Day 5 - Kazanluk
There is no way to describe what happened yesterday. I feel like i am saying that everyday - but it really truly is getting more and more mind blowing. Just when you think God couldnt out do Himself - He does it again.We drove to Kazanluk yesterday and after lunch went to the Gypsy village. This village isnt like the one in Lom. The Lom village was set in some nice country side. This community is in the center of a city. Its even more poverty stricken than the last group. The drinking began on the bus as the local Gypsy Pastor got on the bus and instantaneously became wasted in the presence of God. Wrapped around Georgian we all took a big drink as we drove in circles trying to figure out how we were supposed to get where we were going - that Pastor was supposed to give us directions - but he was obviously indisposed.
When we finally did arrive the parade started
as we exited the bus. A crowd had formed around us as we were still gathering
our instruments. Being a New Orleanian I really enjoyed the parade - having
experienced all the Mardi Gras parades for several years, I can honestly
say Mardi Gras has nothing on us! We danced and played as we entered the
village. There was a stage set up by the local pastor (the church is in
a small building in the center of the delapitated homes and makeshift
yards). They offered the most extravagant giftf - a large piece of carpet
in front of the stage for us to use when the power of God pressed us to
the ground. That piece of carpet was so expensive for them and it really
meant alot to our group that they had gone out of their way to bless us
with that.
The parade travelled through the dirt alleyways between the homes. Gypsies
watched from the doorways and rooftops in curiosity.
When we got to the stage Mitko's band from Sofia (they ROCK!!!) was already playing and the celebration began.
There had to be like 2 - 3 hours of celebration and the gypsies jumped right in! Dancing drinking in the Spirit and forming a huge conga line that weaved in and out and around the crowd all night. After about 3 non stop hours of this Georgian got up and preached. When he asked who would like to recieve this wonderful Jesus into their hearts the response was mind blowing. The hands were everywhere - lights blinked up from the balconies and homes of the large decrepid building in front of us - arms waved from rooftops and stairwells. After Georgian led them all in a prayer for salvation he informed them that these Americans were here to minister to them and pray for them. And thats when the real fun began.
We have several pastors with us. Each one of them is a blast! But as a lay person so to speak - this was really my first time laying hands on people and having them fall out under the power of God. I was partnered with a lady from Massachusetts (im sorry i cant recall her name right now, ill post it tomorrow) Each time we layed hands on someone they dropped. About the third person we approached and began to pray for started manifesting demons or whatever. He was thrashing and screaming and pretty much freaking out. So here I am my first time out doing this and ive got a live one - you know what im saying? The funny thing was though - it didnt freak me out at all - in fact - me and the Massachusetts woman just looked at eachother and laughed! Then we got down on the ground with him and continued to lay hands on him and pray - all the while laughing in the joy of the Lord! I think that really had an impact on the people standing around us. Because when this man began manifesting the whole group took a collective step backwards and looked at us with eyes as big as saucers. And when they saw that this manifestation didnt phase us in the least - in fact we were laughing about it in the Joy of the Lord - they began to press in and thats when the grabbing began.
Youve never seen so many people so hungry for God. Hours into the night we layed hands and held and hugged and ministered to and prayed with these people. None of us spoke the language - yet the communication was there. We showed them how to lay hands on eachother and how to catch (!) when they started to go down. The people couldnt get enough - the love was so real and so hungry! I want to apologize that you are only able to hear my experience as I know there are 50 other people in our group with stories they could tell you all night of how the power of God flowed into this village.
