Richfield Community Church - Kosova English Camp

Pictures from Kosova

Take a look at some selected pics from my trip.

posted by Mike @ 9:44 PM 2 comments

Kosova Revisited

And so I awoke to the unfamiliar way the emerging sun lights my house, to a sore throat, a complaining stomach, an inexpressible fatigue, and to thoughts and reflections as unorganized as the pile of dirty clothes now strewn across my floor.
The first time I left Kosova it was with a sense of awe and admiration. I witnessed the presence and working of God in a place filled with love and hope for humanity (and all its distorted past). I left Kosova the first time with a clarity--questions answered and visions of the future set in my mind. I left knowing that I would return, and knowing that the course of my life had been altered in both hidden and recognizable ways. It was from that first time that I knew I would later have an Albanian word permanently stamped on my wrist--lavderoj. What I didn't know was that five years later I would be sitting on a beach in Albania with seven precious students surrounding me, and that I would be telling them about my belief in God's voice and his unmistakable plan for my life and my passion for Kosovars. I told it in words that were not my own. I think I ended by explaining just why the word glorify had to be in Albanian. Not finding the adequate words, I said "and I really like you guys," and patted Rufat's knee. They smiled. And so did I. I think Lynn was crying. My love for Kosovars had been exposed and expressed. There it was, frighteningly dangling in the silence. But it was not left unreciprocated. The hearts of Kosovars are generous and willing. They have loved me genuinely. They have shattered my shell.

As the Americans stood around a van at 2:45 in the morning on the day of our departure (the abashed sadness apparent in the smiles) Besarta, one of our students and a believer, squeezed me hard. She released me, grabbed my hand and turned it skyward. "Don't forget this," she said with a point to my wrist. "Don't forget this". She may have said it more. I was too baffled to notice.

posted by Caitlin @ 6:59 AM 1 comments

arrived in Munich.............

................team is weary. You can pray that a situation which has arisen here would be resolved quickly. As some of you know Qendrim, a Kosovar believer, is accompanying the team back to the states. Unfortunately he has been held up and told he has to take a direct flight from Munich to LA, whereas we are making a connection in Frankfurt. The problem is with his visa which apparently does not allow for domestic travel within Germany.

Lynn is with him and they are trying to sort it out. However, it appears that at a minimum we will be split up. The hard part is being helpless when we would so like to be helpful.

Our time was splendid!!!!!!!!! As expected, God performed amazing things. And we are enriched bz the experience. I can only speak for myself when I say that our partnership with New Life appears as strong as ever. Praise God! Believers on both sides of the planet working harmoniously to seek the lost.

Must run now
Shihemi
Tung
Clint

posted by Clint @ 12:29 AM 0 comments

Let the separation ensue.........

.................we have officially begun the inevitably painful aspect of separation. Feels like a punch in the gut at times. For those who have never been I'm struggling to find a comparison. How can we grow so close to these warm folks so quickly? So naturally? I fail to locate an adequate comparison. Suppose you will have to take my word for it.

Tonight we exit Shengjin. Tomorrow home. Yet it feels like so much has occurred here that we are seeking to create mental organizational charts. Sequential events. Hard to believe, for example, that we were with the Pushk project over a week ago. Time seems to embody a different dimension. If I'm rambling it's because I feel inadequate for the effort.

Anyway, enough of that. For all of you reading this in the states, and indeed, around the planet, you should know that your prayers are a crucial component to this ministry. Many challenging conversations and open observations. Students have listened, digested, questioned, grappled with, and sought understanding of abstract theological concepts. Praise God! We have shared a small portion of their life which we hope will have eternal significance.

Shihemi me vone (see you later) and we are missing you all. Thank you so much for your part in this vitally important endeavor!!!!!!!!!

Clint

posted by Clint @ 3:22 AM 2 comments

Celebrating PUSHK

Hello All,

posted by Mike @ 11:22 AM 2 comments

Lowrance Report from Last Day

Dear friends and family,

I'll see if I can get this short email out before the power goes -- a daily occurrence several times a day in Albania!

We are on our last day of class today. We have had a terrific time with the students. I am absolutely amazed at how quickly relationships are formed with the students. It seems both they and we are ready to bond from the time we meet. I was told by one of the Campus Crusade staff that relationships that we jell in 1-2 days at the English Camp take a year to develop in Prishtina. Because they are out of their day-to-day environment, they connect with us and each other very quickly. It is going to be very hard to leave these students -- that's the down-side of these trips.

