Dear Macedonia,
You are a country that embodies strength and perseverance. You are a country born into war, left with scars and night terrors. I’m sorry you cannot join NATO or the EU, simply because of your name. I pray your leadership can transition you to “New Macedonia” and you find a way to build up, you are on a great path, I pray you continue to persevere.
The people you brought into my life were amazing. We worked with a church in the small town of Stip, and the guys who are walking out the Lord’s call there were kind, loving, joyful, coffee-loving men of God. Our team felt loved in the smallest of ways, and your people were friendly and welcoming to us. We specifically enjoyed our house visit ministry, because we got to spend more time with Macedonian natives. We were given more coffee than one person needs in a month, many different cookies, even full meals at times. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, telling us your stories, and allowing us to pray for you.
The local food we had was amazing, from burek to kebobs, we loved everything that we tried. Your Macedonian coffee is basically Turkish coffee… same same. Regardless of who made it first, it’s a delight. So thank you for feeding us well, and providing our team with a kitchen to also make our own food so we can eat some familiar foods as well.
You are also a beautiful country. I still smile ear to ear when I look back on a photo from the day we went kayaking and the mountains split apart like two green walls with a calm pool of take-your-breath-away cold water resting on the floor between them! The landscape around Stip reminds me of a stretch of land on the interstate heading West from Bozeman, so sometimes I would lean my head against the window and think about who I’ll be in 4 months when I’m back in the 406.
Macedonia, thank you for being a country who welcomed us in, who loved us well, who fed well, and for provided me with many, many dogs to love. You have been one of my favorite months so far, largely because of the country, partly because of the fact that we had two “littles” as a part of the World Race Exposure trip. You were a delight, until next time.
-M
