DECEMBER PRAYER LETTER

Viktor and Teresa Kostov—Sofia, Bulgaria phone/fax: 011 359 2 65-28-33

web site: http://kmission.homestead.com e-mail: vikkostov@hotmail.com

Missionary Newsletter November/December 2001

Dear Friends:

We look back to the year and the changes that we had to go through were quite big. Having in mind our state of heart and the calm that we feel is quite a supernatural work of God. We won't bore you with a list of all of those personal and ministry-related trials we had to go through. I will just say that in this process this passing year my faith has grown in stepping out and doing what I feel the Lord has called me to do. And of course, seeing Him provide along the way. May this encourage you in this season of looking back and looking forward. We encourage you--in the evaluation of the year just gone by--count your blessings and you will see the Lord's love and faithfulness to you.

On Dec. 20 we took a three and a half hour road trip to a small town in NW Bulgaria. Our entire house church (three families) will join the Vidin church Petra to host a Christmas party and program for the currently 53 orphans plus staff. This party kicked-off a 6 month project in the orphanage which will include weekly times of bible study, prayer, fellowship and games. In the spring, the project will end with a one-week Vacation Bible School. We have labored and prayed much these past 6 months for this ministry to begin – we thank God for moving heaven and earth to open up the proper doors and we thank you for laboring with us in prayer. And the kids--they learned more about the true meaning of Christmas, watched a Christmas skit, got a small present we had prepared and had a snack and a lot of fun.

UPDATES AND PRAISE REPORTS

WOMEN’S GROUP JUST STARTED: The women in the house church (three strong for right now with maybe a fourth to join in soon) began meeting bi-monthly for a time of sharing needs/accountability and praying with one another. It’s a time for honestly seeking the Lord together, as well as friendship building. Please pray that we would be able to be vulnerable with one another, be able to listen and hear what each other is saying, and that we would be patient with one another’s differences.
MEN’S PRAYER BERAKFAST GOING ON STEADY: The men continue to meet weekly for sharing/accountability and prayer. As the Lord draws them closer, he also sends them out as a team to minister. This has become a satisfying and joyous part of their friendship and the process of forming a church-planning team.
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND-THE FIRST EVALUATION OF AMERICAN THANKSGIVING FOOD, THE FIRST SNOW: We spent the Thanksgiving weekend with our house church at a villa in the Rila mountains. The snow began falling that Friday night and the children were ecstatic. We passed many pleasurable hours playing in the snow, warming up in front of the fireplace, and fellowshipping. The other two Bulgarian families got to taste a real American Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings. For the most part they enjoyed everything – however, having “sweets” (cranberry sauce, carrots in brown sugar sauce and stuffing with raisins and apples) with the meal was a strange endeavor for them!
TEACHING ON END TIMES AT A GYPSY CHURCH IN VIDIN: Ivo, from our house church, and Viktor were invited to teach on “End Times” at a small gypsy church in Vidin. We were able to encourage the brothers (about 60 men and women attended) from this poor and despised minority with Scripture teaching about the Blessed Hope of the Lord’s return.
EVANGELIZING HITCHHIKERS: Returning from their times of teaching in Vidin, Ivo and Viktor picked up two hitchhikers. One was a nurse from Sofia and the other a retired traffic policeman from Vidin. Ivo and Viktor were able to share the truths of the gospel with their passengers and found the young woman very open to the gospel. Please pray for Daniela (the nurse), that she would soon give her life to the Lord and receive the love and peace she has been looking for. We gave both “free riders” a free NT. We pray that they find the free gift of God--salvation in Christ.
Let me brag in the flesh a little: I finished my second tutorial paper toward my Fuller Ph.D. degree. Onward with the third! (Then three more to go.)

PRAYER NEEDS

Please, consider these needs in your times of prayer for our ministry: (1) still no trace of our belongings including family photos, computer files, and 16 boxes of Christian and missionary books(all of my seminary collections!); (2) We are again in need of rest! Pray for wisdom about when, and where to take several days off (finances are also an issue--we have to be wise about it, too); (3) I took a case of representing a Christian organization before the mayor of a town where the administration created problems for the ministry workers--I wish this to be not only a legal negotiation but a spiritual witness of God's love.

* * * * *

…There we are after the Christmas break! The Christmas party with the orphans is over (see photo) and so are 7 days of challenges and excitement. Viktor had a busy Christmas schedule: preached and ministered 3 times at Petra church in Vidin; had meetings with the elders board (all of them are quite young, actually) to discuss issues about mission work and finances; had a working breakfast with the team that will minister in the orphanage for the next 4 months; helped launch Petra church web site (check it out at http://petravd.hit.bg - but it is all in Bulgarian) and met with two unbelieving friends for fellowship and evangelism. (One of them promised to read the whole Bible before we see each other again. I hope to see him in less than two years!)

The highlight of this busy Christmas time was the last service at Petra church—after a great time of praise and worship the Holy Spirit moved in the small congregation challenging the believers to get rid of idols and be a city on a hill to a dark town and a dark nation. The Holy Spirit was moving and some specific prophetic words were released. It was a small group (about 20-25 people). Several believers testified to being encouraged, and were rejoicing about the way the Lord revealed the secrets of the hearts of many to encourage them and to edify them. I was encouraged myself in seeing that practicing the pattern of ministry I had observed in many prophetic ministers works in this needy church to bless the saints of God.

There is much more we could share, but it would be quite overwhelming to continue! One thing is certain—in this wonderful season of remembering the birth of our Lord your prayers and support are inseparable part of our work for the Lord in Bulgaria. We miss the peace and joy of having many of you around. Yet, the Lord has put us in this place for a reason—to give and receive from the saints of God here, to encourage them and to bring the light of Christ to those who are seeking the one true God. Thank you again for your friendship and support! Merry Christmas!

Viktor, Teresa, and the boys

To support us financially, please send checks to: Door of Hope International S-15, PO Box 303, Glendale, CA 91209-9984

Visit our web site for our mission statement, our vision, and additional information: http://kmission.homestead.com