Farm and Travels

I have managed to visit several places in Macedonia in the last month. The country is actually quite small and one can get all the way across it by bus in about 3 to 4 hours. I have gone a few times to a town called Veles which is south of Skopje. There is church there that is related to the one in Skopje, and they had a problem in the leadership some time ago, so a team goes there regularly (most Sundays) to help. I was there a few weeks ago and there was a man from Burma preaching(!)

I also stayed for a couple of days at a friend's farm in a village near Stip. I was living amongst cows and pigs etc (not literally!) and was woken by the cockerel. I even got to drive the tractor! Although it may sound idyllic his family is only just getting by financially - we spent several hours watering the crops using a petrol pump and when I did the sums with him I realised that because of the cost of the petrol, they barely make any profit on the crops (maybe 15 euros total), and they put a lot of work in.

On a different subject: people are becoming Christians around the country and we're being faced with issues I'd not had before: since there may be no suitable church in the area we may have to start a church ourselves. There's one town in particular where a few people became Christians in the summer and I think a small group is meeting there now. Anyone want to come over to help?!

I'm still working on a website for the church - it has taken ages! And now the students will be returning - 1st October is when term starts - and I need to gear up for that.

I have found things a bit lonely lately. Although I have friends here, I still seem to be spending a lot of time by myself. I've asked one friend if he wants to live in the apartment with me - still waiting to here from him about it.