Spreading Christmas Hope and Cheer in J-Town

On Sunday, November 7, the Go Team had the privilege of spending some time with the kids in J-Town. Our focus during this time was to discuss our global mission work in Bulgaria. J-Town leaders started by reminding students of the difference between local and global missions and we showed them on the large wall map where Bulgaria is. It was a great opportunity to also explain that we have two missionaries living and working in Bulgaria who were called from our very own congregation - David and Jill Sweet. We’re looking forward to David and Jill popping in soon to say “hi” to the kids and introduce themselves while they spend some time stateside over the next few weeks.

When speaking with the kids, we focused on the work being done at the St. John’s home. We explained that this housing will be a safe place for vulnerable and at-risk Bulgarian girls; a place where they will learn skills, be treated as a family and know the love of Jesus. We talked about ways we can support this ministry, with the biggest being to pray for the St. John’s home, the girls who will live there, the house parents who will support those living there and the missionaries who are helping to keep it running.

We also introduced two hands-on ways to show support: the first being through J-Town “purchases” of items to support Bulgaria (notebooks which will be used at the home) and the second through the Christmas cards we were able to make together that Sunday morning. The kids decorated a Christmas tree on the front of the card with various craft items and signed their first name to the back. With help from David and Jill, we were able to print the verse from Isaiah 9:6 in both English and Bulgarian inside the card. In all, our kids will be sending about 30-40 Christmas cards to children in Bulgaria to spread Christmas hope and cheer! Praise God!

On the first Sunday in J-Town that notebooks were made available for “purchase”, two children used their J-Town money to support the Bulgarian mission. We have so much to be thankful for and look forward to seeing how God continues to use our ministries to do His work locally and globally.