Adoption Update

It's been two months since we sent everything to Bulgaria - right in time for the Minister of Justice staff to be on holiday for two months! They should be back in their offices now, but I'm not too optimistic that we'll be hearing anything from them anytime soon. A referral won't likely be coming to us for at least a year - maybe up to two. I'm trying not to dwell on the timeline too much.

Whenever I get discouraged about how long it will be, I turn my attention to the internet - trying to learn things about the culture and history of Bulgaria. It is truly a beautiful country. I've also read up on some missionaries who are serving there to help me get an idea of the spiritual condition and how to pray for the country. One family talked about how even though Bulgaria now has religious freedom, most religions are considered a sect. When this family arrived in Bulgaria in 1997, there was an article in the paper stating that Baptists eat babies. Another article ranked about twenty dangerous "sects" and Baptists made the top of the list. Although things have progressed since then - in terms of reporters being held more accountable for what they write - still, less than two percent of the population of Bulgaria claim to be Christians.

Here's a video of the Bulgarian national anthem along with pictures of the country.





English Translation (first verse and chorus)


Proudly rise the Balkan peaks,
At their feet Blue Danube flows;
Over Thrace the sun is shining,
Pirin looms in purple glow.

CHORUS
Oh, dear native land,
Earthly paradise!
For your loveliness, your beauty
E'er will charm our eyes.