A number of students are clearly thinking and searching for God. There is a clear opennes to consider that Jesus wants a relationship with them. On the other hand, there are a couple of students who have become increasingly resistant to hearing our message as we have delved into more sensitive issues, things that may conflict with their understanding of God from the Koran. But our purpose is not to push or force them to consider -- simply to let the love of God flow through us, introduce them to the God who loves them and has provided the path to forgiveness, joy, and eternal life (things that they do not have assuranced for in Islam). They understand the concept of the need for a sacrifice (much as in the Old Testament), but it needs to be repeated continuously for them, and if they committed sins since the last sacrifice, and die before the next one, they have no assurance of eternal life. We bring them the message that God provided a once-for-all sacrifice through Jesus Christ. Some students seem to be grasping this wonderful news. Please be praying for our last couple of days with these students, that God would speak through us. Our goal is simply to love them in God, and allow them to see the God who loves them. It is God who will speak to them and bring them into relationship with Him.

So we have class today, a special film tonight, the final Bible discussion tomorrow morning (Sun), a fun graduation party Sun night, and then head for the airport at 2-2:30 am (that's A.M. !!) for flights at 5 & 6 Mon a.m.

Athalie & I will be flying to Vienna, then taking a train to Prague for 3 nights, then a few more days in Austria. That will be fun, but the best part of the trip with a doubt is the time in Kosova and Albania. Thank you for your prayers and your support!!

Dave & Athalie

posted by Ken Kemp @ 10:53 AM 0 comments

Shume lodher (very tired)

...as you can guess by now, today's post is written under the weight of accumulated fatigue. Both physical and mental. Yet we press on, supernaturally refreshed. Our students are too important to allow something as inconsequential as sleep to interfere.

One more day of camp and I am beginning to feel the familiar pangs of separation. Sad though it is, I am reminded how blessed we are to share a glimpse of God's work in the Balkans. So rewarding on so many levels. There is not time here to elaborate.

Bye for now\
Tung\
Clint

posted by Clint @ 3:45 AM 0 comments

The Lowrance Report

If you missed it, here's David's report from Kosova and Albania -

Dear friends and family,

I've been trying to send this for 3 days -- 4th time is the charm!!

Finally, I have time to sit down and wrote you all an email about our extraordinary time in Kosova -- it's Weds morning, our third day at the English Camp. I hardly know where to begin. Our teams have not been to Kosova in 4 years because we have held the English Camp in Albania. As you probably know, our church's ministry focus is on the Albanian people of Kosova. While Albanians are spread through 4 countries (Albania, Kosova, Macedonia & Montenegro, and some in southern Serbia), we focus our ministry in Kosova. For the last nine years we have been partnering with Campus Crusade through holding English Camps with University of Prishtina students. Because the students like coming to Albania so much and it helps in recruiting, we moved the camps from Kosova to Albania.The problem is that our teams have not been able to be in Kosova itself. We decided to change that this year by lengthening our trip so that we could schedule in a time in Kosova.

Our few days in Kosova were jam packed and very good. Everyone is glad we added Kosova to the trip -- tired, but glad. We did so much in a few days it seemed more like a couple of weeks. Thursday we met with the director of AIM, the cooperative Associating of International Missions, with the Penners a missionary family we partnered with for 2 summers of children's programs, were invited to dinner in the home of a student with whom we've developed a special relationship (all of that on Weds); walked around Prishtina with the Campus Crusade staff, met Festim's family (our Kosovar friend who just graduated form Biola), then toured Prizren, an ancient Ottoman Empire city with CC staff, and met more Kosovar friends for dinner. Friday we drove to Decani to view an important 14th century Orthodox monastary (every surface covered with incredible frescoes completed in 1350), and then joined the Jesus Film project in Gjakova.

All day Saturday was spent in villages around Gjakova inviting people to view the Jesus Film in the evening.

What an incredible opportunity to walk from house to house invite people to the film. We were invited into homes a number of times to have drinks and sit and talk. It was during those times that we really impressed with how much the people of Kosova love Americans! To have an American in their home was a deep privilege for them. Inevitably we were thanked effusively for American saving them from destruction during the war. We had some wonderful conversations both in the homes and at the film showing. I remember one old woman who's brother was killed during the war. Her eyes welled with tears as she shared her experience. She looked me right in the eyes twice to passionately told me how grateful she was for America. It was pretty difficult to keep my emotions in check.

