Out on the blacktop

Today started with a traditional Macedonian breakfast: bread, orange juice, fresh tomatoes and many packages of unidentifiable cheeses. We had a small personal worship session with the Macedonian team here and then began to prepare for our day of... how do we say this... playing, jumping, running, loving, dancing over a rundown blacktop packed with Roma children. It's amazing how much a smile, pat on the back, high-five or a hug can jump over culture and language barriers. From eleven in the morning until four in the evening we played soccer, freeze-tag, jumped rope and all games imaginable. And if we stopped to rest, it was only long enough to find a seat before another precious Gypsy child came running up with a smile and another sort of game to try, or an old one to continue. These kids were so hungry for love and attention, it was a blessing to be able bless them with some of what they craved, some of what God has given us so freely. It was weird to see how this culture interacted with each other. They're incredibly physical, both aggressively in showing a negative reaction and lovingly in a positive one. Shocked to see them beating on each other and surprised when they leaped into our arms for hugs and kisses. We eventually began to retreat and clean up. A few hundred more pictures were taken and we turned to leave. We were escorted back to the center by an entourage of Roma kids of all ages. If we weren't gonna stay to play, then they were going to walk us home: hand in hand, arms linked, smiles shining all around. We had Macedonian pizza for dinner and then braced ourselves for meeting the hoard of Roma teens we will be hanging out with and sharing with tomorrow. We greeted each other with the aid of a few translators and then settled down for a movie. After the movie, we cleaned up and some of us were given a 101 course in traditional Roma dancing. It was a rather awkward interaction, please be praying that things can be casual and relaxed tomorrow so that we can share and relate with them. Catching a bus home, we laughed and chattered over the events of the day. With the time change we'll be extra thrown off, so please also pray for energy and patience. It would also be cool if you could keep praying for health, safety, unity, courage to share when the spirit prompts us.