Christmas in May in Skopje

Our time in Greece has been amazing. One of our most favorite trips was to North Macedonia. Arriving at the School/Church in Skopje, we met Sokrat, Lena, and Christina. Lena and Christina showed us around the school while Sokrat went to get the children. We were surprised to see that the school curriculum was the same that you would see in a US classroom. Learning numbers, days of the week, the weather, and the alphabet. Shortly thereafter, the two vans pulled up loaded with excited children. Every child was happy to be there and greeted us with huge smiles, fist bumps, hugs, and high fives. They were seated in the classroom and Christina and Lena had the arduous task of quieting the children down for the morning lesson. They joyfully sang their songs and even though it was in Macedonian, we recognized the songs – especially the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” which they performed enthusiastically. After the lesson, we opened up the bags and handed out the beautiful red stockings decorated with love by the NCL (National Charity League). Each child joyfully pulled out all the treasures – putting on the hats and gloves, and playing with the toys. They enjoyed pizza and soda. Afterwards, we all went to the ghetto to see where the children live. Our hearts were heavy to see what difficult circumstances they live in on a daily basis. Our eyes and hearts were opened in ways we did not expect. The children, with so little, found resilience and hope that surpasses all understanding.

Their needs are great, but our God is greater, and in the depth of their poverty they still find joy and hope because “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Our prayers are with the children and families of North Macedonia.

– Cindy, Diane, Janet & Linda

Some of the children of the ghetto in Saraj, Skopje, N. Macedonia

The fun is beginning!

Three little adorable friends!

In their neighborhood!

Our new little friend!

Love in the Balkans

From Yastrebovo to Pamukchii
Skopje, Litochoro and Thessaloniki too.
We wandered with wonder, each step a new grace,
Each village and city a sacred place.

In quiet corners and crowded squares,
We met hearts that carry heaven’s prayers—
Gopi with wisdom, Reni with song,
Pantelis and Kristina, steadfast and strong.

Vlado and Benny, with kindness to give,
Pavle and Sokrat show what it means to live.
At the church in Thessaloniki, bold and bright,
Pastors gathered, beacons of light.

Their love is not loud, but steady and deep,
They comfort the broken, the lost, and the weak.
In every embrace, every tear that they dried,
The love of Jesus could not be denied.

Macedonian Outreach, with hands open wide,
Walks where the wounded and weary reside.
These saints press on through hardship and trial,
Their joy and their faith stretching mile after mile.

Thank you, dear Vula, for opening the door,
To stories and souls we’ll cherish evermore.
For the feast of your welcome, the warmth of your care,
For showing us Jesus was already there.

So we leave with hearts both full and stirred,
By lives that have preached without saying a word.
In the Balkans, we saw what the gospel can be—
Love poured out for “the least of these.”

Written by Glenn, Lisa & A.I.