I had an especially good time with a young 18 year-old student who came late to the film showing, but wanted to know if we had the DVD of the Jesus Film so that he could take and show it to his family. We didn't, but the Campus Crusade staff will get him one. He seemed seriously interested in the gospel -- I'll be praying for him. Sunday we got to worship at one of the small churches in Prishtina -- a special time for us as our Pastor for Students (soon to be Missions Pastor) split the preaching with the pastor of the church, Femi.

It was a little long -- both pastors were translated! -- but a great time with this church. Most churches in Kosova are very small, averaging perhaps 20 people with young pastors. This church is a little larger, perhaps 40-60 people.

My impressions:

1. Our church is very respected in Kosova because of our long track record. Coming back year after year shows the missions and church communities in Kosova that we are committed. It gives us credibility. People are willing to be open with us about opportunities for ministry, and to share issues with us.

2. We are a huge encouragement to Christians in Kosova. Our love for Kosova and it's people is apparent to Kosovars. Being a Christian in Kosova is not easy. It is a hard place. Many times a family will reject a person who becomes a believer. One young man I talked with was thrown out of his house for a year. He is now back home, but it is still difficult. Marriage to believers is an issue because there are not many believers. Sometimes families will try to force their children to marry someone from a muslim family that they want to connect with.

I talked with a young couple in Prizren who do not have much support around them. They became believers through the camps a couple of years ago, but there are only 4 other believers with whom they can fellowship in Prizren. They came and had dinner with us in Prizren. You could tell how important and encouraging it was for them to have dinner with a group of Christians. What we take for granted in our churches, they miss terribly -- fellowship and support. It was a special privilege to give them a little bit of encouragement and fellowship. How I wish we could do more.

3. The believers we are partnering with, primarily Campus Crusade staff who are now all Albanian & Kosvar, truly live their lives as Christians. Their worship is deep, their love for people is genuine, their passion for sharing Christ with people is incredible -- all in all, a humbling experience for us who have so much in wealth, churches, fellowship to see those who have so little give so much out of their love for God. Much to learn from them. Things are going very well at the English Camp.

We have a great group of students, about 37, who are fun to be with, and seem to open to hearing about God's love. We had discussion groups last night based on Genesis 1 which was the reading material during the morning lessons. The questions they asked with deep and probing. Pray especially for our evening times of discussion about the Bible passages we read in the morning.

I'm sorry this email got so long. I'll keep the next ones shorter - I had so much to catch up on for this one. Thank you for your prayers and for your support. This ministry is even more important and strategic than I thought. I have spent many hours talking with people about the impact, and have been amazed at what I have heard.

Thank you for your part in making our ministry possible, and for the ministry you have through us. We are tired, but having a blast!

Dave & Athalie

posted by Ken Kemp @ 10:09 AM 0 comments

Halfway there.........

This may sound like a cliche but....."It's hard to believe our time with the students is half way done." Just finished the third day of class half an hour ago. Sitting now in cafe jotting down some random thoughts. The connections are happening. Let me repeat that The connections are happening. Students are absorbing biblical texts like water. Questions flow, discussion follows, hearts are softening. What joy!

Yesterday, Ylli Doci (pronounced "ooo" "lee") visited the camp. Ylli is the national director with Campus Crusade for the countries of Albania and Kosova. It was so insightful to listen to him speak about what's happening "on the ground" in Albania and Kosova. And let's be clear, things are most definitely happening here. New Life is extremely active with campus ministries, and that will continue. But Campus Crusade is much more active than on campuses only. They have just begun a ministry to young Christian married couples (incidentally this is a HUGE need in Albania and Kosova because there are so few older married believer couples available to mentor the young couples), a ministry to high school students, the PUSHK project (which we were involved with in Gjakova) which will show the Jesus film in EVERY village in Albania and Kosova - in the words of Ylli "...unprecedented..." There are more ministries but these are merely some of the ones Ylli discussed with us.

Our Bible reading/discussion time last night was especially encouraging. Ylli was there and explained sacrifice in a way that was precisely what the students needed to hear. We observed and added comments as necessary, but he was "in the zone," as we say.

