Navigating Life

Life can be a challenge no matter where you are, but living overseas adds certain challenges. Practically speaking, street names are unfamiliar and options to get where you want to go have to be learned.  Years ago, when we lived in Japan, we relied mostly on business cards to help us find where we wanted to go.  Buildings were not numbered consecutively on a street, as they are in the U.S., so having something that showed you exactly where you wanted to go was very helpful.

Living overseas this time, we have many advantages - especially with smart phone apps.  Moovit, one such app, has been great for helping us find our way around the city - and can take us on interesting and unexpected routes!  This little video shows my route from our apartment to catch a tram to a local mall.  Many of these paths I had never been on before and didn't even know existed.  (Note - the route is about 9 minutes.)

Walk to the Tram

Often more than the physical navigating, is the navigating of culture - in our case both the culture we live in and the more than 20 cultures represented in our church.  Currently, Bulgarian society is presenting us with a potential new challenge.  Legislation has been proposed, and initially passed, which places new limits on religious expression.  One impact would be to limit expat (foreign) religious leaders from serving here and may not allow us to remain.   While there are some understandable reasons for new legislation, the extent to which it may impact our church and other faith communities is a concern.  We want to be informed as well as speak out appropriately, while not overstepping our role as expatriates here.  We would appreciate your prayers as decisions and revisions are considered.  If you want to read more, follow the link - Sofia Globe Article

At the same time, the life of the church goes on.  For me, the women who meet weekly are a special joy.  In this group of ladies, 10 cultures and languages are represented.  The level of English varies so ladies help each other - sometimes translating English to Bulgarian for a Korean, or helping a Chinese find a scripture passage in her dual language Bible.  And we share together the stories of God's faithfulness in the lives of believers from around the world.

These verses from our study this week especially spoke to me:
       "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in
         the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:3-5

Peace, Kathy

If you are interested in giving to our work in Bulgaria, and Paul's consulting in Africa and beyond, gifts can be given online at Global Horizons/Emmaus Assoc   or mailed to Global Horizons, P.O. Box 856678, Minneapolis, MN 55485-6678.   Please attach a note indicating Emmaus.  Thank you!