Gypsy Journal part 3
Tuesday night, June 6, 2006 – Photos: Kazanluk #398-467
I haven’t been able to find Tsina, my escort last year. Delka is my new escort, maybe 10 years old? She quickly tired of me taking pictures and showing photos from last year. She took Rosa and me out of the rain, then she noticed when the group was leaving and we had to run to catch up and get on the bus. Delka was not wearing shoes. She had socks on, and a pair of pink slippers that were too big for her. I met and took pictures of her family. I’m not sure if I saw her father or not. Wednesday, 7 June 2006 – Kazanluk all day – I ran into Lubcho today. J He had on such a big smile! I must come back and bring R to meet Lubcho, Mitko, Natasha & Icho (& kids Peter & Monica), Zhorro & Marianna….
Morning prayer on the bus, Georgian prayed among other things for abundance of provision, and this really, really hit me like catching a baseball without a mit! Lord, do Your will. We are coming back – R & me together. I believe it, Lord. Lubcho & Marianna & Natafsha all want me to come back with my violin and play with them. Thank You, Lord, for another opportunity. Lord, You Are Good!!
Photos: Kazanluk #468-703
Continued Wednesday, 7 June, 06 – 11:30pm – What happened today!!! Delka (12) was not at the bus when we arrived, but showed up with a big smile and her arms around me before we got into the neighborhood. (This is a walled-in community.)
We did the usual stickering –“Tookah” (sticker) and hugging and blessing. With every sticker I applied, I tried to give a verbal blessing: “Jesus loves you (Obicham-te)”, or “The blood of Jesus” (red stars), other short blessings, the “in the Name of Jesus (Isus)”. Some, the Lord gave me specifics … “valient warrior”, “priceless, precious princess.” Others I prayed safety, peace, joy, to know Jesus as Savior…
Later on, I took a trip to the new church building for the restroom, which was delightully new, clean, flush toilet, and PAPER!! Upon re-entering the public “square”, Delka stopped and turned my attention to a young lady I nearly ran into. Delka had recognized her… Tsina! There she was, standing right in front of me. I looked at her and said, “Tsina?” and she bobbled her head “yes”. I showed her the bracelet which after a minute she remembered and gave me a huge hug! The three of us stayed together for a long time, and of course, I took pictures! Delka is 12, Tsina is 14.
Lubcho was in Kazanluk again today – and Mitko and the band from New Life church of Sofia. Another son, whom I love! What is it with sons, Lord? “They need a mom’s love from Me through you.” OK, Lord! I love it! The money from the New Life BG worship team cd sales, the profits, are being collected to pay the way of the whole band to make a trip to America. Then they will raise funds, I believe, to support their church ministry and work among the Gypsies in Bulgaria. This church is a Bulgarian/Gypsy church, successfully integrating the two peoples.
Yes, we fed the people of Kazanluk again – “corban” (sheep soup) and bread. No watermelon this year, not in season yet. Huge pots cooked over open fires. Then horse carts, with and without a horses, each took a pot of soup, a bag of bread, and some kool-aid type drinks around the neighborhood lanes.
Once again I see the Gypsy culture here in Kazanluk is very much “instant in season and out” with their tempers, young and old alike. However, going door to door in the apartment buildings, asking if we may pray for them and bless them, yielded tremendous blessing! Many of the women and men fell out under the power of the Spirit, many tears, much joy, much peace on their faces. Discipleship is happening and so are changes in the people’s hearts. Later, in the square, we prayed for the sick and for other needs as well as for the HS baptism with speaking in tongues. Many received, many fell out, children observed and came asking for prayers, some of them also fell out, silently speaking, lips moving. Then the littler children began playing at falling, so we just blessed them and let them.
Pastors Zhorro and Marianna Penchev are affiliated – in alliance with – both the Assemblies of God and the Church of God in Bulgaria. Since those churches were registered and recognized before the communist era, they are also recognized now and have freedom to exist in spite of the Orthodox church’s protests. Global Celebration is in alliance with the Penchevi’s church, New Life Bulgaria, and so has government permission to work here. Georgian’s notariety as leader of the first (and only) rock-n-roll band in Bulgaria makes him a familiar face and that, along with his American citizenship gives him much favor with the government.