Merry Christmas time to you all :)  I love this time of year. 

A lot of things have happened since returning from the training at New Mission Systems International.  The week I returned from training in November Nikola Galevsky, the Pastor of Soulcraft Church in Skopje, was in town for conference at North Point Church in Alpharetta!  I was able to visit with him as well as attend a dinner gathering with most all the people that have been on a mission visit to Skopje (about 25 people!).  My parents and best friend also got to meet Nikola which is really neat - who gets to do THAT??  Too cool!!  Nikola was able to give us all updates about Soulcraft, Skopje, and the 25th of May orphanage. The accessibility God has granted us with Skopje is fantastic.  Awesome God!

Recently members on the Care Team (a group of 10 that will be my "posse" in America while I'm in Skopje for 5 years) helped put together an official NEWSLETTER for the mission in Macedonia!  We'll be sending out updates once per month.  If you'd like to be on the receiving list of the newsletter send me an email or comment on this blog and I'll add you to the list :) Whoop-whoop!

Last night, our mission team that went to Skopje in October 2012,  had our wrap-up dinner/gethering to catch up on everyone's life for the last 2 months and to talk about our time in Skopje.  Everyone on the team was simply overwhelmed with love, emotion, and the "let's do something" attitude about the mission.  Hearing everyone's perspective was refreshing and needed. Many team members have been keeping in touch with some of the older kids since our return.  Many will be returning to Macedonia with next year's GlobalX teams and I love hearing that!!!!  That's the thing - when people GO to Skopje, they GO BACK....  AND......the kids know it.  That's the beautiful part. Just beautiful.

You know????  Anybody want to jump in the river rapids yet? Jesus will provide us floaties.....
I'm just sayin.................Аs Promised.
~Елизабет

P.S. So far, 3 couples that have been to Macedonia THIS YEAR ALONE  have had or are now expecting their FIRST CHILD.  It reminds me that God is the creator and master of all life and He is always bringing NEW life. Amen and AMEN.





 

Howdy everyone! I have returned from a 2-week New Mission Systems International orientation.  Much validation came from this meeting!  I realized that I have connected myself with an agency that is resilient during turmoil.  That showed me strength in the people that serve at NMSI and the perseverance of the team as a whole to allow God's strength and love to push through the dark to get to the light.  Oh - how I need that kind of backing in America when I am over seas.  It sorta fits my personality. Get out the swords of the Spirit! HA!  I have that kind of backing from North Point/GlobalX teams, but how awesome of God to show me that it exists in NMSI.  Rock on, GOD!  Total awe!

I was really impressed to be able to SKYPE with missionaries in "different seasons" - one lady has been overseas in the Ukraine for 6 years now working with orphans who are mentally/physically disabled.  It was a blessing and a humbling experience to hear her story and to learn as a single woman what its like to be on the field doing God's work!  Also met a couple on SKYPE who is currently almost 100% funded, that are at the 5-week MTI training in Colorado, learning overseas cultural immersion and language learning.  Then after the holidays, they are off to Cambodia for 3 years.  How cool it was to hear their story - right where they are at - to learn how they affiliated with NMSI, sold EVERYTHING, raised partnership ministry in a short time, and now: BOOM - almost outta here - but also hearing about some of their difficult, personal thoughts and decisions.  To learn from these missionaries was invaluable!

Overall, God has shown me more of His plan by bringing me alongside NMSI to serve for His Glory and Kingdom.  SO, all 4 legs of the chair are holding up the seat:  Soulcraft Church - GlobalX - NMSI and God/Me.  How wonderful. How awesome. How grateful it is to be here.  Too cool.

Now what?  Off to working on partnership ministry.  May God show me the way and may the future partners and I have eyes to see and ears to hear.  Come on May 2013.

----Елизабет

In just 2 weeks I will be heading out to Fort Myers, Florida to attend a 2 week orientation with New Mission Systems International - the mission agency of whom I am now an affiliate!  This is just the beginning of several trainings that I am required to attend in order to head on over to Skopje next year.  I was blessed to meet my NMSI team in Skopje this last visit to Macedonia, and now I will be meeting with the main office team!  This orientation will introduce me to NMSI an an organization as well as to the people.  I will learn many things on how processes work, who is NMSI, and how they match up with me (on this I have done much reasearch already but I am SURE I will learn even more!)  I am looking forward to hearing many stories of others and I think there are 3 other missionaries attending this same orientation.  It looks like I will be driving down on October 30th, and returning on November 14th.  I am positive that God will show me even more on how His plan for me to work in His Kingdom will be furthered through this orientation.  More updates coming as I attend NMSI and I am so excited to have my eyes opened wider. I also am so grateful to Best Buy for allowing this time off at the beginning of holiday preparation to run after what God has called me to do in Skopje. Today I learned of a quote from my lead pastor, Andy Stanley, that hit home for me -"It wasn't God's calling on your life to be a leader.  It was your response."

