Record Low Temperatures in Yambol, Bulgaria
Record low temperatures were reported this morning in Yambol our ministry base location. Thermometers in the early morning in showed minus 8.14 degrees Fahrenheit and in the most southern point of the Yambol region in Elhovo thermometers showed minus 9.4 degrees. This is the lowest temperature measured in the city of more than 40 years. Similar freezing temperatures were reported in 1979 of minus 5.26 degrees Fahrenheit.
January 26, 2010
More Snow in Yambol, Bulgaria
Haiti disaster relief – your church can help…
On January 12, 2010 Haiti was devastated with a 7.0 earthquake. At least 24 after-shocks occurred. We do not yet have an assessment of damage to our schools, orphanages, and churches. We have had limited contact since the disaster. Our largest church (8,000 members) is located near the Palace, which suffered damage.
In Haiti we have 1,068 churches and missions, and over 250,000 members. We have had ministry in Haiti since 1933. Please pray for our people’s safety and provisions.
Operation Compassion is aiding in the relief efforts, and World Missions will send supplies and personnel as the opportunity avails itself. If you wish to contribute funds, send to Haiti Disaster Relief, Project 765-0042 .
We will update you on this situation as information comes in. Please continue to keep our brothers and sisters in Haiti in your prayers.
Douglas LeRoy, General Director
Church of God World Missions
http://www.cogwm.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2661
Christmas Season in Bulgaria
It has been a blessing for us to be able to spend the Christmas season in Bulgaria. With your prayers and support we have been able to touch the lives of many. From spending time with those who are without family to giving gifts to children without, our spirits have been lifted proving the Word, that it is definitely more blessed to give than to receive.
The day before Christmas Eve we delivered gifts and food to those in the village of Zlatare, Pet Mogili and the surrounding Zagora area. Some of the families we had never met before, but the Lord spoke to us to bless them during this time of giving. On Christmas Eve, after service, we along with the youth of the Yambol church went choraling. As it is customary, we spent a time of fellowship with the families of each home we visited. Then on Christmas Sunday we held a regional service for the Yambol area in the village of Malomir and the choir of the Yambol church attended as well blessing us with several songs. On New Years Eve we were again in service with the Yambol church which lasted until the New Year. Each present was given a card with a scripture in which to start the New Year.
We thank you for giving to Bulgaria making our ministry here possible. We pray blessings over you, your family and your church in 2010.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
Psalm 46:1
BibleTech:2010
Join us at BibleTech:2010 to explore the intersection of Bible study and technology. This two-day conference is designed for publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers and anyone interested in using technology to improve Bible study. BibleTech 2010 is an opportunity to meet others who share your interests and hear from industry leaders.
Happy New Year
Projects Completed in 2009
1. Benevolence Ministry Undertakings for Yambol/Sliven Regions
2. Bible Tech Conference in Seattle
3. Bible Training for Newly Started Churches in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
4. Bible Training School for the Sofia Region
5. Bible Training School for the Yambol/Sliven Regions
6. Bulgarian Christian Student Union Seminar in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
7. Church Leadership for Bulgarian Congregations in Chicago
8. Day of Open Doors Press Conference in Varna, Bulgaria
9. Expository Teaching on II Timothy in Yambol, Bulgaria
10. Expository Teaching on the Book of Nehemiah in Yambol, Bulgaria
11. Last Days Seminar in Samokov and Sofia, Bulgaria
12. Launched Website Dedicated to Spiritual and Emotional Growth, CaringForTheSoul.com
13. Launching of WorldMissions.TV Honoring World Missions’ Centennial Celebration
14. Liberty Leadership Seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria
15. Mega Youth Rally in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
16. Mega Youth Rally in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
17. Mega Youth Rally in Varna, Bulgaria
18. Missions Conference in Pahokee, Florida
19. National Bible Tour in Chicago
20. National Bible Tour in Houston
21. National Bible Tour in Las Vegas
22. National Bible Tour in Minneapolis
23. National Convention for Ministries on the Internet in Gabrovo, Bulgaria
24. National Leadership Seminar for the Church of God of Prophecy in Rouse, Bulgaria
25. National Meeting of Bulgarian Christian Bloggers in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
26. National Puppet Ministry Contest
27. New Bulgarian Translation of the Bible Seminar at the Petrehoan Youth Camp
28. New Printed Edition of the First Bulgarian Bible Published in Constantinople in 1871
29. Regional Christmas Crusade for the Yambol Region