I must run along and grab a bite - missing all but continually encouraged. Thanks so much for the continued prayers - they are crucial.

Tung
Clint

posted by Clint @ 4:08 AM 1 comments

Mild skies........big highs

..........Have I caught your attention with my snappyy title? Maybe not. Or as some here are fond of saying, "maybe yes maybe no" Harhar. We have finished the teaching portion of day two and can't help but compare the mild temps to a year ago in July. You may recall that Europe sweltered under record temps and we saw smoke from several fires in Albania during the intense heat that summer. This year, to quote Borat "...not so much..." Breezy, puffy white clouds, and.......wait for it..........rain. That's right, rain. Well, regardless we are thankful for a respite from the searing conditions, especially in the classrooms wherer AC is non existent.

On another note, please know that your prayers are finding their mark(s). Our class has begun to ask deeply considered, thought-provoking questions related to our Bible readings. Bravo! We would like nothing more than to have to (try) to answer loaded spiritual questions. To us it is indicative of both thought and focus. PTL!!

Tung
Mirapafshim
Clint

posted by Clint @ 8:21 AM 0 comments

the heat is on....

Clint is hounding everyone to blog some of their experiences. so here
are my two cents. He and Peter have the "advanced class", which
therefore includes deep theological conversations in English. As
we puruse the Old Testament stories it is not surprising that
they are asking good questions like: Who created God? and
Why does it say 'We created man in OUR image'?
They are rockstars...we know it.

But my class, the beginning class, the babies of the English language,
who are just starting to understand the names of food in English,
are also rock stars. Their comprehension of the Bible has been
just as deep as the advanced students has been. And their questions-
wow!!! of course, the deep discussions are all held in Albanian, but
the depth is still there. Last night we debated/talked about: Do heaven
and hell exist? Does Satan exist? What is the purpose of our lives?
How can we worship God with our lives?
Such great questions for many who have read the Bible for the first time at this camp.

I stand in awe of God ...my prayer was that the students would
be honest, and actually grapple with the God of the Bible....
and Day One has shown that God has been faithful in the
endevour. He desires to glorify Himself by changing people..
and i see it minute by minute in the lives of the Kosovars.

steph

posted by Steph @ 6:21 AM 2 comments

Day one of class has passed........

..........and with it a sort of relief. Let me explain. Since our arrival we have done (and seen) some amazing things. God is working in Kosova and the Balkans let there be no doubt. Yet the reason we are here, the primary focus of our annual trek halfway around the planet is to teach Kosovar students. And teach we do. Peter Burns and I were burning it up this morning (figuratively speaking). Our students are bright, articulate, curious, engaging, funny, focused (yikes, that's really good, huh?) They are a joy to encourage and be encouraged by. Our translator (though not technically necessary with our higher level English speaking class) is a UN translator and her English is better than mine (yikes). J/k Her name is Miranda and she is a genuinely intriguing character study. Fun to talk to as well.

Today we had raft races in the Adriatic that quickly degenerated into a ridiculous free for all. I'm on the hook for ice cream for the winning team (if only I could figure out who actually won!).

We are blessed ........a little tired (jam lodher) but lovin every minute of it. Wish you were here, cyber readers. Too cool.

Bash Mire (totally!)
Clint

posted by Clint @ 7:26 AM 0 comments

Week one highlights

It seems unbelievable to admit this out loud - yet we are one full week in and have experienced tremendous encouragement from virtually all our interaction with Kosovar believers. New friends, old friends, we love them all. Interestingly the distinction blurs soon after meeting someone (such that you feel close to people whom you have just recently met).

Week one highlights include (but are not limited to:

1. PUSHK project (this has to rank on my all time top ten list of faith stretching endeavors. Kosovar and Albanian believers working side by side evangelizing like crazy! They folded us in even though our language skills were shume keq (very bad). No matter- they were gracious and quite encouraging. I think the best part for me was pushing myself to speak the language and watching (literally) barriers between us dropped. Muy incredible!
2. Meeting at Femi's church (B.U.M) in Pristina. Kosovar believers mixed with many internationals including Irish and British folks.
3. Meeting Justine (can't remember last name, sorry) at the AIM office in Pristina. She is a hilarious british gal whose gift with people is obvious. Her ministry is working with the local churches in Kosova and coordinating mission teams (somewhat like us) when they are seeking opportunities to establish (or grow) missions to Kosova. Very gregarious and warm like the Kosovars themselves.
4. Prizren - historical city (nicknamed "little Istanbul") in the south of Kosova. Shume bukur (very beautiful) city made even more so because we were able to meet with former students who acted as our tour guides.
5. Vushtrri - Our walking tour of the city included many historical landmarks (some dating to Roman era) and a lot of conversational opportunities. Highly rewarding activity.

