Goodbyes

Lincoln Center Staff & us...

Youth group: the boys...

The girls....

All the youth, at mitchell's birthday party

At Tirana international airport... With Genci, Roger & Jenni. We love them!!

UPDATE: Final week in Albania

Well, today we start our last week here at the Lincoln center, as we leave a week from today (Monday). The majority of our classes ended last week—I have one remaining every day this week at 11 AM, and a few of the others are finishing up one or two classes or tutoring sessions as well. This week also begins a several-weeks-long English camp for kids here at Lincoln 2, which our team will be helping with where needed. The camp consists of games and activities designed to bring fun and exposure to English together. Today some of the team helped teach fun American songs to the kids, like “Father Abraham,” “London Bridge is Falling Down” etc.

The weather has been getting quite hot (although today hasn’t been quite as bad). it's pretty humid and everyone, albanians and americans alike, are worn down by it and make faces and fan themselves. On Saturday we went to the city of Vlorra to the beach, joined by some of the church youth. I’ve never swam in a “sea” before, as opposed to the ocean—it looks and feels like a lake, except for the sticky, salty water (not really any waves in this area) and some little black sea urchins we had to watch out for! Together we all rented a little paddle (peddle) boat—500 Leke (about $5) per hour was not bad for being able to fit at least 5-6 of us on it at one time. We thought about peddling across to Italy, but decided that it would take a few days longer than we have. ;) It was a fun, refreshing, and tiring day, and we enjoyed playing a few games of “mafia” on the mini-bus on the way back to Tirana…followed by the excitement of watching a pre-world cup game (with more of the youth) between the US and England… tied 1-1. Last night we also watched Germany play Australia (one girl on our team is German) last night as we had dinner with Genci (our hosting pastor) and his family. Of course, soccer is a much bigger deal here, and in many countries, than in the states. World Cup is huge (although this was really my own first time watching!)

Laura and I continue to build our friendship with my former student, Erisa. She (as are all or most other students) is very busy at this time of year with intense final tests, papers, and other schoolwork, but we’ve been able to enjoy coffee and a good chat here and there. Including Erisa, we have found that even some who claim Muslim beliefs or heritage are discontent with it, and search out other churches or develop beliefs of their own. Last week Erisa showed me a little card that she’d kept in her wallet for years—a little picture of Jesus with Italian writing on the back (from the Catholic Church). “I don’t know, maybe it brings me fortune,” she said. I got to talk to her just a little about the Bible (we discussed Adam & Eve a little, and how through their choice to disobey came sin and suffering to a formerly perfect world), and in addition to the English Bible she took from church, she asked for a little one to keep in her purse… I happened to have on me a little white Gideon Bible that Eva Turmezei had instructed me to give away. ;)

Mitchell and I (he is helping me with my 11 AM class) have some good chances to talk to our students... they are glad to talk to us, even quite beyond class time. the other day (mitchell wasn't able to make it) we had some free discussion in class (which lasted well beyond class time). a few of them went talked about how the culture here has changed so much... there is a very dramatic contrast between the culture of the older generation and the culture of the younger, with very little connection or even understanding between them. one student talked about how she knows of many people who suffer from depression even though they are always keeping up the perfect exterior. i let them know today that one of my college study areas is bible, one student sorta asked what i had to say about the matter (though it was hard to get a word in edgewise). but i was able to tell a little about the pharisees... i told them how in ancient israel, they were the ones who kept up perfect exteriors, but that when Jesus came as God in flesh, he called them out and said it was the heart that mattered before God, comparing them to the ridiculousness of washing the outside of a cup and not the inside.we talked a good 30 minutes past lesson, 20 minutes past end of class, just about life and different things.

Continue to pray for us as we finish out our trip! i look forward to telling you more when i'm home.

Jessie

Eclectic stories from Albania Part III: Laura

Ohhh Laura. boy does this one have her lists of awkward moments and odd happenings. From all the taxi drivers that weasled her out of about twice the normal taxi fare, the attention she drew from numerous odd strangers (Albanian man pretending to be lost from the UK, the supposed relative of a politician with his...unusual... tendencies and even more awkward/forward comments/advances to laura, etc...)...part was not her fault for having to live alone from the rest of the group, though jon would blame most of it on her touristy-ness or, in my opinion also, the lovely approachable & friendly air that makes laura herself.

