Our first 10 days

We have been here in Strumica just about a week and a half but it feels like so much longer. The pace of life is quite slow here, which has its ups and downs. It's great because it seems like we've gotten so much accomplished. However, the days feel long and in my mind I'm ready to hit the hay when it's only 8:30.

The Div. I team had their first practice on Thursday, August 26. Andrew had been practicing with the team up until this Wednesday when we found out that there will be a Div. II team! The Lord has answered favorably to our prayer! They're calling the team "ABA II" and will begin practice on Monday, September 6. There is a good chance another American will be coming over to play on ABA II as well. Andrew is having some foot/heal pain however, please pray for healing!

The trip to Turkey ended up not happening. As it turns out, they may or may not have been able to meet with Jerry Colangelo or do some of the other networking they had hoped to. With a ten hour drive one way and only 24 hours in Turkey, they decided it wouldn't be wise to use their resources on a chance encounter. Needless to say, Andrew was pretty disappointed. Fortunately, we found out about the ABA II team the same day, which probably lightened the blow.

I have been spending around 4 hours per day working with Anna (23; wife of David, a Div. I player) at creating an Athletes in Action Macedonia website. It's creatively and organizationally challenging, but I'm really enjoying it. We hope to have it up and running very soon! We will be working together to keep the site updated and will have game highlights and statistics available on the website when the time comes.

I also learned that I will be coaching the girls 5th to 8th grade basketball team. Practices haven't started yet, but I've already begun jotting down practice ideas and gleaning knowledge from the basketball aficionados surrounding me. You're welcome and encouraged to advise me as well!

We've taken two lessons in Makadonski (Macedonian) so far. Learning the alphabet is difficult as is spitting out some of their letter combinations like "Zdravo," which means "Hello." We're catching on though, and I think people appreciate the effort.