The month of February started with Nathan and Luis traveling to share at Avon Park, Florida the first week. They made a lot of wonderful connections and the participants gave a very generous gift to the Valued Treasures program. What a blessing!
Jeta was gifted with a significant number of solar panels to reduce -- if not eliminate -- our need for electricity from the public utilities. To accommodate the panels, we had a structure built on the terazza.
Meanwhile, the ladies from the palester opted to have a potluck dinner to share their favorite recipes with each other.
YUM! It was a great way for Lydia to sample the best of Albanian home cooking!
Speaking of Lydia, she continued to impress us with her knowledge of wheelchair mechanics and repair. Below, she works to make this second-hand chair work for one of our VT students.
Part of her coffee shop job training instruction included visiting various shops in the area to see employee responsibilities, how orders are taken and beverages delivered, for example.
On February 7 we welcomed a team of retired missionaries who came to the village for a week to pray for the ministries out of Jeta and the greater, local community.
The structure continued to progress at a slow pace because of weather.
Below, Sunday morning worship and devotions.
As the structure progressed, my excitement grew for the prospect of having shade in which to enjoy our rooftop views here.
Our retired missionary team got acquainted with our Valued Treasures... they brought crafts and activities to enjoy together!
The team also enjoyed visiting various homes in the area to learn the stories of our neighbors and pray for them.
Our friend, Aunt Karen, shared her skills as a hairdresser to provide Ellie with a fresh hair cut!
The team's visit overlapped with Valentine's Day, and we enjoyed coloring this table cover they brought as a group activity.
We split up and visited the homes of various students. Below, Lydia and I with some of the ladies at the home of Fati.
Who's taller? Not even close!
Friday evening we were blessed to once again attend "Night to Shine." It was the 10th anniversary for Albania -- and I have been to nine!
My station was the photo wall...
Some real photo bombers... :-)
Our table --- we had the most fun!
One thing I love about hosing groups are the new relationships we form. Below, Ellie hugs Ellen K goodbye, with whom she made a special connection.
A few days after the prayer team departed, we welcomed five students from Crossroads Albania (Torchbearers). Below, they take part in youth group.
The rains paused and the new solar panels were installed!
We had to get creative to find enough places to attch them all!
The Torchbearers spent a week with VT...
And at the end, we took them to coffee at the Preza castle ruins to debrief.
And that was February! 4 weeks, two teams, and lots of special activities and projects in process!
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