There are more but our time is limited.

I shall try to post again soon but we have a busy (shume, shume) schedule. Please understand.

Missing all our families but soaking up God's goodness. Blessings aplenty.

Shihemi (see you)

Clint

posted by Clint @ 1:50 AM 0 comments

Busy, busy

Since we last spoke the team has been quite busy. We have been to: Vusshtri (meeting with the Penners) to Prizren (saw former students and investigated the city) Suhareka (spelling) to meet with Festim Gashi's family and, finally, Gjakova to assist with the PUSHK project (Campus Crusade).

The team has enjoyed some hysterical moments together (and some tense ones as well, Kosova driving, etc.) and we have begun to feed off one another's creativity.

Please continue to pray for health, conversations and team unity. All three are tested regularly as the enemy doesn't sleep.

More later -

Shihemi
Tung
Tung
(buh-bye)
Clint

posted by Clint @ 8:38 AM 1 comments

Day One wrap-up

Meant to post last night but sleep prevailed. Saw a student from two years ago for kafe last night after dinner. Lots of catching up and comparing notes.

Yesterday the team spent some time in Vushtrri ( a small village to the east of Pristina) and met with the Penners, an American couple who have adopted two Kosovar Albanian orphans. The time was especially rich with conversation, but the highlight was an unplanned discussion with a Kosovar doctor named Arian we met in the street. He was very polite, asking us why we had come. Because his English was strong the conversation flowed naturally. At one point he flatly stated that he believed in science more than God, at which point we probed just a little further. Suffice to say he had a friend who had become a believer and had noticed the dramatic change in his life. He seemed drawn to something he didn't yet understand. Our questions seemed to give him pause and reason to think. And we prayed with him. Would you do so as well? His hesitancy is slowly being overcome with curiosity.

Today - it's off to Prizren. We will dine on buke (bread) cheese (djathe, I think) and Turkish coffee.

More later - this is "the bomb"

Clint

posted by Clint @ 12:38 AM 0 comments

We're here............

................arrived late last night around 10:00 PM local. Long day (understatement) complete with numerous time changes and airport lounges. We are doing well this morning after a little more shut eye. The world looks new after a little sleep.

On tap for today is a lunch meeting with AIM (European mission group in Pristina) and then later to Vushtrri to meet with the Penners and then, well, who knows?

Please keep praying that opportunities to talk with folks would be both plentiful and fruitful.

More later
Clint

posted by Clint @ 11:41 PM 1 comments

oops one more time

kezboards are different here obviously! hit enter when I shouldäve hit mouse. Oh well, arrived in Frankfurt this morning and between all of us we averaged 1.5 hrs sleep. Suppose weäll run on adrenalin or ssomething. Must run now boarding to Vienna shortly. alvedazain TUNG

posted by Clint @ 2:58 AM 0 comments

letäs tryy that again

posted by Clint @ 2:58 AM 0 comments

arrived in frankfurt

posted by Clint @ 2:57 AM 0 comments

Reflections.....(in no particular order)

With time winding down (twelve hours and counting) ......thought I'd chronicle some random thoughts prior to our imminent team departure. So here goes-

