Look Who's Here!

We get her for 8 days.

But lest you think we're on holiday, I'm sorry to burst your bubble.  Gigi's blending right in with regular life.  And taking care of her own ministry business and appointments.

But with the occasional Grandma slumber party thrown in.  And having the occasional lunch waiting for us when we get back from language class at 12:45.

And if you're wondering where the Ellie and Gigi hug photo might be... well, I would have liked to see it too, but a friend of Dad's who works at the airport recognized us and grabbed Ellie's hand, pulling her through the sliding 'do not enter' doors at customs and let Ellie and Gigi have their own reunion at the baggage carousel. Only in Albania...

Why Do I Love Albania? This

What's better on a spring day than a fresh glass of kos and singing "Happy Birthday" (in Shqip, of course) to a new friend on her 60th birthday?

Ellie had just spontaneously hugged her and said, "Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl!"
That's why we call her our little ambassador!

Wednesday we visited a sweet village family who are regulars at the ministry center.  On our way out the door they told us how difficult it was to grow their produce because they have no well or access to city water.  BUT, they have generous neighbors who allow them to fill buckets from their well.  I commented that they sounded like wonderful, generous neighbors and our hostess B agreed, insisting that we meet them.

So what happened?  An impromptu coffee al fresco next door!

No sooner had we greeted them and the daughters-in-law started bringing out chairs and rugs for seating.  Then the dining room table and cloth.  Then glasses of freshly-made kos (a salty/sour drinkable yogurt), apples, and cake.

I have heard about the infusion of 'new people' to our little village and how it has changed the dynamic (and look) of the community.  I know that not all have been very warmly welcomed and I was curious to hear the story of our new hosts as they are not 'townies' (as we used to call 'em in Wilmore).  How did they find our little village?

She shared a little bit of their life in the north, of walking three hours to work before raising eight children, of marrying her husband on her birthday, 43 years ago that day (they married on her birthday, at his suggestion -- out of haste because tongues were wagging that she had insisted on meeting him before their pre-arranged marriage took place).  How they had to speak their native language in the secrecy of their home because their proximity to national borders at one time had them living in territory of questionable loyalty.  Oh the stories within the walls of just this little community. But yes, they liked their new village very, very much, in spite of the politician's failures to improve their roads and electricity issues (the climb alone to their gate requires strong legs and solid footing -- no roads near them!)

Before long, the other half of our group was calling.  When would we be back at the center for lunch?  Oh yes, back to the real world of grilled cheese sandwiches and pink lemonade waiting.

On our way out we had to take just one more photo because the view (and the luxury of a grass yard!) were so special.

Later that night we we were able to enjoy the company of old friends.  Ellie called Demir "Grandpa" in Shqip one time and I think he kinda liked the sound of it.  Demir helped us a few days this week with some projects around the center and Mira made the group a fantastic traditional dessert.  So grateful for old friends.

And in case you're wondering about Reni, this particular evening he announced before the end of supper that he was tired and going up to bed.  A few minutes later I checked on him and sure enough, out like a light.  In his clothes.

So You Want to Ride a Gomar? (aka: Happy Kids)

Today we took our out of town guests to the nearby city of Kruje.  It was a former capital of Albania and rich with "Skenderbeg" history.

While we were enjoying the nice temps with an outdoor coffee break, a man with two donkeys (also known in Shqip as gomari) walked by, just beyond the edge of the outdoor seating area.  Let me interject with the detail that we see donkeys walk by the ministry center several times a day, and many a time our guests (who happen to live 11 miles south of the thoroughbred capital of the world) have sighed about their desire to ride one of these beasts of burden before leaving.  Seeing an opportunity at hand this morning, one of the more outgoing members of the group asked with a combination of hand motions and English if he could ride one of the man's two animals.  The farmer happily obliged.  Before long, everyone was asking to sit astride the gomar, including Ellie and Reni.

Reni had been dying to pet it, and enjoyed just feeling its mane during his first several seconds on top.

Then, he struck his best Skenderbeg pose!

Living History...

