I know that it has been a while since I last updated but I have been busy doing prep work for Vacation Bible School so my days have been full of cutting, ironing, and pinning hundreds of fabric hearts, writing lessons, and developing games. Vacation Bible School begins Thursday evening with anywhere from 120 to 150 children from all the Methodist Churches in Macedonia converging in the village of Koleshino then moving to the village of Murtino on Friday, moving to Monespitivo on Saturday and then all of the churches will have a combined church service on Sunday morning here in Strumica for the children to present what they have learned. I will also be giving a brief homily at this service focusing on the main theme of the week.
Our theme this year is "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Be in prayer for this event as it takes place because we are doing some new activities this year that the children have not done before, so we are testing it out to see if this can take place each year. Also be in prayer that the children who come will passionately embrace what their true treasure is and where it should be and be willing to tell others about it.
Another prayer request I have is for the special needs camp that will take place next week, July 14th-22nd in Ohrid. Directly after VBS is over we will be packing and leaving early the next morning to begin working with 90 children with social, developmental, and physical disabilities and leading them in Bible lessons, songs and participating with them in their activities. May we be able to keep our energy alive and going after VBS to give these children the same love, energy, and attention they deserve.
Because of all of these events I may not be able to update for at least two weeks so I hope you will understand. I hope all is going well at home in your ministry endeavours and I look forward to reporting about the joyful outcomes of these events when I return. Many prayers.
Loletuth
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Being Present
A week of whirlwind experiences have happened. Some are things that have occurred more than once, while others are new experiences. But in everything that has happened there is one thing that I have realized: every day that I wake up I have no clue as to what I will be doing that day. Typically this is a frustrating thing for me and one that I am surprised that I am dealing with so well. I have begun enjoying the fact that I have little control or even an idea over what I will be doing and who I will be seeing. That is not to say that I will forever want to live like this but I have noticed some interesting experiences that have come from me simply being faithful to living each day and/or just being present.
This past week I was invited to one of the youth's home. This young lady translates for me during youth meetings because she lived in the UK for a year and also studied English in the University in Belgrade, Serbia. One night we had met for a walk in the park and she began asking me about things that I missed from home. Of course I told her I was happy here, but that I missed some people from home and a few other things, including praying with some friends from seminary. The conversation moved on to other things and we separated ways for the evening. Just a few days later as I was passing by her workplace, she flagged me down to come in, where she invited me to her home a few days later. When I arrived at her home, I received the customary humbling hospitality that I spoke of in an earlier post and we sat in her living room/her bedroom to chat. Halfway through the conversation she brought up the conversation from the park and starting asking me questions about it. I answered her questions and when I got a chance I was able to inquire why she wanted to know these things. She simply said, "I miss praying with people too." They used to do it here among the youth and when she lived in the UK it was with a Christian organization so she was completely enveloped by pray and Christian love and service. She once again wanted the youth to have that time of prayer together and wanted to discover new ways to do it. My simple comment in the park has now turned into a prayer night for the youth, that we will be doing together. Of course I need her help for the Macedonian language aspect, and she is a very creative and passionate individual who is become someone who is challenging me while I am here. But, for the mere fact of being present and being honest, ministry is taking place in a way that I did not expect it to.
This is just one example of many that have been occurring. Most are not as large as this, but they matter in little ways and big ways. I am continually amazed at how God is working in these people and sometimes I feel like I get the amazing privilege just to be a spectator in all of what God is doing. Not of me is this taking place, but definitely of God and I am excited to see in these next few weeks what God will continue to do. May I learn to be ever more present in the days, weeks, and years to come so that God can use me even more as a worker in God's fields. One who sees what needs to be done and is willing to do it without question and without fear.
A couple of prayer requests:
Natosha arrived safely and is settling in to life here. Just remember her as she begins to learn about the people here and also begins to find her niche in the work that God is doing among the people and the church. May God use her and her gifts for the kingdom of God this summer in astounding ways.
Things will be quite busy over these next few weeks so my posts might be fewer between. VBS is next week and the week after that Natosha and I will be traveling to Ohrid to work with the special needs camp. Be in prayer for both of those ministries as they are in preparation and also as they happen. May God work among the people who are participating and who are leading so that great things can happen with great love.
Many prayers for you at home and I hope all is going well with you.
