Stories, songs, games, and snacks are key ingredients in a successful children’s weekend, no matter where it takes place.  All these and more came together for a wonderful three days spent in the village of Klutch in Southwest Bulgaria.

Klutch is the home village of our good friend, Pastor Ivan, and he is has been looking for opportunities to assist the small church there and share the Gospel with the community.  Our first opportunity to go to Klutch came in December when Tom and A.J. joined Pastor Ivan and two of his children to deliver Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to the local kindergarten.  This first visit helped open the door for further opportunities to work in the village, and in May that second opportunity was carried out.

A group of 14 (Pastor Ivan’s family of six, our family of four, two volunteers from Sofia and two volunteers from the town of Blagoevgrad) traveled to Klutch to hold the first of what we hope will be many Children’s’ Weekends.  Each of the three days saw about 25 children, plus some parents and grandparents, in attendance.
 
Friday night’s opening session was a full-length children’s movie which had been dubbed into Bulgarian.  Saturday and Sunday mornings began with singing, outdoor games and crafts.  The time together ended with an object lesson where the children learned some valuable things about issues they face every day, such as the importance of using words that build up others rather than cut them down.   One of the aims of the weekend was to begin to build relationships with the children of Klutch, and their families.  The building of these relationships, “pre-evangelism” so to speak, lays the groundwork to be able to share one’s faith more effectively.  Sharing one’s faith then becomes more relational and less informational.  
      
Pastor Ivan met with interested adults on Sunday morning to tell them a little of the history of Evangelical church in Bulgaria (as opposed to the Orthodox faith), and of the ministry of the local Baptist church in Klutch.  Pastor Ivan also spent time in the local coffee shop conversing with people, many of whom have known him since he was a child.  What a great testimony he was to them!

In addition to the time with the children we also spent a couple of hours assembling new toys for the local kindergarten.  We were also able to supply them with new bed sheets made by Nina and Emil, the couple in northern Bulgaria whom we helped with a small business loan to start their sewing shop.  Nina and Emil only asked us to cover the cost of the fabric for the sheets, and donated their time to sew them.
         
The word “klutch” in Bulgarian translated means “key”.  We praise God that a door was unlocked to allow His word to be heard in this village, and that many more doors will be unlocked for ministry here in the future! 

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Luther Rice Society Matching Gift Fund

As we mentioned in our last newsletter, any new gifts given to our support, or the support of any IM missionary, between $200 and $2000, can be matched dollar for dollar due to the generosity of several individuals who have formed the Luther Rice Society Matching Gift Fund.  

Time is running out to take advantage of this opportunity!

In order to qualify, gifts must be:

--From individuals, churches, or foundations that have not previously given to our support.
--Between $200 and $2000.
--Sent directly to International Ministries or given through the International Ministries website (see below for information on how to send your gift).
--Received before June 30, 2009.

Thank you to each of you who have been a part of our network of support both through your prayers and your financial gifts.  If you feel led to join in our financial support, this is a great time to do so and take advantage of the matching funds. 

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Packing and Leaving

The time of our leaving Bulgaria for U.S. assignment is fast approaching.  We will be flying out of Sofia in just a few weeks, on July 1.

Many of you have written requesting a visit while we are based in Colorado for the year, and we are trying to visit as many churches as possible.  Our schedule for this fall is full, but if your church or group would like to host us in 2010 please let us know and we will work on scheduling a visit.  You may contact us via email at:
myersbulgaria@msn.com

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Please pray for…………
..Our family as we prepare for our return to the U.S. and for safe travels.
..For our boys as they once again say goodbye to friends and make the transition to new schools.
..For the people and ministries we leave behind.
..For Pastor Ivan and his family as they minister in various places and ways.
..For the children and adults in Klutch who participated in the Children’s Weekend.

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If you would like to support the ministry of Tom and Terry Myers please send contributions to:

International Ministries
P.O. Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851

Please indicate that your contribution is for the ministry of
Tom and Terry Myers
in Bulgaria

You can also give electronically by going to International Ministries’ web site at:
www.internationalministries.org and follow the “Giving” link.