An afternoon in the nursery...

It's a quiet morning!  At this hour the house is usually humming with kids pulling out cereal bowls and dragging chairs to the table for breakfast but instead it's just Squanto (the bird) and me. 

 

We've had a very busy, full last week.  When guests are in Albania for only a short time, unsure if they will ever have the opportunity to return, I tend to pack the days as tight as possible, but last night we declared this morning would be a bit slower. 

 

As I was putting together the schedule for the Santors' time with us, it occurred to me that the girls might have fun volunteering at the maternity hospital in Tirana to hold abandoned babies. 

 

Of course, I had the ulterior motive of bringing Ellie to see the place where she was born and spent her first several weeks of life.

 

 

 

In the course of our Albanian studies last year I learned about a gathering of internationals not far from our apartment.  Curious, I attended one of their weekly coffees and discovered the group's charity of choice was OSAAB (the Organization for the Support of Albania's Abandoned Babies), which works to support the nursery where Ellie lived. 

 

There, I met the social worker who worked with Ellie's birthmother and through that encounter was able to later receive some valuable bits of information related to Ellie's story that never made it into our hands during the adoption process.

Ellie in the social worker's office

Of course since learning about OSAAB, we love any opportunity we have to support the work they do through raising funds and donations of supplies to cover needs like diapers, formula, cream, etc.

 

This is Ms. Claudia, an American who started OSAAB in 1996 -- since then more than 700 babies have come through the abandoned baby ward!  She explained the protocols and rules for holding the babies in the nursery.

 

Above, Mira (the social worker) shows before and after photos of the abandoned baby nursery.  Then she and Claudia went on to share the areas in which they continue to work to improve and enhance services, like their recent efforts to educate families who are surprised to give birth to babies with Down Syndrome.  Last month there were two such families and OSAAB was able to introduce them to the Jonathan Center, a local group of DS specialists who was able to share with them what a DS diagnosis means and both families chose to take their babies home with them.

Then it was time to see the babies!

 

Ellie got lots of love meeting two nursery workers who worked there at the time she was born.

 

Before we left we were able to thank Claudia and Mira for all the work they do to help the babies they receive get the care and love they deserve before moving them on for the possibility of adoption.

All the way from Georgia...

Thursday morning found us doing something new -- picking up friends at the Durres Ferry Terminal!

It's a little different than the airport.  There are no monitors to let you know if the ferry is on time or ahead of schedule.  There are no sliding doors opening and closing at baggage claim to give you a sneak peak at your guests as they wait for their luggage.  Here you just wait and watch for shadows to round a corner and here they are!

After two+ years of dreaming of this, the Santor family came for north Georgia for a family mission trip to Albania and we are blessed to host them!

Because we were in Durres to pick them up, we stopped by the ancient Durres amphitheater before heading back to the village.

They jumped right into life here -- playing with kids at the center, taking a lesson in colors and numbers in Albanian, taking a prayer walk to a spot overlooking the village, and worshiping at an evening church service and helping with kids club the next morning.

They are already a huge hit with our village friends and given that they prayed for each of the families, by name, who participated in the village portrait project, they have been excited to match faces with the photos they studied before arriving.

The girls held abandoned babies at the maternity hospital (separate post on that later) and everyone rolled up their sleeves to put a coat of paint on our modified front gate.  We appreciated the extra hands with Saturday's monthly Wii game reward party for good attendance, then we had a cook out with the youth at the Hope Center.

In between there has been lots of conversation and nerf gun wars.

After three straight days of go-go-go, we went on a family hike to enjoy some of the beauty of God's creation here in Albania.

I look forward to sharing more of our time together when I have a few moments to post!  It's going to be a busy week!

Let there be light!

Our village has no street lights.

When Planters offered to contribute towards street lights, we learned that we didn't have enough electrical tension to support the necessary power to run them.

We also wanted a security light for our front yard.

This past winter during a power outage, a woman fell down the steps leaving church because she couldn't see without the lights on.

This winter Nathan found a solar power option that would provide light and security, regardless of the electrical supply.

Steve and the boys brought it over in an over-sized piece of luggage.

Last week we installed a pole to hold it.

Nathan may or may not have waited for it to get dark enough to turn on.

I have to admit, I find it kinda cool too.

This little light of mine, the "Jesus Place" is gonna shine.

Two Cooks in the Kitchen and a Case of Confusion

Our third and final batch of company this spring arrives Thursday for nine days and I think I'm getting my "company-prep" down to a science!

About 10 days before our guests arrive I work to prepare roughly five meals that can be thrown in the freezer for later.  It's nice to have the more labor intensive dishes made in advance so once our friends are here I can enjoy my time with them better, plus it breaks up my grocery shopping into two, more manageable trips and cuts down on some of the dish washing after the meal has been enjoyed!

