Part of the benefit of having a property in a town or village is the outreach to the immediate community. This year in the few weeks we have spent at the house in Northern Bulgaria we have had a chance to meet quite a few of the village residents. I remember Andre, the local Contractor, and have met many on his work crew. We were able to give some work to Philip, the electrician, and met his son (also Philip). On village day, Philip Jr. was keen to hang out with a few of us with his friend as we watched the festivities.

Across the street is the shop, watched over by Ginka. In the spring the owner, probably feeling sympathy for us, brought us a gift of a blade sharpener for our scythe. "A small gift" he said. Usually a friend we have met many times, Rumiana works in the shop. Her husband Marin is the village plumber, and reads the water meters for the local water company.

On village day I took a look inside the dilapidated orthodox church - looked after in recent years by Teodora. She was pleased to chat and show us the building. When her husband died 5 years ago Teodora determined that she would take the church on as her project, including ringing the bells every day, rain or shine, at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. With an invitation to come and visit her home, and after being given her phone number I was on my way again.
Prayers go up all the time for the village. As I walked from the train station I would pray through the narrow lanes for the people in the houses. One day, before the team arrived, a friend brought two other friends, one of whom blew the Shofar in the centre of the village. We went and pronounced a blessing over the town as the trumpet of the Lord was sounded.

Each encounter is an opportunity to intercede for the village. We have friends there!