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