Loletuth
This past week I was invited to one of the youth's home. This young lady translates for me during youth meetings because she lived in the UK for a year and also studied English in the University in Belgrade, Serbia. One night we had met for a walk in the park and she began asking me about things that I missed from home. Of course I told her I was happy here, but that I missed some people from home and a few other things, including praying with some friends from seminary. The conversation moved on to other things and we separated ways for the evening. Just a few days later as I was passing by her workplace, she flagged me down to come in, where she invited me to her home a few days later. When I arrived at her home, I received the customary humbling hospitality that I spoke of in an earlier post and we sat in her living room/her bedroom to chat. Halfway through the conversation she brought up the conversation from the park and starting asking me questions about it. I answered her questions and when I got a chance I was able to inquire why she wanted to know these things. She simply said, "I miss praying with people too." They used to do it here among the youth and when she lived in the UK it was with a Christian organization so she was completely enveloped by pray and Christian love and service. She once again wanted the youth to have that time of prayer together and wanted to discover new ways to do it. My simple comment in the park has now turned into a prayer night for the youth, that we will be doing together. Of course I need her help for the Macedonian language aspect, and she is a very creative and passionate individual who is become someone who is challenging me while I am here. But, for the mere fact of being present and being honest, ministry is taking place in a way that I did not expect it to.
This is just one example of many that have been occurring. Most are not as large as this, but they matter in little ways and big ways. I am continually amazed at how God is working in these people and sometimes I feel like I get the amazing privilege just to be a spectator in all of what God is doing. Not of me is this taking place, but definitely of God and I am excited to see in these next few weeks what God will continue to do. May I learn to be ever more present in the days, weeks, and years to come so that God can use me even more as a worker in God's fields. One who sees what needs to be done and is willing to do it without question and without fear.
A couple of prayer requests:
Natosha arrived safely and is settling in to life here. Just remember her as she begins to learn about the people here and also begins to find her niche in the work that God is doing among the people and the church. May God use her and her gifts for the kingdom of God this summer in astounding ways.
Things will be quite busy over these next few weeks so my posts might be fewer between. VBS is next week and the week after that Natosha and I will be traveling to Ohrid to work with the special needs camp. Be in prayer for both of those ministries as they are in preparation and also as they happen. May God work among the people who are participating and who are leading so that great things can happen with great love.
Many prayers for you at home and I hope all is going well with you.
Loletuth
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
She Told Me Her Name
This has been an amazing week of experiences. The group from England is here and we spent most of our time working at the Miss Stone Center, but we also went to two villages and they put together a program to lead for the children at the churches. On Tuesday we were at the village of Monespitevo and they were leading the children on a lesson about Daniel in the Lion's Den. Of course, local children heard that something was going on, so during the craft, a group of children were seen peeking through the gate. Jo, one of the people from England, invited them in and all of a sudden we had almost double the amount of children and only two translators. At first it was chaos as we tried to get the children situated and started on their craft. Two young girls came to me and I realized that they were too young to write the Bible verse on the craft. I tried to tell them who I was in Macedonian,but they were too shy to answer me, so I began to copy the bible verse on their craft in Cyrillic. Halfway through writing the verse I recognized a phrase that one of the girls was saying. Yas suhm Adriana. My head immediately came up and she was looking at me and I realized that she was talking to me, and she told me her name. She then proceeded to tell me the other girls name and asked for mine. Although this may seem to be a minor event, it was huge for me. I recognized a Macedonian phrase and did not have to think about what it meant, I just knew. Not only that, but I could answer her back in Macedonian and could even understand more of what she was saying. It was a very joyous evening for me.
This experience has given me a little more confidence to try and speak more Macedonian to the people around me. I have realized that since then, more people are willing to talk to me in English and will even help me a little in understanding more Macedonian. Language is very important to Macedonians because it sets them apart from other cultures and contributes to their identity as a people. The people here seem to respect me for just trying to learn it. Not only that but I can now ask and understand a person's name, which is also extremely important to identity as well. The people here are proud of their heritage and their history and learning more of who they are, even their name and language, is important to them.
Reflecting on this has made me think about how important identity is for me and for others around me. I am very proud of my name and the history behind that as well as where I come from. Loletuth and Kentucky are a way for me to explain why I am the way I am. I also think that the fact that I am Methodist also contributes to my identity. It is common here for people to say what church they go to, especially if they hear that you are working in one. For them, the church you attend is part of your identity, even if it is not part of your actual life. This concept makes me think of what identity in Christ actually means. For most of the people here, it is what church you belong too, and not the way in which you live. There is constant bickering between the Protestants and the Orthodox over which church is better. Often times you wonder if many of these people understand that in essence it truly does not matter, it is how deeply you live for Christ and not what church you attend. How much of my identity is defined by what God is doing in my life and more importantly, how do I express and live out that identity for others? It is this question that I must answer myself and also what I should to understand about others as well. To seek to learn their identity not just by their name, place, and language, but by who they are in Christ. Of course, this requires me to love them no matter the cost.
Perhaps I have placed too much emphasis on the language barrier and need to think outside of the box and find an even deeper way of communicating my identity and the identity of others. I can connect to others because I have put on Christ and can find others who have done the same. It is through this identity that we can find our connection and a way to communicate that is truly beyond earthly means. We have the connection of our identity in Christ. Not only that but I must try to find a way to challenge others to find their identity in Christ and to learn how that identity is far more revealing of who you truly are then even your name, place, and language.