Surely there is story after story that i could tell, which would certainly make this blog post "scroll"... ;) But instead i will end it with a comment from Roger, one of the missionaries in Albania, who seems to have such a concise and humorous way of summing things up.

Roger put it so very perfectly,

"We miss you over here. On one hand by 'we' I mean those from our team & church and by 'you' I mean all of you from the TMC team.

On the other hand, by 'we' I mean all the male misfits, social outcasts, and all-around weirdos and by 'you' I mean Laura."

A lighthearted evening

Thursday, June 10

Now I hate to say exactly that this evening was particularly delightful because I spent a good part of it on my own (apart from the other Americans, that is)... but it was. ;) I love the group, but there is a certain freedom to independence as well.

Today while walking to lunch, as God would have it we (Mitchell & I) bumped into Erisa. I was glad for this and we set up coffee for tonight at 6:30.

Time passed so slowly today, & the humid heat wore on us (but at least we took refuge for some time in the cool, dark chapel room). But finally my near-last class came, and was fine...Tomorrow I think we'll go out to celebrate the end. So Erisa and I greeted each other excitedly and went out to sit at the coffee bar (kakao for me, Albanian hot cocoa... yum!). She has taken to what she calls "American style" goodbye, which is in reality a mix of Albanian and American--in which we do the typical American one-arm side-hug, but because of our confusion it still has the cheek-touch remnant. It makes me happy that Albanians find our less affectionate greetings confusing. Some Americans may find the level of affection displayed here to be awkward, but I think it is lovely. I am sure I will miss it at home.

Laura and I bought Erisa an Albanian Bible the other day, but I chose to wait to give it to her 'til Laura was with us. For now, we chatted animatedly and took turns catching up about our week so far. She is very busy with difficult exams and papers, as most students here are right now. She has a 50 page paper to write (single-space, I think). Yikes! I told her about the church picnic, our spirited volleyball games at the park, and the crazy pony that tried to bite Mariah. I really enjoy Erisa, and she really seems to enjoy us (and a free moment from study).

She says she enjoys church, and asked me for a small English Bible to keep in her purse--I gave her a little Guideon Bible that Eva Turmezei had given me. She showed me a little card with Italian writing, a Catholic picture of Jesus she has kept in her wallet for years. "Perhaps it brings me good fortune," she shrugged. We talked a little more about these things and I asked about her background with church and religion, etc. She knows some things about the Bible. I pray that the little Bible we have for her will give her opportunity to know more!

I enjoyed my walk home alone, stopping for postcards (and making a fool out of myself trying to ask something about money) and enjoying the sights of the city as the day finally cooled off and the sun went down.

O, the deep, deep Love

Tuesday, June

Upon reading Stepping Heavenward again tonight, I realized that I too sometimes struggle to fathom and believe God’s love for me, at every moment, even after all I am and have done. But I must learn to trust that he does!

I asked him to help me see his love for me better… and there it was, clear, his hand on my life from birth ‘til now, and every blessing and challenge He hand-chose for me. If he did not love me, why would he grow me in grace? Has he not had already and does he not still have a plan for my life beyond my comprehension? Many things that are true in my life now, I would never have dreamed before. School, teaching, missions, the changes in me, Scott…Yep, all delightful surprises. Oh, and of course Mexico and Albania. ;)

Dear Lord, thank you for loving me as even I can’t fathom, and having your hand on each part of my life. Forgive me for when I don’t pursue your love. Thank you for trials that press me closer to you or chase me towards your will. Please help me grow more. Thanks for the example of your love in Scott. Help me believe your love even in my failures, that I may act more faithfully.

One Father

Well, here is what our weekend held…

On Saturday we got to go to an orphanage, run by Christian organization as well as working with the Albanian government... I think I expected a lot worse when we were told we could just go hold kids that might not get held much... but it was a beautiful place with lots of rooms and the caretakers seemed good and attentive and the babies and young kids all seemed quite happy. Only about 30 kids, I think. A few are abandoned and adoptable (and amazingly, they said pretty much all of these get adopted before they're six or even much before)--the rest have different situations, like maybe parents who aren't able to take them home, or a mom who is still getting set up, or they said even more sad sometimes a mom will get remarried and the new husband won't want the kid. But it was a good place, and cool that they have some good happy endings often. We cleaned and sanitized toys and stuff, the boys got lots of mowing and yard work done, and we got to play with the kids a little too. All are under six and most are under 3.

