We are in Macedonia!
Here is a little update of what we are doing, how we are living, and what this country is like!
City: Skopje (Scope-ya)
Language: Macedonian
Currency: Denar (about 66 denar to 1 USD)
Area: Shutka (Shoot-ka) — the largest gypsy settlement in all of Europe, with 70,000 Roma people residing within a few square miles. As you walk the streets the sides are littered with trash. There are stray dogs, cats, and horses everywhere. People travel by car, motorcycle, and horse-cart. There are homes made of cardboard boxes, and then there are mansions that would be worth almost $1 million dollars back home. Children run around on their own and sadly some beg for money. It is very sad to witness, but I have so much hope that we can bring Jesus to these people. They are very kind and always return a wave and a “zdravo!” (hello). I cannot wait to get to know the people of Shutka more over the next few weeks.
Ministry: We are helping a church community within the gypsy settlement. Every weekday morning from 10am to 1pm children come by for lunch. We play with them in the yard, teaching them hand games and trying to teach them English as we learn Macedonian! We also do prayer walks through the streets of Shutka, particularly around the Mosque, the school (praying that parents will open their hearts to education, more on that in a later blog), and the government buildings. Finally we plan on doing some manual work around the property, cleaning the rooms and sprucing up the yard.
Accommodations: We are living inside the church building, in a side room. And in our tents. Some nights we sleep in the large room where they hold services, just on our sleeping pads because it isn’t as warm, but then the flies have a blast on our faces which isn’t too enjoyable. We are blessed with our own kitchen to cook food we buy at the market, as well as a washer, a real toilet, and a hot shower!! As we were expecting to have none of these things, it was a very nice surprise.
Some random facts about Macedonia:
1. They possess the largest cross in all of Europe, which you can see from any point in the city. We have a PERFECT view of it from our front porch.
2. Blessed Mother Teresa was born in Skopje. There is a museum dedicated to her in the location of the church where she was baptized, which I wish to visit during my time here.
3. It is surrounded by absolutely gorgeous mountain ranges! I walk down the street and am still amazed by the landscape.
4. It is HOT here. Like, 95 degrees hot. And VERY dry. Brush fires are common because there is no rain. Please keep the country in your prayers this summer!
I can’t wait to share more of this beautiful country with you in the weeks to come!!