----In His Grip,
Elizabeth :)

It all started by waking up this morning - the "OH NO's" crept in - our final day at the "25th of May" orphanage for this visit.  With it being my 3rd visit since May 2011, I KNEW what was fixin' to happen later today.....yup.  It did.  God showed to all of us how much love we've shared amongst EVERYONE - and they to us as well.  It was difficult leaving tonight as it always is.  I know truly in my heart that these kids know we are FO' REAL and are people they can trust in and believe.  They KNOW we will return. They KNOW I am moving here next year, Lord willing.  But as much as those truths are alive, it is still a tough nail to pull when leaving.  God has blessed me SO MUCH this week its like drinking from a fire hose on 10.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  The rapids are the most awesome place to dwell.   Right b4 we left, our GlobalX team prayed over the kids tonight in JESUS NAME.  What a wonderful moment - and they all joined in....ALL.  We had 3 inner circles - from tallest to shortest and yes, I was in the dead center with all the 7 and 8 yr olds....no laughing.  I told them tonight that I don't have children but God has given all of them to me as my children.  I am blessed....to be a blessing.  God is great, Skopje is good, and I am crazy for Him.  Enjoy the photos - the new album in in my profile area - and will download some more videos soon - they take so long to download.  Love you all - you are SO MUCH A PART OF WHAT IS GOING ON OVER HERE.

Pic #1 Olivera and Me - she is painting a canvas pic for the new girls' hallway - its a heart with wings...and a H.A.L.O.

Pic #2 - big ALL ON DECK shot

Pic #3 - Me with most of the kids at the orphanage

Pic #4 - Marina, Me and Miki

Pic #5 - Kate, Marina, Me and Mimi

Pic #6 - Isaine and Me

Pic #7 - Martin and Me

Pic #8 - Anet and Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every now and then God shows miracles so obvious!  Last night one of our team members, Diana, was speaking of how she wanted to connect with one orphan - one on one, with someone to help interpret.  Diana prayed to God for it to happen specifically - and it happened today.  She had a one on one with one of the girls (with an INTERPRETER), who poured her heart out to Diana,  Come to find out that this young girl's life was very similar to Diane's history..........BOOM!  GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHooooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :0 
One of the girls, Sibelgian, said to me that she will be sad when we have to leave.  I told her that I am not "leaving" but am coming back next year to stay.  It made her happy and she had tears in her eyes.  She's about 12 years old. I have pictures of her in my albums.
Can't believe tomorrow is our last day with the orphans this visit.  Our projects in the girl's hall/bedrooms have been hampered with too moist weather - the plaster did not dry well and could not be completed today.  We will not "see" the completed hallway and bedrooms till later due to this inconvenience.  But when I get the pictures I will send them out. The contractors will finish in a week.  I have a few pics from today. Also you can check out D4 (Day 4 ) photo album in my profile area and I'm fixing to post some more videos.   God is great,  Skopje is good, and people are crazy ") LOL

Pic #1 - Me with Isaine wearing my glasses - this has become a tradition :)

Pic #2 - Trajche, Me and Denis

Pic #3 - Sangrita, Me and Criste from Soulcraft Church

Pic #4 - "Denis the Great" - oh good grief

 

 

 

 

 

You KNOW you have made an impact when the kids know your name...the kids are now calling the team out individually....and its music to the team's ears.  I spent only a few hours at the orphanage today as I got to have an extended lunch with my new team, NMSI (New Mission Systems International mission agency.)  Our regional director set up a lunch: David and Brenda Aderholdt and Elizabeth and Brian Richards.  These couples have been here in Skopje going on 14 and 15 years respectively.  What an honor it is to be accepted as part of their team....God did this and He made it seamless!!!!!!!!!  Too cool.  I have only a few pics from today, but added all today's pics in my photo tab in my profiles section as D3 (Day 3).  Its great to be here and I can't believe its already Thursday.  They're gonna have to pull me hard and mean as I grip the curtains tight when leaving on Monday morning....don't worry Mom, I'll be home :)
Love ya'll and I'll have some great pics tomorrow and Saturday - Saturday will be our big celebration day all day with games, fun, sports, hanging out, etc.  GOD IS AWESOME-can't do this without Him...ever.
-Елизабет од Скопје, Македониа (Elizabeth of Skopje, Macedonia)

Pic #1 - Arif working on plastering in one of the rooms

Pic #2 - Me and Selma (new)

Pic #3 - the team and Soulcraft Church plastering

Pic #4 - its official - we are bringing Dino home with us...ssshhhhhhh

 

 

