debrief

Our last day here is debrief day. Dave and Cindy talk to the team about different things to expect when we return home and what impacted us during our time here. We said our goodbyes to Korab and Alban and started packing. We will be getting up at o'dark thirty (that's 2am in English) to head to the airport. We'll see you in Billings tomorrow at 5:30 pm.

Korab has been hired by the high school to teach English. Quite a prestigous position for him.

Congratulations Professor!!

Pajizar

We went to a restaurant near the Albanian border and had lunch with the kindergarten staff. Murita told us about fleeing their village during the war and walking down this road to the border. She said there were 850,000 - 1,000,000 million people on the road. Serb soldiers were lined up on the hills watching them with their machine guns. It was cold and raining but they didn't notice the weather because they were so afraid of what was going to happen to them. Dave said when Murita first came to work for them she couldn't look them in the eye. She would look at the ground when she shook their hands. It is amazing to me that this all happened a short nine years ago.

After lunch the staff wanted to go to the pajzar (flea market) and look around. Everything you can possible imagine for sale. Every other booth was shoes. You'll have to ask Dale about the significance of all the shoes. The Turkish bath was open so we were able to look inside. We ended the day with coffee and ice cream (again!!).

Gjacova

Spent the day in Gjacova. Went to church, had lunch, drove around, bought fresh grapes on the side of the rode...typical Sunday stuff. Mother Teresa was of Albanian descent and Gjacova has a statue of her in the center of town. The average age in this town is 24 so it quite busy, especially when the sun goes down.

The cafe where we had lunch was right on the river. It was definitely one of the most interesting places we have eaten on this trip. The booth wouldn't hold all five of us so we had to eat lunch at a table (which may have been a good thing). Look at the booths from the outside of the restaurant.

walkabout

Dave took us walking through village tonight. We walked up the road to the masacre sight. It is one thing to hear the story, but it is quite another to literally walk in their footsteps. We saw what remains of the barn where the 112 men were shot down and then set on fire. We followed the road the women and children walked as their men were being killed. It was very somber and almost surreal.

We also had a chance to visit the ode (a building where the men of the village visit and smoke). It has become somewhat of a shrine to the men who lost there lives in the war. The wood working inside is phenomenal. Everyone is so glad to see us. They love Americans here and everyone wants to shake our hands. We wish we could say more than just "Good evening, how are you".

Macedonia

On our way back from Greece we drove through Macedonia and stopped to tour an
archeological dig. It was the town of Stobi and was a flourishing city about the third century A.D. They had uncovered the remains of the bath house, casino, prison, the house where emperor Theodosious would stay when he was there, some of the wealthy homes, the central fountain, the main road, the colliseum...it was the biggest city in the area at that time. This is still an active archeology dig so they had large areas roped off, but it was quite impressive to walk along the main city rode and imagine the people that have walked there before us.

We ate at McDonalds so we could get our "fix" of American food and enjoy a fountain coke. All our border crossings were very smooth. It is an eeiry feeling when the border guard looks at you with such disdain - he's got your passport and you're at his mercy. But all went well for us. The poor truck drivers though. Their line to cross over into Kosova was three miles long (no joke). Those poor guys will wait in line for 13 - 15 hours to cross the border. Side note - DON'T TAKE PICTURES OF THE GUARDS OR THE BORDER STATIONS unless you want some big trouble.

Greece is the word!!!

We drove to Thessaloniki, Greece (five of us - six hours in a little Opel) and had a blast. The city is beautiful and very crowded. There is so much history there you just can't take it all in. Paul, Alexander the Great, Roman Emperors, the very beginnings of the church. It was amazing. The city has outdoor bistros and cafes all along the shoreline. It's where everyone goes to hang out. We ate dinner in a cafe right on the sand. The owner of the cafe brought us a small pitcher of ouzo - he said it was "no charge - Greek tradition". So we all had a sample and decided we're glad we are not traditional Greeks. We visited the white tower. It was part of the wall that protected the city centuries ago, it was used as a prison in the 14th century. The acoustics on the main floor are amazing. Cindy and I were standing on opposite sides of the room and we could whisper and hear each other perfectly. We toured the archeology museum, the bgyzantine culture center and the guys went to the War Museum. Marble statues, mosaic floors, ancient pottery, coins, jewelry - 2,500 years of history. It was all just amazing.

Found a great book on the landmarks of the city, course it's all in German - so we still aren't sure what we've seen.

Last nights dinner was at a small outdoor German restaurant. The food was fantastic. Actually, everything we ate in Greece was delicious. However, make a note for future reference, if you order shrimp at a German restaurant in Greece - they will be served with the HEADS AND LEGS STILL ON!!! I can handle the legs ok, but the bulging eyeballs are another story.