I do rejoice in the experience of being able to begin understanding Macedonian, but I also realize this means that I now have to seek to understand who people are beyond that, and realize it is probably something I should have been doing all along.
A few prayer requests:
The group from England travels back tomorrow evening so remember them in your prayers as they travel and continue their ministry at home and abroad, because one of them is actually from the Caribbean Methodist Church studying theology. Their names are Dani, James, Jo, and Silbert, so that you can pray for them by name.
I have just found out this week that one of the youth has a life-threatening disease. Her name is Pavlinka and she is 18 years old and has just recently graduated from high school. This news was quite sad of me to discover because this young lady literally glows with the joy of God. She loves the church and many of those in leadership as well as me feel as if God could be calling her to pastoral ministry in Macedonia. Other people who have the disease that she has are not known to live past the age of 15 so already she is a miracle child. At the end of July she will be traveling to Austria to undergo a series of test to see if anything else can be done. Remember her in your prayers as she prepares for this journey with all hopes to recovery.
Natosha, the other individual volunteer, is scheduled to arrive late on Friday evening/Saturday morning. Remember her as she travels that she will remain safe and that she will arrive here with a heart ready to serve.
Many Prayers,
Loletuth
This experience has given me a little more confidence to try and speak more Macedonian to the people around me. I have realized that since then, more people are willing to talk to me in English and will even help me a little in understanding more Macedonian. Language is very important to Macedonians because it sets them apart from other cultures and contributes to their identity as a people. The people here seem to respect me for just trying to learn it. Not only that but I can now ask and understand a person's name, which is also extremely important to identity as well. The people here are proud of their heritage and their history and learning more of who they are, even their name and language, is important to them.
Reflecting on this has made me think about how important identity is for me and for others around me. I am very proud of my name and the history behind that as well as where I come from. Loletuth and Kentucky are a way for me to explain why I am the way I am. I also think that the fact that I am Methodist also contributes to my identity. It is common here for people to say what church they go to, especially if they hear that you are working in one. For them, the church you attend is part of your identity, even if it is not part of your actual life. This concept makes me think of what identity in Christ actually means. For most of the people here, it is what church you belong too, and not the way in which you live. There is constant bickering between the Protestants and the Orthodox over which church is better. Often times you wonder if many of these people understand that in essence it truly does not matter, it is how deeply you live for Christ and not what church you attend. How much of my identity is defined by what God is doing in my life and more importantly, how do I express and live out that identity for others? It is this question that I must answer myself and also what I should to understand about others as well. To seek to learn their identity not just by their name, place, and language, but by who they are in Christ. Of course, this requires me to love them no matter the cost.
Perhaps I have placed too much emphasis on the language barrier and need to think outside of the box and find an even deeper way of communicating my identity and the identity of others. I can connect to others because I have put on Christ and can find others who have done the same. It is through this identity that we can find our connection and a way to communicate that is truly beyond earthly means. We have the connection of our identity in Christ. Not only that but I must try to find a way to challenge others to find their identity in Christ and to learn how that identity is far more revealing of who you truly are then even your name, place, and language.
I do rejoice in the experience of being able to begin understanding Macedonian, but I also realize this means that I now have to seek to understand who people are beyond that, and realize it is probably something I should have been doing all along.
A few prayer requests:
The group from England travels back tomorrow evening so remember them in your prayers as they travel and continue their ministry at home and abroad, because one of them is actually from the Caribbean Methodist Church studying theology. Their names are Dani, James, Jo, and Silbert, so that you can pray for them by name.
I have just found out this week that one of the youth has a life-threatening disease. Her name is Pavlinka and she is 18 years old and has just recently graduated from high school. This news was quite sad of me to discover because this young lady literally glows with the joy of God. She loves the church and many of those in leadership as well as me feel as if God could be calling her to pastoral ministry in Macedonia. Other people who have the disease that she has are not known to live past the age of 15 so already she is a miracle child. At the end of July she will be traveling to Austria to undergo a series of test to see if anything else can be done. Remember her in your prayers as she prepares for this journey with all hopes to recovery.
Natosha, the other individual volunteer, is scheduled to arrive late on Friday evening/Saturday morning. Remember her as she travels that she will remain safe and that she will arrive here with a heart ready to serve.
Many Prayers,
Loletuth
Saturday, June 14, 2008
A Pentecost Prayer
This is the English translation of a song the youth sang Friday evening to prepare for Pentecost Sunday, which is tomorrow (June 15th) on the Orthodox Calendar. It is a wonderful Pentecost prayer. I pray that it sets in the hearts of the youth who sang it and begins to form who and what they want to be in Macedonia and the world.
We'll walk the land with hearts of fire;
And every step will be a prayer.
Hope is rising, new day dawning;
Sound of singing fills the air.
Two thousand years and still the flame
Is burning bright across the land.
