Macedonia Visit, Spring 2009

Paul and Malcolm caught an early flight to Bulgaria and from there met up with a driver to take them over the snow-capped mountains to Macedonia. Border control into Macedonia had some hangovers from the Communist state and there was a thorough search of vehicle and baggage before being waved through. After a four hour journey, we were welcomed by Vane and Irena Tasevski, and treated to sausage and chips, which was waiting at Tri Cesmi (Three Taps). In the morning, they were joined by Jimmy Polykarp, the leader of the network of churches.

 

On Tuesday 31 March, they visited five churches. Paul visited a house church in Rosoman. Paul spoke on church growth while Malcolm visited Sirkovo and spoke on God’s call on people’s lives from Jeremiah 1.Then, Malcolm and Paul visited a church in Gradsko – Paul spoke on the woman healed by Jesus (Luke 8). There was then a trip to a village church in Crveni Bregovi, where Paul spoke on rebuilding the walls from Nehemiah. Malcolm encouraged the church in worship. Malcolm saw some goats that he and Margaret had previously donated to a family living in the village. Malcolm made a quick visit to the local outdoor convenience.

 

In the late afternoon, they visited a church at Kavadarci and Malcolm spoke on Jesus’ encouragement for a new wineskin and spoke on being baptised in the Holy Spirit. There, they prayed with many of the church to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. On Wednesday, the team had a Macedonian haircut – costing £5 for both cuts. Years were taken off Malcolm, who looked far younger than Paul after the treatment! They then visited Jimmy’s recently started construction of a Bible School in a strategic position, in the middle of Oblesevo. They were treated to Macedonian (Turkish) coffee with a local family. At the church building in Oblesevo, we led a children’s church meeting on the meaning of Easter, with some illusions and escapes from Paul. On Thursday, the team led another children’s church meeting at Radonje.

 

Over the time, there were various conversations about how the churches could be helped to grow in the region and the style of church and leadership across the UK and Macedonia. Malcolm encouraged many individuals with words of prophecy and was encouraged to hear how previous words had borne fruit.