I love Matthew 25:35–36, where Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in; I needed clothes and you clothed Me; I was sick and you looked after Me; I was in prison and you came to visit Me.”
Our time with Macedonian Outreach is testimony to responding to this calling to serve the least of these.
We began our journey with a visit to a ministry center in Thessaloniki that provides clothing, food, and hot meals to refugees from wherever they come: Ukraine, the Sudan, Syria. The center provides a safe place where people can tell their story. Most importantly, the gospel is presented, both verbally and non-verbally, through the love shown by the volunteers. The Jesus Film and The Chosen are streamed on the TV.
On Sunday, we attended a church service put on by Voice of the Martyrs where pastors gathered from all over the world for a pastors’ conference. We met several American ministry partners as well as pastors from other countries.
A few days later, we went to Skopje, North Macedonia. Macedonian Outreach’s ministry partners Pavle and Suzan, who serve families in Skopje, organized a VBS for children from extremely poor families of the community. We did crafts, and played games. Linda Fore gave a wonderful telling of the Good News of the gospel, telling them of Jesus as our Rescuer, then using a demonstration of building one’s house on rock as opposed to building on sand. She very creatively used houses made of popsicle sticks on both a flat rock and another built on sand, then creatively used a spray bottle to mimic a storm coming. The children were captivated. At the end, Linda prayed a prayer of an open invitation for the children to give their life to Christ.
Shortly thereafter, we had the privilege of going to Bulgaria where we met ministry partners Gopi and Reni. They serve the Roma/Gypsy population in Yastrebovo and Pamukchii. Gopi grew up in the village and is now the pastor of the local village church. Vula has known him since he was a young man. Gopi and Reni have dedicated their lives to the village, meeting the needs of the villagers. When we arrived, we witnessed first hand the excitement by the villagers as our very own Vula was spotted. There were hugs all around from young adults who have known Vula since their childhood years. We went into the first village grocery store which was opened through Gopi’s guidance. We saw the new homes that were a dream of Macedonian Outreach twenty years ago to provide homes, running water and electricity for the first time for people who were once living in chicken coops. There are many more in need, but to see the happy faces of those who were beaming with love and appreciation was a sight to behold. Macedonian Outreach helped build the church building where Gopi preaches. We had a chance to offer VBS to those children, along with giving short testimonies. We met many mamas, fathers and grandmas with plenty of little ones. We met many who are in-firmed and elderly. For having so little, the Roma people are very generous with their love and hugs (and cookies).
My husband and I were invited to give our own personal testimony of the loss of our children. Many of the mamas and grandmas wept openly and told us their own stories of loss. Grief and loss know no boundaries. We are all on an equal playing field. It was a profound moment of connection. We had the chance to pray alongside a couple whose child is ill.
This is just a short synopsis of our experience with Macedonian Outreach. There is a quote from the Talmud that states, “He who saves one life saves the world entire.” Many generations are being raised up to go to school, to become self-sufficient, and to provide for their families. More importantly, many generations are hearing the gospel and following Christ. To see hands raised in worship by the Roma people during the service was amazing. We witnessed with our own eyes and touched with our own hands the gift of giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. Always in Jesus’ name.
Janie and Mike Sheedy
June, 2025
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.
We had the privilege of attending the dedication of the new homes that were built with the support of many generous donors of Macedonian Outreach. Upon arriving in the village of Pamukchii, we instantly felt the love of Jesus shining through the hearts of the people there. Despite the heartbreak of seeing so much need, and the frustration of all the difficult red tape they have to go through to get the homes finished, there was hope and joy in the faces of the children, and faithfulness of the adults.
During the dedication ceremony, we were encouraged by the worship music, the inspiring prayers and words from Gopi, Vula, Pandelis and Glenn Hammill. What a joy it was to hear the children’s laughter – “Where the laughter of children runs, there God is smiling nearby.”
It was a wonderful day that couldn’t have happened without all the hard work of so many, but especially Reni, who worked tirelessly organizing the event. With faith, we look forward to the time when all the homes will have electricity and the families can move in to their new homes. What a blessing that we were able to be a part of this touching celebration. We thank Vula for this wonderful opportunity.
Blessings, Diane, Janet & Linda 2025
Dear family and friends:
The annual Bake Sale for The Macedonian Outreach is coming up on Saturday, April 12th. Please come and invite others. Also, if any of you would like to bake something, please bring it by the house on Friday, April the 11th.
Thank you!
-Vula