Hearts are waiting, longing, aching,
For awakening once again.
We'll walk for truth, speak out for love;
In Jesus' name we shall be strong.
To lift the fallen, to save the children,
To fill the nation with Your song.
Chorus:
Let the flame burn brighter, in the heart of darkness,
Turning night to glorious day.
Let the song grow louder, as our love grows stronger:
Let it shine! Let it shine!
By: Graham Kendrick
We'll walk the land with hearts of fire;
And every step will be a prayer.
Hope is rising, new day dawning;
Sound of singing fills the air.
Two thousand years and still the flame
Is burning bright across the land.
Hearts are waiting, longing, aching,
For awakening once again.
We'll walk for truth, speak out for love;
In Jesus' name we shall be strong.
To lift the fallen, to save the children,
To fill the nation with Your song.
Chorus:
Let the flame burn brighter, in the heart of darkness,
Turning night to glorious day.
Let the song grow louder, as our love grows stronger:
Let it shine! Let it shine!
By: Graham Kendrick
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Faces from the Past
Today, Carol and I cleaned out one of the other rooms where my apartment is to make room for the other individual volunteer that is coming in two weeks. As we were sifting through old church files, we came across some very old pictures. On closer examination we realized that these pictures were of the Macedonian Methodist congregations ranging from 1908 to 1928. We took a break from the dust filled room to just stare at these pictures. We found the Bishop who had come to see the church as well as the children and adult who made up the church. Some of the pictures we determined were of pastors and we were amazed at the way the people looked, how they sat, and most importantly, how they changed throughout the years.
To backtrack a little, yesterday I hiked with Lee, Carol's husband, to the Czar's towers on the top of the hill in Strumica. Not only is there a current archaeological dig there, but they are rebuilding the walls that once stood there and the place offers spectacular views of the Strumica valley. Lee introduced me to the archaeologist, Zoran, and he proudly gave us a tour of his most prized discovery, a 5th millennium B.C. dwelling. I was amazed as he walked us down the side of a canyon to where this place was and painted a picture of what the people who lived in this dwelling were like and how they lived. He let us hold pottery that had just been excavated and even cleaned a small piece of pottery at the site so that we could see and imagine what it would have looked like. I was being introduced to what a 5th millennium B.C. Macedonian may have looked like.
On the way back up the canyon, I found a shell casing. Zoran told me I could pick it up, and as I cleaned off the dirt, the year 1912 showed up on the case. "That is from the first Balkan War," Zoran said and then he gave me the shell. He wanted me to take it, not only because I had found it, but because he had hundreds of them from not only the First Balkan War, but the Second Balkan War, World War I, and World War II. Zoran then explained that because this hill does offer spectacular views of the Strumica valley, it was also a prized location for fighting during these wars as well as during the Ottoman, Roman, Greek, and prehistoric eras. At that, we continued our trek back up the canyon, but the shell casing was in my pocket and very much on my mind.
Seeing these pictures today, and how they changed as the years went by brought the experience that I had yesterday to a full circle, of how knowing the history of a people can open your eyes to what they can teach you. These people have been through so much. If you were to meet these people you would wonder how they could have such a violent past. But oftentimes, the violence is done to them and not by them. The pictures revealed the hardship of their lives. The faces grew more sad between 1908 and 1928 and the obvious hardships of war were obviously seen in their stature and clothing. But the church was still there, and the people were still having their picture made. In spite of all that was happening society moved on and the church moved with it. From the pictures and what I saw on the hill, it made me realize how truly this church here and the others around it has stood a strong test of time. From wars to communism to the current economic and social problems of the day this church has found a way to still be the church and to be the people of God. The church can and will endure with the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit and it is a privilege to serve in such a place that knows where to find hope when all seems lost. So, what have these people taught me most in these three and a half weeks that I have been here: that there is always hope, and even if that is all you have, it is always enough.
A couple of prayer requests:
On Friday there is a team of four people coming from Great Britain Methodist Church for 10 days. They will be helping with some of the upkeep in the village churches as well as doing street ministry in some of the Roma neighborhoods. Pray for safe travels for them and that they will be empowered by the Spirit in their work for the ten days. Also pray for me since I will be helping to host and direct them while they are here so I too will be participating in those projects.
Remember Zoran, the archealogist excavating the Czar's towers area. He was a gracious host to Lee and I, but did express some frustration. There is not much support, vocally or financially, for his work. May he receive support and help for what he is doing and be able to find some individuals who are just as interested in learning about the people who lived on the side of the canyon as he, his team, and Lee and I were.
