Home!

We arrived at MSP about 12:15 PM today. We had spent a quick 18 hours in Sofia on the way.

Thanks to all for your prayers and interest.

Pic 1: downtown Sofia scene.
Pic 2: a little shopping for Donna.
Pic 3: sea ice in Labrador Sea.

Fast Forward

We found limited time for web posting in interior AZ. Had a productive visit to our destination and linked up with workers there, and met many from the family. Spend a half day in Baku yesterday and flew to Sofia early this AM. We'll be on the plane to USA at oh-dark-30 tomorrow AM. Thanks for all your support and entreaties. We'll have lot's to share when home.

A few pix included of vocational school rug making student, plus a couple interesting approaches English language teaching supports, including the "no-sweat rule."

Out for now.

Baku Adieu - Let it Rain

We are nearing the end of our time in Baku.

We are told rain is rare in this country. But it has rained portions of the last three days. This morning it was raining hard plus the wind made it quite unpleasant. We had to get a taxi just to go a few blocks to meet our friends as the streets were a steady streams of water and impossible to cross without wet feet. We did sing "Let it rain, open the floodgates of heaven..." and as someone reminded us you can't ask for it and then complain. We weren't singing for the physical water but it may be part of the answer in a land that needs both.

It was hailing on the rooftop of our meeting place and we heard they had snow in Ganja yesterday. Most people are wearing warm coats and the men are donning warm caps. I think http://www.weather.com/ mislead us when we was packing. Donna wishes she had her gloves.

Heard many encouraging reports today as the meetings concluded. We have many committed employees giving more than 100%. It's hard work but we all hope it will produce abundant results. We need to be like men of old and hold their arms up.

Baku Brain Benders

Which of the following literature failed to get approval in this country?

a. The Children's Bible.

b. Boundaries.

c. Christianity and Islam compared.

If you answer b you win the Snickers. Go figure.

Next

Tomorrow we are off to the outer areas. We are told this will have less of a cosmopolitan "feel" and will represent more traditional Azeri culture. We look forward to these discoveries. We'll keep you updated. Please continue your labor on our behalf ... we are grateful.

Baku 2

Spent all day with the employees and representatives and heard great things as well as fears, frustrations and needs. It's a hard job but they're in it for the long haul - however long that may be. Good question to ponder. If I had to leave tomorrow what would I leave behind? We are learning a lot!

Another windy and chilly day but we were mostly inside in meetings. After a tasty evening meal we toured the city for an hour on foot. Urban life is alive well into the evenings here and we are enjoying the proximity of our apartment to city life

Black clothing is dominant, with a rare burst of bright pink, purple or red. Obviously that attracts attention.

That's about it for tonight. You know your part - please stay at it for us. :-)

Azerbaijan Day 1

Wow, here we are in Az...amazing! We were dropped off in our own apartment at about 5:30 AM after flying most of the night. We slept until about noon, had a nice HOT shower, spend the day on our own, walking about Baku and to the Caspian Sea. It was 59 degrees F but very windy and chilly. We ate local cuisine for lunch and found people in shops very kind and helpful and we "communicated" our needs / wants for exchaning money, ordering lunch, purchasing a wifi card and getting snacks (see store pix.) Some spoke a little English and every word helped. We enjoyed the interaction with the locals.

We met with two of our partners and with their expertise ordered dinner - excellent!

Tomorrow begins our busy schedule. We've been healthy and energetic - PTL and please keep lifting up our remaining time.

Exit BG; on to Az

… had a wonderful visit in Bulgaria. Many contacts went out of their way to meet with us. Each one was helpful, resourceful and took great care of us. Each conversation helped us get a realistic view of BG at this time. That view is that basically there are needs everywhere.

Our representatives there need encouragement; their job is tough. Teams would be welcome in many places and the project opportunities are numerous. All asked, “when is your group coming back?”

Today was Easter Sunday in BG. We heard the relevant aspects of the resurrection were, “do not fear” and “go and tell.” Things are bleak in BG at this time. The future state and direction is uncertain. Food costs are high, government is corrupt, health care is limited and disorganized, education is deteriorating. The most educated emigrate, the birth rate is negative. Spiritually, most have no hope. Surveys indicate 74% of the population thinks, “visiting church brings no value to my life.”

