Friday Festivities

The weather permitted us to be outside, so we started the day by painting the slacks of wood for the benches. We laid down the tarp and wood on the basketball court. This instantly caught the attention of the children who were eager to participate. Once we started painting, the children followed us around and insisted on helping us paint. Our reluctance was short lived as we surrendered our brushes and watched as the kids painted the slacks with diligence. They were excited to be part of a project that they were proud of.

We were also able to set up the volleyball court for the teachers and staff. Before long we were engaged in a highly competitive game of volleyball. The children joined in as we laughed and struggled to get the hang of the game. It was a funny, especially as the kids tried to kick or head-butt the ball; Elizabeth appropriately reminded the children this was not football. I'm still not sure if it stuck or not.

The staff hosted lunch for us which included meat a patty, chicken, a delicious spread, potatoes, bread and Coca Cola (befitting for us Atlantans) as an expression of gratitude for the team. It was a copious amount of food, making it very hard to finish. Our favorite part was being able to eat with the children-this was our first time sharing a meal together. It felt like a family gathering filled with laughter and joy.

Then the men got back to work and some of the boys helped put the wood slacks on the metal stands. I could hear their laughter from across the field as our men taught the boys how to hammer the nails. I think the kids may have enjoyed the projects more than we did. I think to them it didn't matter what they were doing as long as they were engaging with us.

Lake Ohrid Adventures

Hopefully we figure out how to upload the pictures soon! It was a bumpy and windy 3 hour drive through rural Macedonia, but so worth it when we reached our destination. We were dropped off at a castle on top of the hill, some of us (Steve, MaryStu, Zoe, and Grace) had to walk a mile to find a toilet. We finally found one at a restaurant along with the cutest little baby named Anna. We pretty much had to drag Steve from the baby to keep moving forward.  Even in such a stimulating environment, it was hard not to think about the children and how much we missed them. We all had a deep yearning to be with them again.

While exploring the lake we found a hip lounge with a patio right on the lake so we gathered there until the rain disrupted our patio lunch. Afterward Lupche guided us to the historical St. John Church  on top of the hill. It was a perilous journey through the rain. We passed stray cats, rocky cliffs, and fisherman on pebbly shores. The stormy weather did not phase the transparency of the water, you could still see the school of fish swimming around.

Once we reached the church, it was quite the sight! The church was perched on top of rocky cliffs with the lake as the backdrop. The church was tiny but you could tell it had been through alot and had a story to tell.

The van ride back to Skopje was tranquil, we were exhausted from the long day. Steve introduced us to Mr. Green who has now become the talk of the team. I recommend you ask one of us about him, he's quite the character!

Day 2, Day 3, and Mr. Green

Yesterday was our second day at the 25 of May. Most of the day was spent inside the orphanage due to rainy weather, doing arts and crafts with the children. It was nice to be able to bond with them inside their home and to really play and interact where they spend most of their time. The smiles from the children are getting bigger and the hugs are getting sweeter and sweeter with time. I know our time here is limited but I pray that every ounce of love we give them stays as an imprint on their heart for a lifetime. Since the moment we met they've welcomed us with warm smiles and open arms and for that I am grateful.

The men set up the new benches our team has provided outside in between the soccer field and the basketball court to serve as a place where the children can sit, rest and watch each other play. Our guys stood in the pouring rain for a couple of hours working on the benches and were a wonderful demonstration of selflessly serving the Lord. I'm so thankful God has given us all an opportunity to experience this time with the children together as a team and I'm hopeful for our days to come.

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Today we spent the day at Lake Ohrid and it was truly beautiful. There are no words to describe God's beautiful creation. It was another rainy day but the laugher among the group was greater than any other time we've spent together. Everyone's spirits were high and the joy we all had exploring was so evident. Tomorrow we go back to the 25 of May for a cookout and more time with the children. We're all so excited and ready to see their bright shining faces.

For His Kingdom,
Zoe

P.S. Ask your respective loved one/friend on the trip who Mr. Green is...

First day at the orphanage

Today was our first day at the orphanage after a long journey from Atlanta to Frankfurt to Zagreb and finally to our destination- Skopje. We were all filled with excitement and joy as we drove into the 25th of May orphanage. To our delight, we were greeted by smiling faces of little ones who were curious to meet their anticipated guests. One of the very first kids we met was Ramche who had the most contagious smile I had ever seen. He was so warm and affectionate, it was impossible not to like him.

We quickly walked over to the field behind the orphanage where the kids were already outside and in a matter of minutes what seemed like a natural chemistry developed between the team and the children. It was an emotional sight to see as the children lit up with ecstacy when they welcomed Stephanie and Sheyna with long embraces I later had the privilege of experiencing. As the day progressed, we all did what children do best- play. The children welcomed us with open hearts and hands allowing us to enter their lives. Despite the language barrier, the children interacted with us not like the strangers we were, but like brothers and sisters who had returned to them.

It was by God's grace we were able to bond with these children who have experienced so much rejection and pain. Leaving was one of the hardest things we had to do with pressed palms on windows, watching the children chase after the van as though they would never see us again. My heart ached.

Tomorrow is another day, another chance to love on these children just as God intended. Stay tuned!