I shared in a previous post about our friend Zhani who wanted to learn how to cook American food.  She is becoming a pro at remembering my steps in constructing these meals and slowly I've been throwing in some extras like muffins and breakfast casseroles.  We're becoming a team in our ballet around the kitchen  as we peel, chop, boil, mash, stir, brown, and wash up.

There is definitely an art to coordinate so many dishes in one session with the limited number of pots and pans, burners, mixing bowls, and pyrex I have on hand, but what we're able to accomplish in an afternoon is very gratifying.  Plus, my glossary of Albanian kitchen words is ballooning and I get to enjoy the company of a friend and her wonderful help while I work! :-).

But there's nothing more frustrating in the kitchen than going to all that work, only to discover after preparing all of the ingredients you came up short -- and that happens to me a lot because I don't exactly use recipes anymore.  On top of that, my cooking pans are all shapes and sizes (some from America, some from here), and as our visitors vary in number, I kind of start filling casserole dishes on the fly til I think we have enough.  The result can be a Shepherd's Pie with barely enough potatoes to cover the top, or a Spaghetti pie with a skimpy crust of noodles.

Concerned about coming up short, last week I overestimated the amount of potatoes, onions and carrots to make.  So with the extra cooked veggies I decided to make up a third, smaller, chicken pot pie for my neighbor. I even happened to have one of those disposable foil baking pans with cardboard lids that would be perfect for the situation.  My neighbor has been SO sweet to bring me a few of her family's favorite dishes and I had been wanting to bring her something in return.  Given that she had been hosting all of the events around her father-in-law's funeral in her home the previous week, it seemed like an appropriate time to bring something over (as if I needed an excuse).

I wrote on the lid what was contained inside, including baking instructions for the oven.  I even double checked my grammar and spelling on Google Translate, then put it in the freezer.  The next day I was relieved to find her home when I arrived to deliver the pot pie.  I tried in my insecure Albanian to tell her that she could keep it in her fridge or freezer until later. I wanted to make sure though that she knew that she needed to cook it before eating. Since most of the dishes my neighbors have given us have arrived hot and ready to eat, I knew this might be an area of confusion.

As feared, in spite of my attempts at verbal instructions, she thought she was supposed to eat it cold, but finally I was able to convey that no, it needed to go in the oven.
When I finally broke through her eyes lit up and she confirmed, "Piqem?" (bake?)  I vigorously nodded my head yes.

Yay!  I thought, as I walked home.  Success!

A few days later my pride was knocked down a few notches when I ran into Shpresa.  I learned that after I left my neighbor's home, she was confused as ever.  Not wanting to do something wrong, she called Shpresa to ask if she was supposed to take the dish out of the foil baking pan and/or remove the cardboard lid before baking!

Poor Shpresa didn't even know what I had made (I'm not sure that she even knows what a pot pie is, much less what kind of pan I had used)!  It hadn't even crossed my mind to write 'remove lid before baking'!  I'm guessing the acrid smell of burning cardboard might have been a clue.

In the future I will only deliver ready-to-eat dishes.  Or, I will cook all my dishes first for Shpresa to sample, then put her phone number under the directions if further guidance is required!

Campus Visit

I think the cold has finally gone.  The snow on the mountains has receded to a mere sliver.

For seven consecutive days I have not worn my gray fleece jacket! I feel like I wore it around the house every single day this winter, and it was the perfect extra layer piece to keep me warm, but I am glad to hang it up for a while and put on some bright colors to match the budding trees and flowers coming forth all around us.

Yesterday's warm sunshine and breezes made for a perfect laundry day, so out went my winter bedding, along with the monster down comforter and rolling electric radiator heaters.  We put away the firewood bag and cleaned out the wood stove.

The change of seasons is also evident on my desk.  My spiral bound planner has many more pencil scratches, post-it flags, and paper clips.  The next few months will hold some major transition for our family! Before we go back to the States for HMA, we're lining up plans for our return to Albania in September.

This past week we visited a private kindergarten we are considering for Reni next fall.  Technically, he should be doing 1st/2nd grade according to the track he has been on.  But as a new six-year-old he is still young enough for Albanian Kindergarten and we think this will be a good way for him to learn more Albanian as well as gain some independence. By the time Ellie was his age, she had completed three years at the Early Learning Village.  Given the regular transition that has marked most of Reni's life, our family has been his one constant.  As we start our second year in the same home this fall, we think the time is right for him to spend some time apart from us.a few hours per day at school.

This private kopsht (as they call kindergarten here) is run by a couple (Gezim and Zanepe) who met and became Christians when they participated in a Dutch ministry to adults with disabilities.  When I heard that they start the first hour of each day in English, and that Zanepe had a good handle in English, we immediately felt more at ease about sending Reni.

