It All Started With 10 Meals

In 2000, the “Miss Stone” Center – named after the former missionary Ellen Stone – was established in Strumica (North Macedonia). Even back then, the idea was to be there for people in need. It’s amazing to see how much has grown since then – and it stands as an impressive witness of tireless dedication and genuine compassion.
 
When the idea of a meal delivery service for people in need was put into action in 2001, there were just 10 people who were provided with hot meals in this way. And, as Christina Cekov writes in the latest issue of “Miss Stone News,” even this was met with unexpected resistance: “Envious neighbors and family members – who themselves did nothing to care for these individuals – caused significant trouble; they tried to convince the recipients that by accepting and eating food provided by ‘Protestants’, they would turn into ‘Protestants’ themselves.” Time and again, those in charge were also asked: “If not even my own descendants want to care for me anymore – why are you doing it?” A question that those in charge could hardly answer without referring to the foundation of this ministry: faith, hope, and love.
 
Growing Need – Growing Work
Ten years later, the work of the “Miss Stone Center” was recognized – and there were already well over 100 people receiving a hot meal delivered to their homes five times a week. Today, 25 years after the first hot meal was delivered, 220 people are being served by “Meals on Wheels”.
 
Remarkable Reliability
The fact that the work has never had to be interrupted for even a single day throughout all these years – despite COVID-19, problems with the water supply, and financial and staffing challenges – is anything but a given. Christina Cekov writes: “God has carried us through many difficult times and countless challenges. Our gratitude goes first and foremost to Him, as well as to all those who have supported us in any way, thereby making this ministry possible in the first place.” A statement that, however, requires an addition: for without the impressive and inspiring dedication of the staff under the leadership of Martin Konev, the work would not exist in its current form. What they regard as their mission and calling is stronger than the difficulties.
 
Expansion of the Work
The work has long since expanded to include the distribution of an additional 50 hot meals to people in need in the nearby small town of Radovish. These meals are also prepared day after day in the kitchen of the “Miss Stone Center”. A home care ministry has also been established. About 30 people who are barely able – or no longer able at all – to leave their homes receive reliable housekeeping assistance and care, as long as this does not require the services of a medical doctor. And sometimes those in charge also organize firewood, clothing, or other forms of practical assistance.
 
A Difficult Balance
Due to the reality that many people are leaving North Macedonia to find better-paying work elsewhere, it has become very difficult to ensure a stable staffing situation. And finding new, qualified staff is proving to be an ever-greater challenge. This is because paying higher salaries carries the risk of throwing the entire project’s budget out of balance. The 2027 budget allocates approximately EUR 210,000 for “Meals on Wheels” and hot meals in Radovish. More than 40% of this amount is raised locally – including in-kind donations. While these expected expenses may seem like a very large sum – and indeed it is a considerable amount – it is put into perspective somewhat when one considers that around 70,000 meals are prepared each year. 3 Euros per day for care, food, and hope – that’s a fair price.
 
Source: Christina Cekov, Strumica / Urs Schweizer, Zurich

  
Photo © Christina Cekov: Hot Meal for Radovish