To backtrack a little, yesterday I hiked with Lee, Carol's husband, to the Czar's towers on the top of the hill in Strumica. Not only is there a current archaeological dig there, but they are rebuilding the walls that once stood there and the place offers spectacular views of the Strumica valley. Lee introduced me to the archaeologist, Zoran, and he proudly gave us a tour of his most prized discovery, a 5th millennium B.C. dwelling. I was amazed as he walked us down the side of a canyon to where this place was and painted a picture of what the people who lived in this dwelling were like and how they lived. He let us hold pottery that had just been excavated and even cleaned a small piece of pottery at the site so that we could see and imagine what it would have looked like. I was being introduced to what a 5th millennium B.C. Macedonian may have looked like.
On the way back up the canyon, I found a shell casing. Zoran told me I could pick it up, and as I cleaned off the dirt, the year 1912 showed up on the case. "That is from the first Balkan War," Zoran said and then he gave me the shell. He wanted me to take it, not only because I had found it, but because he had hundreds of them from not only the First Balkan War, but the Second Balkan War, World War I, and World War II. Zoran then explained that because this hill does offer spectacular views of the Strumica valley, it was also a prized location for fighting during these wars as well as during the Ottoman, Roman, Greek, and prehistoric eras. At that, we continued our trek back up the canyon, but the shell casing was in my pocket and very much on my mind.
Seeing these pictures today, and how they changed as the years went by brought the experience that I had yesterday to a full circle, of how knowing the history of a people can open your eyes to what they can teach you. These people have been through so much. If you were to meet these people you would wonder how they could have such a violent past. But oftentimes, the violence is done to them and not by them. The pictures revealed the hardship of their lives. The faces grew more sad between 1908 and 1928 and the obvious hardships of war were obviously seen in their stature and clothing. But the church was still there, and the people were still having their picture made. In spite of all that was happening society moved on and the church moved with it. From the pictures and what I saw on the hill, it made me realize how truly this church here and the others around it has stood a strong test of time. From wars to communism to the current economic and social problems of the day this church has found a way to still be the church and to be the people of God. The church can and will endure with the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit and it is a privilege to serve in such a place that knows where to find hope when all seems lost. So, what have these people taught me most in these three and a half weeks that I have been here: that there is always hope, and even if that is all you have, it is always enough.
A couple of prayer requests:
On Friday there is a team of four people coming from Great Britain Methodist Church for 10 days. They will be helping with some of the upkeep in the village churches as well as doing street ministry in some of the Roma neighborhoods. Pray for safe travels for them and that they will be empowered by the Spirit in their work for the ten days. Also pray for me since I will be helping to host and direct them while they are here so I too will be participating in those projects.
Remember Zoran, the archealogist excavating the Czar's towers area. He was a gracious host to Lee and I, but did express some frustration. There is not much support, vocally or financially, for his work. May he receive support and help for what he is doing and be able to find some individuals who are just as interested in learning about the people who lived on the side of the canyon as he, his team, and Lee and I were.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Humbling Hospitality
Yesterday, I went with Carol, the missionary I am working with, and Zaga, a friend of Carol's and my Macedonian language tutor, to the village of Koleshino. In the Orthodox church, it was Sveti Spas, or Ascension Day and the village was celebrating because it was the Saint Day that their church was named after. Zaga grew up in Koleshino and still has family there and it is tradition for you to visit family on this day. She invited Carol and I along to meet her family and to experience the celebration festivities in the village. As soon as we arrived, Zaga took us to her home that she grew up in. Her father was a famous Macedonian writer and loved to write in this village. She gave us a tour of the home and told us about growing up in the village. You could see her mind drifting back to her childhood as she recalled these memories. I was honored that she had chosen us to tell these stories too.
After leaving Zaga's home, we went to meet her relatives in the village. We traveled from home to home and within six hours I had been to four different homes and eaten four complete meals. At each one, as soon as we entered, they kissed us on the cheek three times, a Macedonian custom, and invited us to sit at their table and rest for a while. Platters of food, many things to drink, and several different types of cookies and cakes were given to us at each location. These people had never met me before, did not know who I was, nor were they probably ever going to see me again, but they brought me to their table and invited me into their conversation. Although it was mostly in Macedonian, they still spoke to me as if I understood and Carol or Zaga would translate for me. These people did not have to do this, but they did and I was humbled by their love and acceptance of a stranger from a distance land who knew very little about them. In the course of the day, I met Zaga's cousins, nieces, nephews, aunt, and even the mayor of the village invited us into his home.
This experience made me reflect on what I am like when a new person enters my life. I will smile at them and maybe say hello, but to kiss them on the cheek and offer them a place to relax and be themselves is not something that I usually consider my job. I know that in the US, it is not our custom to do this, but what if it were. What if it were ok to "eat your way through a village," as Carol called it? To be a people who offered humbling hospitality to one another. I felt very loved yesterday, and now all I want to do is to somehow return that love and kindness. To let people know that no matter who you are or where you are from, you are worthy enough to sit and relax at my table. To be yourself and to know that you are loved and appreciated simply for existing. That is humbling hospitality, and one that has the power to change a person through the love of Christ being exemplified through the kindness of an open door and a place at the table.