As I look at the photo above, I didn't remember her being this small.  Her hugs were firm.  Her hand on my back was solid.  Nothing about her seemed diminutive.  She kissed me with enthusiasm.  At least six times.  Then she learned my maiden name and I was kissed on alternating cheeks all over again.

In a high, almost raspy voice she rapidly spilled words of praise for my parents.

With knees aching from arthritis she quickly sank into the couch and sighed with a smile on her face.  She told me in Shqip, "I said to your dad last time he visited, 'Just put me in a bag and take me home with you!'"

Then, "Having you here is like having your parents visit." (I highly doubt that, but accepted the compliment).  As for their absence today, "They are getting old like me and can't get out of the house." (ha, ha!)

I thought of the arduous walk up the mountain to her home and knew she was surely housebound.  I wondered how long it had been since she had left her hillside as the paved road ended about a 15-minute walk (with good legs) below.

Having been assigned to the co-operative, hard work robbed her body during its strongest years.  Her husband, no doubt as sturdy as she had surely been, died just last year... working in the field.

When we asked how long she had been married, and at what age she was married, she couldn't remember.

Conversation moved to the stories of her grandchildren, sitting with us in the room.  Both children had miraculous stories of survival.  They sat silently while we talked about them, but we affirmed their mother, that God did indeed intervene in their lives, most suredly so they would know of His great love for them, and I marveled again. I marveled how I was sitting in this little mountain side home.  Marveled that we could testify to His goodness.  Marveled that I was witnessing years of sowing love into hearts that was showing signs of sprouting faith in One above.

Parting is such ... a slobbery mess

Nathan and I debated for a few days whether or not to post this video... but in the end, we just had to share this with the grandparents.

To set this up, Ellie is taking her bird over to Vera's house to stay while we are out in Vlashaj.  To prepare you, she is quite emotional as she has worked herself up over the impending farewell, but says some pretty cute things...



In the end, Vera gave Ellie a set of her house keys for her to drop in and visit whenever she might need to, as well as offered to hold the telephone up to Squanto's ear (?) if she wanted to call and talk to him from the village.

Channeling our Inner VanGogh

One of many projects this week is a mural inspired by Psalm 139, a passage the kids have been working to memorize this winter.  Abby sketched the initial design in her notebook...

... then suggested we let the kids help in the painting.

Anna works to sketch out the lettering for the text.

Painting was a HUGE hit.  The kids took it so seriously, shading, layering, mixing colors, highlighting...

Especially this little boy who was convinced the whale was his responsibility.

Abby was a saint and somehow managed to keep the enthusiasm under control... to an extent. We had to limit the number of kids who could be in the room at a time.

 Ellie had an equally fabulous day, her first of spring break.  She caught 2 lizards, a frog, and a snake.  And had lots of play time with her best friends here.  She was excited to announce at supper time that the frog got eaten by a chicken.  Such is life...

Out of Towners

We have friends from Kentucky visiting. It's so fun.  They're not as crazy as they look here (this is half of them).  The kids are in heaven.  Especially Reni as his Bryce is here.  He rarely lets him out of his sight. 

I didn't realize how little 'guy time' Reni gets here between his best friend being his sister and having 2 female teachers.  Anyway, we're in the village for the week.  Internet time will be sporadic, unless I have more photos too good not to share.

Coffee Break

One of our favorite things about Albania is the 'coffee culture.'  It's absolutely, 100% okay to stop what you're doing to connect with someone over a hot beverage.

Saturday was Women's Day so we took the kids from the Hope Center out for coffee on us to celebrate.

Ellie pretty much only drinks water or milk, so coffee stops aren't too much fun for her.  So she makes up her own fun...

Reni is relishing a "grown-up" drink of Diet Coke, a real treat

Women's Day...

It's not easy being a woman in Albania.  Literally the announcement of your gender at birth can be cause for great disappointment and sadness in a culture that celebrates and idolizes its sons.

