Scott Jackson

After a quieter month in August, life in September picked back up to it's normal pace as people came back from holidays, and normal routines kicked in.  The seasons of the year can also in many ways reflect the seasons of life, both physical and spiritual.  Starting the new season from a place of rest helps to prepare us for the time ahead, with greater sense of focus, clarity and energy.

Kids Seminar....

Early in summer, Hristina and I were asked to be the key speakers at a kids seminar in August in the Methodist Church in the village of Murtino in the south-east of the country.  I led the main messages, and Hristina translated me and led the group sessions.  The focus was to be on running the race, using the Scripture from Philippians 3:14...

“I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.”

We looked at the race we are being invited to take part in, what will help us in it, and the reminder of what we are aiming for.

Over the course of the seminar from a Friday evening to Sunday afternoon we had 35 kids attend, from Murtino and neighbouring villages.  It was a blessed time with talks, small group discussions, games/arts & crafts, and plenty of laughter. 

Below show some photos from the weekend, and on one, our makeshift running shoes that we made for Hristina and I to race each other, showing how important it is to have the right equipment.

Young Life....

Even though our first club of the season didn't start until Saturday 26th September, we've had a busy few weeks on the team, starting with having our Team Retreat & Planning Day on the 26th August, where we left the city for a day to spend the time drawing close to the Lord, in devotions and planning as a team what the next season could look like with different club themes and messages. We also we able to include a number of kids in the older Young Life group who were considering joining the younger team as Junior Leaders. Many of them later confirmed that they would like to join as Junior Leaders.

In September, as a team we went and spent a weekend at a retreat centre alongside the Young Life teams from across the Balkans, from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania.  We were 72 in total.  The theme of the Regional Prayer Weekend was Courage, with the Scripture being John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

Our last activity of September was a Fundraising Dinner that was held on Monday 28th with the aim of all funds raised going towards Young Life's Capernaum Ministry here in Macedonia, which works with kids with special and additional needs. We had over 30 people in attendance and it was a great evening.

This season we have moved venue for our clubs, into a bigger venue with better layout.  This will hopefully help us to plan different things in the clubs that we're not very practical in the last venue.

Below are a couple of photos from the fundraising evening and from the Prayer Retreat. 

Guests and 16-House United Corporate Prayer....

In September we welcomed a couple of friends from Northern Ireland, both from different places, to join us.  The timing of their arrival crossed over perfectly with a couple of activities taking place during their time with us.  The first being a Evangelistic Crusade that took place in the City Centre.  One of the main evangelistic ministries in Skopje held a large crusade in the city centre with a large stage, worship teams, speakers and prayer ministry.  On one of the evenings, we were able to go and support.  There was definitely spiritual warfare going on, with multiple Muslims nearby who were not happy.

Our 16-Hour United Corporate Prayer took place from 10pm on Friday evening to 2pm Saturday afternoon.  It was wonderful.  Over the course of the time we had 9 different churches and ministries that led in prayer and worship, pressing into God for the growth of His kingdom in Skopje and Macedonia.  This was our third one of the year, with the aim being to have another in December.

Hristina joins Elim's Missions Academy....

In September Hristina joined this year's Missions Academy in Elim, which is the same academy as I undertook before coming out to Macedonia.  This is a great opportunity for Hristina to learn more about the mission of Christ, and life as a missionary.  I'm thrilled to be able to help Hristina in any way that I can as she journey's through it.  With the rest of the people on the Academy it will involve zoom meetings every month until next June, going through a reading list and writing a missions portfolio as well as other things.

Thanksgiving

• For the kids seminar in Murtino, that the kids engaged with the messages and had a great time.
• For great times together as a team in Young Life, planning the next season, spending time in prayer and fundraising for the special needs ministry.
• For the friends who came to join us in September and that they were able to take part and support in the evangelistic crusade and time of prayer.
• For a successful time of corporate prayer between churches and ministries, with multiple people taking part.
• For Hristina being able to join Elim's Missions Academy.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for Hristina as she journeys through the Missions Academy, that she is able to both input and receive from it everything that the Lord desires.
• For Hristina and I.  In September we hit our first year anniversary.  It has been a wonderful year.  Please pray for us as we continue seeking the Lord and stepping out into all that He has for us.
• Please pray for more openness to the Gospel, and that the Spirit of God would move and breathe within the nation.
• From the 5th-7th November, Hristina and I are planning to go to Budva, Montenegro for the Balkan Call prayer and reconciliation gathering.  It will last for 3 days, and is about bringing together believers from the different ethnicities in the Balkans to pray in repentance and forgiveness, for healing between the nations in the region and the outworking of the Lord's kingdom.

Thank you for taking the time to read our latest newsletter, and thank you for your support, both in prayer and financially.  It is wonderful how this is a partnership, both spiritually and physically, and so how you are supporting us, is having an impact here in Macedonia.

Much love and every blessing in Christ,
Scott and Hristina

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