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Yulian could barely feed himself[br]from the money he earned shining shoes.

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He set up every day[br]along a busy walking street

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in Nicosia, Cyprus.

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Most of his money[br]went to buy cigarettes and alcohol.

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A decade earlier, Yulian had immigrated[br]to Cyprus from Bulgaria to look for a job.

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One day, Filip, a Global Mission pioneer,

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also from Bulgaria,

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walked by and greeted Yulian,[br]asking if he needed any help.

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Yulian was surprised.

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No one had asked him[br]such a question in a long time.

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It was nice to hear someone[br]taking an interest in him

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and speaking his native language,

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but Yulian didn't answer the question[br]and just offered him a shoeshine.

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While Yulian shined his shoes,

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Filip told him that Jesus[br]loves each one of us,

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no matter what situation we're in.

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The mention of Jesus[br]grabbed Yulian's attention.

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The next day, Filip returned[br]and asked again if Yulian needed any help.

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Yulian was surprised[br]that the stranger had returned.

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This time, Filip didn't need a shoeshine,

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so they just talked for a while

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and looked through[br]the books that he brought.

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This became a routine.

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Sometimes Filip read the Bible to Yulian,

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and eventually the shoeshiner opened up

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about how he'd worked in construction[br]after arriving with his family in Cyprus.

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He lost his job and was kicked out[br]of his home for drinking.

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His family and friends had rejected him.

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One day, Yulian led his new friend[br]to the abandoned building where he slept.

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His bed was a hard floor.

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The sight brought tears to Filip's eyes,[br]and they prayed together on the street.

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Yulian felt valued and felt God's love[br]through the pioneer's actions.

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It was at that point[br]that he gave his life to God.

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Although he'd drunk[br]and smoked heavily for 35 years,

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Yulian decided to give up alcohol[br]and tobacco that day.

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His family welcomed him back home,

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and now he tells everyone[br]who will listen about his love for God.

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Filip regularly leads[br]a Bulgarian language Bible study.

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Over three years, eight people[br]had been baptized through Filip's work,

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a significant number for a country

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where the Adventist Church[br]has only about 100 members

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in a population of more than one million.

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He often spends his time[br]mingling with people,

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getting to know them where they are.

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Please pray for pioneers like Filip,

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who are sharing a message of hope[br]with their communities.

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Thank you for supporting Global Mission.