Bucharest, Romania to Kavala through Bulgaria

Leaving Bucharest early on Monday morning, September 5, 2005 Brother Bill Johnson and his wife road in the van with Missionary Jim Black, his wife Sherry and their daughters, and Sherry's parents. The drive took them through the plains and mountains of Bulgaria. It was near harvest time for the large crop of cotton; the tobacco fields were partially harvested and the corn was golden brown in the early Autumn sun. The cities' tall Communist-Party-era row apartment buildings mixed with modern office buildings glistened white in the morning sun as the German Ford van.

 

The group stopped for a lunch gyro sandwiches (all the ham, tomatoes and other fixings of the sandwich in a pita bread pocket) Sofia, the capitol of modern Bulgaria. The city is a living museum of ancient history. The church of St. Sofia (left) was first build in the fourth century. Although the area has been controled by many foreign powers in the past, it has a rich cultural and religious heritage. The present city boasts a population of about 1.25 million people. There is no true witnes for our Lord. There is none to teach the people to trust Jesus for the free pardon of their sins.

 

The Eastern European Missionaries' Retreat in Kavala, Greece

Missionaries from Lithuania (Johnson family at right), Romania and Albania joined the time of fellowship and refreshment in the historical city of Kavala, on the shores of the Agean Sea. Lynn and Brenda Raburn organized and directed the conference with help of Jack Story. Shawn and Alison Crane from Benton, Arkansas, USA led the praise service each evening and worked with the missionaries' kids each morning.

Afternoons were given to fellowship and relaxation. Bill and Rita Johnson joined a group to tour the archeological site of ancient Philipi. Here, about two hundred yards from the prison where Paul was interned, Bill had opportunity to witness to the Greek lady who took tickets from tourists. Translating a tract written in Greek, the lady learned about the saving grace of God. The tract told of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. As Nicodemus did years before the lady prayed with Bill and asked Jesus to forgive her sins. In her whole life in the Orthodox Church the lady had never heard the story of the new birth.

The ancient city of Philipi is still being excavated, however one can see the via Egnatia, the street where the Apostle Paul walked, and an ancient Roman bath dating to the time of Christ. As one looks out over the plains, rich farm country, and the mountain ranges where gold was mined in ancient times his imigination wanders to thoughts of the early churches organized through missionaries like Paul and Silas. "Lord, where those who would proclaim your Word to these people today?"

 

Pictured to left is Missionary David Taylor and his twin sons. David works in Albania planting churches for the Glory of God. In this picture he is at the helm of the 35 meter sailing craft chartered by several missinaries for an afternoon on the Agean Sea near the coast where Paul facilitated his landing so many years ago.

 

 

 

Pictured here are Joe Morrell and his wife Jessie. Joe, who has served in Lithuania for ten years, present his thoughts about establishing a Bible institute in Eastern European countries. Lynn Raburn preaced inspiring messages of encouragement each evening. Missionary John Sanders from Loveland, Colorado also presented an inspiring message.

 

 

 

 

Missionary Mike Rogers Needed a Tow.

On the return trip, Missioanry Mike Rogers' van had a mechanical probem and required a tow. In the picture Mike examines the tow rope with his wife Juli looking on. Rita Johnson stands in the open doors of the nice new Ford van recently delivered by Leon Jasper for use in the ministry of Missionary Steve Rutherford. John Sanders patiently waits for the van to be repaired and the journey resumed.

 

Everyone agreed that it was a very profitable retreat. The salvation of the Greecian lady and the salvation and public profession of faith by one of the missionary kids led to a warm, spirited revival in the hearts of everyone.