Bulgaria: day 2

Friday we got to spend some time at the church in Deber, where they were finishing up a week of Vacation Bible School. We got to meet many of the people we will be working with at the church! We were also able to visit the woman who will be hosting us at her house for the next three months and take a peak at our room there!

For the first few days we are here, we're staying with Lamar and Pat, so that we can maximize our time spent with them. They will be leaving this coming Wednesday to head back to the US, so we have to get as many questions in as we can before they leave!


Instead of tree branches providing shade for Lamar and Pat's patio, they have grapes!


They are not quite ripe yet, but we are excited for the day that we can eat them!


Here is where we are on the map!


A cross hanging on Pat and Lamar's wall


Lamar getting supper ready


Yummy! eggs + onions, peppers, and cheese!

We are loving our time here in Bulgaria so far! We will try to keep you as updated as possible on how things are going!

We made it!

Excitedly waiting to take off from the tarmac in Columbus, OH

After 11 hours of flying, 3 connecting flights, 3 airport security inspections, and 2 overflowing luggage carts, we are finally in our new home - Bulgaria! We had to pay for one bag to be overweight, but all other expenses were avoided.


The countryside is absolutely beautiful!

Lamar picked us up at the airport in Sofia and got us started on business right away. We ran a few errands and then drove the 2 1/2 hours it took to get back to his home in Lenovo, where we met Pat, his wife.

We all enjoyed a warm meal of chicken stew and salad, and a yummy dessert of sweetened yogurt and chopped nectarines. Tomorrow promises to be another exciting day. We'll keep you posted!


A picturesque street scene in nearby Asenovgrad

The "v" word...

An update:

Jen's visa has been approved, and Joe's is in the works! We should get them both in the mail by Tuesday, and then be able to leave on Wednesday! We had hoped for a Monday departure, but we're not complaining about Wednesday! A two-day delay isn't too bad in the scheme of things!

P-A-C-K

PACK?!?!


Joe's face when you ask him how he feels about packing.

It's that time! The suitcases are out, the clothes are sorted, and the scale is ready. We have two suitcases each, with a limit of 50lbs per suitcase.


The scary part is we didn't get everything in the picture.... there's more!

The pile of stuff is daunting, but we have faith!

Oscar

A few years ago Joe's dad found a little kitten in their field who couldn't walk. They took the cat to the vet and the vet couldn't find anything wrong, but he said that the cat would probably never walk. So they nurtured the kitten and left food outside for him, and over time the kitten learned to walk and move just like any other cat.


Oscar

That kitten is now the notorious Oscar, a skilled hunter but still friendly family pet. He lives outside and has a diet of whatever he catches plus some cat food that the Joe's parents leave in the garage. His most famous catch by far has been the time he came home with a whole duck.


A lazy yawn from Oscar shows his sharp teeth!

Church in the park

Many of the churches in Orrville, Ohio, got together yesterday for a city-wide "Church in the Park." We enjoyed the service and hearing the emphasis on our faith rather than on one denomination. Pray this vision will continue to grow!

Two and a half hours

… of running, biking, and rowing!

Joe’s mom, Deb, started out at 7 o’clock this morning for her triathlon to raise support and awareness for our trip. She said that she had the idea while sitting in front of her computer one night, and before she could rationalize the idea away, she posted it on Facebook so that she had to do it.

Today was d-day, and she set off with determination. Donna, Joe’s younger sister, rode behind Deb on her bike during the first stretch of the triathlon – a 5 mile run. After a quick stop for water and a few raisins, Deb hopped on her bike and was off again!

Donna holding water out for Deb as she rides past.

The kids, Donna, John, Joe, and Jen, drove ahead of Deb in a car and stopped to hold out water for the daring athlete. Every time the carload of supporters passed Deb, they cheered her on with love and adoration.

 

After 10 miles of biking, Deb hopped off her bike and jumped into a “splash boat” at Camp Luz. This was not before stopping to put on the appropriate safety gear, of course.

 

Donna, the ever-diligent athlete’s assistant.

Deb’s moral support.

The zealous kids jumped into a paddle boat to continue to cheer on their mother’s efforts, not to mention the picture-taking opportunities the paddle boat afforded.

At the two and a half hour mark, Deb pulled up to the camp’s boat dock, tossed off her life vest, and collapsed with exhaustion back into her boat. She had done it! Two and a half hours (15 1/2 miles) of running, biking, and rowing!

 

To make donations in honor of Deb’s courageous journey, please email the amount you’re donating to bulgariamst@gmail.com and then send a check to EMM with “Joe and Jen Horst” in the memo.

Deb's triathlon

"In order to help raise money for Joe and Jen's trip to Bulgaria, I (Deb) will be having my own personal triathalon, this Saturday July 17th. I'll run 5 miles, bike 10 miles, and kayak two lengths of the Camp Luz lake. I'm looking for people to sponsor me -- I'd really like to raise $1,000 with this event!"

You heard it folks - Joe's mom is running/biking/boating to support our trip to Bulgaria! To sponsor her you can email her the amount and then mail a check to EMM with "Joe and Jen Horst" in the memo. If you don't have her contact information, you can email our support team at bulgariamst@gmail.com

Thanks for your support!


Deb Horst, Joe's mom

A walk in the countryside

Back in O-H (I-O)!

Well, after 5 weeks of traveling and training, we are finally back in Ohio! We got back Monday night around 5pm and we're still trying to figure out what our routine is. ...Let us know if you have any suggestions!

We're still planning and hoping to leave at the end of July, probably on the 26th! Please keep us in your prayers in the coming weeks as this begins to become a reality and not just something we've been dreaming about!

We did get word on our visas after calling the embassy in Washington yesterday. The woman we spoke to there said that there were no questions from the embassy in the US or from Sofia, and the earliest date we could get our visas back would be July 20th! We were greatly encouraged by this news!

Thanks for praying; keep praying on!

The blessing of family

Thursday through Sunday we were able to go to Richmond to visit Jen's side of the family. It was great to be able to spend time with them! As always, a few days are never quite enough time, but they were such a blessing.

Thanks, Mom, for the wonderful meals! We enjoyed all the fruits and veggies! (and sweet tea!)