| Dear Family and Friends, You know, God never ceases to amaze me. I am thousands of miles away, in a foreign land with foreign concepts and ideas surrounding me, but it seems like every time I turn around I am able to see God in something else . . . even all the way out here in a little country called Bulgaria. Wow. And, even through those times in which I feel so far from Him--so far from EVERYONE and EVERYTHING I know--He is suddenly right there in front of me, blessing me, seeing the desires of my heart, and answering my prayers . . . it blows me away. So, what is my news, you ask?! Well, first of all, let me describe the situation of my town. Samokov is okay some of the time, it's not THAT bad, but it still is a lot worse than many towns in this country. First of all, it is an incredibly littered and filthy place, but, also, Samokov permeates this incredible negativity and unfriendly attitude uncommon to any of the other towns I have had the pleasure of visiting since I have been in Bulgaria. It's not just me who feels this way either, my sitemate will tell you the exact same thing as well as practically any other volunteer who has set foot here. So, I HAVE had some rough times here (especially lately) and I am guilty of jealousy caused by nearly every other town I've visited since I've been here. Well, I heard recently that Panagyurishte, the little town in which we trained last summer, was looking for a teacher volunteer and, though I didn't see my reasons as being good enough to request a site change, I immediately began to pray concerning this matter. Well, God works in mysterious ways. On Friday, our Country Director called me out of the blue (I never said a WORD to him about it!) saying that he doesn't feel that Samokov has been very supportive of volunteers (which they haven't!) and he was wondering if I'd want to move to Panagyurishte to teach English as soon as this school term is over! My immediate reaction was YES, YES, YES!!! I LOVE PANAGYURISHTE! I LOVE MY HOST FAMILY! I WANT TO MOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING! So, it suddenly looks like, in 9 weeks when we finish this school term, I will be moving for the THIRD time this year to finish out the rest of my service in Panagyurishte, the adorable town that I spoke of so fondly in my first e-mails! I can't wait! AND, I'll even be teaching upper-elementary (again) at the school that we trained at last summer, which also happens to be my host brother's school! How cool is that?! I feel so much happier already and I know that this is the right move. Iva will probably drive me crazy everyday, but I don't even care! Plus, training will be in the town again this summer . . . in my new town! I am so excited and I feel so positive about this move. THANK GOD. So . . . PANAGYURISHTE HERE I COME!!!!! LET MY NEW ADVENTURES IN MY NEW AND IMPROVED SITE BEGIN!!!!! Love Always and God Bless, Chantel |
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