Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–20

Sorry we were slow on the updates.

Every day we think tonight we will do an update, and every night we get home so late that we just fall into bed. Finally, here’s some updates–photos to follow.

Update # 11–Tuesday, May 5th

Noah is on his way home. As I write this post he is somewhere over the Atlantic. Pray for safe travels.

Keith and I fly home tomorrow, May 6th.

Thank you for your prayers!!! We cannot do this work without you.

He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

–Mark 16:15

Update # 10–Family Camp

Oops, I forgot to tell you about Family Camp. It was so much fun. There were probably about 60 people there. The theme was Knowing the Mind of Christ from 1 Corinthians chapter 2. Keith’s highlight of the weekend was playing bass with the worship team! Noah’s highlight was teaching the kids. He had about 6 kids who kept him on his toes, but he was blessed to teach 4 seasons. If you know Noah, when you see him ask him how he enjoyed his trip. What were his highlights? For me the highlight of the weekend were three-fold: teaching the teens, teaching the women, and rehearsal time on Friday night. At the end of the evening the worship team got together to practice their set for Saturday morning. But slowly everyone just kept coming into the hall to worship the Lord. The 30-minute practiced turned into over 2 hours of worship!!! It was sweet and amazing!

Update # 9–Monday, May 4th

Sorry we didn’t update sooner. We have been beyond busy!!! Our week in Troyan area was amazing. The people who bought our place invited us and Baba Donka (who always says she is our Bulgarian grandma) for dinner. It was so great to see that the new owners care deeply for Baba Donka, and also take great care for our village dog–Nona.

Throughout the week leading up to Family Camp, Keith and I fellowshipped with many friends, while Noah met with Stephen every day teaching him more and more about robots. Stephen was in heaven and stuck to Noah like velcro (even at Family Camp).

We were blessed to stay with friends who made delicious breakfasts every morning. But the best part was the fellowship (even with the language barrier) until we had to run out the door for appointments.

Today, we returned to Sofia for Noah’s early flight tomorrow.

Update # 8–Monday, April 27th

We are staying with friends who live in a village near the Troyan Monastery. In fact, we can see it out our bedroom windows. So this morning we took a walk to show Noah the monastery. When we arrived Noah was in for a treat. There was an orthodox service in progress. Below are a few pictures. I’m sorry, I so bad a remembering to take photos because we’ve see the monastery so many times. But here are a few.

If you blow up the above photos you can see the priest preforming the service in the first photo. Then in the second photo he closed the red curtain in photo 2. The service continued, soon the priest poked his head out of the curtain for a moment and then disappeared again. Soon he came and walked around the church with his censer (incense burner) waving it in everyone’s direction. But there was only about 3 other people besides ourselves. It was interesting.

The renovations of the monastery (which we have watched take place for years) were excellent! It was nice to see it again. So beautiful.

Update # 7–Sunday, April 26th

We attended the First Pentecostal Church of Troyan, a church I have worked with 1993. (The First Pentecostal Union is not a hyper-pentecostal movement like we are use to in America. It is more along the lines of a baptist church.) It was so good to worship in Bulgarian again!

Noah, got to share his testimony, as well as, Keith and I share what has been happening with us recently. We cannot express how wonderful it is to see all our friends.

Dolbuk Dol

In the evening we were invited to dinner at our old house/property that we had owned for many years in the village of Dolbuk Dol. It was such a blessing to see the place again and to visit with the new owners. Also, Baba Donka (our neighbor) came over as well. She calls herself our Bulgarian Grandma. It was wonderful to see that the new owners have such a precious relationship with her. They really care for her.

The new owners also kept our old village dog–Nona–unfortunately she was attacked by a pit bull on Friday and she was in so much pain. She wanted to follow us around but could only wait for us to return. She cried the whole time. The new owners are taking wonderful care for her. They immediately called a mobile vet who came and took care of her–giving her two shots. And the vet will return today to check on her. For those of you who have visited us in Bulgaria over the years and know Nona here is her photo.

Update # 6–Saturday, April 25th

Women’s event at Blagavest Chruch (Good News Church) Sofia, Bulgaria was amazing. I enjoyed seeing all the women and catching up with them. Whenever I am in Bulgaria it feels as if I never left even though we haven’t been in country for 2 years.

The theme of the Sofia event was the same theme of our recent women’s retreat for Calvary Chapel Mansfield–Clothed in Strength and Dignity. If you’d like to listen to the Ohio retreat to listen to what the Bulgarian women were taught click on the title. God is so good. Thanks for your prayers!

