Macedonia!

  

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Macedonia. My 90 days in Kosovo was up and I had to get out of the country. (lol) So Rachel, Besa and I took a day trip to Skopje, Macedonia. I had heard mixed opinions about the city. Most said it wasn't that great and others said it was OK. I didn't have very high expectations of how nice or fun the city would be. But when we got there I couldn't believe how beautiful it was! Right when we drove in we saw a giant cross up on the hill. We were told that you can hike up the hill to see it. Maybe I'll have the chance to do that another time. The center downtown was so pretty! They had statues of historical figures all around the walking street and white-pillared, buildings. It looked so European! They are in the process of building a bridge lines with statues. It's going to be awesome! They had several other bridges, one of which was golden. In the middle of the center was a HUGE fountain with Alexander the Great on the top, riding a horse. I guess there is a debate in terms of what exact "Macedonia" he was from. Anyways, the fountain was beautiful. There was also a historical castle and a downtown "old shopping area" that was covered with brick streets and little shops. We didn't get to see everything because it was getting late and we still had an hour and a half drive home. But probably the most beautiful thing we got to experience while we were there was....MCDONALDS! (Hahahaha) There are no fast food restaurants in Kosovo and sometimes you just crave some good ol' junk food! It was glorious.

 

Going on this trip was good in many ways. There is something healthy about being in a new environment, even if it's just for a day. It was also good because I was able to build a better friendship with Besa and great memories with Rachel. We laughed and laughed all day! Sometimes you just need some good laughter!

 

Tomorrow we have a big meeting for the community center with the entire staff. We are finalizing all of the classes and events for the fall. On a related note, pray that I make the right choice in determining whether I should bring my English classes with the Roma down to once a week and pick up a new class at the community center. I have been trying to discern what "paths" God has opened up for me this summer and how I should best spend my last three and a half months here.

 

Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

The first thing we saw entering Skopje -- the Cross

 

MCDONALDS! My sense of humor is a little.....weird. (lol)

 

Gorgeous arch! Rachel said it looks just like the one in Paris but smaller.

 

The Macedonian flag

 

A statue of....a man. (lol) One of many!

 

The Alexander the Great Fountain!

 



 

Better view of the top

 

Me!

 

 

Another massive statue

 

Me, with the museum in the background

 

The "old shopping center"

 

The Cross

 

Small view of Skopje with the castle on the side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Me in Prayer

I sensed the Lord telling me one of the main reasons why I'm here...


I have "connected" with several people here. I have gone out for coffee with friends dozens of times. I've had many interesting and good conversations involving God and religion. I've been praying for each person I've developed relationships with here, asking God to open their hearts to His truth. But, there is one specific girl that God has placed in my life that stands out from all the rest -- like a flower in a desert.

I met "Esther" the first week I got here and hoped that we would form some kind of friendship. She is incredibly sweet and intelligent. She is majoring in English and Architecture. She is so full of life and tenderness. I wish so bad you could meet her! I asked the third week I got here if she would be willing to teach me Albanian. She has been the most amazing teacher! She faithfully meets me, all prepared, two or three times a week. My old roommate and I were invited by her and another friend to travel to Ferzaj for the day way back in June. We later invited her to come with us on a trip to Prizren. I have had so many good laughs and memories with her! She came over to watch "Machine Gun Preacher" with me and my other roommate last week and also came to my little birthday party. Her and family invited me last Sunday to attend their future daughter-in-law's bridal shower. It basically the same as a wedding! Over 150 women attended! I have also been invited to attend the actual wedding this weekend. In short, her and I have developed the friendship I was hoping for.

