The Ends of the Earth - July 3, 2009
Hey everyone and welcome to Bulgaria team journal. I feel the need to fill all of you guys in on the events that transpired on the first couple of days on the trip. The first thing that happened to the team also might have been the saddest. One of our team members, Shelby, was unable to find her passport the day before we flew out. We did all that we could but there was no way we could get a replacement passport on that short of notice and so we are one member short on our trip. All we can do is trust that no matter what happens, God's will is going to be fulfilled.
And so, the night before we left to fly out, all of the guys stayed at the annex. We weren't allowed to sleep due to the fact that we needed to get used to the new time-zone. We played Rock Band, Mao, Face, went to Wal Mart, and even took an adventure to Denny's before the sun finally peaked over the horizon. By that time we were wiped but we still weren't allowed to fall asleep until we got onto the flight to Amsterdam.
The first flight was a short one from St. Louis to Detroit, but the second one was the killer. Eight hours from Detroit to Amsterdam. But some of us slept, some watched movies, and others played games, and we made it to Europe. At the Amsterdam airport some of us were feeling a little bit empty without our friend Shelby and we ended up buying a stuffed chicken and named it Shelby. This way, Shelby was with us, (in spirit. Man that sounded dorky.) From there we were on our final flight, the one to Sofia. It was short and to the point. Finally we ended up in Bulgaria and we got onto a shuttle that took us to our Hostel.
We spent an uneventful night there and woke up the next morning to take a two hour train ride to an orphanage outside of the city. As we walked into the orphanage, we could immediately see how the kids looked. Almost all of them were wearing either clothes that were way too small for them or were for the opposite season, even in the heat that was outside. However, they greeted us with a warm smile and began to show us around the place. At first some of the kids were a little shy but then a few of the older kids asked us if we wanted to play some football. At first the males of the group were very excited until we learned that they actually meant soccer. We walked over to the back of the building where there was an asphalt area that had two goals that they used to play soccer on. As we walked we wondered when the last time an American had ever beaten an European in soccer... ever. So sure enough they split us up into teams which just so happened to be the Americans against the Bulgarians. Needless to say, they won. It wasn't even close. But for some of us, it was the highlight of our day. Even though we didn't do very well, and even though we couldn't speak the same language as they did, we really connected with the older guys. It was just about having fun and letting to other kids know that there was someone out there who cared about them.
After the game we had to say goodbye for a little bit as we went to go get lunch but we were back pretty soon. When we got back we taught them a little game of our own, ultimate Frisbee. At first we had mainly our team playing with a few of the older Bulgarian kids but soon the younger ones started to join an it became more about teaching them how to throw or giving them piggy back rides so that they could have a better reach for the Frisbee. We learned quickly that this was not a good idea. As soon as one of them was lifted over our head, every single kid wanted the same. So we gave them rides, and more rides, and more rides until our backs and necks ached. But it was amazing. Afterwards a young girl named Rosie came up to me and just said "merci" (thank you), and gave me a gigantic hug. It was indescribable. At one point a bunch of us guys had a kid on each of our shoulders and raced across the pavement to see who would win. The kids really loved that one.
But, sure enough soon the time came that we had to leave. For me at least, this was the hardest part. Some of the kids were even crying. We had barely known them for a day, and they were crying because of our absence.
And so, we took another two hour train ride back home and went to celebrate Jessie's birthday at a local restaurant. We even got some ice cream afterwards.
And now, here I am, sitting on the floor of the hostel, writing to people who are hundreds of miles away, trying to describe something that I can't. These kids needed any kind of love that we could show them. They hungered for it. And I would like to think that none of us will ever be the same again. Go to the ends of the Earth, God says, now I know why.
Zach Roeschlein
As we finally made it to the place where the camp was being held, we were pleasantly surprised to see that it was not a hostel that we were staying in but a full fledged hotel. (Which is basically a hostel without the s.) When we got to the hotel and put all of our bags away, we met in the dining area for our first meal. Shawn and Natalie, went into a big speech about how no matter what kind of food was put in front of us, we were supposed to eat it. I was mentally preparing myself for things that someone would see in fear factor, but then the ladies that worked there brought out these big plates of grilled chicken with French fries on the side. And that is basically how the food went for the whole week. It was amazing. The Bulgarians even started calling me black hole by the end of the trip due to my habit of finishing off everyone's leftovers.
Recreation was a great time. Just teaching all the Bulgarians how to play something as simple as dodgeball or hitting waterballoons with wiffle bats was so much fun. And in turn, they taught us how to play games such as bottlecaps, Tik, and other things. My personal favorite was playing volleyball with the Bulgarian men leaders. These guys could seriously pound the ball. I really had to be on my game just to keep up.