1. In case you missed it Altin's brief presentation this morning was extremely well done (Shume bukur!!) Not surprisingly, he nailed the crucial component of RCC's involvement over the past eight years and expanded on some of the challenges that both RCC and New Life Institute (CC) have faced during that time. Additionally he highlighted the difficulties America would face in trying to reach staunchly Islamic countries like Turkey. Yet for Kosovar Albanians the task is much easier given their ethnicity and cultural similarities. So, in essence, RCC is reaching the muslim world indirectly through its support of Kosova. Bravo, Altin!
2. This year will be especially sweet due to the team return to Kosova (Pristina, specifically). I know that may come as a surprise to some folks but for the last three years the English camp has been held in Shengjin, Albania on the Adriatic coast near Italy. So RCC's team flew directly to Tirana entirely bypassing Kosova. While it isn't critical to visit Kosova, it is the focus of RCC's mission and the home of our students. Personally, I am extremely eager to return to Pristina, not to mention other parts of the country.
3. Yet our departure will be bittersweet this year due to honorary team member Gena Gentry's vacuous absence. Sickness has racked Gena's body but not her spirit! She will be sorely missed! Not just for her planning and necessary behind-the-scenes work, but for her cheery disposition and all-around jovial personality.
4. As always God has assembled a well-rounded team this year. It is a privilege to join them, let me tell you. We have teachers (what a shock), businessmen, students, pastors and couples joining this troupe. As a group we are expecting inspiration 'aplenty' from this year's camp!
5. Finally - it was so refreshing to be provided a sample list of our student names this afternoon (won't list them here). This allows us to begin praying for each student by name prior to the camp. Just so you know there have been numerous examples of students professing faith in Christ as a result of the camps. One such example, Alban, will be there this year and I can't wait to unload a giant American high five on him when we get there.

All for now - more later (ahem) when we land.

Clint

posted by Clint @ 10:51 PM 0 comments

Anticipation building....

Well well well....here we are once again in mid July eagerly anticipating another exciting English camp (ehem 9th annual English camp!) And we can hardly wait to get started. Our team officially leaves in six days although Dave and Athalie Lowrance will be meeting the team in Austria. If you are checking this blog for information regarding team travel days they are as follows:

Depart: Monday, July 14th @ 2:45 PM (meet at Thengvall house at 10:30 AM)
Return: Monday, July 28th @ 6:05 PM (return to Thengvall house 8:30 ish)

A brief list of important (shume) prayer requests:

1. Health (fatigue becomes an issue with time changes, constant activity, teaching, etc.)
2. Team unity (obviously travel can exacerbate stress) Please pray for patience and smooth interaction
3. New Life Staff (Campus Crusade in Kosova) These tireless workers need continual uplifting due to the daily difficulties they encounter spreading light in darkness
4. Conversations (R cubed) Pray that relationships would establish naturally through conversation and interaction
5. Travel safety
6. Class effectiveness (pray that the English teaching would be both engaging and challenging for the students)

There are more but this is a good start.

Please check back here from time to time as team members will be periodically posting (assuming our power is somewhat predictable).

Bye for now - Shihemi (New Life, see you in a few days)

Clint

posted by Clint @ 5:52 PM 0 comments

So this is what "Normal" feels like?

Inspired to post by Steph's poignant memory laden description. Already after two "down" days back I have been dreaming in color. Laughing. Dancing. Teaching. Singing. Existing. All of these activities took on new dimensions as we invested in students' lives and they in ours. Reciprocated! One tries not to be too locked into finding meaning in every aspect of our time in Shengjin with the students, but it is hard not to make the attempt. So many moments of lucidity and clarity. So many "God" moments where we tried hard to get out of the way. So many beautiful examples of Kosovar/Albanian believers. So much laughter and joy!

The team is thankful for the gracious support of the entire RCC community without whose vision a camp such as this would be impossible. People like Dave Lowrance whose life has been consistently invested in these folks for almost a decade. Others like Ken Kemp and Lynn Krisinger display a love for the students which can only be explained by their love for the creator! And what inspiring new additions to the team - Gina, Stephanie, Bari and John, all of whom accepted the climate of unexpectedness with a gracious smile.

With that brief intro (brief? Are you kidding?) below I have chronicled the second annual list of twenty five "mosts" which I sincerely hope will be an ongoing list in the years to come. I add this to give those left behind a little sniff of what day to day life in Albania was like:

