFClLoI/AAAAAAAABVg/zYh6BnH6NKg/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmgvWN84Zow/VaLWdFClLoI/AAAAAAAABVg/zYh6BnH6NKg/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;" /></span>
<div>
<span id="goog_1340794555"></span><span id="goog_1340794556"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">How great thou art! </span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWgwhxiko8c/VaLYOPdy2ZI/AAAAAAAABWM/4iY8pRSesjk/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWgwhxiko8c/VaLYOPdy2ZI/AAAAAAAABWM/4iY8pRSesjk/s320/DSC_0238.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">How great thou art!</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XL8cRFsNwdQ/VaLV5n5nRxI/AAAAAAAABVQ/Gm_StSrJ5Ls/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XL8cRFsNwdQ/VaLV5n5nRxI/AAAAAAAABVQ/Gm_StSrJ5Ls/s320/DSC_0332.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:</span><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9e-GCLSroQ/VaLXrgiqPEI/AAAAAAAABVs/ZbJv9j9maLQ/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9e-GCLSroQ/VaLXrgiqPEI/AAAAAAAABVs/ZbJv9j9maLQ/s320/DSC_0313.JPG" width="212" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">How great thou art! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFsvG8WROhE/VaLX0jdVOoI/AAAAAAAABV0/lJEyPetam0A/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFsvG8WROhE/VaLX0jdVOoI/AAAAAAAABV0/lJEyPetam0A/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uRuldM29jY/VaLX4PSNjII/AAAAAAAABV8/GQVKjRJxG4o/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uRuldM29jY/VaLX4PSNjII/AAAAAAAABV8/GQVKjRJxG4o/s320/DSC_0311.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uRuldM29jY/VaLX4PSNjII/AAAAAAAABV8/GQVKjRJxG4o/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;">How great thou art! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vnt7N3jEUxw/VaLYhPlmkqI/AAAAAAAABWU/8YXPDPTwAqo/s1600/DSC_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vnt7N3jEUxw/VaLYhPlmkqI/AAAAAAAABWU/8YXPDPTwAqo/s320/DSC_0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-81947164218597201762015-07-11T15:27:00.000-04:002015-07-11T15:27:12.702-04:00Day 2: Lom Today we left Sofia around 10am and headed to Lom...making it there safely with David at the wheel! We only got honked at once....<br />
<br />
After checking into our hotel and eating lunch, we drove to the Group Home. The Group Home is home to nine children who had previously lived in the orphanage. These children were selected to live in the group home as a "state experience" a few years ago--testing out the idea of a foster home. They have three caretakers and live in a much cleaner, more up-to-date home. The kids greeted us with hugs, flowers, and gifts. Katia, the group home leader, updated us on the children who currently live there and on some of the kids who have moved out. Everyone is doing really well!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdcahxNWUS0/VaFoLzY7MxI/AAAAAAAABSY/c5rLREhWIE0/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdcahxNWUS0/VaFoLzY7MxI/AAAAAAAABSY/c5rLREhWIE0/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcoming us back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYEDb3sX2Ao/VaFoPpBRFrI/AAAAAAAABSg/jgpxYoG-Zbg/s1600/IMG_4899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYEDb3sX2Ao/VaFoPpBRFrI/AAAAAAAABSg/jgpxYoG-Zbg/s320/IMG_4899.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katia, the director of the Group Home and Kris Angelov</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZpVuQI0FcY/VaFql3e0yTI/AAAAAAAABTA/d_rz8uVRXO8/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZpVuQI0FcY/VaFql3e0yTI/AAAAAAAABTA/d_rz8uVRXO8/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After spending time there, we drove to the orphanage where we were met by several old and new faces! We spent the afternoon meeting new friends, re-connecting with the children who have been there in the past and coming up with projects for the week. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTAY0yTqsUs/VaFqfLAQ03I/AAAAAAAABS0/ElXGNBWVCBk/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTAY0yTqsUs/VaFqfLAQ03I/AAAAAAAABS0/ElXGNBWVCBk/s320/DSC_0073.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfEmFzpcVZs/VaFqlH1K0WI/AAAAAAAABS8/ph_3AaMky-E/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfEmFzpcVZs/VaFqlH1K0WI/AAAAAAAABS8/ph_3AaMky-E/s320/DSC_0086.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PO3ycGZejMY/VaFq6NXavFI/AAAAAAAABTM/KKed0QVMVE4/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PO3ycGZejMY/VaFq6NXavFI/AAAAAAAABTM/KKed0QVMVE4/s320/DSC_0102.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOyEVtWG8uU/VaFrND4SjRI/AAAAAAAABTc/AtTuVZuOwt0/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOyEVtWG8uU/VaFrND4SjRI/AAAAAAAABTc/AtTuVZuOwt0/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WH0gFnWXlLk/VaFrFzD7N0I/AAAAAAAABTU/0k28X-hD7Cg/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WH0gFnWXlLk/VaFrFzD7N0I/AAAAAAAABTU/0k28X-hD7Cg/s320/DSC_0149.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kxCjG2UJIo/VaFrcbDouAI/AAAAAAAABTs/BsurWEA2WPg/s1600/DSC_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kxCjG2UJIo/VaFrcbDouAI/AAAAAAAABTs/BsurWEA2WPg/s320/DSC_0164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKGuWzm1NRE/VaFrdgIU7_I/AAAAAAAABT0/4dEK6nsOrTc/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKGuWzm1NRE/VaFrdgIU7_I/AAAAAAAABT0/4dEK6nsOrTc/s320/DSC_0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DAiYxNdWhk/VaFrbzJsxYI/AAAAAAAABTk/IkF25Fc-4UA/s1600/IMG_4904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DAiYxNdWhk/VaFrbzJsxYI/AAAAAAAABTk/IkF25Fc-4UA/s320/IMG_4904.