Quiet Obedience & Holy Ground in North Macedonia
We arrived in North Macedonia just a few days ago after crossing over from Tirana, Albania, and already this season feels different. Slower. Quieter. More hidden. Yet deeply intentional. The Lord has been inviting us into a posture we are learning to live moment by moment: ATL — Ask the Lord. This is a season of listening before acting, waiting before moving, and trusting that obedience does not always need to be loud to be powerful.
What we are discovering is that some of God’s deepest work happens not in big, dramatic moments but in simple, surrendered ones.
🎄 Christmas in a Hostel
We celebrated Christmas in a hostel, far from home and far from anything familiar. It was not traditional, but it was holy. In shared spaces, simple conversations, and quiet reflection, the Lord reminded us that Emmanuel is still Emmanuel, even in unexpected places. Christmas was not about where we were but about the nearness of God meeting us right there.
There was something sacred about celebrating the birth of Jesus surrounded by travelers from all over the world — people passing through, each carrying their own stories, joys, and burdens. It felt like a small glimpse of the Kingdom.
🏠 Ministry in the Common Room
Our ministry here has been very specific and very local. All of it has taken place inside our hostel, particularly in the common room and our shared room. These spaces have become places of connection, vulnerability, and quiet conversations. Ministry has looked like being present, listening well, sharing stories, praying when invited, and allowing the Lord to lead each interaction.
We are learning that being available is often more important than being busy. The Lord keeps reminding us that we do not need to search for ministry — He brings people directly into our living space.
☕ Meeting God in the Ordinary
Beyond the hostel, ministry has also happened through everyday rhythms — going to restaurants, sitting in coffee shops, walking, and exploring the city of Skopje. As we move through the city, we have had meaningful conversations and unexpected encounters. We’ve even met other Christians in restaurants and cafés, moments that remind us the Body of Christ is everywhere, even when it feels hidden.
These interactions may seem ordinary, but we are learning that God is always at work in the everyday. Sometimes obedience looks like slowing down enough to notice.
📖 Learning the Quiet Place
A large portion of our time here has been spent in Scripture — reading slowly, sitting with the Word, and letting it shape us. North Macedonia has become a place of learning how to seek the quiet place while still remaining interruptible. We are learning how to be still without disengaging and how to listen without rushing to act.
ATL has become a daily invitation: asking the Lord where to go, who to talk to, when to stay, and when to rest. Sometimes the answer is movement. Sometimes it is stillness. Both are acts of obedience.
🕊️ Being Interruptible Without Losing Intimacy
This season has been teaching us how to hold two things at once: deep intimacy with the Lord and open availability to people. The quiet place is not always found in isolation, but often in choosing to remain connected to God even as conversations interrupt our plans. The Lord is teaching us that obedience does not always feel productive, but it is always purposeful.
🙏 Ways You Can Pray
• For sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as we Ask the Lord daily
• For the people passing through our hostel, that seeds planted would take root
• For boldness paired with gentleness in conversations
• For rest, renewal, and discernment
• For continued unity and joy within our team
• For faithfulness in the quiet and unseen moments
📖 Kingdom Moments: Living ATL
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” — Luke 17:20-21
Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of God often comes quietly, in ways we may not immediately see. Living ATL means trusting that God is already at work around us — in ordinary spaces, small conversations, and hidden moments of obedience. As we continue to ask the Lord, follow Him, and remain available, we participate in His Kingdom in small but powerful ways. This season in North Macedonia is teaching us that faithfulness often looks like quiet presence, surrendered hearts, and attentiveness to His voice. Even when the impact feels invisible, God is moving, shaping, and using every moment for His glory.
With so much love,
Amanda 🤍
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