Providential End

Our departure from Europe came with a traumatic end. We had just lived the last 18 months in Bulgaria – a country that does not value safety standards. We have many traffic and construction stories to illustrate this point. Yet by God’s grace we were always safe and healthy. We were blessed to travel Eastern Europe and only have positive stories to share. Not until the last two hours on European soil did we experience the scariest moment of our journey.

On our way home from Bulgaria we “decompressed” during a four day stop-over in Rome, Italy. We had a wonderful and relaxing time in Rome and started our journey home early Sunday morning on June 10^th. It was 5:00am and we had just got out of the taxi at the airport. Drew was asleep and I just placed him in his stroller and set it to the side. I pulled out our two large bags and set them near the stroller. Lisa was gathering her things and moving over toward Drew and the luggage as I started to pay the taxi driver. As I was pulling money out of my wallet I heard a high pitch whine coming from a distance behind me. All of a sudden the taxi cab driver’s eyes became as large as eggs as he started to yell. I turned to see a motorcycle weaving, loosing control, and then laying down his bike as he crashed into my family.

The motorcycle hit Lisa, the bags and the stroller. The stroller, with Drew inside, was jettisoned into a nearby car and then into the concrete embankment. I took off in a dead sprint to the stroller. For a split second I experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. Approaching the stroller I saw Drew fall out of the stroller to the ground – but to my relief he was crying. All I knew at that point is that if he was crying – my nightmare had not come true. I picked him up, checked his body and all seemed okay. As all this was going on I heard screams in the background “My baby, my baby” – so my attention quickly shifted to Lisa. Lisa has been hit in the lower leg, however she always kept her balance and never hit the ground, nor was her belly (baby girl) ever impacted in any way. Her screams had been for Drew and not because of any trauma she had experienced.

Once the damage was surveyed – besides shaken up nerves and emotions – Drew did not have a scratch and Lisa only a bruise on her leg. Paramedics checked out Drew, Lisa and baby girl - all were well. The emotions of the morning finally caught up with Lisa and I – but through prayers and tears of thanksgiving we have been able to move on. Your prayers were heard and answered – thank you for your role in intercession for my family!

Rome

On our trip home from Bulgaria we were blessed with the opportunity to visit Rome, Italy. We had a wonderful time, with exception to a near fatal incident I write more about later - but besides that - it was a nice time to "decompress" and reflect on our time in Bulgaria. Below are some pictures we took when we visited the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Forum, Vatican City, St. Peters basilica and the small village of Ostia Antica.

Drew says Good-bye

The last evening before leaving Sofia we had dinner with our team and Drew was able to say good-bye to his friends. Pictured are Austin, David and Steven (the boys) with Laurn, Erin and Cathrine as they all play in the rain. Drew will miss many of his wonderful friends! (Drew and his friend Jacob is below)

Drew sings his Cubbies Song

Drew sings his Awanas Cubbies Song

Jesus Loves Me

Drew singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the Sofia International Babtist Church on Awana Sunday.