The Overloaded Donkey
Sandanski is a lovely spa town in Southern Bulgaria on the main road from Sofia, the Capital, to the Greek port of Thessalonica. Sandanski’s high street is a beautiful tree lined avenue and every evening it is filled with people enjoying the cool of the day in pleasant surroundings.
Hot mineral water gushes from a spring in the park at the end of the avenue.
It was the first Bulgarian town I visited on my first visit in 1989 and one we grew to love. Our hosts introduced us to the nearby town of Gotse Delchev. The 25 mile journey over a 3000 metre pass in the Pirin Mountains usually took 90 minutes. The steep ascent was by a narrow road that I could best describe as potholes joined with a little tarmac. There were no barriers for the unwary motorist and at the summit it was not uncommon to find boulders a metre in diameter had been brought down by thunderstorms. However it was worth it for the friendship we received.
It was the first Bulgarian town I visited on my first visit in 1989 and one we grew to love. Our hosts introduced us to the nearby town of Gotse Delchev. The 25 mile journey over a 3000 metre pass in the Pirin Mountains usually took 90 minutes. The steep ascent was by a narrow road that I could best describe as potholes joined with a little tarmac. There were no barriers for the unwary motorist and at the summit it was not uncommon to find boulders a metre in diameter had been brought down by thunderstorms. However it was worth it for the friendship we received.
Just visiting had a profound effect. One lady started visiting the remote mountain villages to share the love of Jesus. Asked why she started she replied “If you can travel for five days to visit us then surely I can go to the villages”.
Don’t stop “Just visiting”. You never know its effect on other peoples’ lives.
On our way back one evening we saw this donkey struggling home under its heavy load. It reminded me of the words of Jesus.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Don’t stop “Just visiting”. You never know its effect on other peoples’ lives.
On our way back one evening we saw this donkey struggling home under its heavy load. It reminded me of the words of Jesus.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