A couple of prayer requests:
Mitko, Philip, and the Meals on Wheels program. Mitco is the director/driver for the meals on wheels program and Philip is the cook that prepares all the meals. Five days a week this program feeds 100 people in a 2o km radius a hot meal. Just recently, a third employee quit leaving the program understaffed. Many of the youth have been volunteering to help, as well as a young pastor and Carol and I. Be in prayer for them as they try to fill the position as soon as possible so that the routine for delivering these meals can return and their lives are made a little easier.
Remember me this Sunday morning as I will be preaching at the church in Strumica. My words will be translated as I am preaching and pray for my patience as I adjust to this stop and go preaching style. My desire is that the Word of God will come from my mouth to God's people in spite of the langauge barrier separating us.
Love and Prayers,
Loletuth
After leaving Zaga's home, we went to meet her relatives in the village. We traveled from home to home and within six hours I had been to four different homes and eaten four complete meals. At each one, as soon as we entered, they kissed us on the cheek three times, a Macedonian custom, and invited us to sit at their table and rest for a while. Platters of food, many things to drink, and several different types of cookies and cakes were given to us at each location. These people had never met me before, did not know who I was, nor were they probably ever going to see me again, but they brought me to their table and invited me into their conversation. Although it was mostly in Macedonian, they still spoke to me as if I understood and Carol or Zaga would translate for me. These people did not have to do this, but they did and I was humbled by their love and acceptance of a stranger from a distance land who knew very little about them. In the course of the day, I met Zaga's cousins, nieces, nephews, aunt, and even the mayor of the village invited us into his home.
This experience made me reflect on what I am like when a new person enters my life. I will smile at them and maybe say hello, but to kiss them on the cheek and offer them a place to relax and be themselves is not something that I usually consider my job. I know that in the US, it is not our custom to do this, but what if it were. What if it were ok to "eat your way through a village," as Carol called it? To be a people who offered humbling hospitality to one another. I felt very loved yesterday, and now all I want to do is to somehow return that love and kindness. To let people know that no matter who you are or where you are from, you are worthy enough to sit and relax at my table. To be yourself and to know that you are loved and appreciated simply for existing. That is humbling hospitality, and one that has the power to change a person through the love of Christ being exemplified through the kindness of an open door and a place at the table.
A couple of prayer requests:
Mitko, Philip, and the Meals on Wheels program. Mitco is the director/driver for the meals on wheels program and Philip is the cook that prepares all the meals. Five days a week this program feeds 100 people in a 2o km radius a hot meal. Just recently, a third employee quit leaving the program understaffed. Many of the youth have been volunteering to help, as well as a young pastor and Carol and I. Be in prayer for them as they try to fill the position as soon as possible so that the routine for delivering these meals can return and their lives are made a little easier.
Remember me this Sunday morning as I will be preaching at the church in Strumica. My words will be translated as I am preaching and pray for my patience as I adjust to this stop and go preaching style. My desire is that the Word of God will come from my mouth to God's people in spite of the langauge barrier separating us.
Love and Prayers,
Loletuth
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Article about the elections in Macedonia
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080602/ap_on_re_eu/macedonia_election;_ylt=AlzgriAF_iKrIn7HY2d0qT5vaA8F
Do not worry, I am not in an area with a lot of ethnic Albanians. In fact, the current winning majority party is quite large in Strumica so there has been quite a bit of celebrating and no violence.
A little taste of the celebrations in Strumica on Sunday after the polls closed
Do not worry, I am not in an area with a lot of ethnic Albanians. In fact, the current winning majority party is quite large in Strumica so there has been quite a bit of celebrating and no violence.
A little taste of the celebrations in Strumica on Sunday after the polls closed
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Living in Translation
I attended church in the village of Murtino today because Mikhail (the pastor in Strumica) baptized four children since he is the only ordained elder in the area. They were all babies but it was still an exciting experience. As I sat in the front row of the congregation and watched the children and their parents, I realized that these four children represented not only the future of the United Methodist Church in Macedonia, but also the future workers in the Kingdom of God here on earth. As Carol and I watched this happening, I joined in with the congregation in the same liturgy that we use in the United States for infant baptism that was translated into Macedonian and realized that as a member of this connectional church, I could join with them in affirming how I too could care for these young members even across an ocean with my prayers and support of the Macedonian United Methodist Church.
I mention this experience as an introduction into the almost continuous experience that I am in now, a world of translation. For the first two weeks, I helped Carol and Lee with a group of American people from all over the United States who were here to learn about Macedonia and the needs of the nation and the church. So I was speaking in English to English speakers. Now that they have left and I have started my work here in Strumica, everything now has to be translated so that I can communicate with the people.
