A New Season

Well…there really is never a dull moment. Ever. And just when you think you’ve hit the comfort zone, you realize that you were never called to be comfortable. This past year and a half has been challenging and so very rewarding. I think God in His love and goodness fills the journey with surprises. I am so very thankful that His surprises are always the best and that He always wants the best for us.

The past few months have been an adventure, and to tell you the truth, everyday is an adventure living here in Bulgaria. A few months ago, the Lead Pastors here at Zoe Sofia, Nick and Vicky Rough, felt like their time here in Bulgaria was coming to an end and last month, they moved their little family back to Australia. Nick & Christine Cain, the Senior Pastors of Zoe Sofia and Zoe Thessaloniki as well as founders of The A21 Campaign, asked Andrea & I to step in as lead Pastors of Zoe Sofia. We were both honored and privileged to accept!!! So in May, we became Lead Pastors. The weight of being responsible for Zoe Sofia is great, but God’s goodness and His faithfulness are far greater. Christine Caine once told us that if people could save Bulgaria, it would have been done already. It will take an act of God and a few people just crazy enough to believe that He will do what He says He will do. We are those people.

Zoe small group leaders

In Greek, the name Zoe means ‘life’. And that is exactly what Zoe Sofia has been – a place where people can come and find rest from the cares of the world. It is family for those who feel abandoned, a refuge for those who have none, and a place of encouragement for those who feel like giving up. Last Sunday, two of our volunteers stopped me on the way out of church and told me that they don’t know what they would do without Zoe. They continued to tell me that Zoe has been a breath of fresh air and when they leave church on Sunday, they feel like they are ready to take on the world. Moments like these make everything worth it. We see people come every week and make decisions for Christ and those moments are so precious. But not only do they find Jesus, we see people come and find something that they’ve been looking for their entire life – a family. There is no greater privilege than to love people and build the church.



Andrea has been embracing the “little years” as she is home with our four boys. Which basically means…please pray for my wife. It’s not easy having a house full of boys (me included), but she is the best mom I know and she makes it look easy. Summer has finally officially arrived and the boys are swimming in our little pool every moment they can get! Andrea also continues to spend time with the girls at the A21 Transition home and we have recently hired one of the girls to help with house cleaning. There is a Bulgarian girl that attends Zoe Sofia who has started to help with childcare. Andrea is looking forward to being more involved with Zoe Sofia and A21, though she strongly believes that the boys, and I are her first priority! (Her words, not mine) =)

We continue to go to the Roma (gypsy) every week. The kids completed the school year a few weeks ago and we could not be more proud of them. Our goal at the beginning of the year was not just to help them start but to give them everything they need to actually finish. It was and continues to be an uphill battle. Some of the 4th and 5th graders could not read and had a hard time recognizing the alphabet. I am so grateful for our volunteers who come every week and do homework with the kids as well as hang out and have fun with them. Without them, none of this would be possible. Although at times it feels like what we are doing seems insignificant, there is a definite change not just in the kids but in the community as well. Friday has become one of my favorite days of the week.



This journey has taken some unexpected twists and turns. I don’t really think we understood when moving here what exactly it would look like. We were just saying, “yes” to whatever He asked us to do. I think sometimes it requires a step into the unknown to find out what you are really made of. And not only do you find out what you are made of, but you find out just how faithful God is in every situation. The truth is, without Him we wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing. We need His wisdom, favor, and grace for every situation we encounter – sometimes even for something as little as going to the grocery store. In everything, He continues to show Himself faithful – financially, relationally, physically, and spiritually.  Our boys are happy and healthy. Andrea and I are loving life even when the journey is difficult. Our marriage is strong and even with the added responsibility, we are doing this thing together which is so exciting. All of the things we’ve accomplished and will accomplish are made possible because of your love and support for us. Just knowing that we have friends and family praying and believing on our behalf has sustained us through the difficult times.



Prayer points:

• Wisdom about where to send the boys to school in the fall and finances for that schooling.

• Wisdom and grace for how to be good stewards of Zoe Sofia.

• God would continue to open doors and bring divine encounters with people in every area of life.

• For more victims of human trafficking to be rescued and restored in Bulgaria and Greece.

• For people to come, meet Jesus, and find a home at Zoe Sofia.




To support us monthly please contact our stateside office at denisedoyle74@gmail.com

If you would like to give a one-time tax-deductable gift you can send a check or money order to:

Ramos Ministries/Noah & Andrea
PO Box 72272
Springfield, OR 97475

or

Donate via PayPal using - loveequalsfreedom@gmail.com

Zoe Church: Love God, Love People, Love Life

Baby Jude, 10 months

Levi, 5

Malachi, 7

Jude and Malachi

Asa, 3