Oleveni or bust!!!

Home is the nicest word there is. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder

See that pretty little home, shining brightly in the center of the picture????  Well, last Thursday, it became ours!  YAY!  We bought at house!

This is sweet Nattie-girl, unlocking the gate for the first time!

We are so excited! Let me share with you a little back story, because often times, that is the most interesting part....

We have been looking at this house since last October. For several reasons (the biggest being that it's not a "legalized" home), we thought it wouldn't work out. Then, in December, the Macedonian government passed a law allowing a grace period for non-registered homes to become legalized. We immediately filed the paperwork and began the process of legalization, and we began pursuing the purchase of the home (again).

We didn't know much history about the house, other than it's been empty for many, many years, and the man who built it for his family is deceased, and ownership had been transferred to a distant relative, living in Australia. Last Thursday, when Zo signed the paperwork, the great nephew of the original owner (Nikola) shared with Zo this history.

Nikola and his wife (who were born in 1911 and 1914, respectively) had five children. They lived in the village of Oleveni (where our home is located), in a older homestead. After WWII, when the former Yugoslavia was still reeling from the ravages of war, Nikola packed up what he could carry, kissed his wife and children goodbye, and ran for the Greek border, in search of a better life. Let that sink in.  He was a refugee.

At the border with Greece, he was shot at, and then made to live in a refugee camp for two months before he was granted passage to Australia.  Imagine his wife's fear as she waited to hear from her husband. Imagine the children - unsure of their father's fate.

Nikola made it safely to Australia and was granted asylum with a refugee status.  He then began working, so that he could send for his wife and five children. I don't know how long it took him, but eventually, he was able to save enough money for his family to join him in Australia.  And there they stayed, for almost 25 years.  But their hearts were in Macedonia, so when it was safe to do so, in the late 70's Nikola and his wife returned.  And they built our house.

It has been amazing to find their old passports, showing their trips to Australia and back. The house even has family pictures (most of which make the kids laugh - imagine 1970's Eastern Europe family photos). The beauty and love that was built into that home has already been a blessing to us, and we haven't even moved in yet.  I love that God cares about the details (as my friend, Kassie, reminded me).  That we arrived in Macedonia last Fall, were immediately moved to help the refugees crossing through Greece, while seeking a place to put down roots and establish as our home.  And God saw fit to lead us to a house that was built by a refugee.  For his family. For their life. With hope for a future. Wow!  See why we are excited?

For those of you who are interested in knowing more about the area, here are a couple of facts about Oleveni:

• Oleveni is a village that is 5 miles outside of Bitola, Macedonia and about 8 miles from the border with Greece.
• In 2002, the population of Oleveni was 157.
• The artifacts and prayer chapels that we posted pictures of two weeks ago, are in the village.
• When we move in, our address will be:  The Family Naskov, Oleveni Village, Macedonia.  Hahahaha!  I guess the mailman will just figure out which house is ours! 

As a side note, but of equal importance in establishing our life in Macedonia.... Karpa of Europe (Zo's company) hired it's first four software employees (two started this past Monday and two more will start next week).  We also hired a office/life assistant for Karpa. She started Monday as well.  Which was perfect timing, since we have a TON to do to get ready to move in and get the business up and running. She's part-time translator and building contractor with me and part-time office administrator with Zo.  Never a dull moment around here! 

So now you know why it's been a little quiet from the Naskov front, as of late.  We have been crazy busy!  I can't wait to show you more pictures, as we make progress in getting our new home move-in ready!