On Saturday, I helped with an ESL class at the church and a 12-year old boy named Gligor translated instructions between me and three other 1 and 2 grade boys. It was quite the humbling experience. That evening I went to the home of one of the youth to celebrate his 24 birthday and again, an 18 year old girl translated for me. I sat on the couch in the home and listened to the youth speaking in the Macedonian language feeling very disrespectful for coming to a country and not knowing their language. Many of the youth could speak in english and did so as much as they could with me, but to take them away from the conversation with their friends was rude. So my journey into living in a translation has truly begun and the most difficult part of my ministry here in Macedonia.
This does not mean that I have not had some good experiences in spite of this. As I said earlier I have met the youth of the church which is more like a young adult group because their ages range from 18-27. They have been very inviting of me into their activities, even taking me through an evening stroll of the city to show me around. It was nice to be around people my own age despite the language barrier. I also have discovered the bazaar, or marketplace, and go there to buy my fruits and vegetables. There are some interesting people there and there is always a good laugh when we try to communicate something in the different languages.
So this living in translation is scary, but it presents an interesting challenge that I am glad to accept. With all hopes it will propel me to more creative ministry and looking at how I can serve others without words.
A few prayer requests:
Majon (pronounced Ma-u-on) is a young Macedonian pastor fresh out of seminary and ready to start at his first congregation. He will be the pastor at Konichi (I know this is mis-spelled) which is the Roma (or gypsy) United Methodist Congregation here in Macedonia. I attended services there last Sunday and was very moved by the passion and energy of the congregation but they are scared about this change that is getting ready to take place. Currently, a lay pastor who is Roma is serving their church so getting a pastor who is not only a seminary graduate, but an individual who is not Roma frightens them because they do not know what will happen. Many of us have experienced the tension that takes place when a congregation changes pastors and know that this transition can be difficult. Pray for Majon and the Konichi church as they go through this process.
Jasmina, Joseph, Pepa, and Pavlinka are all youth who have graduation exams coming up. For Jasmina and Joseph, these exams will determine if they get to graduate from a university and for Pepa and Pavlinka, it will determine if they can go to the university. They are difficult tests that require quite a bit of studying so remember them in your prayers.
Remember the nation of Macedonia, specifically the government and the people. Today, June 1, are the parliament elections and are important for determining the next four years of how the nation will be run. Pray that the people will elect to office those who will help to pull the nation out of its rut of a poor economy and high unemplyment rate so that their standard of living can begin to improve. The worry concerning money and food sometimes causes quite the barrier to ministry.
With love and prayers for your ministry as well,
Loletuth
I mention this experience as an introduction into the almost continuous experience that I am in now, a world of translation. For the first two weeks, I helped Carol and Lee with a group of American people from all over the United States who were here to learn about Macedonia and the needs of the nation and the church. So I was speaking in English to English speakers. Now that they have left and I have started my work here in Strumica, everything now has to be translated so that I can communicate with the people.
On Saturday, I helped with an ESL class at the church and a 12-year old boy named Gligor translated instructions between me and three other 1 and 2 grade boys. It was quite the humbling experience. That evening I went to the home of one of the youth to celebrate his 24 birthday and again, an 18 year old girl translated for me. I sat on the couch in the home and listened to the youth speaking in the Macedonian language feeling very disrespectful for coming to a country and not knowing their language. Many of the youth could speak in english and did so as much as they could with me, but to take them away from the conversation with their friends was rude. So my journey into living in a translation has truly begun and the most difficult part of my ministry here in Macedonia.
This does not mean that I have not had some good experiences in spite of this. As I said earlier I have met the youth of the church which is more like a young adult group because their ages range from 18-27. They have been very inviting of me into their activities, even taking me through an evening stroll of the city to show me around. It was nice to be around people my own age despite the language barrier. I also have discovered the bazaar, or marketplace, and go there to buy my fruits and vegetables. There are some interesting people there and there is always a good laugh when we try to communicate something in the different languages.
So this living in translation is scary, but it presents an interesting challenge that I am glad to accept. With all hopes it will propel me to more creative ministry and looking at how I can serve others without words.
A few prayer requests:
Majon (pronounced Ma-u-on) is a young Macedonian pastor fresh out of seminary and ready to start at his first congregation. He will be the pastor at Konichi (I know this is mis-spelled) which is the Roma (or gypsy) United Methodist Congregation here in Macedonia. I attended services there last Sunday and was very moved by the passion and energy of the congregation but they are scared about this change that is getting ready to take place. Currently, a lay pastor who is Roma is serving their church so getting a pastor who is not only a seminary graduate, but an individual who is not Roma frightens them because they do not know what will happen. Many of us have experienced the tension that takes place when a congregation changes pastors and know that this transition can be difficult. Pray for Majon and the Konichi church as they go through this process.
Jasmina, Joseph, Pepa, and Pavlinka are all youth who have graduation exams coming up. For Jasmina and Joseph, these exams will determine if they get to graduate from a university and for Pepa and Pavlinka, it will determine if they can go to the university. They are difficult tests that require quite a bit of studying so remember them in your prayers.
