Getting Ready to Fly

So, it's Monday night, and in less than 60 hours, I'll be getting on a Boeing 777-200 and heading for Sofia, Bulgaria.  Along with several other pastors and church leaders, we will be visiting and praying with existing and potential Baptist churches in central Bulgaria and throughout Serbia.  You can obtain
a Word document with a daily prayer guide and itinerary via email by requesting one from Becky at fbcsecretary@bresnan.net.

I may have an opportunity to preach at a Baptist church in Bulgaria, and with that in mind, I have been trying to learn a few Scripture passages in Bulgarian.  I'm finding it astonishingly difficult.  While I am perfectly confident that God understands Bulgarian, it's coming along pretty slowly for me.

The effort to learn a bit of the language proves to me how desperately beyond my natural abilities I will be operating in the next few days.  And, frankly, as uncomfortable as that makes me in the flesh, it's a wonderful gospel-centric thing. It serves as a hearty reminder that there is no genuine ministry that can be accomplished in the power of human nature.  Not only is there nothing I can do without the Holy Spirit's help while in Bulgaria and Serbia, there is nothing I can do without His help in Sterling.

So, if you're reading this, please pray for me (and for the entire team).  Pray that I resist the temptation to rely upon my training, my background, my education or my experience, or to think of myself as having any competence for this work other than the power of the gospel and the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

We've been told we'll usually have web access throughout the trip, so I'll try to update this regularly and add photos from time to time during the trip, as well as afterwards.  Hope you keep in touch; but I hope even more that you pray for me.


Благодаря на моя Бог всеки път, когато си спомням за вас, винаги във всяка моя молитва, като се моля за всички вас с радост, за вашето участие в делото на благовестието, от първия ден дори до сега -- Philippians 1:3-5 in Bulgarian