Then you grow and reach adolescence and your freedoms get stripped away.  No freedom to roam the neighborhood with your friends.  That bicycle you enjoyed riding?  Taken away.  Want to just run for the exercise or the fun of it?  Forget it.  Folks will talk and your parents will be shamed into keeping you home because they don't want to be blamed for for giving you too much freedom.  Then you marry and move into your husband's family's home and his family becomes YOUR family and you are asked to forget about where you came from.  You work for them and are so busy, you have no control over your schedule.  No time to let down and be with friends.  You care for your in laws.  You are under pressure to have a son.  All the while your appearance, your work ethic, and your lifestyle choices are under constant criticism of your family and neighbors. And the cycle continues.

Yes, it's tough being a woman in this culture.  

But one day per year you get a reprieve.  One day you get a break from the cooking.  One day you can forget your responsibilities, dress up, and laugh and dine with your girlfiends and for once enjoy being feminine.

Saturday in Albania was Women's Day.  We celebrated with some friends at a local country restaurant outside of Vlashaj.  It was all about food, friendship, and lots of fun!

There's a traditional dance that all women here know.  It's surprisingly difficult for as simple as it looks.  Or that could just be me...
I settled for documenting the dancing rather than participating in it. :-)

)

Throughout lunch women would leave their food for a moment and join others on the dance floor.  Periodically, Shpresa would lean over and say, "That dance is from the south of Albania," or, "That dance is from Tropoje," (more high knees and hopping -- think Irish river dance minus the clogs) and I could envision the women in their beautiful traditional costumes.

I included the video above so you could hear a snippet of the melody and cadence.

Interestingly, we learned that Women's Day in Albania (it's also considered "Mother's Day" here too) is believed to have roots in communist days.  Intersting...

Last Call...

Thank you, thank you friends and family for so generously supporting the village knitting project in Vlashaj!  The women have been SO encouraged by the success of the sales of their scarves.  We know spring is soon upon us, so we're doing one last push before taking a sale break until next fall.  A few more pieces have been added to the website.  Shipping charges are waived for those who can pick up their orders in Wilmore, Kentucky or Pekin, Illinois.

Visit:  http://villageknitsalbania.blogspot.com/

What Happens When...

... you line dry your laundry in your windowless bedroom:

That bottom shelf in your wardrobe becomes a breeding ground for mold.

Six more pairs of shoes have been washed on the hot cycle and are now drying on the outside line.  Hoping and praying that we don't find any more 'surprises' in our room (and that we don't get sick)!

Olympic Spirit

We didn't catch much of the Winter Olympics this year (granted, we don't have a TV).  What we did see was viewed over lunch on the laptop/internet, but the McDonald's ads were a bit distracting and discouraging (and I don't even like their chicken nuggets).  Have I ever mentioned it's been 5 months and 28 days since I've had a Diet Coke? Something about images of cheeseburgers makes me crave fountain Diet Coke on ice.  As a side note, we could watch American television on Slingbox if we wanted (or had time), but the ads are just tortuous (e.g. Outback, Logan's, Texas Roadhouse...), so for now, we stick to Netflix. And I almost exclusively drink room temperature water.

Anyway, once a month we host a game night in the village. In the spirit of the Olympics, I suggested we do some team games.  Nathan did some research online and game up with a great slate of activities (what in the world did missionaries do before the internet?).  No sooner had we gotten ready to start and the lights went out.  For about an hour and a half.  Power has been so much better here in recent years that I had a bit of a panic wondering what we'd do for lights to carry on.  Thankfully, my parents are Mr. and Mrs. Prepared, and had furnished the apartment above with a couple of triple candle lanterns which we brought down from upstairs to supplement cell phone lights.

Maybe you've seen this game:  "Get The Cookie From Your Forehead To Your Mouth Without Touching it With Your Hands"

Or, "Roll The Pingpong Ball Down The Tape Measure Into the Colored Cup"

Or, "Stack The Blocks On The Tongue Depressor"

One thing these photos don't convey is how LOUD it was!  We're a competitive crew!

This weekend is a big one in Albania.  Tomorrow is Teacher's Day, so we learned on Wednesday that we won't have Albanian class tomorrow. Then Saturday is Women's Day.  Abby, Anna, and I will be celebrating with the ladies on Saturday at a local restaurant!  What are you doing this weekend?  If you're eating steak, well, just make up something else. :-)