Our second full day at the 25th of May orphanage, and things happened today that were so much fun, meaningful, and so GOD.  I found out that one of the kids, ZOKI, that is no longer at the orphanage becasue he is living now with his Uncle (PRAISE!!) is actually coming to see me this Friday or Saturday!!!!!!!!!  So, according to what I am told by Denis (one of the students), I will not leave this beautiful country wihtout seeing one of my favorites!  SO GOD.  Also, spoke more with individual kids, receiving more personal stories of their history. The team is really connecting with the kids and its just SA-WEEET!  We learned how to play a Macedonian game called "Get the Stick"..... I have pictures of it in my profile under Makedonia Oktumvri D2 album under photos and a couple below.  Some photos below to give you a snapshot.  First photo:  Me, Mimi and her sister Kate, #2 is a shot of Dino - an 8yr old that just arrived a week ago - #3 is of Almir and me - he was not there last May but returned - I first met him in May 2011 - #4 is me with Berkhan, Boorhan and Arian, 3 brothers - #4 and #5 are shots of the GET THE STICK game - too funny - and #6 is Bubey and #7 is Ibro, Martin and Arif :) Enjoy and God bless - hey, by the way, thanks for checking out this blog :)  That's cool!!

 

Oh- my- gosh - it was a TIDAL WAVE of hugs and kisses from the kids today when we first arrived!!!! I wish I could take them all home. What a blessing and such a rush to receive the unconditional love from children and young kids who truly miss and love you. There's nothing like it. Ummmm...yes, it was my first day at the 25th of May orphanage - LOL. I saw most of the kids I have known for the last year and half and I also met about a dozen NEW KIDS. Incredible. Beautiful kids. I have some photos to share. Today I also met David Aderholdt, my soon to be boss from New Mission Systems International mission agency! Great to talk with him over coffee. It was a HUGE DAY for reunions. I will add all my pics to my profile area in this google account and it will be for DAY 1. You will see the team's project work too - remodeling the girls' hallway and bedrooms. Lots of dust today :) So you get a taste of the "before." On Saturday you'll see the "after." I am so happy. God is awesome. The first picture you'll see Traycha, Me, Ibro, Marina and Nikola, the lead pastor of Soulcraft Church. The next picture is with Bubey.  Next is with Ibro, then 2 sisters (twins) who have recently come to the orphanage. Finally, I am with another new girl at the orpahange named Cista.

 

Its 1pm Atlanta time and its 7:02 pm Skopje time.  We are here, WE ARE HERE!!!!! All 13 of us GlobalX peeps have arrived! I am so happy and excited to be back with my brothers and sisters in Skopje.  The flights were long but ran very smoothly and no issues.  We have Lupcha as our loyal driver once again and we are settled in our hotel rooms at the Hotel Ambassador. We had a SUPER dinner and time already spent with Nikola, the Lead Pastor of Soulcraft Church, which is an international partner with North Point Church.  Soulcraft just celebrated their 1 year anniversary as a church body yesterday!  This week we will be working with Soulcraft Church in renovating the girl's rooms at the "25th of May" Orphanage, updating the soccer courts, renovating the girl's bathrooms and also giving an update to the kids living area.  I am so expectant in what God is doing in Skopje and so pumped to be a part of His plan.  Life is good, God is great, and we're all crazy for Him :)
Let's roll.........pictures coming tomorrow, ok?  :)

---Елизабет

It close.  Very close going back - leaving this Sunday for 9 days and I am more than excited.  My heart aches to return to Macedonia and once again the Lord has provided a way to return.  I feel like there's so much to be done and one week ain't gonna cut it - I'm just sayin. :)  LOL.  Thank Him that I am moving there for 5 years - I think that'll help :)  My mind is constantly thinking about: how different this visit will be - excited to witness new faces from America meeting my loved ones in Skopje - anxious to immerse my heart and soul with the kids and my brothers and sisters in Skopje.  You'd think I'd scandal a one way ticket....thought about it (hee hee) - but I will wait for God. 

I also get to spend time with my NMSI family.  Can't wait for that.  Being a part of NMSI is truly God's compass.  Such fabulous, Jesus-Wearing people. 

I will blog while in Skopje.  Stay tuned for some cool, awesome, "WOW" updates :)  I just am so excited......ROCK ON, GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

In His Grip - Elizabet     (Елизабет)

DEAR FAMILY, FRIENDS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST:
This is absolutely over the top!  This is SO GOD!  A blog for Macedonia is now in fruition....9 years ago I gave my life to Jesus Christ, and everything has changed.  Since 2003, God has worked on me and in me and through me with teen mentoring, ministry, and now moving overseas to serve with brothers and sisters - to Macedonia in 2013!  I can't think of better times, and am waiting expectantly to jump in the white rapids :)  Come join me - Jesus will supply us with floaties. Stay tuned...I mean, AFLOAT.  LOL!!!!!!!

(Elizabet saka Makedonia means "Elizabeth loves Macedonia")