It's a New Look

(before)

(After)

One of the main things I was planning on getting done last week when I was in Albania, was to get the ministry center in Vlashi painted. But due to a combination of events, that didn't happen. One of the problems was the fact that it rained every afternoon I was there. (very unusual for it to rain every day in the summertime) This put the painter behind schedule and he was delayed from his current job as well. About all I could do was to pick out the color of the paint and have it all ready for him when he could get to it. Today I received a photo from Genti showing how nice it looks. Now I can't wait till I go back to see it!

What Do You Do When You Run out of Time?

(no I'm not standing on the steps)

Bartha is about my age and is such a warm and friendly lady.

Nurka (in the middle) attends the girls training classes and is learning so much. On the right is her mother.

When you are out of time and still much left to get done.....you do five home visits in one day and then drop dead! (mainly from all of the sugar you've consumed from all of the treats the hostesses have required the guests to eat) This is why I'm now writing this all in past tense and from my computer in Illinois. My "To Get Done" list was a bit zealous and consequently I ran out of time to do my blogging of all the events that happened last week. Therefore I will be dragging them out over the next week or so to get you all up-to-date on what took place. These pictures are of three of the homes we visited on Monday, my last day in the village. It was such a blessing talking with these great women. Spiritual issues were the main questions in their minds and what a joy to let them know that it is only through faith that we can experience the peace and contentment that God wants us so desperately to enjoy. We are still in the "season of planting." The fields are being prepared for a harvest in the near future.

The President Has Arrived

I haven't ever heard Tirana so quiet as today. The only noise that is constantly present is the dull hum of jets flying way high above the city. It never leaves and goes away. Seeing on the TV of Air Force One landing on the airport tarmack that we are so familar was a thrill. Sorry the picture is so distorted but it was the only way to give the general idea that it did happen. The news only gave bits and pieces of the where abouts of Bush and so Vera, our good friend, and I ventured out in search of a glimpse of what we might see. We were disappointed to learn that our main access to see anything of Bush was blocked and they were not letting anyone pass through the main boulevard to the buildings where meetings were going to be held. Thinking that we were sure of one street they would have to pass we began walking through the winding park paths over to the next main road called Elbasoni. The police were kind to let us wait near them since we told them all we wanted was a picture of the motorcade. I'm sorry my pictures are so poor because our vision was for just a short way and I had no prelude of what vehicle was coming into view. It was just a small window of opportunity for a clear shot of vision. Seeing the motorcade on TV of all the supporting vehicles is one thing but in a foreign country I was interested to see if there would be any differences. I was impressed by the military escort and several amored vehicles. Unfortunately they were passing too fast for my camera to respond and they passed out of my picture frame too quickly. So my pictures mainly captured the flags on the hood of the vehicle and also the seal on the other black suburban. It seems there will be no opportunity for any people to see Bush out of the vehicles. I just included the picture of the Sheraton Hotel that is nearby our place. Just for you to get a bit of perspective, it is full of our government security forces and has been closed to the public for the last week. This is another example of our wonderful tax dollars at work!

Friday afternoon class

(How many Albanian men does it take to hang a tapestry?)

job well done

Friday is the day for Beginner I and Grammar I English classes and also the guys and girls discipleship classes. I stopped in their classes this afternoon and took some pictures. Some of the students were absent due to this being the time for their school exams.

Also, anytime we are in the village there is usually some sort of project to complete. Today it was to put up the cross tapestry that I brought over.

Kasalle's Children Meeting

This afternoon our jeep jolted along the winding and bumpy road as we entered the village of Kasalle. It is such an uplifting experience to go and to see the joyful children and to see them learning their early steps of faith. Here are just a few of the many pictures that I took of the "little ones" that came today.

Great Event Coming

Yesterday Shpresa told me that a sayiny, "An Albanian loves Albania as much as they love America". I don't know how true that may be, but I do know that Albania is pulling out the red carpet (at least the red flags) for President Bush's visit on Sunday. I just came back from taking these pictures three blocks from our apartment. I'm sure there will be more to show you come this weekend. While I was taking the pictures of the flags across the street I thought everyone might enjoy seeing Albania's clone of McDonalds. We don't go there very often. All I need to say is that it is hard to duplicate McDonalds and come close.

A Sign of the Times

It's hard to believe that our neighborhood has developed one more trait of a big metropolitan city-no street parking. With all of our new nearby high rises besides all of the new trading business that these buildings bring with them, street parking is a premium. So what has happened is that our leisure system of at-will parking for our "old apartment" site is now being sucked-up by the new neighborhood foreigners. Therefore during our time away this spring, our apartment car owners went together to come up with a system whereby to save their precious parking places. In the picture you are to notice the "parking arm" that is activated by the "special" key that only is available to our building car owners.

It Feels So Good to be Back

The journey is always long but we know that before we leave Green Valley. It was just a few hours ago when I looked out the plane window and viewed the mountains and sea with the short strip of coastal farmlands between the two that is all so familiar and comforting to see once again. This time though, new places greeted me....the new airport facility. WOW! is all I can say. These pictures do not do it justice. But one thing was still the same, and that was the long foreigner line at the Passport Control booth. I watched and listened to one "not so patient" traveler comment to the official that a 30 minute line was not exactly what he would consider appropriate. Amused,I thought to myself and reflected about how far this has come in comparison to the old sheep barn of a short 12 years ago. I also must comment on the little things that make me laugh and chuckle under by breathe. It's the transit or sign for connecting flights....like travelers are flying into Tirana to make a connecting flight to go somewhere else? Or maybe it is just the great optimism for the future of this great facility! Anyway, I made the journey alone and for that I am sad to leave David with his corn fields in Illinois. I will be taking many pictures to keep everyone informed what is going on here. I'm looking forward to a great week.