Rakitovo

The first stop on our tour out of Sofia was Rakitovo. Cut and past the link to view a few pics

http://picasaweb.google.com/josephruizjr/Rakitovo?authkey=Gv1sRgCMuB7urix5yB4gE#

This is a gypsy church in the mountains about an hour from Sofia. It is remote and shall we say.... dated. How about wood burning stove for heat. Now picture this and cell phones ringing during the teaching, someone filming on a Sony HD and downloading to a PC.

These are really sweet hungry people. I find it humbling to think about the things I complain about when I am in the midst of these saints. Their love for God shines in darkness. The were so hospitable. After we taught they served meals in their back room. This was a challenge because the food was very cold. But I did my best to be gracious and ate what I could.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention... while we are waiting to begin we hear this incredible voice that we think is a CD turns out there is this lady sitting on a bench singing. A most angelic voice. The purity of it was amazing. They had a male singer who was pretty good too.

I love the acceptance of these folks. Though we speak different languages there is no doubt we serve the same God!

Thanks so much for your prayers I truly feel them.