Last night Lynn & I were celebrating the 5th birthday of the Armenian fellowship. We have been connected with the leaders for the whole 5 years now. It is wonderful to see how they are developing and growing.
We were able to participate in their meeting and share fellowship with the body there.
Great times in which we live.

Bulgaria joins the EU on January 1st...

There is something very special about people who are out there - doing Pioneer ministry... It's pretty exciting stuff.
Bulgaria joins the European Union on January 1st- so here is a small insight into the ministry of a couple of friends in Sofia & Plovdiv.. for those who are not so familiar with the place.
David Carter & I are just back from a rather chilly visit. Many of the roads are as bad as Albania! On crossing the border you immediately notice the grey/brown countenance of the country. The towns & cities are noticably poorer and it's not uncommmon to see a horse & cart or the latest huge 4x4 for transport. There is a massive gap between rich and poor.
In Sofia we spent some good time with a good friend who has pioneered a radical church network that goes back to the Communist era. He continues to press on desiring to change the nation through the Kingdom of God. Touching the heart of this man and enjoying fellowship in his home is a privilege. Some big challenges face him & his wife - but they are eager to walk the path of God.
From Sofia we headed South East to Plovdiv where Craig Sibthorpe is busy developing a work largely amongst gypsies but also Bulgarians. Craig took us to the downtown ghetto where 10,000 or more gypsies live and where he is developing a variety of works amongst the people there. Preaching the gospel is his passion but football, second hand clothes & furniture as well as church planting are all impacting the community. He and his Nigerian collegue make no secret of their Christian faith here.
We came home inspired, committed to encourage & support these guys - If you have a minute just pray for the Kingdom to come & his will to be done in this ministry.
We'll be off to Bulgaria again in the New Year - it will be interesting to watch and see if the EU or the KOG make the most impact there!

Birthday Girl

Lynn, Joanna & I are just back from the USA.
It was a great trip - We attended a Vision Conference at Washington Christian Life Centre and met some great characters in ministry from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Columbia & Peru. We were welcomed into the church family and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. A great connection has been established between us. Phil Driscoll was one of the highlights - the last meeting was a tremendous worship event - this guy is an anointed prophet.
Of course a highlight was celebrating Joanna's 18th birthday - a trip to the Mall, the cinema and the conference fashion Show was all great fun.
After Washington it was down to Florida, (Lynn want's to drive next time) where we visited friends Walter & Linda Coleman and Kevin & Julie Endres.. A fantastic reconnection of long term friendships with them & their families. We all celebrated Thanksgiving together and certainly had lots we could be thankful for. Sea World was tremendous
America is a fascinating place and we enjoyed the experience. Now we are back and ready to roll into the Christmas season and the challenges of 2007... in a few days i'll write about some exciting developments for 2007.