Sharing Our God

Into the Hood

Today started with many panic attacks over what time it was and whether we were late for something or not, but once it was settled we jumped into action. After breakfast we walked to the center again to get briefed on the day ahead. With a bit of nervousness we divided into groups to hang out with some Roma teens. We all ended up getting to visit at least one home where some of us danced, drank Turkish coffee (mixed reaction) and learned about many traditions, one of which included spearing your body with large needles. No matter the topic of discussion we found that all of them were very hospitable, willing to share and kind. After a few hours of this cultural exchange, we headed back to the center where the kids could come and discuss different questions and topics with us. That was very interesting to say the least and we all learned some things about how they view the future, God, the after-life, and family relationships. After, Brian shared the gospel and left them with the question, "Who is gonna pay for YOUR sins?" We closed the center and took the bus to Brian's house. There we ate great food, had great fellowship and fun! Now we are all sitting playing games, watching mens' volleyball and relaxing after a fun but tiring day. Until tomorrow, thank you for your prayers, as we feel we are seeing them answered before our eyes!

A Day of Play, Yet So Much More

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.

Lord, we are here. Please use us.

Mostly a travel day...

So, we said good-bye at the school entrance and headed out. We arrived at the airport safe and sound and got our luggage checked in... then we found lunch. A rather exciting ordeal, as it ate up our time even as we ate it... half of us made it past the passport check with twenty-five minutes until take-off. For some reason the checker-guy was not swayed by our teenage charm and was not happy with a member's lack of visa. Only half of us made it to the bus that would take us out to the plane. And as we found our seats we feverishly prayed that the others would show up. Miraculously they did. We all settled in for our first flight of the day. The plane started up, propellers whirred, light flicked on, then... it stalled. Much like a car does- our little plane just stalled. Eventually they fixed the issue and we taxied out in the rain. An hour and fifteen minutes later we arrived in Zagreb... with twenty-five minutes to make it to the gate boarding for our next flight... again, only part of us made it to the bus, miraculously we all were strapped in by take off. Another hour and fifteen minutes and we were all too glad to be on Macedonian soil. We found a cheery driver and a young lady named Emily waiting for us with a fifteen passenger van... good thing the seventeen of us like each other... We enjoyed touring or clambering over and old fort as the sun set before we headed out to find our hotel and dinner. With funny Macedonian toast in our bellies we're all ready to head to bed. Please pray that we will be rested and ready for all those we encounter tomorrow. Please continue to pray for our safety, health, unity, strength and boldness as we minister to the Roma children.

Departure