I was very privileged to get to speak today to two classes at a local high school. Their high school goes from 8th-12th grade. The first was a class of older students, and they understood English very well. Their high school is a language high school, so that is what they concentrate on mostly. The second class was of 8th grade, so they have only begun studying English the last few months. They both did very well in listening and asking questions in English.
Some background information in how this came about was that our translator and friend introduced me/us to one of her students and she helped me by taking me to get my first haircut in Bulgaria.
The lady that cut my hair is also an English teacher at the high school. She teaches English in the morning and cuts hair in the afternoon. She asked if I would come to her classes to speak English and let them hear and also to tell them why we are here in Kyustendil.
I told them that we were here to serve and help the poor. That seemed to open a door to why we would even think of helping the gypsies because in their words, "they are dirty and nasty and thieves and they want to be that way." I had obviously opened a can of worms. I explained that in my faith I believe that God is no respecter of persons and that we all bleed the same. We all have a spirit, soul and body. That if we love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength, then we cannot help but to love our neighbor. To help those that are less fortunate. This became quite the discussion and I truly pray that I gave glory to God and tried to open their minds a little bit. This new generation yearns for change and all that is American and western. They know the other countries in Europe look down upon Bulgaria as being less than they are, so why then in human nature do we turn around and do it to others, when we know how painful it is to ourselves? I believe it's that ugly thing called pride. We put others down to bring ourselves up...it becomes a vicious cycle.
I ended with this statement... the definition of insanity is to doing something over and over but expect a different result. If you want a new Bulgaria and want a different future for yourselves, begin with yourselves. Put the past behind and think fresh and new. To change the world (or country) we must begin only with ourselves. We are only as mighty as our weakest link.
I also shared some of our testimony on how we were led by the Lord to Bulgaria (which is very strange for them to understand why anyone would want to come here). We talked about perpective and choice. I said, "Look at that tree. What a beautiful tree!" You may say, "What an ugly insignificant tree...I see it every day." I said the only difference is perspective and perspective is a choice. We choose every day how we choose to see or perceive things, life, and people. They said that we as Bulgarians are very negative...it's the way we are. I again said, "That is a choice."
So needless to say we got into more than I can type, but that is the logisics of it. I came home and read Acts chapter 4. Peter and John said something that was very cool...they were told to be quiet about Jesus and not to speak in His name. They replied, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." It is easier to conform and not to make waves...but God did not call us to be easier and conform. He told us to, "Go your way, stand and continue to speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." Acts 5:20
This Life is a choice...are you willing to live THIS LIFE? :D
Some background information in how this came about was that our translator and friend introduced me/us to one of her students and she helped me by taking me to get my first haircut in Bulgaria.
The lady that cut my hair is also an English teacher at the high school. She teaches English in the morning and cuts hair in the afternoon. She asked if I would come to her classes to speak English and let them hear and also to tell them why we are here in Kyustendil.
I told them that we were here to serve and help the poor. That seemed to open a door to why we would even think of helping the gypsies because in their words, "they are dirty and nasty and thieves and they want to be that way." I had obviously opened a can of worms. I explained that in my faith I believe that God is no respecter of persons and that we all bleed the same. We all have a spirit, soul and body. That if we love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength, then we cannot help but to love our neighbor. To help those that are less fortunate. This became quite the discussion and I truly pray that I gave glory to God and tried to open their minds a little bit. This new generation yearns for change and all that is American and western. They know the other countries in Europe look down upon Bulgaria as being less than they are, so why then in human nature do we turn around and do it to others, when we know how painful it is to ourselves? I believe it's that ugly thing called pride. We put others down to bring ourselves up...it becomes a vicious cycle.
I ended with this statement... the definition of insanity is to doing something over and over but expect a different result. If you want a new Bulgaria and want a different future for yourselves, begin with yourselves. Put the past behind and think fresh and new. To change the world (or country) we must begin only with ourselves. We are only as mighty as our weakest link.
I also shared some of our testimony on how we were led by the Lord to Bulgaria (which is very strange for them to understand why anyone would want to come here). We talked about perpective and choice. I said, "Look at that tree. What a beautiful tree!" You may say, "What an ugly insignificant tree...I see it every day." I said the only difference is perspective and perspective is a choice. We choose every day how we choose to see or perceive things, life, and people. They said that we as Bulgarians are very negative...it's the way we are. I again said, "That is a choice."
So needless to say we got into more than I can type, but that is the logisics of it. I came home and read Acts chapter 4. Peter and John said something that was very cool...they were told to be quiet about Jesus and not to speak in His name. They replied, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." It is easier to conform and not to make waves...but God did not call us to be easier and conform. He told us to, "Go your way, stand and continue to speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." Acts 5:20
This Life is a choice...are you willing to live THIS LIFE? :D
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