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOZ_UC0mp44/VaFtQ44GY2I/AAAAAAAABUA/W0EKAwF2xuc/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOZ_UC0mp44/VaFtQ44GY2I/AAAAAAAABUA/W0EKAwF2xuc/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tomorrow we are going to church down the street and then to the orphanage around 2:00 to play games and do crafts with the kids. We are looking forward to a great week together in Lom!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-34673003687645545942015-07-10T16:44:00.003-04:002015-07-10T16:44:32.250-04:00Safe Travels! Our group, plus our 20 bags, made it safely to Sofia, Bulgaria today around 6:30am US time. After a long day of traveling we were exhausted to say the least but thankful we all made it to Bulgaria for another year. Tonight we went to one of our favorite Sofia restaurants to introduce our new mission team members, Dylan and Allison, to the local cuisine...and to some local dancing! Even the birthday girls..Beth and Katherine got in on the action!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdxL5GR4AjQ/VaAsdbXvNBI/AAAAAAAABRY/6-0FnVpKTR8/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdxL5GR4AjQ/VaAsdbXvNBI/AAAAAAAABRY/6-0FnVpKTR8/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-av1IctX4CFg/VaAsdsr8a-I/AAAAAAAABRU/yTNiz5ImPbU/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-av1IctX4CFg/VaAsdsr8a-I/AAAAAAAABRU/yTNiz5ImPbU/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F61pUfZTx8I/VaAseBgFNdI/AAAAAAAABRc/_ybXo3Q0kTw/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F61pUfZTx8I/VaAseBgFNdI/AAAAAAAABRc/_ybXo3Q0kTw/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth stole the show! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xfysusauc_s/VaAtXaGlCuI/AAAAAAAABRs/ysyK6muLcXM/s1600/IMG_4871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xfysusauc_s/VaAtXaGlCuI/AAAAAAAABRs/ysyK6muLcXM/s320/IMG_4871.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97_JvjZe7Dg/VaAtbcHuNXI/AAAAAAAABR0/11r8vOeUM4Q/s1600/IMG_4874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97_JvjZe7Dg/VaAtbcHuNXI/AAAAAAAABR0/11r8vOeUM4Q/s320/IMG_4874.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqh_eDZP_sE/VaAtbROkp9I/AAAAAAAABR4/0YPgQlVCJ8g/s1600/IMG_4882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqh_eDZP_sE/VaAtbROkp9I/AAAAAAAABR4/0YPgQlVCJ8g/s320/IMG_4882.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine testing out the fire dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tomorrow we are loading up the vans and all the bags around 10am to head to Lom to our hotel and to see the kids for the first time this year! Pray for us as David drives one of the vans....Bulgarians aren't known for their hospitality on the roads...or their ability to follow driving rules!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-21519005532799888002015-07-02T15:59:00.002-04:002015-07-02T16:03:10.873-04:00FBC Kids give back to Bulgaria! This month members of our church have been collecting travel size toiletries for a mission project for our return trip to Bulgaria. Nicky graciously made 50 washcloths into toiletry bags for each child to have.<br />
<br />
Our Children's Minister organized a summer mission project day for our FBC Children to help pack each of these toiletry bags for us to take to Lom this year. Thank you to those who donated toiletries, to Nicky for making the washcloths, and to JD and the kids for preparing the bags!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HMpfLpt9Tc/VYLdVbxvTtI/AAAAAAAABPY/sMuF8y_QsrY/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HMpfLpt9Tc/VYLdVbxvTtI/AAAAAAAABPY/sMuF8y_QsrY/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about life in Bulgaria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxUkEi1QOfU/VYLdxCTO7JI/AAAAAAAABQg/ED_Z9ftSrlQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxUkEi1QOfU/VYLdxCTO7JI/AAAAAAAABQg/ED_Z9ftSrlQ/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids filled 50 toiletry bags to take to the children in Lom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XLVhcR4tWQ/VYLdcFhshGI/AAAAAAAABP0/ZTGvw2FxKM4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XLVhcR4tWQ/VYLdcFhshGI/AAAAAAAABP0/ZTGvw2FxKM4/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bags were filled with shampoo, soap, deodorant, and lotion. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3Rw0h4CWLY/VYLdb_E98oI/AAAAAAAABPs/7OPbQeth9cs/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3Rw0h4CWLY/VYLdb_E98oI/AAAAAAAABPs/7OPbQeth9cs/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBnZDcPb2T0/VYLdWPKQbzI/AAAAAAAABPc/OD1PZCLC8uo/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBnZDcPb2T0/VYLdWPKQbzI/AAAAAAAABPc/OD1PZCLC8uo/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-4518995217020895172013-07-28T23:28:00.001-04:002013-07-28T23:28:16.051-04:00A Happy Ending
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">July
18, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>By: Nicky Wilbanks</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After
saying good-bye at the group home and the orphanage, we headed to
Chiprovtsi. Chiprovsti is known for its
handmade carpets and pottery as well as its lovely scenery. However, we were going there for something
much more important: to visit Zoran and Alex, two former group home
residents. We met Zoran and Alex in 2007
on our first trip to Lom. The boys, now
13 and 14 years old, have spent most of their lives in government care. Recently,
they were allowed to go back to live with their mom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We
were anxious to see how the boys were doing.
