Last week was the start and end of Pivo Fest here in Prilep. This "Beer Fest" drew 250,000 extra people to our city for 4 days of festivities, beer, all the meat you can eat, as well as a smashing concert to wrap it up on the last day. The crowd was literally shoulder to shoulder in our normally sleepy town. The main streets were closed down, restaurants spilled out into the walkways and streets with extra tables, chairs and umbrellas. Stages and fair rides and grills went up in no time. Hotels were booked not only in town, but the surrounding cities. People came from all over--just for Pivo Fest.
A volunteer group from Rustin, Louisiana came to help us during this time. Taking advantage of the crowds, a few animated and energetic volunteers performed a short drama to get attention. Afterwords, we handed out bottles of water and invitations to the seminar entitled, "How to fill your heart".
We achieved capturing the attention of many, including some local police officers who gave us two minutes to "wrap it up' and move on. Thursday and Friday nights were good turn outs for the seminar, and Chris from Rustin did a great job. We were also able to meet some new people.
Saturday night, we had a ladies seminar and were able to meet several new women. Melodye did an awesome job sharing her heart and following the leading of the Lord to minister to the ladies who were present.
Over all, it was a great week. Now our town is back to its usual sleepy self, the stir reverting from the streets into the coffee shops. We look forward to meeting the 30+ people who signed up for the upcoming Spanish classes for the intensive Summer course and to the friendships that await.
