Cloudy with a chance of grilling and mud

There they are getting everything set up for grilling out. Below is a picture of Charlie and Ljupco firing up the grill. (By this time I'm pretty sure it was after 2:00 pm.)

Here's Charlie and Ljupco getting the grill fired up.

Me and Martin... Doesn't he look absolutely adorable in this picture?

I was almost finished getting ready to leave the house to walk over to the Dovers for a time of worship on Sunday. It was Bilijana and Ljupco, friends of ours who we have gotten to know over the past year after the school supply distribution. "Hey, we want to know if you and Jennifer and Charlie and the boys are free today. We can let the boys play and we can grill out and enjoy a good lunch," Bilijana says over the phone. (Which by the way is MUCH later than our American 11:30 or 12:00 lunch.) I touch base to Charlie and Jennifer and quickly make plans to meet up with the family shortly after we finish church. We follow them in their car and before we know it, we are going up a mountain. And I do mean we go UP the mountain. We kept going and going and going. It was a place called Sveti Ilija (or Saint Elijah) and turned out to be a beautiful spot with a magnificent view of the city. As you can see from the pictures, Charlie and Ljupco get the grill going while the kids enjoy the outdoors. Josiah and Judah have fun playing with their new Macedonian friends who are just about their ages. This also means that they quickly find water and mud. But we had a great time, despite the rain trying to threaten it all. Even though I'm a planner by nature, I was glad for this sudden chance to get together with nationals and enjoy their company. I have learned (and am still learning) that God has all my days planned as I slowly and daily allow Him and His Word to be my Day Planner.

Happy 4th!!

Happy 4th of July to everyone! This day of celebrating independence makes me also think about the dependence we have on God. If it weren't for Him, the ministry going on in Macedonia and throughout the world wouldn't exist.
It's amazing to think about the changes that have taken place in the coffeehouse. First, we were waiting for the people to come in. Then, some days it seemed that having a spiritual conversation with someone was a big deal. (And to tell the truth, it is!) The Dovers and I were celebrating the 4th of July together on the beach today. As Jennifer and I were talking, we started talking about noticing God in the small things like a very simple prayer request answered or the slow process of ministry at times. God is still there.
This past week our new help arrived at the coffeehouse! Vlatko is now learning the ropes and will begin teaching an inductive Bible study using the book of Mark with our Sunday night group. He's also the Dover's language tutor.
Thank you again for your prayers!

Update

Hello! I realize it's been a while since I have posted, but things are going well. Very busy, but well. The Dover family is here, and doing very well. Charlie and Jennifer and their two boys are adjusting and getting settled in. We are all very thankful to have them here and looking forward to see how God will use them in Ohrid. They are a very sweet family and all of us have enjoyed getting to know them. Please pray for them as they begin to learn the language (again) around the first of July. Until then, we are busy preparing for our annual meeting in Greece. And you know what that means.... LOTTIE MOON! IMB Missionaries serving all around Central and Eastern Europe will be getting together for a little "friendly" competition through auctions to raise money for Lottie Moon. So really, this is a wonderful chance for us to give back to Lottie, who helps to keep us on the field. Yes, I know it's not quite Christmas, but please be thinking of how you can sacrificially give to Lottie Moon so that others who are responding to God's call to spread the good news of salvation to the nations. Please pray for all of us as we have a chance to gather together for a time of corporate worship (which many of us do not get), taking care of business, and enjoying encouragement from like-minded believers.
We have finished up the Chronological Bible Study series with the group who met regularly at our apartment on Sunday evenings. There are still two more Bible Studies going on, so please continue to lift these up. Also, please continue to lift up Gordana and Ane. They have been on my mind and heart lately, especially since soon I will begin to say good-bye to them and other people I have grown to love in this country.