After the women’s event we traveled to Troyan, Bulgaria. Noah got to see the northern countryside. Noah says, “Bulgaria is very pretty. It was pretty cool to see the mountains and the little villages. It is picturesque.

Update # 5–Friday, April 24th

Sorry, I haven’t updated in a bit–we have been crazy busy! We’ve been meeting friends everyday for lunch and dinner. Each evening we get back to the hotel later and later. But it’s been a wonderful time catching up and encouraging each other. If you haven’t listened to the Embrace Truth Podcast episode of Is it Hard to be on the Receiving End of Hospitality to learn how hospitable the Bulgarian people are, just click on the title. We are blessed beyond measure with that amazing friends we have here.

In between it all I was able to do a 2-part interview with a precious friend for the Embrace Truth Podcast. Part 1 she shares what it was like growing up under a communist regime, and part 2 she shares how to preserve while serving the Lord for many, many years. If you don’t want to miss the interview consider subscribing to either the podcast or the newsletter. The episodes will be out in August or September.

Noah arrived today with no difficulties. Thank you for your prayers. We kept him busy (to get him on this time zone) by giving him a private tour of Sofia. He saw the National Theatre, Alexander Nevski (the Orthodox Church), the ruins under St. Sofia Church (which was actually a first for us), the old Russian Church, and many interesting things. He even walked on the Roman Road. We had an excellent dinner. The weather was so nice, we were able to eat on the patio. And we finished off the tour with a walk along Vitosha Blvd where we enjoyed “rolled ice cream.” I’ve taken lots of photos. I’ll try to post them soon.

Tomorrow is the women’s event at Blagavest Church (Good News Church). Then we travel to Troyan which is in the middle of Bulgaria to begin the second half of our trip.

Thanks again for your prayers! God is so good.

Update # 4–Monday, April 20th

God is so good!!! Today we finished the final task from living in Bulgaria for so many years! We closed our Bulgarian bank account. We knew it was going to be difficult because the bank we originally opened the account with in the year 2000 recently sold out twice over the last couple of years. When this happened, although we were told we could still do online banking with the new bank (with all our old passcodes and such) it was impossible. So today when we went to the bank, we were told the account was already closed because there was no money in it which we knew was not true. The huge blessing in this was the teller who was helping us. He didn’t just brush us off and say he couldn’t help us. (We’ve ran into that type of things many times over the years.) He listened to us, went to his co-workers, and they all took the time to dug deeper. They found that somewhere along the lines of the bank being sold multiply times that our account number was changed without anyone ever telling us. They found the account and they found our money. This type of help is actually pretty huge in Bulgaria.

Later we met a friend for an early dinner. Had an appointment with Pastor Ludmil from Blagavest (Good News) Church and then the best part of the day . . .

Monday Night Women’s Bible Study–In the year 2000 when we first moved to Bulgaria Lindsey, Jessica (our daughters) and I started a weekly women’s Bible study that still meet to this day. Praise the Lord. Over the years this weekly Bible study became a part of Blagavest Church. We (including Keith) had so much fun with the ladies tonight. Such precious, precious women. Sorry, I forgot to take photos of the ladies, but below is a photo from our walk to the hotel.

Thanks for your prayers! We can’t do the work without you.

Update # 3–Sunday, April 19th

Wow! We had an amazing, awesome day. It began with visiting a church that we’ve worked with since 1993–Blagavest Church–which means Good News Church. It was great to see so many wonderful friends. Plus, we were in for a treat. Today was a special post Easter celebration where they had various bands and special singers. Then Pastor Ludmil Yatanski taught a message about doubting Thomas from John 20:19–29. (Below are a couple of photos from the church service. Tomorrow I’ll try to add a couple of videos. It’s getting late and I’m tired.)

After church we went to the house of precious, precious friends for a late lunch, early dinner, ending with birthday cake for one of their daughters. (I forgot to take photos!!! Sorry!)

We headed back to the hotel for a short rest and then took an evening walk about Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. (Below are some sites).

Thanks for your prayers. We really appreciate them. Enjoy the photos.

Sofia street in the neighborhood where the church is located

Alexander Nevski Church, Downtown Sofia

Random street in downtown Sofia

National Theater, Sofia

Vitosha Street, Sofia, in the evening. Lots of wonderful resturants.

