The Culture of Coffee
Written by Amy Schuett.
Friendships and Coffee
Steam rises from a mug of dark coffee in a room with dim lights and soft music. The aroma of roasting beans and caffeine fill the air, mingling with the murmur of conversation. There’s something about a cup of coffee that allows for friendship to begin and relationships to grow.
The people in Northern Macedonia appreciate its charm to welcome the stranger, build relationships, and get to know their neighbors.
Macedonia
is a small European country landlocked by Greece, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria.
Many have read of Paul’s travels through Macedonia in Acts, and herald the country as a place of the early church where mighty disciples like Paul, Silas, and Timothy brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The country has developed and evolved dramatically since Paul’s day, moving into modernity while holding on to its rich history.
A Culture of Caring
Macedonian culture is characterized by a love to take care of others and a desire to get to know them.
Daily life involves meeting people at the market, whether friend or stranger, and going back home to share a meal. Imagine walking up to the wrong house and knocking on the door, only to be invited in for a cup of coffee and conversation. Macedonians often have a special sensitivity to guests and foreigners, always wanting to make them feel welcome.
Whomever may stop by, a pot of coffee is always at hand to encourage openness and invite friendship.
Also present in this culture is a deep desire to serve others.
If someone stops to ask for directions, many Macedonians would rather give bad information than refuse to offer assistance. Others willingly stay up with each other for late nights after a long day’s work, sharing that beautifully warm and fragrant cup of coffee, exchanging stories, laughter, and friendship.
Opportunities to Share
Within Macedonian culture, there is an understanding that friendships are forged not in words, but in time spent together.
Periods of silence are often welcome. It’s not about “what’s next” or “what are we doing;” rather, it’s about being with those around them. When sitting down for an afternoon or evening cup of coffee together, it’s expected to spend a long time together - two hours would be considered short!
Woven into the fabric of Macedonia is this: a willingness to love others and welcome them into their homes, an eagerness to serve the foreigners and strangers, and an ability to warmly share life with those around them. This love and openness naturally allows for Gospel conversation. Doors are open for Christ-followers to share the good news of Jesus Christ, let’s pray Macedonian hearts will be open too.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
