Comments for Journey Through Bulgaria http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog My experiences preaching the Gospel in Bulgaria Sat, 19 May 2012 13:54:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on What it means to be a Christian by Mark Henke http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=143#comment-36 Mark Henke Sat, 19 May 2012 13:54:50 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=143#comment-36 There is a big difference in the Eastern European mindset vs. the Western European and American mindset. In the west there is a big focus on results, on projects and on getting something done. Here it is more about the process, the people. Neither one is wrong but it is nice (and sometimes frustrating) to be able to focus on relationships and the journey. It is definitely a lesson both Al and God are teaching me! I really have a weak point with patience and its been an invigorating growing experience! We have not seen hat guy again yet but if we do I will definitely post about it :-) There is a big difference in the Eastern European mindset vs. the Western European and American mindset. In the west there is a big focus on results, on projects and on getting something done. Here it is more about the process, the people. Neither one is wrong but it is nice (and sometimes frustrating) to be able to focus on relationships and the journey. It is definitely a lesson both Al and God are teaching me! I really have a weak point with patience and its been an invigorating growing experience! We have not seen hat guy again yet but if we do I will definitely post about it :-)

]]> Comment on What it means to be a Christian by jonathan and debbie crocker http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=143#comment-35 jonathan and debbie crocker Thu, 17 May 2012 01:14:59 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=143#comment-35 Mark - pretty awesome that you could be there and minister to this poor man. It is another demonstration that the Lord has a plan for all these things and we just need to be faithful. Thanks for sharing this story! I hope that you post if you see him again. What is is that you most appreciate about Bulgarian culture? Is it more personal and relational than Michigan? In my times in Europe it seems that some folks know better how to slow the pace down, particularly on Sundays, and just make it about people. We'll continue to pray for you. Nice to be able to read your blog and get the updates -- don't stop! Jonathan for the Crockers. Mark – pretty awesome that you could be there and minister to this poor man. It is another demonstration that the Lord has a plan for all these things and we just need to be faithful. Thanks for sharing this story!
I hope that you post if you see him again.
What is is that you most appreciate about Bulgarian culture? Is it more personal and relational than Michigan? In my times in Europe it seems that some folks know better how to slow the pace down, particularly on Sundays, and just make it about people.
We’ll continue to pray for you. Nice to be able to read your blog and get the updates — don’t stop!

Jonathan for the Crockers.

]]> Comment on What it means to be a Christian by Becky http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=143#comment-34 Becky Thu, 10 May 2012 23:50:41 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=143#comment-34 Hi Mark, We are so thankful you and your church were available to help this man in his hour of need. God bless you all! Mark, we think of you from time to time and also keep you in our prayer time. Hi Mark, We are so thankful you and your church were available to help this man in his hour of need. God bless you all! Mark, we think of you from time to time and also keep you in our prayer time.

]]> Comment on Discipleship Training Series: Part 1 – Samokov by Discipleship Training Series Part 2: What is Discipleship? | Journey Through Bulgaria http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=108#comment-31 Discipleship Training Series Part 2: What is Discipleship? | Journey Through Bulgaria Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:16:43 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=108#comment-31 [...] want to explain what it is we teach at these Roma Training courses. I mentioned earlier  that we taught dsicipleship. What is [...] [...] want to explain what it is we teach at these Roma Training courses. I mentioned earlier  that we taught dsicipleship. What is [...]

]]> Comment on Bulgarian Aprils Fools by Mark Henke http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=127#comment-30 Mark Henke Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:39:51 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=127#comment-30 Easter has not actually happened yet in Bulgaria. So I have not yet celebrated it. Bulgarian Easter runs on a different calendar than in the States. They don't really have decorating and finding Easter eggs here. There is of course service at church and a dinner. These are the only traditions I am aware of. Al will be having a special Easter service on Sunday (we usually only run church on Thursday evenings). John is a great book and really lays out the life of Jesus in a clear way. I studied it last year for Bible Quizzing. I have been reading Romans myself. I love the way Paul pieces things together to make things make sense. Thank you very much for your prayers. Some specific things you can pray about is: that God's Will be done with the Youth English Club. That God makes clear whether or not he wants Bible Quizzing in Bulgaria. That His Will is done with a political issue between England and the Church of God here. Thank you for yoru support and God bless! Easter has not actually happened yet in Bulgaria. So I have not yet celebrated it. Bulgarian Easter runs on a different calendar than in the States. They don’t really have decorating and finding Easter eggs here. There is of course service at church and a dinner. These are the only traditions I am aware of. Al will be having a special Easter service on Sunday (we usually only run church on Thursday evenings). John is a great book and really lays out the life of Jesus in a clear way. I studied it last year for Bible Quizzing. I have been reading Romans myself. I love the way Paul pieces things together to make things make sense. Thank you very much for your prayers. Some specific things you can pray about is: that God’s Will be done with the Youth English Club. That God makes clear whether or not he wants Bible Quizzing in Bulgaria. That His Will is done with a political issue between England and the Church of God here. Thank you for yoru support and God bless!