Update # 2–April 18th

Keith and I made it to Bulgaria! Thanks for your prayers!

Update # 1–April 16th

Our flights (for Keith and Cherie) with Lufthansa were canceled due to the strike. Since it was impossible to reach Lufthansa and they haven’t rebooked us as they said they would, we booked a new flight for tomorrow with a different airline. Our latest prayer requests are:

• Refund for our original flight with Lufthansa–answered prayer! We finally got through to a real person at 4:30 and got the refund issued with only 1 hour to spare.
• For safe travels on new flight tomorrow.
• No missed connection flights!
• For the strike to be over before Noah flies on Thursday the 23rd.
• Praise Report–Noah’s robotic club raised money for the 3D printer. I think he still has a few accessories he’d like to bring. So we are praying for that provision as well.

Bulgaria–Here We Come!

If you are interested in following Keith, Cherie, and Noah on their short-term missionary trip to Bulgaria just check back every day or so, and we will try to post some updates (depending upon Wi-Fi connections). Below is an overview and prayer requests so you can be a part of the team.

For those of you who don’t know Noah, he is from our church in Ohio, Calvary Chapel Mansfield. This will be his first time to Bulgaria, but about 2 years ago he met a boy who loves robots (when this boy and his parents visited us in Ohio). They made a connection, and we are excited to see what God has in store.

• April 16-17: Keith and Cherie fly to Bulgaria
• April 20: Women’s Bible Study at Blagavest (Good News Church). This Bible study Cherie started in the year 2000, and it still meets weekly. Praise the Lord!!!!
• April 17-24: Throughout the first week, Keith and Cherie will meet with Sofia friends (the capital city of Bulgaria) and handle some business matters
• April 23-24: Noah flies to Bulgaria
• April 25: Women’s event at Blagavest Church. Clothed in Strength and Dignity Proverbs 31:25.
• April 25: During the women’s event Keith, Noah and Niki will hang out building deeper relationships
• April 25: Late afternoon drive to Troyan, Bulgaria (2 ½ hour drive, Noah will be tired!)
• April 25-May 4: We will be in Troyan. Pray for Noah as he teaches Stephen more about robots. (Stephen is 13 years old and has been building robots from scratch since he was a little guy. Always asking Keith and I for old cell phones, electronics, basically anything that would work. He is homeschooled and has even taken 2 or 3 online coding classes at Harvard University.
• April 26: Church and meet families from the church.
• May 1-3: Family camp with the Troyan church. Camp will be in Lyaskovets, Bulgaria. If you are following us on a map this village is near the city of Veliko Turnovo.
• May 4: Drive to Sofia.
• May 5: Noah flies to Ohio
• May 6: Keith and Cherie return to the states

Prayer Requests

• Travel mercies and uneventful flights (although a divine appointment might be nice).
• Health!
• Keith and Cherie’s time in Sofia with friends, may we encourage, strengthen, and help equip them in their walks with the Lord.
• Divine appointments.
• Inspired teachings.
• Noah specifically asked for guidance in what to teach and share with the children at family camp.
• Noah is hoping to bring a 3D printer to Bulgaria for the kids interested in robotics. Pray for the funds to be provided.
• Keep Noah’s family in prayer while Noah is gone.
• Short Connection–Keith and I have a short connect in Washington Dulles. Please pray that our flight out of Columbus will depart on time (or even be early), and that we can make it to our next flight without running! Dulles is huge and last time we had to run to make our connecting flight.
• Upgrade–Keith and I are wait-listed on our long flight from Washington Dulles to Munich, Germany. We are hoping to use our frequent flyer miles to get upgraded to Business class. (Hebrews 11:1).

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. We will try to update this blog post every few days–so check back here. Thanks for being a part of our trip!

P.S. If you like to listen to a couple of Embrace Truth episodes that have true Bulgarian stories, click on the titles below:

Is It Hard to be on the Receiving End of Hospitality?

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Embrace Truth, Cherie shares 7 unique and not-so-unique ways to offer hospitality inspired by true stories from her life on the mission field in Eastern Europe. She and her family have been blessed to receive hospitality in so many life-impacting ways. Enjoy!

Who Was Wrong? The Drunk or the Priest?

Cherie shares an interesting story that she watched unfold in a small village nestled in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria in Eastern Europe. She’s still amazed at what happened between one drunk and a priest at the Holy Saturday (Easter Service) at a small Orthodox church.