After so many years in orphanages
and with very little contact with their mother, we were concerned about how
Zoran and Alex would adjust. Would their
mom be able to provide for them? Would
they make new friends? Would they miss
their friends and caregivers at the group home?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
soon as we saw Zoran and Alex, all of our fears were put to rest. They boys looked happy and healthy. They and their mom were all smiles as they
greeted us. Their uncle and grandmother
live close by; they go fishing and play with new friends. Both boys are looking
forward to starting in their new schools in a few months. They were thrilled to show us their new
town. We spent a few hours touring a
local museum and going into the mountains to view the scenery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We
will stay in touch with Zoran, Alex, and their mom with the help of Steffi, our
translator, and Katia, the director of the group home. We are thankful that Zoran and Alex have been
reunited with their mom. We wish all the
children in Lom could have such a happy ending.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HTqHGYk0m8/UfXhA5BclgI/AAAAAAAAAkU/fJWzZya-mWg/s1600/DSC07804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HTqHGYk0m8/UfXhA5BclgI/AAAAAAAAAkU/fJWzZya-mWg/s1600/DSC07804.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cbo-DyeWLZg/UfXg8Ss4wXI/AAAAAAAAAkE/gqpJltE6P5o/s1600/DSC07807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cbo-DyeWLZg/UfXg8Ss4wXI/AAAAAAAAAkE/gqpJltE6P5o/s1600/DSC07807.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5cxvcmL6_o/UfXg-GvX9fI/AAAAAAAAAkM/9FVVABzd_2s/s1600/DSC07818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5cxvcmL6_o/UfXg-GvX9fI/AAAAAAAAAkM/9FVVABzd_2s/s1600/DSC07818.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CtTe9x6pvmY/UfXhGoQFKcI/AAAAAAAAAkc/tnqzlSjOgBY/s1600/DSC07821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CtTe9x6pvmY/UfXhGoQFKcI/AAAAAAAAAkc/tnqzlSjOgBY/s1600/DSC07821.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-22104804209622788282013-07-18T08:46:00.001-04:002013-07-18T08:46:42.520-04:00See you soon, Bulgaria!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tvoN6hpIyss/UefjrB8QeXI/AAAAAAAAAjY/urzbSQN4vDo/s640/blogger-image--2046982995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tvoN6hpIyss/UefjrB8QeXI/AAAAAAAAAjY/urzbSQN4vDo/s640/blogger-image--2046982995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v0N222r3umw/UefjosrzDmI/AAAAAAAAAjI/i_YBViBw9go/s640/blogger-image--1003295957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v0N222r3umw/UefjosrzDmI/AAAAAAAAAjI/i_YBViBw9go/s640/blogger-image--1003295957.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O3zr75Yn7_8/UefjsLpUNoI/AAAAAAAAAjg/En755V4LPYo/s640/blogger-image--1604883621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O3zr75Yn7_8/UefjsLpUNoI/AAAAAAAAAjg/En755V4LPYo/s640/blogger-image--1604883621.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bpSajd8eBp0/Uefjp2y13ZI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/jDj3BU0HNlY/s640/blogger-image-2032769405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bpSajd8eBp0/Uefjp2y13ZI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/jDj3BU0HNlY/s640/blogger-image-2032769405.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057904776318551607.post-31391576086181013172013-07-17T09:08:00.001-04:002013-07-17T09:08:26.560-04:00Last day pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lT59F5KFkiQ/UeaXRz08MNI/AAAAAAAAAi0/C8ZWQMHBH4o/s640/blogger-image--758846097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lT59F5KFkiQ/UeaXRz08MNI/AAAAAAAAAi0/C8ZWQMHBH4o/s640/blogger-image--758846097.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C6tvke74EwE/UeaXQKiXR9I/AAAAAAAAAis/dP9RjlpCtZg/s640/blogger-image-1869585157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C6tvke74EwE/UeaXQKiXR9I/AAAAAAAAAis/dP9RjlpCtZg/s640/blogger-image-1869585157.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0