More pictures of the cross throwing

The Cross Throwing

January 19th is the day on the Orthodox calender when John the Baptist is celebrated. To remember him the priest takes a cross, purifies it in some water, and then throws the cross into the lake, blessing the lake. Whoever is the first to find the cross is supposed to have good luck for the whole year. He goes around with his friends, carrying the cross on a silver tray and people can give him money and kiss the cross. This gives those people good luck for the year as well. It's a big event! There were about 15,000 people by the lake to watch and hundreds of people jumped in the icy-cold lake, young, old, men, women. It was quite a sight to see! Even people who go swimming are said to be blessed because the cross purifies the lake for that day. I wonder what John the Baptist would have to say about this tradition...

Opening Night

Friday night was the Grand Opening of the coffee shop, Ima Vreme (There is Time). Some college kids from the church in Skopje came down. They were so great! They played for about 2 hours and then sat and talked with the customers in the kafich. We had about 50 people come out! Everything went so smoothly! No major mishaps. And the best news of all, a teenger, Angela, prayed to receive salvation! Praise God! And her cousin, Christian, said he had already prayed to receive Christ but was asking for God to show him the truth. Please pray for these new decisions and all of the seeds that were planted. A few of the college kids shared their testimony and all of the songs were about God. So hopefully we will get to see the fruits of that night!

Nam's Imen Den (Name Day)

Every Macedonian man who is named after a Saint (which is quite common) celebrates an Imen Den. For instance, on January 5th Saint Nam is celebrated. So on that day, every man who is named after this saint has a big party with lots of food and wine. They invite their whole family and all their friends to come by their house and celebrate. Melanie and I have gotten to be good friends with Nam and Nade, our landlords. Also, the lady holding the bowl of chocolates is Nade, Nam's wife. As soon as you come in and get seated, she hands you a piece of chocolate :) I like that tradition. Nam's son, Ilche even came down from Skopje. He is in the picture with Melanie and I. And I must say, Kate and Nam have become quite the pair!