Time after time, she has started conversations about questions she has about life. After watching "Machine Gun Preacher," she asked me if I thought life here on earth could ever be a place of complete peace and joy. That then transitioned into a conversation about heaven and hell. I was able to talk to her a little bit about grace versus works being the gift to enter eternal life. Another time just the two of us went show shopping for the wedding and she asked me if I ever question who I am. She then opened up about how she doesn't feel like she know who she is anymore. She feels like everyone here is the same -- thinks the same, acts the same. She thinks that if she gets the opprotunity to be in an "unknown" environment, where she doesn't know anyone, then she can then "find" herself. She used me as example of coming here and not knowing the language, the culture or the people. She sees me as being confident in who I am. She hopes that one day she will also be able to be confident in herself. Last night, after my language lesson, she randomly wanted to talk about war and how her religion in the middle east kills others, believing that they will enter paradise for their actions. She doesn't agree with these actions and doesn't understand how someone can so misinterpret the Koran. I am giving just a small, brief overview of these conversations. These are also just a couple of the conversations we've had.

I believe that one of the reasons I am here is for her. God is after her! I may only be a small part of this journey she in on. I ask with all my heart that you join me in praying for her. Please....she needs people interceding for her. The Enemy is in a battel right now trying to keep a hold of her soul. There is power in prayer!

Birthday Fun

 

My birthday went so well! I was able to relax in the morning and have a little party in the evening! I had four of my Albanian girl friends come over, along with my roommate. We ordered a giant pizza, watched Pride and Prejudice, did our nails, and ate brownies and ice cream! It was their first time trying brownies and ranch dressing! (Not together of course!) The whole night was great! I set up the pink party decorations my mom sent me. She put in party favors for everyone -- little tiaras and colorful pens. We wore the tiaras and took lots of fun pictures.

 

I was really glad that the girls could meet each other in a fun setting. These are some of the girls that we want to invite to our Book study this fall. A lot of them don't know each other and we are trying to plan fun get-togethers for them to get acquainted with one another and hopefully begin new friendships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome Day!

Wow!!!

Oh my goodness, wow!!! What an awesome day! This morning I got a call from my landlord who informed me that I had two packages waiting for me at the post office. I immediately knew who it was from! I got my roommate to over to the post office with me to help me carry the boxes back to our apartment!

My mom had contacted Fort Wayne Ballet a while back, asking if they would be willing to donate some ballet slippers to my two ballet classes. There are no dance stores anywhere near here for the girls to purchase. Plus, most of their families wouldn't have the money to buy all their ballet "equipment." Fort Wayne Ballet was so generous to not only provide the shoes, but also leotards, skirts, dance bags and ballet posters! The girls are going to LOVE it! I cannot wait to see their faces when they see all the wonderful things they are going to get! I'll make sure to tape it! My mom mailed the boxes about three weeks ago. My roommate told me that it takes about five weeks before she gets her packages from her family. My mom asked me if I wanted her to put anything extra in the boxes. The four things I requested were Emergency-C, brownies, allergy medicine, and a bottle of Ranch dressing. Brownies and Ranch dressing are no where to be found here. Somehow, I start to crave the most random things that I can't have!

So, Rachel and I walked over to the post office and picked up the two fairly heavy boxes. It was a 100 degrees out today and we had to walk uphill almost the entire way. But it was soooooo worth it!!! The timing of the boxes could not have been more perfect! In the boxes were not only the dance gear and the four items I had requested but almost birthday cards and presents! And what better timing??? My birthday is tomorrow! My mom put in a bunch of pink birthday decorations (table clothe, cups, sign, etc.) for my little get-together tomorrow with my friends. She also included a homemade card and various other gifts. My boyfriend put in a bottle of perfume I have been wanting for a couple years now and a card. My grandma, two of my friends (one from China!), and friends from CP included birthday cards, presents or letters.  It was so beautiful! I sat and cried for about fifteen minutes! I actually made a little video thanking everyone. I don't think I'll post it on my blog just because I ended up being an emotional wreck after about the first ten seconds! (lol) I'll spare you all! It was truly the best birthday gift I could have ever gotten! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I am beyond blessed!