We got back for youth group, which was good as always. Sunday was church--my 21 yr old student Eriza was there, we want to find her a bible soon in Albanian (she already took one in english). But she is also busy right now because it is test time for the schools, they have crazy tests and papers and everyone is busy and stressed.

After church we hung out with the youth and had lunch, and played some games and I got to play guitar a little. Then we went to a church hangout time at the park... played some games like volleyball and stuff... i'm a little sore ;) but it was fun. and then, oh my goodness, there was a little horse in the park just wandering--i still don't know whether it was wild or belonged to someone... but it was tame enough to have us come up to it, feed it, etc, and was completely fine and i was thinking of our horses, and then a little bit later while we were all standing around one of the missionaries' little girl was feeding it and startled it a little, and instead of just spooking like a normal horse, it lunged at her and bit her! i couldn't believe it... i should have maybe expected something like that, since it was a pony, and as i later realized a stallion (not fixed). yikes. but she bled a little on her cheek and they took her home... i'm sure she'll be fine but she might love ponies a little less now!! I felt bad. :( but she's a tough little girl. whew. so today i'm at the lincoln center, no class until 5 though.

Tonight, I think of Mexico.

Fri june 4? 2010

Today was an interesting but okay day. In my mind was contrasted the difference between my mexico trip and this one. It is nice to have privacy and uninterrupted free time here… but I think of how much easier it was for me to build relationships and find time to minister when I lived every hour of the day and week among the people. Ah…I appreciate the company here, and the fellow Americans to help me learn and grow and think out my time here—speakers of my own language even! But I can’t help but think of how liberating it was to have only my own feelings and self to contend with, and if I was well enough, then fine, and the rest could be devoted to the people. Here (as much as this is ministry and Christian service as well) I have the emotions and concerns of 7 others to deal with (I suppose) besides the nationals (To those who are single--do not underestimate the gift of this time you now have to focus your mind and actions more unreservedly on ministering to those around you!!). Now, I do like to have others to care and fret for. But it’s even better if those others are my very own (family, etc). It’s as if I forgot, people are difficult sometimes. ;)

Ah, but I think of how blessed I was in mexico. Here at times we have a hard time, feeling useless, or un-missions-y…. Mexico I remember some first few days finding myself on a too-tiny bike with a kid on my handlebars, riding down a road that was much too bumpy to handle… It just doesn’t get much more classic than that. I just laughed inside.

Tomorrow, we go to the orphanage.

Partnership

Wed June 2

Tonight I was fortunate enough to get to talk to Scott on facebook instant messenger. It was both encouraging and sad… I miss him. He is one who cares about what’s inside me, what’s going on… to whom I can open my heart some evenings as I like to. I’ve really missed talking through life with him. I can and have often lately appreciated how much he has helped me be able to understand and express my thoughts.

It’s been good communication with the group mostly…. But I think maybe I realize, again, more now, like in mexico and Bear Valley, and here, that I grow tired of such ministry situations. In Mexico, I did love working by myself, lost among my people, but I was still lonely for a companion in ministry. Then in Bear Valley, beautiful partnership in some aspects, but still a few bitter stings of disunity or collision—even when I thought I tried my best to communicate and become unified in pursuit and mind. I sought perfect partnership, but it eluded me.

Now, this trip, I really have been blessed with a good hand of ministry companions. And I am more capable than ever to pursue good ministry partnership as I mature… and I love the group, and I can work with this. But. But, but—it’s just not right. There are feelings and opinions and misunderstandings and miscommunications and more I’m sure—even in the best of groups this size. There is no amount of time, let alone understanding for everyone to be on the same page as everyone else. Now I do not expect more for what it is. But again I long for perfect partnership.

…I know that marriage is no perfect partnership. I’ve seen enough of dating to believe that no relationship between two sinful people will ever be perfect. But…God’s very purpose for marriage was or is a unified striving for his better glory and service. –I long for it. I could almost say that I feel disjointed without it in ministry, but I’m not sure that’s how I should feel…because I know I must make the best of each season I’m given.

But, for better or worse, I am sure I do long for the day of ministry like that. Especially the work of ministering to my precious husband (first), to increase his own ministry, and then my kids. This is the ministry that makes so much sense to me… maybe like a bird (this is cheesy) sitting in the nest but longing to take wing. It’s not that I don’t enjoy sitting here, in the comfort of the easy life, but mmm, how it would feel—how terrifying and exhilarating and beautiful—to fly.