Our hotel had only a few guests staying there so it was very quiet and very relaxing. We played cards by the pool and talked and laughed together. All in all some great down time with Dave and Cindy.

To Greece!!

Just a note from Amy. Stiv,Suzen and Dale will be on their way to Greece at 6am (Kosovo time). Their next post wont be until at least Thursday.

Darcma

Sunday we went to a wedding (Darcma). In Kosova the bride (nusja) her female relatives and friends all meet together in her yard. Everybody wants to have their picture taken with the bride. The female relatives of the groom come into the yard singing and surround the bride. They throw candy on her to make her sweet. The bride goes into the house with her mother. Her brothers lead her out of the house to a waiting car. The bride backs into the car. As the car leaves they throw water on the car to show that the bride doesn't even need the dust from her family anymore. She is driven to the home of the grooms family. The groom is waiting on a balcony where he throws candy to the crowd. The bride (who keeps her eyes lowered through the rest of the day and is lead around by her new sisters-in-law). She poses for pictures with the grooms family (with her eyes lowered). Then she serves the family drinks, food, etc. the rest of the evening.

The married female close relatives of the bride dress in their traditional outfits. They wait with the bride. They serve beverages to the guests while everyone waits for the grooms family to arrive.

After the bride leaves, her mother weeps for her. All the other women weep as well...the young women who will miss their relative (the bride might only see her family once a year after she is married)...the young women who will never be a nucia because their generation of men were killed...the older women who are widows and miss their men.

Meanwhile, over in another yard all the men have gathered together and offer cigarettes and cookies to the guests. The men of each family line up and do their show of power thing (kind of like shaking hands after a softball game).

Prizren, again

Saturday we went to Prizren with Korab. We hiked up to the Prizen Castle and enjoyed a great view of the city. Korab took us to his favorite restaurant "Ambience". The meal was excellent and it is always a good time visiting with Korab. The square was full of people "burning the point"on foot. A lot of fun if you like to people watch.

work, work, work,

Everybody is working very hard to get the daycare ready to open in September. Leart came to see Steve and was recruited to help shift sand. Cuz, of course, you can't just go the hardware store and pick up mortar to finish the rock retaining wall. You have to make your own. But, first you have to make your own screen to sift the sand so you can add it mortar. And after all that, it didn't work. So back to square one.

Then we have the three stooges (as Dave calls them). Diligently working away. They are repairing floors, room dividers, sinks, etc. And of course we are painting in the daycare. Yup, working our poor fingers to the bone. Poor missionaires, no rest just work, work, work...just slaving away in the hot, hot sun.

Prizren

Wednesday we spent all morning driving seven miles to Prizren to do our grocery shopping. The traffic was something else. Imagine the worst traffic jam you have ever seen - combine it with the Grand Prix and factor in a little game of chicken. August is holiday in Kosova so everyone is home to visit. It is also wedding season and there is also a "Docufest". So, the town was jammed full of all kinds of people. It quite literally took ALL day to get our groceries. But, we just took it all in stride cuz that's how we roll here in Kosova. What do you think about this parking lot?

just getting started...

Alban got the guitar Tuesday evening (a big THANK YOU CHUCK HOLLAND) and he was absolutley blown away. We took his picture and he said he wanted to make sure his smile was big enough to show how happy he was to get the guitar!

Dale was initiated into the mission field by getting to install a new toilet seat because the barb wire one broke. He found out that projects in Kosova just take longer to complete. Dale and bidet did not see eye to eye (or did they).

We had a great dinner with Dave, Cindy, Korab and Alban. Roasted chicken, cabbage salad, fresh bread. Great food, great people, lots of laughs. We had a short orientation because Dave noticed none of us could keep our eyes open, after 34 hours with no sleep!! Take care, wish you were all here.

They have Arrived!

I (Amy again) just heard from Jessy Catt that they have arrived safely with all of their luggage!

They're off!!

Well I (Amy) dropped them off at 7 this morning. They were excited ...and a little bit giddy to start their journey.

Yesterday the church laid hands and prayed for their journey and safety.

Please continue praying for their safety during their flights.

God Bless!

Amy

meet Dejllë (Dale)

Dejllë is going with us to Kosova. Steve has known Dejllë since junior high school. This will be Dejllë's first mission trip. He can't wait to experience no water, no electricity, no TV, no phone...Actually he bought a new camera and plans to take enough pictures to wallpaper his livingroom.

Leaving August 3rd

We will begin our journey to Kosova on August 3rd. We leave Billings at 8:30 am on Monday and arrive in Pristina at 3pm Tuesday afternoon. oooofta! Check back regularly over the next two weeks for updates, pictures, and videos. We are scheduled to arrive back in Billings August 19th @ 5:30pm. Your prayers for a safe and productive mission are greatly appreciated.

With love,

Stiv and Suzën

God Bless!