If I could have picked the last European country on my race, I could not have picked anywhere better than Macedonia. I admit that I didn’t know much about Macedonia other than the fact that Paul visited there in the Book of Acts.
Our team had the opportunity to work with the first evangelical church to be established in Stip, Macedonia. We stayed at the church and were hosted by Pastor Peter and Robert. Robert is a member of the church and runs a nonprofit called “Choose New Life.” The nonprofit helps drug addicted men stop using drugs, and provides a place where former drug addicts can come and find community and support. While in Stip, we met men who were either on drugs, or former drug addicts, and we heard many stories about how God rescued them from drug addiction.
I remember one incident when the whole team was gathered in a room having feedback. One of the guys came in and he was obviously very high. He began talking about random things, and we sat there just listening to him talk. He was completely unaware that he had interrupted the meeting. As we continued to listen, I silently asked Holy Spirit, “What is going on here? What am I supposed to see here?” And I clearly heard Him say, “That’s my son.”
In the midst of the man’s brokenness, God saw him for his identity, and not for his struggles. It was a very convicting, and humbling moment for me. Sometimes, we so easily toss people to the side because of their sins, but God never stops seeing them the way He created them. He sees us in His image, and He gives us a way back to identity through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Watching God call his sons back home was amazing. We also had the opportunity to evangelize throughout Stip, and form relationships with drug addicted men. Additionally, we visited homes and prayed for various church members, some of whom had lost sons to drugs.
Stip is a beautiful city, and I met some of the most hospitable people. Please pray for this town because there is a huge problem of drug and alcohol addiction
Kire sharing his story about how God delivered him from drugs.
In Stip, we had the opportunity to preach, share our testimony, and just encourage the church.
We also cleaned, evangelized in the town, visited homes, connected with with the men in Robert’s program, and loved the way Jesus loves us.