The Road I Travel

I travel many different roads in my daily life here in Macedonia. Usually, with the weather permitting, I like to go for a walk down to what's known as Hotel Park. It's a beautiful path, with trees giving friendly shade in the hot summer days and displaying the grand splendor of the rich autumn colors. I use this time to pray, meditate upon God's word, and worship Him by enjoying His beautiful creation. Sometimes I get slightly embarrassed if I think people might be thinking I'm talking to myself, but really, I'm talking to God. Another path I take is by the lake, another popular destination for trekkers here in Ohrid. Occasionally I'll switch up my 3 kilometer walk to Hotel Park and back for this alternate route. But usually this is the one path I will always have fond memories of with other people: Karen and I walking to the center of town, or to Brian and Mandy's house; walking with Macedonian friends to or from coffee and having sometimes normal, sometimes spiritual conversations. This is the one path you don't want to rush on. Take it slowly, allowing the golden rays of the sun setting over the mountains across the lake to take your breath away. I don't think I could ever weary of walking along this pathway. There have been times on this very street where I could feel God wooing me with His beauty, reminding me of His faithfulness and love. Yet another frequent road I walk is the one to work. It's full of intersections, turns, cars, and when it rains, pond-sized puddles. It takes about 15 minutes either to or from work, and sometimes I can walk this path twice in a day. God often reminds me to turn off the iPod and spend more time in prayer to Him to prepare my heart for the day at work or to lift up other prayer requests.
There is also the spiritual journey, too, and it's one that has led me closer to the Lord. It is a path that has led me in different directions than the one my expectations led me to believe. It has been full of joy, laughter, growth, changes, tears, sometimes pain, days of wondering if I was on the right one or not, but always His faithfulness to lead me as he continues to call me to follow Him daily, no matter where the road may lead. He's a faithful Guide. I have no doubt that if He can lead a bunch of restless Israelites for 40 years on the pathway in the wilderness and sustain them for that long of a time, He can lead this southern girl from Alabama on a two year journey in Macedonia, too. I may not always know the details of the path; I may be fearful of losing my step or not sure what lies ahead; If the path we are taking seems long and steep, full of sharp turns and detours, or maybe at times straight and smooth, His word is full of promises we can trust for each step we take:


"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." -Psalm 16:11

"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake." -Psalm 23:3

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." - Isaiah 30:21

"If I say, 'My foot slips,' Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up." -Psalm 94:18

JSU to Macedonia!

Three people from the Baptist Campus Ministries at Jacksonville State University was recently here to serve with us for about a week. We are so thankful for their help! They did lots of prayer walking and distributed tracts to some areas where we haven't been yet. Not only that, but they helped with English classes, shared testimonies, and had an introduction to Macedonian culture. We had a grill-out with the people from our Bible Study group that meets at our place on Sunday. They were able to meet Macedonians through that, and they even had a chance to make a visit to our landlord's house. Thank you for lifting up their time here. Below are some pictures from their mission trip.

Now and Then...

Recently I returned from a vacation to Greece. It was a wonderful time spent catching up with some friends and being able to relax and enjoy some sun. I came back refreshed physically and spiritually and ready for the busy month ahead. This month from the 15th until the 21st we will have a group coming from the Baptist Campus Ministries at my alma mater, Jacksonville State University. Please lift up their time of prayer-walking, literature distribution, helping with English classes, and the people they will come in contact with. I will be sure to post pictures, so be on the look out for them.

Also, we are still waiting for the Dovers, our new family, to come. We are optimistic that they will be here soon, and looking forward to how God will use them and their two young boys in Ohrid.

Sometimes it seems that reality hasn't set in that I only have about 3 more months here. I can say without doubt that this has been a great experience. Words cannot begin to describe how God has shaped and molded me over this time. I know for a fact that I will not return the same person I was when I left. My team has been like family to me, and I don't know what I will do without them. Please continue to pray that I will continue to work as unto the Lord not unto man, giving myself fully to the work during these next months. I would definitely say the time is winding down, but that doesn't mean the Lord's work slows down. (And three years ago I thought my summer missions in Paris was a long time! I sure did have lots to learn.)

October 2007, after just arriving in Ohrid...

And recently, on my vacation to Greece.

More Manna!

"For the word of the Lord is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness." - Psalm 33:4

"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." - Psalm 33:20

"The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing." - Psalm 34:10

"The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah." Psalm 46:7

Isn't it good to know He's always right and true? Do you take comfort in the fact that he is faithful in all he does? I do. When we remember these things, then we can wait for the Lord, our help and shield. We don't have to worry about anything, because He knows what we need and He is faithful to provide. That's the Lord Almighty that is with us, our mighty fortress.