You'll remember that in May I went to Macedonia?
I took a team of wonderful Kerith women, and together we supported Marija Vuletic as she led the Vredna Conference in Skopje (the capital city) Macedonia. It was such a rich time (challenging too at times!) we gave, but we also received so much. It was a real privilege to stand alongside these wonderful women - our sisters in Christ.
Here are Clare's reflections of our time together.
Spending time with the women in Macedonia spoke to me so much about our world-wide family in faith. God really is bringing people from every people group into relationship with Him! We were joined by women from Serbia and the Roma community.
I spent time talking to some of the youngest women at the
conference. A few of them feel the struggle of being one Christian among many
unbelievers. It was great to hear that they were strengthened and encouraged by
the talks, especially Fran’s talk about Esther and Marija’s talk about identity.
Hearing Sasha and Marija’s story, and the stories of those who have moved to Macedonia and surrounding areas, was moving. They are being obedient to the call of God, even though it is tough, and they are seeing the faithfulness of God amongst it all.
I took a team of wonderful Kerith women, and together we supported Marija Vuletic as she led the Vredna Conference in Skopje (the capital city) Macedonia. It was such a rich time (challenging too at times!) we gave, but we also received so much. It was a real privilege to stand alongside these wonderful women - our sisters in Christ.
Here are Clare's reflections of our time together.
Spending time with the women in Macedonia spoke to me so much about our world-wide family in faith. God really is bringing people from every people group into relationship with Him! We were joined by women from Serbia and the Roma community.
I think joy in hardship sums up what many of the women
are experiencing right now. Some have only been believers for a very short
time, but their joy in belonging to Jesus and being on a journey with Him was
so clear.
Hearing Sasha and Marija’s story, and the stories of those who have moved to Macedonia and surrounding areas, was moving. They are being obedient to the call of God, even though it is tough, and they are seeing the faithfulness of God amongst it all.
A song was repeated throughout Vredna that brought us all
the tears at one point I think! The words speak about God surrounding His
people like the mountains surround the city of Skopje, and that He will be
faithful always. Skopje is a striking city, surrounded by snow-capped
mountains, even in summer. You really do feel surrounded by the beauty of them!
Hearing the women and the church sing with joy about God being immovable in His
faithfulness and His heart toward them was so incredibly powerful, and I am so
thankful that I had the opportunity to see a glimpse of that.