More Scenes of Sofia

On Friday, October 14 we had all day to just walk around and relax before teaching that night so we took about a six mile walk down to the outdoor market. (It is probably just one of several but it is the only one we have seen.) Here are some of the things we saw.

Equip 1-Sofia

On Friday and Saturday, Oct 14th & 15th, we taught our third session of Equip 1 to the group in Sofia. Our host/partner/translator, Dinko Zlatarov was a littile disappointed at the low turnout. However, that's how it goes here. Sometimes people just can't make it. We hope more of them will be able to come next time. This group was VERY talkative and interactive. They ask very good questions and have good insights. This tells us that they are really "getting it".

Several of them had reports about teaching or using the material with other people, so we know it's spreading and that's the idea!

Gypsys

One of the things we always try to do is go visit some Gypsy families, take them food and pray for them. Their plight has captured our hearts.

The Gypsys (Roma people, officially) of Eastern Europe are one of the most wretched people groups on earth, not so much because their plight is unique, but more because it is virtually unknown. Nearly all of them have been run out of Western Europe. So, most live in squalor in the east. In the cities, they live in ghettos, separated from the ethnic Bulgarians. In the country, they live in abandoned villages that they have taken over. They often have no sewer, no running water, no schools for the children, no jobs and no hope. Because they are shunned by the people and ignored by the government, their opportunities to raise themselves out of their condition are very limited indeed. They need help!

The village we visited this time was near Stara Zagora. It was one of the better ones we have seen.

Stara Zagora Scenes

People often ask what Bulgaria is like. Here are some pictures of Stara Zagora, the small apartment where we stay when we are here, and our favorite restaurant.

Our apartment is on the top floor of the Bible College here. It quite comfortable and the price is great (free). We have everything we need, including about 150 channels of TV (with three or four in English)!

The restaurant is about two blocks away. As you can see, it is literally built around a Roman ruin.

Equip 1-Stara Zagora

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we were in Stara Zagora and taught our first of three different groups who are taking the Equip Level 1 Leadership Training. These people are old friends. We have been coming here for years. They are always so much fun to be with and they are always eager to learn.

Sofia Sights

Many have asked us what Sofia is like. I suppose the correct description is that it is a typical Eastern Europe big city. Nearly all of them are, like Sofia, a mixture of pre,during and post communist buildings. The pre communist buildings are often very beautiful, those built during communism are dingy and drab and recent buildings are nice and modern. Here are some pictures to give you the flavor.

Sofia-Equip 2

We arrived in Sofia via London about 3:30 PM on Thursday. Ludmil, the owner of Casa Farrari, the B&B where we stay in Sofia, met us and took us, "home". After all the years we have been coming here, that's how it feels. Ludmil & Marianna, his wife, have become dear friends.

We have a regular routine when we get here. First, dump the luggage and walk down the street a block to our pizza restaurant. Even the waitresses know us now and always greet us with a friendly smile (they don't speak much English). That 4:00 pm meal will be our last until breakfast. That really helps overcome the jet lag. Try it; just eat 14-16 hours before wake up time in the new time zone and don't eat again until you wake up.

After we ate, we then walked about a mile or so down to the phone store and bought minutes for our Bulgarian pre-paid phones. The walk helped overcome 9 hours of sitting on the plane. Next, we called our partners and let them know we were in country. We coordinated last minute details for our first seminar and the pick-up time on Friday. With all that done, we returned to the Casa, unpacked and relaxed until an early bedtime.

Yesterday, (Friday) we spent all day in our Equip 2 seminar. Pat taught the first session, then Nick Nedelchev, our Bulgarian co-instructor, taught the next two sessions. I got a pass on Friday but will do 2 sessions on Saturday. All of the pictures are from the seminar.

The weather has been just like home; warm and sunny. Today (I am posting this early Saturday morning) it will start raining and turn a lot colder.