Mandi "Mop-es"

Mandi Mapes, from The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL has been here hanging with us for the last 2 weeks.  Mandi, whose name is often pronounced by the Macedonian locals as Mandi Mop-es (a literal reading of her name in Macedonian), is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter, and her album is one that is often providing background music for our less-than-mundane-life in the Davis household.  It has been such a joy, not only to have Mandi here, but also to get to hear the story behind the songs she wrote.  She has been gracious to do a couple of concerts for us these last few weeks.  She was able to play in Prilep when we headed over there for our American Thanksgiving, and she has played at three different spots here in Ohrid including our coffee house which was packed out for her performance.  

Brian acted as her manager for the week. ;)  --Tuning the guitar, setting her concert schedule and making flyers for advertising.

During the course of the week, we all got to meet some new people and share our stories and Mandi's story with them.  We had a blast hanging out at concerts listening to Mandi bring glory to our Father in song while we attempted to make the most of every opportunity with every individual with whom we came in contact.

Mandi at our coffee house. 

I think she is famous in Ohrid now.  She brought about 50 cds to give out, and everyone wanted her autograph.  Plus, yesterday, Mandi, Hannah and Ginna went back to one of the coffee bars that she played in on Tuesday night and they were playing her album in there. When not playing at coffeehouses, Mandi has been hanging out with Hannah and Ginna visiting with people all around Ohrid. God is faithful!

One of my favorite parts of the week was listening to Mandi play in a local coffee bar after 10 P.M.  The room was filled with cigarette smoke. There were SO many people in there, it was standing room only which meant all the guys at the bar were crowding into the place where I sat, and Mandi was singing songs about "Sweet Sweet Grace" and "This little light of mine, oh, I'm gonna let it shine." and "Hollywood keeps singing about love, If they really had love, they'd be singing songs about Jesus."  and "Jesus paid it all. It is well with my soul." 

SO. STINKIN'. AWESOME!!!

Here are a few of her groupies.

This is one of the songs she did at our coffee house.  She had taught the crowd the chorus and had them sing along with her. Love it. So fun!

Our time with Mandi has been incredible.  I think her main purpose in coming was just to encourage Hannah and Ginna, but she ended up encouraging all of us, loving on us, and loving on our precious people of Ohrid.  We are so grateful for her willingness to be here and serve our Lord in a foreign land.  You can check out her website here.  Her music is available on iTunes.  Check her out!  And praise God for all the many opportunities we have had to share these last two weeks. Pray that the seeds will take root and bear fruit.