Now there isn't a Maccas in Maccas. Don't come here expecting to treat yourself with a mcflurry whenever you get the craving, cause you won't get it. Macedonia slacked on paying the rights to keep McDonald's in the country, or something in that line. Nevertheless, they offer something else, but for the more savoury tooth. Burek. A phyllo pastry with white cheese inside. To go with it, you get yourself a Jogurt - plain drinking yoghurt, 3,2% - it's far from plain, it's a pretty insane combination.
Macedonia consists of Balkans, Albanians, Romas (gypsies) and more. Within 4 weeks, we have been exposed to all in some way or another. We were blessed to stay in the outside spare room of a Macedonian family, who occasionally treated us with plentiful food too. 'This is so crazy', literally. Our minds are set for Africa's hot weather and simple food, and then this...
Skiing on the slopes of Papova Shapka in Tetovo. Our presence was evident - it seemed as though no African, let alone from the south, had ever set foot there before. That was the feeling I was getting from how we were being treated - with much intrigue, accommodating towards us and our lack of Macedonian (the language). Coming from South Africa we're far from casual winter skiers. The Macedonians did well not to spoil our failed attempts as we often made the slope look like a crash course with some crazy stuntmen. It was that hysterical!
Also, we visited a Roma (gypsy) settlement on the outskirts of Skopje called Shutka. They make up the lower class, not valuing materialism as most do and flexible in their beliefs. Our hosts in Macedonia were Danie and Esther and they organized for our stay. They too are South African and having been called to Macedonia, they feel drawn toward the Roma people in particular. What a privilege to have been taken in under their wings. They have added much input, imparting into us in many ways.
The picture of Danie and Esther and their 3 children is a beautiful example of this, 'my life is my ministry.' Them simply 'being with others' is all that there is to it. All that there is to life. This is evident in the treatment they give, and have received from the people they have come in contact with for the past year and more, since they arrived in Maccas. Currently, they are looking to extend their family, eagerly waiting for the rights to adopt a Roma girl. What a beautiful image they are creating, living testimonies - sons and daughters of a loving Father.
To let you in on the refugee crisis:
In my previous blog, 'people of nowhere', I mentioned a spreading disease within the camp at Tabanovce - the Macedonian/Serbian border hosting refugees. That is not true. The condition of the little girl I wrote about is hereditary, not picked up in the camp. Forgive me for the misinterpretation. In any case, much order has been restored to the camp now that all refugees are inside a fenced off area. Previously there were some 300 Syrians in between borders, not willing to move.
Furthermore, volunteers within the camp and even those coming into the country, have been restricted. Hidden World - one of the other Global Challenge teams for 2016, were denied access. However, we did manage to continue serving tea after 3 days of being put on hold.
Nothing comes easy in these parts, and neither does saying goodbye. The people of nowhere that we came to know are incredible. There's no one like them. How easy it would be for me to choose a Syrian wife. Wow. They are noble and virtuous. The one I set my gaze on in particular is a true beauty. She is only 10, which is the perfect age gap. Some 10 years from now and you never know, it might prove to be the perfect match. ;) But this isn't about me trying to find a wife. Nor is this about learning to ski, or any other great experience. This is about people. This is about passion and compassion. This is about U&I, unveiled & intimate - God with us.
How privileged we are to have been exposed to Balkans, Albanians, Romas, Afghans, Syrians, Kurds and still more people groups. All this in the space of 4 weeks. #whataprivilege
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.