Tuesday we made a visit in person and got the verbal green light to start Reni in September.  He's not exactly thrilled about this idea (there were actually tears the night before our visit) -- and I don't know yet where I'm supposed to go buy him a white apron, the official school uniform :-) -- but we think that once he has a few days under his belt, he will be okay with it, especially as he sees how jealous his sister is that he gets to go to a 'real' school (somehow the kitchen table doesn't cut it with her).

The funeral

While we have been in Albania more than a year and a half, I feel a bit like Ellie and Reni above -- like we are still sitting in the role of 'cultural observer.'  

To be sure, we're slowly adopting some ways of doing life here that appeal to us (as well as ways of life which are expected of us).  But there continue to be aspects of this culture that remain a matter of curiosity.  And for the most part we still enjoy the process of learning and understanding traditions and rituals that feel so very different from our own.

On Thursday one of our neighbors passed away.  His daughter-in-law had not been present at our Wednesday night ladies Bible study and we had heard it was because they suspected the end to be near.  So when we saw an ambulance back down their narrow alley Thursday midday, with no lights flashing or siren blaring, we knew the end had come.

Sure enough, within an hour, the foot traffic to their home commenced -- an endless stream of friends and family, all dressed in black, coming to pay their respects.  As time passed, our street became lined with parked vehicles as friends from out of town poured in.  It was truly remarkable to behold in our typically quiet little community. 

Friday morning we accompanied Genti and Shpresa to show our own respect for the family.  To be sure, we could have attended on our own, but it was easier to follow their lead.  The women were gathering in the home of the deceased, the men in the home of the deceased's brother, right next door.  Since it was morning, and we were in the middle of homeschooling, we brought the kids with us -- except we later learned children do not usually attend these events.  When Ellie and I entered the home, I quickly understood why.

We gathered in a cozy sitting room with a group of women all in black except for the occasional white headscarf.  Those closest to the deceased wore no trace of make up or jewelry.  Side by side, ladies filled the perimeter of the room, knees nearly touching the casket in the middle, just a few inches off the floor.  A blanket lay over the top, covering the shell of the man within. Someone arrived while we sat, laying a bouquet of flowers across the middle.  A sister shared some words, but for the most part, it was quiet except for a whisper here or there. 

We stayed about 15 minutes, then quietly walked the short 50 yards or so back to our home. Reni was a bit bummed that Ellie had more to see than he saw over at the home with the men. 

A few hours later, less than 24 hours after the ambulance had appeared on our corner, another vehicle backed up.  This time, it was a hearse. We watched from our 2nd floor perch as the numbers of men swelled around the car, waiting for the the deceased to leave his home for the last time.  

When the vehicle's back door closed, the car started rolling down the hill on the way to the village cemetery.  Nathan joined the group as all of the men silently filed into line behind it, a sort of silent parade of walkers off to take part laying the deceased to rest then perhaps join the family for lunch.

Since the women do not traditionally attend the graveside service, I stayed at home with the kids.  Reni let me know in no uncertain terms that he WAS a man and should have gone with his Dad to the cemetery.  No amount of logic or discussion could overcome his 5-year-old curiosity and certainty that he was missing out on seeing something really, really interesting.

As Nathan watched the im*m lead everyone through the prayers and the pallbearers raise and lower the casket three times before lowering it into the ground, he lifted his eyes to scan the dozens of tombstones surrounding them, realizing that there had probably never been a Christi*n funeral in our community, another sobering reminder of why we are here...

A Special Easter Weekend

It was a special Easter weekend for us again this year!  We were happy to have our regional directors, the Zirkles, visiting us.  Of course it always helps a holiday feel more special to have guests with us.  Given that this was their second visit, and that they are pros on both ends of the hospitality stick (as both guests and hosts), they are a breeze to host.  On top of that, they always bring us special goodies, are great listeners and wonderful with Ellie and Reni (almost the same ages as their granddaughters in the States)!  Okay, maybe that list wasn't in the right order. ;-)

Church usually meets on Friday evenings which was perfect for a special Good Friday service.  At the conclusion of Genti's message, two of the youth presented a drama Nathan taught them, reiterating the purpose of Christ's birth and subsequent death.  It is a powerful pre-cursor to serving Communion.  Ellie got particularly caught up in it, sobbing when the loaf of bread (representing Christ) was pierced by a nail and hung on the cross.  We heard later that her emotional response was quite moving to many of the adults gathered. 

At the conclusion of the skit, the cross turns into a surprising serving piece of one of the communion elements.

Genti gave an opportunity for people to respond to the gift of salvation before serving communion.  I have to say it was one of my most favorite moments here in Albania.  Stepping forward to take communion is such a public declaration.  To watch different individuals step forward to participate was very moving for me.  Afterwards we learned that one of the children who started coming to Kids Club this year -- and who happened to also be at church that evening -- "opened her heart to Jesus."  It doesn't get any better than that! 