BUT, can you think of any other bleak times in history? At one time there were just a handful of disciples and other followers in the world. Our Savior said, “do not fear, come to Me; I love you and I’ve proven it” (the resurrection.) Col 1 says, “… and the good news is going out everywhere, changing lives, just as yours when you first heard the news.” So, be hopeful!

Your gifts at work…
You sent us off with gifts for our representatives. We wish you could have seen the faces of four precious children as we presented them with cereal “variety packs.” You would thought they were receiving the most fantastic toy on Christmas morning. They were simply ecstatic.

Destination Found - Villa Rosiche

It's about 11 PM Bulgaria time. We're wrapping up a good day in Sofia. Good preliminary meetings related to visit to Velingrad on Saturday. Lift up that visit on Saturday as key parameters for potential future activity will be discussed.

Then met our friend Todor at the charming cafe (see pics). Then dinner with old friends Krassi and Emo.

For those of you that send gifts / goods to Bulgaria, all have been delivered to the in-country folks who have taken responsibility (if needed) to getting them to their final location. Thanks again to all of your for your generosity.

For those of you who were standing with us regarding whom we would meet with on our Friday afternoon slot, we believe it was someone whom I can't name here that we met with from 2:30 - 3:30 on a unplanned basis. We had hoped to connect with this person but didn't know it would happen at this time until after we got here. It was an exepected warm and open time and we feel we exchanged important information that will play a part in Saturday's proceedings. Thanks!

Musings on Bulgarian Architecture

Many buildings here have these neat features that combine the roles of windows and doors. Maybe these are in the US; we have not seen them. Our hotel room is one such example.

Turn the handle 1/2 way, it tilts out like an awning window. A full turn and it opens like a door. What do you call such an invention? We thought the following might be options:

a. windoor

b. doordow

c. wingate
d. windoorooski

e. whichacallit

f. vrati prozorec
g. врати прозорец

Please send us your suggestions!

Sofia Landing

It's about 8:30 PM Sofia time. We arrived right on schedule this afternoon. Good work by Northwest/Delta and Bulgaria Air got every piece of baggage here. That is a big relief. We had recipients for the action packers waiting for us and they took them away for the Pankratz's. Got to meet 2 ex-pats and one national ... all good friends of Steve & Tanja. And they miss their good friends but see the package delivery as the first phase of getting them back. :-)

Some you know Emo of Krassi & Emo fame. We delivered some goods for him and had a brief but wonderful visit with him. We'll see Krassi tomorrow night.

Keep lifting up our meetings for the rest of our time here in Sofia. Concerning the Friday afternoon slot I mentioned, we've had someone get scheduled, but then they dropped out... so it's someone else.

Travel Trivia
Which items flunk TSA baggage screening if they are x-rayed in your baggage?
a. Tripod.
b. Laptop computer.
c. Peanut Butter.

If you answered b and c, do the Smarty-Pants Dance because you are correct. (We verified it at MSP just to be sure.)

ready or not, here we come

Someone much smarter than me said something profound that keeps validating itself in my life: "it's not what you don't know that gets you in trouble; it's what you think you know." Well, we think we're ready to go! Packing is 99.9% complete.

We are taking lots of stuff for our friends in these lands. We asked them what they'd like from America. The theme seemed to chocolate and peanut butter. Except for the British family we will be staying with for part of the time in Central Asia. They obviously didn't go with the choco/PB theme. Reading material and video projector was the choice for them.

We have learned a lot about something called "Action Packers." (see picture) They take Rubbermaid to a new level.

Stayed tuned for updates!

Mystery Solved!

Thanks to a very quick response from Steve P and Todor V, I've located the restaurant.

It is called "Villa Rosiche" (Вила Росиче) and the address is "Neofit Rilski 26" ("Неофит Рилски" 26).

Woo hoo!

Target Destination - Sofia

I was in this Sofia restaurant in 2007 and want to take Donna there this trip. The only problem is I don't know where to find it. If you know, let me know!

Final Stages of Planning

Most of our planning is done. Meetings set up and agendas ready. Now for the packing.

We'll be transporting goods for some friends in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan. Plus we'll be bringing some goods for the Pankratz's who will be returning to Bulgaria later this year.