Remember the nation of Macedonia, specifically the government and the people. Today, June 1, are the parliament elections and are important for determining the next four years of how the nation will be run. Pray that the people will elect to office those who will help to pull the nation out of its rut of a poor economy and high unemplyment rate so that their standard of living can begin to improve. The worry concerning money and food sometimes causes quite the barrier to ministry.
With love and prayers for your ministry as well,
Loletuth
Friday, May 23, 2008
Discovering a People
I watched the sunset this evening from St. John the Theologian church right off of the coast of Lake Ohrid (pronounced Okrid) in Macedonia. The sunlight danced off of the clouds that were forming over the mountains and for a brief second I thought that I might stop breathing. It was a beautiful sight and I soon hope to post a couple of pictures that I took from that same location. I walked back through an old fishing village along the coast and I finally began to take in all that I had experienced over the last few days.
Since I arrived in Macedonia on Tuesday afternoon I have seen and experienced many new things. I moved into the third floor of the Methodist Church in Strumica (pronounced Strumeetza) where I quickly learned that one of my duties will be to ring the church bell on Sunday mornings since the rope to do so is located on my balcony. I also began to learn my way around the town, especially discovering where the city park is and where the ice cream stand is, both of which are important things to learn since a stroll in the park with a cone of ice cream is quite common on a warm summer evening.
I also traveled to Bitola in Macedonia where I visited the Methodist Church there and met the Pastor's wife and daughter who gave me a beautiful yellow rose when I left. I will probably be preaching at this church sometime this summer. I experienced a Macedonian high school graduation and had my first taste of Macedonian Shokata (soft drink made of elderberries). I also got to visit the location of the first Methodist mission place in Macedonia, that was founded in 1886 but was confiscated by the Communist government in the late 1940's and was never returned. All that remains is the gate that is now bricked in but the words can still be made out if you look close enough. Where a Methodist orphanage and hospital once stood now stands two run-down apartment complexes. I also walked on Roman Ruins in Bitola and stood at the top of a Roman theatre that once held orators and gladiator fights. All the while I learned about the history and the culture of the people that I have come to serve this summer and wondering all the while how I could do so.
I also traveled to Lake Ohrid and in two days visited 2 monasteries and 7 churches, two of which were located in caves. I walked on city roads that had been there for nearly a thousand years and walked on a fortress of a city that has been here for nearly 2300 years. I came within 500 meters of the Albanian border and could even see a village that was on the other side of the lake. I also watched an archeological dig taking place at the location of the First Slavic University, the place where Clement composed the Cyrillic alphabet. His grave was located in a church within the site of the dig. I watched peacocks strut around a monasteries grounds, learned how to filet a fish and laughed with a Macedonian woman as both of us became lost in translation. All the while, I was still being taught the culture, learning the language and having more of these people's history revealed.
This post probably seems to be a little boastful of all the things that I have done, but it is not meant to be that way. I merely want to show you some of the things that I have learned and experienced in the last few days and to try to give you a taste of the country that I have journeyed to. Upon my reflection while walking back from my sunset perch, I realized that I have fallen in love with this people not just because of what I have experienced, but because of what they can teach me. Though they have experienced centuries of conflict and upheaval, they still smile at me on the street and will still strike up a conversation with me in broken english and sometime even better english than me. They still have a thirst to discover something greater and though they are full of desperation, they are desperate for life and believe that this is still possible.
It is here that I feel called to this summer; to help the people see that life is still possible in the midst of this desperation and that their need for life can be fulfilled. I hope to learn how to show them that I love them and want them to discover the life that awaits them.
This has already been a long post but I do have a few prayer requests:
Pray for "Jack" a 24-year old Muslim from Kosovo who I sat next too on the plane from New York to Budapest. He was curious about what work I was doing and about the Christian faith in general. We had some good conversations but were separated when we got off the plane, so I did not have a chance to say good-bye, but he has been on my heart ever since.
Pray for Elena, the pastor's daughter of the church in Bitola. She has such a gentle spirit and a sweet personality. I liked her within moments of meeting her and hope that she might realize her own unique gifts for ministry.
Pray for Carol and Lee, the GMBM missionary and her husband. They are quite tired from planning a very good trip and need some rest to be revitalized for the coming months.
I am praying for everyone back home and appreciate your prayers and support as well. May you have wonderful days ahead and I look forward to sharing with you again soon.
In Christ's Love,
Loletuth
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Exciting Things are Happening
It is exciting to think that in two short months I will be leaving for Macedonia and I hope that this becomes a great way for me to share how the Spirit is moving and working in the nation of Macedonia. I look forward to posting about my experiences and hope that you will take notice of the joys and the needs of the Churches in Macedonia. May you be blessed by what is written here and may you be compelled to pray for what is happening not only in Macedonia, but the world as well.
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