Dear Mr Mason
Thank you for your kind email! Sorry I have taken so long to reply.
Since my last email I spent more time in Albania. Here every night we spent time running a children/youth programme. During this time we played many games, invested time in each of the youth, getting to know and loving on each of them. We met some at their school break time and got to talk to some of their friends.
On weekends we helped at the local church running services, giving talks and leading worship.
We also spent time in the local Roma village, giving out ballon animals, face painting and talking to the locals. This was an amazing time as we began to make relationships with people they invited us into there work places, and as a place of hospitality gave us food and gifts.
In Bulgaria, the time consisted of visiting many Roma Villages, and serving at 4 different churches. We were involved many prayer meetings, spending time serving the host who lives long term there and also having the opportunity to help at Bulgaria Day celebration of Cyrillic language Parade. This was brilliant as the Bulgarian people were so passionate in celebrating there culture, that the atmosphere was incredible. Personally I got to assist in carrying some banners, handing out flyers and I toke part in a country wide prayer meeting with 400 others
As I said in my previous email we went to an orphanage, this was a special needs orphanage, so my time here was a highlight. The children’s stories are horrible to hear as disabilities, as you may know, are seen as a shame to the family.
So having I would say, the privilege to spend time with them was as joy giving to me as I hope it was to them. We gave them many gifts and snacks to enjoy, such an amazing time!