]]> Comment on Bulgarian Aprils Fools by jonathan and debbie crocker http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=127#comment-29 jonathan and debbie crocker Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:44:34 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=127#comment-29 Mark - sorry to hear the weather caught you out! It sounds like you made a graceful recovery though! How was your Easter? Did you enjoy some new traditions? I imagine there is a different take on the trappings of Easter, although the truly important parts are unchanged. I have been reading through John's gospel slowly again, with a view to remembering what it was like to read it when it first convicted me to give my life to Jesus. It has been a very fresh experience and I read through the passion over these last couple of weeks. Wow, we have a wonderful savior!! I was really struck by the way that the Father heaped His wrath on Jesus while on the cross, and how Jesus asked why he had been forsaken. This was in stark contrast to Jesus praying for his disciples that they would enjoy the unity that Jesus enjoys with His Father. I've found it easy to focus on the physical suffering of Calvary over the years, but this year I asked the Lord to show me the spiritual desolation that Jesus experienced, and it really struck me. Hey, the Crocker family prays for you on occasion. I am sure there are many others. I enjoy your blog -- finally registered so I could post. May the Lord bless you with Himself!! Jonathan Crocker Mark – sorry to hear the weather caught you out! It sounds like you made a graceful recovery though!
How was your Easter? Did you enjoy some new traditions? I imagine there is a different take on the trappings of Easter, although the truly important parts are unchanged.
I have been reading through John’s gospel slowly again, with a view to remembering what it was like to read it when it first convicted me to give my life to Jesus. It has been a very fresh experience and I read through the passion over these last couple of weeks. Wow, we have a wonderful savior!! I was really struck by the way that the Father heaped His wrath on Jesus while on the cross, and how Jesus asked why he had been forsaken. This was in stark contrast to Jesus praying for his disciples that they would enjoy the unity that Jesus enjoys with His Father. I’ve found it easy to focus on the physical suffering of Calvary over the years, but this year I asked the Lord to show me the spiritual desolation that Jesus experienced, and it really struck me.
Hey, the Crocker family prays for you on occasion. I am sure there are many others. I enjoy your blog — finally registered so I could post.
May the Lord bless you with Himself!!
Jonathan Crocker

]]> Comment on A Big Thank You by Mark Henke http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=103#comment-28 Mark Henke Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:01:40 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=103#comment-28 hehe no worries. Congrats on your new Grandma status! hehe no worries. Congrats on your new Grandma status!

]]> Comment on A Big Thank You by Marilyn http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=103#comment-27 Marilyn Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:13:21 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=103#comment-27 Now that you have thanked me for keeping the NHC congregation updated, I have to confess that I have dropped the ball the whole month of March! I have a good reason though - I became a grandma for the first time! I have been a little preoccupied with my new grandson. I will get back to the updates after Easter. You've got some great stories Mark. What an exciting time of growth in your life. Now that you have thanked me for keeping the NHC congregation updated, I have to confess that I have dropped the ball the whole month of March! I have a good reason though – I became a grandma for the first time! I have been a little preoccupied with my new grandson. I will get back to the updates after Easter. You’ve got some great stories Mark. What an exciting time of growth in your life.

]]> Comment on Youth English Club: The Story So Far by Mark Henke http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=92#comment-26 Mark Henke Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:17:27 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=92#comment-26 No problem! No problem!

]]> Comment on Youth English Club: The Story So Far by Marilyn http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=92#comment-25 Marilyn Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:27:01 +0000 http://www.messiahcomputers.com/blog/?p=92#comment-25 Hi Mark, I enjoyed reading about your English Club fiasco and how giving it to God has resulted in success! And thanks for the good definition of serendipity - the meaning never sticks for me. Maybe now it will. Our God is awesome! Hi Mark, I enjoyed reading about your English Club fiasco and how giving it to God has resulted in success! And thanks for the good definition of serendipity – the meaning never sticks for me. Maybe now it will. Our God is awesome!

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