Monday, February 15, 2016
New Website!
Hello All - I have switched over to sharing on a new website! If you would like to keep following what I am up to, check out: https://overthehorizion.wordpress.com Thank you!
Monday, February 1, 2016
Week One In A New Country
For me the last week has been a whirlwind. Adjusting to life here in Sofia, Bulgaria has been an adventure since arriving on January 25. There have been so many highlights already but I will try to be brief as I update you on how things have gone.
On January 24, I left Dallas, Texas and flew to Frankfurt, Germany, for the first stage of my travel. After a long and rough flight I landed very motion sick. Due to my sickness, I missed my original connecting flight to Sofia and was scheduled to leave later that same day. I arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria the evening of January 25. After my tiring journey it was such a relief to have my feet on solid ground. I was picked up from the airport by some colleagues and after arriving at their home, my host family was so gracious and allowed to get a good night's rest.
Tuesday, mid-morning, I started my week off at a run. I was taken to the grocery store, a place to exchange money, the metro to buy an unlimited transportation card (for the metro, trolley, and bus systems), and was given the chance to visit Sofia Christian Academy. It was a long but wonderful first day and with my desire to take everything in, I neglected to get any pictures.
Wednesday I prepared and travelled to Thessaloniki, Greece, with a few colleagues and a local lawyer, to submit my visa application. Although it was a fast 24-hour trip there and back, I had a great time! Some of the highlights of the trip included: seeing the gorgeous Greek architecture, walking along the Mediterranean Sea, and eating an authentic Greek salad!
Friday I went up to the school all day and was able to observe my fellow teachers lead their classes. They did a wonderful job of orienting me and explaining how I will fit into the existing system. I was also able to meet the students and their parents! Everyone was so kind and welcoming! This coming week I will observe some more and will officially begin teaching alongside the other teachers on February 9th.
Saturday I was able to sleep in then walk around Sofia with one of my housemates and fellow teachers. We visited the nearby mall, went grocery shopping, and got coffee together. It was a wonderful time of fellowship! Sunday I attended the local international Baptist church with some friends. I enjoyed worship with a local body of Christ! It was a wonderful way to start of the week!
Overall, it has been a wonderful and transitional week! Everywhere I go there are new sights, smells, and sounds to experience! It has been nice to try new things as well as learn about the places I can access the comforts of home! I am so excited and eager to see what the next months hold and how the Lord will use me in this new place!
Some current prayer requests include:
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| Leaving for Bulgaria! |
Tuesday, mid-morning, I started my week off at a run. I was taken to the grocery store, a place to exchange money, the metro to buy an unlimited transportation card (for the metro, trolley, and bus systems), and was given the chance to visit Sofia Christian Academy. It was a long but wonderful first day and with my desire to take everything in, I neglected to get any pictures.
Wednesday I prepared and travelled to Thessaloniki, Greece, with a few colleagues and a local lawyer, to submit my visa application. Although it was a fast 24-hour trip there and back, I had a great time! Some of the highlights of the trip included: seeing the gorgeous Greek architecture, walking along the Mediterranean Sea, and eating an authentic Greek salad!
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The Mediterranean Sea
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Fun with New Friends
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| The view on the drive to Greece |
Friday I went up to the school all day and was able to observe my fellow teachers lead their classes. They did a wonderful job of orienting me and explaining how I will fit into the existing system. I was also able to meet the students and their parents! Everyone was so kind and welcoming! This coming week I will observe some more and will officially begin teaching alongside the other teachers on February 9th.
Saturday I was able to sleep in then walk around Sofia with one of my housemates and fellow teachers. We visited the nearby mall, went grocery shopping, and got coffee together. It was a wonderful time of fellowship! Sunday I attended the local international Baptist church with some friends. I enjoyed worship with a local body of Christ! It was a wonderful way to start of the week!
Overall, it has been a wonderful and transitional week! Everywhere I go there are new sights, smells, and sounds to experience! It has been nice to try new things as well as learn about the places I can access the comforts of home! I am so excited and eager to see what the next months hold and how the Lord will use me in this new place!
Some current prayer requests include:
- Health - That my recovery from jet-lag will go quickly and allow for good, quality sleep.
- Teaching - That I can have a smooth beginning to my teaching efforts at SCA.
- Transition - That the Lord will continue to lead and guide as I transition to life here in Sofia.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! They mean so very much! Blessings!
Friday, January 8, 2016
The News You've All Been Waiting For...
I know, you've been sitting on the edge of your seat, awaiting an update on my trip to Bulgaria, like you may wait expectantly to see the ending of your favorite television show... It has been a grueling and crazy eight months in the making yet the day has finally come.
I am thrilled to announce that I am officially leaving for Sofia, Bulgaria on January 24, 2016! Praise the Lord! First, I would like to thank you for your role in my journey to this point! I so deeply have appreciated all of your gifts, prayers, and sincere questions. They have meant more to me than you know!
Once arriving in Sofia, I will take a few days to rest and recuperate from my travel. Following that I will commence work at Sofia Christian Academy (SCA), where I will be assisting and overseeing the language arts portion of education for a wonderful group of first through fifth graders. Alongside my work at SCA I may also be helping out with additional team responsibilities. However, with ever-changing ministry needs, my portion of these tasks are still to be determined.
Just recently, my budget was drastically reduced by Mission to the World to help me travel sooner and I was given a newly designated title of Volunteer Intern. My new budget, with the funds that have been received, are enough to cover my travel costs and basic needs. However, some costs not included in my intern budget are: international insurance, personal (non-food) purchases, souvenirs/gifts for family and friends, and tourist travel/activities.
If you would like to give to help cover these costs (and any others that may arise) gifts can be sent to:
I would greatly appreciate prayer as I prepare and travel to Sofia. Below are listed a few specific prayer requests:
I am thrilled to announce that I am officially leaving for Sofia, Bulgaria on January 24, 2016! Praise the Lord! First, I would like to thank you for your role in my journey to this point! I so deeply have appreciated all of your gifts, prayers, and sincere questions. They have meant more to me than you know!
Once arriving in Sofia, I will take a few days to rest and recuperate from my travel. Following that I will commence work at Sofia Christian Academy (SCA), where I will be assisting and overseeing the language arts portion of education for a wonderful group of first through fifth graders. Alongside my work at SCA I may also be helping out with additional team responsibilities. However, with ever-changing ministry needs, my portion of these tasks are still to be determined.
Just recently, my budget was drastically reduced by Mission to the World to help me travel sooner and I was given a newly designated title of Volunteer Intern. My new budget, with the funds that have been received, are enough to cover my travel costs and basic needs. However, some costs not included in my intern budget are: international insurance, personal (non-food) purchases, souvenirs/gifts for family and friends, and tourist travel/activities.
If you would like to give to help cover these costs (and any others that may arise) gifts can be sent to:
219 Tanglewood Drive, Duncanville, Texas 75116
Please note that Mission to the World is no longer accepting gifts on my behalf and gifts sent to the above address are not tax deductible.
- Visa - That all of my required documents arrive before my departure. I will also have to take an overnight trip to Greece, during my time in Bulgaria, to finalize and process my visa paperwork. Please pray that this time goes smoothly.
- Health - That I will remain healthy throughout the course of travel and bounce back quickly from any jet lag.
- That the Lord would calm my nerves and prepare me to serve and share his love with others!
Thank you in advance for your continued prayers and support! Without a strong support system, like you, this opportunity would not be possible! While I am overseas I do not intend to send physical update newsletters. I may write a few email updates but my blog and Facebook will be my primary place of sharing! Please check back often to find out how God is working in and through me in the months to come!
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