30. Regional Prayer Conference in Yambol, Bulgaria
31. Regional Revival in Dupnitsa, Bulgaria
32. Research Trip to the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA
33. Research Trip to the Southern Baptist Historical Library & Archive in Nashville, TN
34. School of Missions for the Yambol/Sliven Regions
35. Self-Esteem Camp in Cleveland, TN
36. Water Baptism in the Thundja River
37. WebMinistry 2.0 for the Leadership Development Institute
38. WebMinistry 2.0 in Chicago
39. WordPress Training for Churches in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
40. X 2009 National Event: Changing the Status Quo in Samokov, Bulgaria
Christmas in Bulgaria: Appreciating the Simple Things in Life
Roasting chestnuts over an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose is a comforting carol which brings many pleasant feelings around the holidays. These are two features, which are not only common to the States, but to Bulgaria as well. This is the season of chestnuts being roasted, however it is not like we picture being over a cozy fire place in a warm home. In Bulgaria it would be on the street side to sell in order to bring in some income for your family. And the Jack Frost is not just a nip for some, but it is a bone chilling cold due to not being able to afford the electric bill.
For some, there will be no gift under the tree and for others there will not even be a tree. This is not said to bring you sorrow, but for you to appreciate the simple things in life. Enjoy family, friendships, a warm home, a hot meal, your health. Enjoy the time the Lord has given you and use it for his Glory and not for bickering or complaining over the small angst.
Don’t loose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is not about the material, but it is about the spiritual. It is about the birth of our Lord and Savior even though our politically correct society wants to get ride of the “Christ” in “Christmas.” If it were not for His birth, He would not have been able to die for our sins. This remission of sin is the ultimate gift this Christmas season for it is through this act that we are able to have eternal life if we only ask.
So when you wake up on the 25th begin your day not consumed with what you didn’t get or what didn’t happen to your liking, but in silence remembering the silent and holy night over 2000 years ago. Remember those less fortunate in order not to take for granted with what you have been blessed. And most of all thank Him for His gift to you. Let these thoughts bring you comfort this holiday season.
Merry CHRISTmas 2009
From all of us in Bulgaria!
WorldMission.TV Released
If you feel this message is relevant to your church and missionaries you support, please feel free to forward it around the globe. It is our prayer, that with doing so we will be able to reach more people with God’s Mission of Salivation for the Last Days.
Dear Missionary,
We are writing to inform you of the launching of our new site, WorldMissions.TV. This is a Christian based site, which purposes to give a place where missionaries can inform of their work and remain connected with their churches, families and friends. It is the goal of WorldMissions.TV to offer an atmosphere where missions’ videos can be watched by millions of people across the globe.
When missionaries make the sacrifice to go to the uttermost parts of the earth they sometimes experience a feeling of disconnect being on the other side of the world, but with the help of this site, missionaries are provided a collective experience. It allows the body of Christ to come together in unity to exalt His mission above all – saving eternal souls regardless of the cost, location, race, ethnicity, language or denomination.
We ask that you join together with us in sharing our unique missional experiences with those whom may never be able to go to the mission field and at the same time to those whom are called to missions or already on the field. It may be because of your uploaded video of enduring through the jungles of Indonesia to preach to a group of people who has never heard the gospel, that a person whom you never spoke with accepts the call for missions; or it possibly will be that your video provides the encouragement needed for a couple experiencing hardship.
Through this site you can share of your trails, your successes, the miracles you have witnessed in order that God be given the glory. We should not remain quite simply because some are in disbelief of the True resurrective power of God. In the words of the old children’s song:
I’m going to shout it from the mountain tops
I want the world to know;
The Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.
And this is exactly what we are purposing through WorldMissions.TV. When people see the miracles and wonders of missions across the world, there is no other alternative than to cry:
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
“Santos, Santos, Santos”
“神聖, 神聖, 神聖”
“Svet, Svet, Svet”
Sincerely and In His Service,
Dony and Kathryn Donev
Cup and Cross Ministries International, Bulgaria
www.cupandcross.com
First Snow in Yambol, BULGARIA
