“Here some of the first Christians died for their faith.” The realization hit me with unexpected surprise. When I was invited earlier this year by a pastor couple named Apostol and Albena to minister in their native Bulgaria, I didn't realize how close we would be to where the Apostles walked. The first eureka came when I glimpsed a highway sign pointing the way to…Thessalonika! The second came as my feet rested on a massive marble stone composing part of an ancient Roman amphitheater. Dating to the first century, this mini colosseum once hosted all kinds of violent “entertainment” including the execution of Christians. But now, the local believers are considering renting this very amphitheater to host an open-air evangelistic event!
Speaking of which, upon arrival I was surprised to learn that, along with training of leaders during the day, I was to bring the salvation message for multiple small-scale open-air events. What an incredible treat it was, since in the unreached nations where WIN and WIN Life primarily work, it is not beneficial for a non-local to minister evangelistically. Many were saved, others healed, and the churches with whom we ministered were mightily encouraged.
My translator was involved in business as mission so in between meetings we had rich discussions about small-scale farming and Christ-based businesses to both demonstrate the gospel and solve poverty.
The mayor of Albena’s home town invited us to her office seeking solutions to what she considers the primary problem in the Roma section, trash being thrown everywhere. We of course know that the problem is much deeper and I am hoping to provide to her the same curriculum that WIN has used in our Indian villages to bring about radical transformation.
But of all the incredible moments of ministering to leaders and proclaiming Christ's salvation to crowds, perhaps the most incredible experience of the trip happened on my very first evening in the Netherlands when three families gathered around a sumptuous dinner table laden with the best of Bulgarian home-cooked vittles. But the food was not the sweet spot. A 12 year old boy named Slavey sat directly across from me and for the next three and a half hours launched question after question - but not 12 year old questions like "what's it like in America" either! He asked questions like, "How do you define the kingdom of God?" and "How do you solve poverty in India?" Other kids about his age were playing about the house doing kid things. but he never even looked at them. I felt like the temple priests must have felt when 12 year old Jesus sat there asking them questions! Each question served me a feast of opportunity to minister to all of those in the room. They sat spellbound, gobbling up every word because they also are longing to see God's Kingdom transform their own beloved countries of the Netherlands and Bulgaria.