Fall Schedule

We (my supervisor, the director of the community center, and myself) have been trying to put together my new schedule for the fall. I have been really anxious to know what classes I will be teaching and how I can better prepare for them. I've also been anxious to know because my supervisor from HU will coming to visit me for a few days in October. She will be coming to observe my work here and basically see how I'm doing. So, during our meeting yesterday some of my schedule for the fall was set in stone! I will be teaching  two ballet classes for girls (ages 6-12), a beginner English class for children (probably ages 7-11), two English classes with the Roma, Sunday school , and the weekly coffee house for university students! I'm particularly excited and blessed to be working with kids. Before I came here (and even after I first got here) I thought I would be mostly working with college students (which, I don't mind at all!) and I would rarely have time or opportunities to work with the little guys. But God has provided many avenues for me to be with children and use my gifts! I have a particular passion to work with kids. I will also continue with my language lessons two or three times a week and our Friday prayer walks.

 It's kind of crazy but Rachel and I both had it on our hearts (without telling each other) to have a women's Book study in our apartment. When I told her, she couldn't believe that she had been thinking and praying about the same thing! We believe that this is from God. We would like it to be a "mixed" group. There are a couple girls new to the faith and there are also others we would simply like to see come be a part of the discussion. This is will be an addition to my fall schedule. We haven't decided on a night just yet. Please be praying for how we should invite our friends and also that God would just bring the "right" ones. My birthday is this Saturday and I am planning on invited the majority of the girls to come over for some cake and a movie. This is an excellent time for the girls to meet each other and start developing relationships with one another. Please, please be praying for God's hand to be in all this.



These picture are kind of random but I wanted to share them with you. A group of people stood in the middle of the walking street with pictures of Syria and also Syrian flags, asking people to pray for the war that continues in the middle east. I also ask that you pray -- for healing and peace.

 

 

 

 

 

Bijram

Well, it's day two of Bijram. Yesterday, Rachel and I were woke up by a half hour (or more) "sermon" being loudly projected from the mosque at six o'clock in the morning. We were told that's normal for the first day of Bijram. A lot of people went to the 6 AM service and then went back to have a big meal with their families.

Rachel and I also had the opportunity yesterday to visit the Roma and our friend Besa. We were told that families are constantly visiting other friends and family or having people over at their own house.They come and go all day. So, we were advised to only stay 20-30 minutes at homes we were invited to visit. That rule was really hard to follow because we knew that basically they would serve us food and then we would have to leave. But when we got to the Roma's house, we realized how busy and tired they were. About 15 minutes after we go there, we hear that hey had more family that were coming over. It was kind of an interesting situation because we didn't want to be rude and leave only after being there for 20 minutes but we also didn't want to be in their way when their relative came. Their living room isn't that big. So, in the end we decided to leave after being there about 20 minutes or so.  We felt like we were being really rude but apparently not staying very long is normal.

Then we went to visit Besa and her family. She lives in a three story home with fifteen other relatives. It's a pretty big family! They served us baklava, banana cake, and pita. It was all really good! We ended up staying at their home longer because Rachel is pretty close to their family and knew they weren't having others over for a while. Both families were all dressed up for Bijram. It reminded me a little of Easter -- seeing everyone dressed nice, going to the early service, and then having a big meal with their family.

Getting Ready for Bijram

I have been feeling better the past couple of days but still not the greatest. I was able to teach my lesson with the Roma yesterday. Because of Bijram (which starts Sunday), everyone was pretty distracted. They had extended family that came to visit and the women were all busy cooking in the kitchen. A couple of the girls couldn't come to the lesson because they were helping their mom prepare for Sunday. Two of their extended cousins joined the lesson, probably to get away from all the craziness that was going on in the house! I'm definitely going to go over that lesson again next week when things are not as busy for everyone.

Rachel and I have been visiting different paint and home interior stores because we are planning to re-do the community center. It's in need something new and modern! There is a team of men coming at the beginning of the September to help with repairing and painting the community center. Rachel, who is the director of the community center, has to decide on paint colors before they get here. We have different views on what color combinations we think looks best. But she's the director. So ultimately it's her call. I'm sure it will all turn out awesome!

Tomorrow I will go to the Roma's house again to join them in their big feast for Bijram. I'm excited that I get to further develop my relationship with them, and thus build more trust and credibility with them. However, I'm sad that I won't be able to have coffee with friends until Wednesday. During Bijram, everyone visits family and has family over. It's kind of like Thanksgiving for us but it lasts three days.