Easter Sunday we joined the congregation at the International Church then returned to the village to prepare Easter dinner.  We were joined by our colleagues and neighbors, the Prosekus. Ellie and Reni were chomping at the bit to open the Resurrection Eggs brought over last year by the Asbury team.

Then, inspired by Friday night's skit, Ellie wanted to perform her own drama, so the kids re-enacted Christ's last week, from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection.  Below, Reni in the role of Roman soldier.
He also wanted to be Pontius Pilat.  Elio (under the blanket) is Christ in the tomb, of course.

After lunch (which was decidedly "American", but enjoyed by our Albanian guests -- the cornbread pudding bake was a particular hit), we had the kids go upstairs while we hid eggs around the house (it was too cold and rainy to do so outside).  Ester and Elio were inaugurated into their first Easter Egg hunt and caught on pretty quick.

Somehow Reni didn't manage to find any eggs with lek coins, only chocolate candy.

There just might have been a little pouting that followed.  I had no idea what a little capitalist I had on my hands!

And before everyone left, a group photo!  (How do you like Reni in his cardigan and tie on top with his pajama bottoms?)

Monday following Easter was the Zirkles' last day with us, and the only day we had completely free to show them something new in Albania (it was a holiday here).  Last year we showed them sites around Tirana.  On Monday we had hoped to take them a couple hours north to show them the city of Shkodra but the ominous forecast dashed our plans as everything we hoped to see was outside.

As I wracked my brain to think of something we could do indoors (that would be open, in spite of the holiday), we decided to try a special country restaurant north of us that specializes in traditional Albanian food made entirely from the produce, meat, and dairy raised on their farm.  About 20 minutes before we reached the restaurant, the rain stopped so we took a little detour to check out a castle we had previously admired from the road but never before stopped to visit.

From top of the castle we were greeted with sights of the sea!

The photos do not do justice to the weather conditions.  I think my umbrella flipped inside out about every time I tried to take a photo, which, by the way, a camera is hard to balance while turning the zoom and holding an umbrella in the same hand.

Our guests were such good sports in spite of constantly shifting winds!  Brrrr!  We really could have used gloves...

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the airport!  I think this is our requisite parting photograph now.  Unless you leave us while it's still dark and those little sweeties will still be in bed. ;-)

Father/Son Retreat Video Slideshow

I know I already posted some photos from the men's retreat, but this video slideshow also contains a few video clips that didn't make the original post...



Or click here to view on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efhEdiAgADE&feature=youtu.be

Carrying a Corner | A Team Xh update (part 3)

Wednesday was a long-awaited day!  It was the day we knew Xh and Herta would walk through the gates of the US Emb*ssy for their appointment to request a visa to visit the US for Xh's surgery.

I've heard my share of scary stories of interviews behind those thick yellow walls on Rruga Elbasanit and knew that it had the potential of being an intimidating process that may not end favorably.

We woke up, our thoughts consumed with little else (in spite of having guests arriving later that day),  spending the morning praying for Xh and Herta's visa interview and waiting for a text message from Jorid.  The appointment time was 8:30 a.m. But I had already exchanged two e-mails before they were out the door and had received a subsequent text that the girls had been admitted in, but Jorid and her husband were left outside waiting, not sure when we might hear the outcome of the interview.

We went about our morning work, but a little more jumpy than usual with each notification that popped up on our phones.

Around 11:00 am Jorid finally texted again, "They got it!!"

I must confess I wouldn't have been surprised if only Xh had been approved.
To be sure we understood correctly we wrote back.  "BOTH of them got their visas?"

It was quickly affirmed and I may or may not have made my children giggle uncontrollably with my version of a "happy dance" right there at the kitchen island.

We quickly sent off messages with the good news to the other members of Team Xh, including our prayer team who had been notified the previous evening to pray earnestly on her behalf.  One of prayer team members wrote me to say she just so happened to have a newborn to feed at the exact time of Xh's appointment and had been praying!  My inbox started chiming with reply after reply to the good news.

Nathan made a poignant remark later as he reflected on all the people who had joined the team rallying around Xh to get her needed surgery in America this summer.  He said, "I can't help but feel like we're like the friends of the paralytic who were so determined to get their friend to Jesus they dug through the ceiling to get their friend to him.  I feel like we and so many others all have a corner of Xh's mat and we're doing what we can to get her healed."

I loved that picture and will carry that with me til we see her back in Albania later this fall.  Someday I hope we can share that with her and that she can understand it in the truest sense.

In the mean time, we will keep trusting God for her healing.

(In case you missed it, read part 1 and part 2.