We’ve had lots of folks ask us lots of really good questions, which we love! We’ve been asked to add FAQs to our blog, so here they are! Let us know if you have more.
Does Macedonia still exist; I
thought that was just in the Bible days?
Paul’s missionary journeys give us a
biblical frame of reference for Macedonia. If you take a look at the maps below
you will see that while they are in the same region, they are not exactly the
SAME area.
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| Biblical Balkans |
 |
| Modern Day Balkans |
What will
you be doing there?
For our first three-year term, we
will focus heavily on learning the languages and cultures of the people we will
be living and working among. We’ll participate in ministry tasks and begin
to identify areas of ministry but our main goal will be adjusting to our new environment
so that we can be most effective and be able to stay long term.
How long will you be there?
This is a lifelong, indefinite calling.
We are committed to investing our lives in Skopje Macedonia, among its
people. Until God calls us somewhere
else, we will stay!
The technical answer is: CBF Field Personnel serve three-year
terms on the field and then have a few months in the U.S. During our time in the U.S., we will visit with family and
friends, and continue the ongoing work of support-raising so that we can remain
on the field.
Will you have to learn a language?
We will learn Macedonian and Albanian. Macedonian is the official
language of Macedonia. Most Macedonians speak some English and most official
business can be done in English. The majority of Albanians speak Albanian and
Macedonian, but very few speak English. Both of these languages are incredibly difficult (and, no, there is
not a Rosetta Stone for either…that was the first thing we checked on).
Where will you live once you get
there?
On our first full day in Macedonia we looked at all three choices and picked one! We moved in three days later. We decided to live in Center which allows us to be very close to just about everything. It has quickly become home for us and we love it!
Will you have a car?
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| Typical apartment building |
Will you have a car?
The CBF owns a vehicle in Skopje
that we will use, eventually. One of the best ways to learn language and
culture is to be immersed. A great way to do that is to ride public
transportation! Plus, we have a lot to learn about driving in Macedonia and we
think it’s important for us to be able to read the traffic signs, or at least know
what the pictures mean. :)
What about Ethan? If you ask Ethan where he is moving to, he will say “Mass-donia”. He can almost find it on the globe! We are excited that Ethan will have a global experience, learn multiple languages, live out compassion, and learn to love all of God’s people. We anticipate that Ethan will know the languages long before we will!
What organization is sending you?
We will serve through the
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). The Fellowship is a network of
churches across the globe that seek to spread God’s love among the
most neglected and marginalized people in the world. Click on the picture,
or follow this link to learn more about the CBF and the work that field personnel
are doing around the world.
How can I join you?
We continue to me amazed at how God
is moving people to participate in the ministry in Macedonia. We can’t go
without the prayer and financial support people willing to partner with us! Visit
our “get involved” page to see how you can join us!
