Ah, where do I begin? I sit here tonight seeking the right words to fully be able to express what my time in the states actually meant to me. Today I wept with my husband as I have tried to fully process what the whirlwind of three weeks with family, friends (old and new), and those faithfully walking this journey with us, has meant to this missionary’s heart. I wept because I am filled with an unbelievable joy and thankfulness for those who poured into my heart and life in unbelievable ways. I wept because I experienced love from from so many people and often it felt as if my God himself just reached down to hold me tight. I wept because the words, thank you, are just not enough. Honestly, if I could see each person face to face I would love to tell you exactly how God used you to pour into my life and helped to keep me focused on where God has called us to obediently walk.
So for this reason, I’d like to use this opportunity to say thank you for loving and serving me well. First, to the Varness family, thank you for taking so much time to ask me about our work here and seeking to prayerfully ask if God may someday bring you our way to work together in the future. You not only allowed me to pour out my heart and passion for our work, but even more, you truly listened. More than you know, I just needed to share our joys, struggles, tears and laughter and God used you guys to help me be open and honest about the joy filled journey we are blessed to walk. You gave of your time and I greatly appreciate that. I also very much enjoyed hearing of your incredible journey. In His timing I pray we will have the opportunity to serve together.
 Next, I’d like to say thank you to my best friend and sister Kathleen and her beautiful mother Linda. Your gift of our beautiful reunion and your loving care while I was blessed to be with you, still overwhelms me. To every person I met along the way, to every student at “Ms. Dillon’s “ school, every teacher and friend, and the incredible body of followers at Calvary Chapel Green Valley and Calvary Red Rock, thank you for your warm welcome and making me feel as if I never left home. It was a joy to share our lives with you and to finally know the faces of those who have been faithfully praying for us over the years. We do not take your prayers lightly and we recognize that you too are just as important in this journey to reaching God’s people with the truth of the Gospel. Thank you for your generous gifts, I cannot express how much this helps my family here in Bulgaria.
To my Quest family, I loved being embraced and welcomed back home after not seeing you for over two years. We walk this journey as part of the Quest family and we thank you for continuing to allow us to share, for faithfully being a part of our work here as God has called you to join us, for your encouraging words of love, and for each and every hug that said welcome home. There is nothing like the love of your church family, and the body of Quest continues to display the overwhelming love of Christ that can be felt the second you walk through those doors. For me, this spoke volumes. My heart was filled, encouraged, and strengthened and I am thankful to call you my family even when we are across the globe. Tom and Dee you had a lot on your plate and I thank you for finding the time to talk, listen, and pour into me as always. I love you all and continue daily to pray for our Quest body.
And Lyndee Lou... Seriously, we may have not seen each other for years, but the second God brings us back together I feel as if we walk this journey side by side. I am thankful to call you my sister in Christ and I am thankful that God has blessed me with someone as amazing as you. Thank you for making such a long drive and bringing your amazing kiddos who brightened my day.
 Lastly, I want to thank my family. I thank you for your constant support. Being far from you is crushing at times, but we trust in God’s strength to keep us focused and walking obediently. When I come home every second with you, every extra phone call (Jacks), and the care you give me, reminds me how truly loved we are. Thank you for always being an incredible family who cheers us on, holds us tight, and loves us well. My heart is held when I miss you and my trust in God to care for each of you will fill me with joy and peace as we continue to obediently walk this journey. I love you more then I can adequately put into words.
All that to say, THANK YOU, I love all of you, and let’s continue to raise our hands high, unashamed and be blown away by our one and only incredible God!
-Nat
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God is already talking to some of you about coming to serve with us. We know, it can be overwhelming if you've never served outside the country, or had to plan things on your own. Don't worry - we have done these things, and we'll walk you through it. If this is you, click the button below and we'll start talking. Then keep scrolling to see how God could use you...
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News, Updates and Prayer requests
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When Nat arrived home from the States, she wasn't alone! Our ministry partner Mary was back for her every-three-months visit, and she brought our new friends Nick and Bekka with her. They were already working hard before they got here, bringing with them hundreds of pairs of warm winter socks for the people in our city who can't afford the luxury of warm feet in the winter.
During their time here, we kept them busy. We went shopping for new sweat shirts, pants and slippers for every single kid at the home in Roman - about 70 of each item. These will keep them nice and warm inside as the weather gets cooler and cooler.
Next, they had the chance to travel to the largest home in the country for special needs babies. We actively assist this home with special nutritional needs and medical help (things that aren't funded by the government), and also with a program to hire retired women (Baba's) from the community to come and love on the kids.
Another day, we traveled to Roman with our missionary friend Mark, bringing the clothes and spending time just loving on and playing with the kids. Another day, they helped us deliver meals to people who either live on the streets or who don't have the means to buy food for themselves.
Finally, on Sunday they came to church with us, and then stayed for our Sunday youth meeting. During this time, we took our youth into the city to hand out warm socks and to talk to people about Jesus.
BIG BIG BIG NEWS!
We found it! Our first community center space. Thanks to a generous gift from some great supporters with a huge heart for sharing the Gospel in Bulgaria, we will soon be able to begin working on some long-term community outreach events, including:
- English classes
- Art events
- Music events
- Movie nights
- Flea markets
- Expanded homeless food outreach
These are all areas where you and your team will be able to help us share the Gospel!
We have already started cleaning and organizing, but will need some help to get the furniture and supplies that we need. We will be sending another email in the next few days with pictures and a Christmas list (I know, it's early to talk about Christmas, but we thought it was pretty fitting in this case) of things you can help us with.
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Prayer needs.
First and foremost, please pray that we would be a light in our community - that people would never just look at us as nice people, but as people who are pointing them toward Christ through our actions and words.
Please pray for Natalie's health. She is currently under the weather, and with her condition this takes a toll on her.
Please pray for us as parents. Parenting a child who experienced trauma at a young age can be like nothing you've ever imagined. As I write this, it's been a really tough day with him, and we've been having a lot of these lately. Please pray that God would heal Chris, grab hold of his heart, and use him to change the world.
(For those of you wondering about the previous two things, yes, we are exactly where we are supposed to be. God never said this would be easy, but he reminds us every day that He is bigger!)
God is doing great things in our various ministries here. From youth ministry, to college Bible study, to working with the poor, to developing relationships with the directors of the homes we work in - and the kids, we are blessed at all he is doing. With the new place, we will have even more opportunities, but also more needs! Please pray that God would give us wisdom, and that he would provide for everything needed.
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Financial needs.
If you are already supporting us financially, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! We truly appreciate you, and don't take even one penny for granted. If you are not currently supporting us financially, would you pray about it? If you have any questions about what we do, please reply to this email and we'll answer ASAP. Also, please share about our ministry with everyone you can by forwarding this email, sharing on Facebook, etc.
You can make your donation online at www.beautifulfeet.us. To donate, click on the " Donate" link on the main menu, then choose us (0334 - The Key Family) from the " Individual Support" dropdown.
To mail a check, the address is:
Beautiful Feet
3720 S. Hiwassee Rd.
Choctaw, OK 73020
All donations are tax deductible, and 100% goes directly to us in the field.
If you have any questions about this, please let us know!
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We would love to hear from you! Please reply to this email and let us know how you are doing, how we can be praying for you or if you have any questions about our ministry.
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For more information about what we're doing and how you can help us, visit:
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