- Missions
Our summer camp in Struga, Macedonia, was amazing, and we are so thankful. We had between 21-26 kids each day, and many of them came to our events for the first time. We had Albanian, Turkish and Roma children. They all came from Muslim backgrounds.
Some of the kids were very resistant at first. They had come with the idea to have fun with the activities, but not be converted to Christianity, and not to dishonor their families by learning about Jesus. The kids were honest that they were not there to learn about Jesus. But, Jesus gave us so much grace and love for these kids that we continue to show kindness, and we knew he was working in them as well.
The Good Samaritan story was the first lesson, and the idea of loving your neighbor and even your enemy was very foreign to most of the kids. We shared with them the parable of the sower, the story of Zacchaeus and how Jesus is the only one that can change your heart, and more of the gospel.
Related: ‘Now I know that the cross isn’t shameful’
We saw that the kids were learning the stories and asking questions. After the story of Zacchaeus, one of the kids wanted to know if Jesus can change your heart if you are a Muslim? Great question! Andy responded kindly: “Did Jesus ask Zacchaeus if he was a Muslim? Of course, he can. He loves all of you!”
We also had a few moms who ended up hanging out with us, listening to the stories, and singing the worship songs. One of the moms said that the kids at home were singing, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do ...” Her husband, who is a practicing Muslim, was not very happy that the kids had been learning Christian songs but seeing how much the kids loved the camp he couldn’t stop them from coming. Those kids had a blast. They also learned that we could pray to God in our language, and it doesn’t need to be in Arabic.
Related: New church/community center reaches Albanian-speaking children in Macedonia
A girl who has been coming to Life Center and other events mentioned to me that she had dreamt about the stories, but these dreams were before we told the stories! God is amazing, and he works in amazing ways. Her mom wanted to take her and her sister to the mosque to learn about Islam, but her dad opposed that idea. He mentioned that they are coming to our programs and learning “good religion lessons” there. We are good friends and neighbors with this family and love to see how God is working in their life.
On the last day of the camp, I saw all the neighborhood ladies having coffee outside our apartment building, and I joined them. I was so surprised to hear how one of the children’s moms shared the story about Martha and Mary with the other ladies in the neighborhood she had heard at Life Center. I loved hearing her teach others from the kid’s stories we had shared. The ladies asked me when I will have a summer camp for moms. So, this is something I really need to pray about and ask God for wisdom.
God is good, and we saw that throughout this week. We know many seeds were planted in those little hearts. They will grow, and we will pray that they will decide to follow Christ and be the first generation of Christian believers among the Albanians in this community.
Learn how you and your church can help the Morisseau family reach the Albanian Muslims of Macedonia with the gospel.
