Bits and Tidbits

I always like it when special and unusual things happen when we come to Albania. Two days again at approximately 7:35 a.m. there was an earthquake with a magnatitude of about 6...significant anyway. And low and behold the center of the quake was in Mimenas, Albania (one half mile from Vlashi). I was in Vlashi this afternoon for meetings and took a picture of the ceiling in the health clinic. The cracks were very noticeable. Shpresa said she was just waking and said the bed was really shaking and the glass picture on the wall fell and broke. Others in Tirana said they felt movement. I'd have to say that I was still suffering from jet lag and didn't notice much unusual.

Next item or tidbit is about the main activity of the day-children's meeting in Kasalle. Here is a picture of the team preparing to leave. Each meeting the equipment is loaded in the jeep and they travel about one hour to the village to teach the children. On the way home and near the village we saw this bride getting in the car. Mandi stopped the jeep, got out and asked if we could take her picture. This is copy of what brides years ago would have worn.

Lastly, I couldn't resist taking a picture of this cow chewing her cud (which is a sign of great contentment) and proudly showing off her hair ribbon and bow! (should I say a sign of great love and affection of her owner)

Visit to Darshen

It was drizzling when we left the city this morning but when we climbed higher up the mountain the fog and rain started to set in. This picture isn't the best (sorry Cydil) but I hope you can tell that we are traveling on a one lane road that weaves itself around the mountain. Here we are pulled over in a wide part waiting for the oncoming car to pass.

This is today's group of children. The girls don't come in the summer because they must stay home and work. Generally, there will be about 25 children each week when they come after school. This building is a vacated house that is located near the school. We rent it per week.

Darshen's homes date back several generations and look like something out of a "Robin Hood" movie. They are so cool. The roofs are made of slate and the walls are of stone. If you ever had the urge to live in something ethnically Albanian, here is where you should go. We visited two homes of several children that attend our meetings.

(David, this picture is for you. You know what I think of all your "lady and her cow " pictures. But anyway, the great thing is I gave this lady a choice of where she would like her picture taken -in front of her pretty flowers or with her cow. Of course, you know her answer!) Why do you always have to be sooo right all of the time, David?)

(I need to make a correction for yesterday's entry. Those were not shocks of wheat. It was shocks of corn. What was I thinking? It's not time for wheat harvest! So much for the country girl. In all fairness, it has been awhile since I've seen corn in "shocks". After all, this is my first time to be in Albania in September.)

I've been told there has been no rain for nearly two months and so what happens all night and then this morning as we head to the mountain village for the children's meeting....it rains. Taking pictures is right up there on my "to do list" and rain doesn't mix with photography. We didn't let the rain dampen our spirits and we had a great time anyway. I'm just going to caption the photos for brevity.

Arrived

Coming down late this morning from the Albanian sky, out of my window I saw all of these polka dots in the fields. After thinking about it for a moment, I realized that it was shocks of wheat standing in the fields. I will try to get a close up picture of them for you later in the week. What contrast it reminds me of life there and of life here. The fields of harvest are so great. Talking and discussing those spiritual fields was what I did later this afternoon in a coffee bar with Genti and Shpresa. I caught up on all the latest happenings in the village and we made plans for the upcoming days. I love their contagious smiles! It demonstrates their contagious christianity as well.

Staying in Touch

Sorry there is no picture for this post, but I didn't want to continually disappoint you by not having a post for so long. Things in Albania almost come to a standstill for the month of August (not much different than the Iraqi government) and therefore there have been no transmissions at this time. Nevertheless, I wanted to let you know that I will be making a quick trip to Albania on Labor Day, Sept. 3, and will mainly doing some business matters and also including many visits, which is the best reason for going to Albania! I will try to send an update regularly during my time over there. Please stay in touch.

"Jesus" Movie

For many summers, Campus Crusade has done great evangelistic campaigns all over Albania. One of their most effective tools they have used is the "Jesus" movie. But this summer they used a revised and updated version and made it available to be used in Albania. Genti sent these pictures that he took when the "Jesus" movie was shown in the village of Vlashi. He was really pleased with the response of the villagers in their attendance and attention throughout the entire showing.

Wheat Harvest

In the summer when we are harvesting wheat I can't help but always think of the verse in Matthew where Jesus refers to the condition of lost souls by comparing them to the fields that are "ripe unto harvest". All the time during winter and spring the wheat fields are so very green and lush. But as the plant begins to put on its head of grain and it starts to develop, that lush green hue starts to lighten, turning a gorgeous yellow. Then as it dries and is nearing cutting time, that yellow gets even lighter and lighter and becomes near to white. With the mindset of a farmer, harvest time is a compeling time. It is a gratitfying time. May our thoughts and desires of the "harvest of souls" be likewise.

Summer Days

Albania would feel slighted if summer would go by without temps in the triple digits. And so, this will not be one of those "slighted summers". Genti just emailed and said the weather has been so hot that life has mostly come to a stand still. Unfortunately, that is not where it ends. Water also has become critical. Out in the village they are getting one hour of water every other day with very little pressure. Life without water in hot temperatures becomes almost unbearable. The level of stress reaches high levels.

Arjan sent some pictures of recent meetings in Kasalle with the children. Arjan is now taking over the position of Eldina. He is still continuing his former work in Vlashi. We are so grateful for his willingness to add more to his schedule. PSF is so blessed to have such quality workers.

The girls training center has stopped classes for the month of August. Genti and Shpresa emailed and said that Nertila is getting married this weekend. We will miss her gracious spirit and eagerness to learn. She will be living in Italy. Does this sound like a repeat after repeat of the stories of the lives of the girls in Vlashi? Shpresa has been visiting Nertila's home this week and she mentioned that already visitors are coming to give their well wishes and also the dancing and feasting are gearing up.