1. Most spine tingling moment - no question, student praying the salvation prayer with Altin and I during the opening days of camp
2. Most enduring visual image - shooting star as seen from within the salty Adriatic at night just prior to the power outage and accompanying inky darkness
3. Most hypnotic sound - Turkish dance music played at ear splitting decibels (practically forces movement)
4. Most relaxing moment - floating (that's right, floating) on your back in the heavily salt laden Adriatic Sea
5. Most inspiring display of teamwork - not even close, Class five's pyramid creation followed by the "trust" game
6. Most unique name - Gazim (translated = joy)
7. Most beautiful sound - no contest, Arta's lovely lilting melodies on her violin. Add to that her sweet disposition and the package was complete!
8. Most inspirational devotion - the reminder that we often need to "wait" on the Lord (particularly important for Americans who can't seem to wait for anything!
9. Most interesting food - baby octopus (octopi? plural?) consumed at the closing luncheon with New Life staff. No lung this year, what a let down, ha.
10. Most visually arresting image - the cross at sunrise set against a turquoise and magenta backdrop
11. Most one-sided trade - Fabi's acquiescence to swap his red and black Kosove shirt for my Puma one. Although it was new, the clear winner here was yours truly. Falemenderit, Fabi!!
12. Most "heated" experience - ultimate frisbee played while wearing socks due to the "live coals" which passed for the sand
13. Most anticipated beverage - once again, Schweppe's bitter lemon in a runaway. Two new converts as well (Gina and John) Stepahinie too? Can't recall now.
14. Most anticipated new activity - Night swimming (where are you Michael Stipe?) with an added bonus of a raft trip to the lighthouse in the dark. Sort of spooky in an oddly magnetic way.
15. Most hilarious joke - this was a tie between Fabi's snail joke and Qendrim's ".....too drafty, shut the door..."
16. Most spooky - John's foray into the bat cave complete with blind turns and unknown occupants
17. Most frustrating - this category has been altered. It was going to be trying to post when the power went out but upon further review how can we associate any frustration with such a personally rewarding experience? In case you didn't know, that is a rhetorical quesion.
18. Most paradoxical sight - tranquil beach set setting with umbrellas and lounge chairs, not to mention..........................cows eating trash
19. Most enjoyable conversation - My goodness, the entire camp consisted of these - where do I begin to try and categorize them? I will say this: they began the moment we arrived and lasted through the final evening with students staying up to accompany the American team until we left at the ridiculous hour of 3:00 AM. This is my most personally rewarding aspect of the camps I have experienced, without a doubt.
20. Most curious anatomy term - "footfingers" aka toes.
21. Most thought provoking testimony - Tom's cell phone analogy
22. Most curious sight - onion/garlic cloves over the doorways in many public buildings to ward off evil spirits.
23. Most necessary early morning beverage - espresso with uje
24. Most enjoyable moment - So many, but I have to say that listening to students read the Bible in English with their requisite accents was quite peaceful. Even the way they pronounced Jesus (sounds like "Yeah Zoos") reminded me how far the English language is from the original sound of the text.
25. And finally............... The most difficult moment - saying goodbye to so many new friends, some of whom we may never see again. This is softened by the reality that those with whom we share common faith in Christ we will most definately see again.

Many thanks to all the folks from New Life who made our time there so rich. You all are inspirational to us and we thank God for your tireless work in Kosova and Albania.

Falemenderit

Clint

posted by Clint @ 12:51 PM 1 comments

the music will not stop running through my head...

Two days after i have returned home from the English Camp the music "tallava"
keeps going through my head. I take it as a reminder to pray for those precious
students who shared the hearts and lives with me for that short time together.
It also helps me to recall the highlights of the event packed week....so here is my top
ten list:
10. The scorching heat which was tamed a few minutes a day by our wonderful AC!
9. Watching Clint jump in on every Albanian dance till he finally got it down (good job man!)
8. Hiking past the military base where the guard asked us for cigarettes.
7. The amazing way the students cheat at every game we played- especially the raft race.
6. Bari's charades interpetation of "mother".....slightly unorothodox but hilarious.
5. Eating pork a few times while the students kept saying, "what great chicken!"
4. O Katunar! The students loved Bari's song!
3. Jessica winning the best "nuse" contest on girls night.
2. Talent show skit that the Americans performed which left the Albanian students rolling in the aisles. Shume smut!
1. The way everyone of them stayed up to say goodbye to us when we left....

Can't wait to go back next year!
Stephanie

posted by Steph @ 11:05 AM 0 comments

BACK HOME - BITTER/SWEET

posted by Gena @ 12:23 PM 0 comments

Last day of camp (is it possible?)

Our time here is fleeting - each moment is savored and enjoyed. Numerous conversations and opportunities to share - praise God!! Sometimes it feels like conversation (and Albanian dancing) trumps all here. When one is involved in either activity, other problems seem to melt away. The intense heat has apparently added to the power problem such that daily blackouts for indeterminate stretches are the norm.

On tap for today: Raft races in the Adriatic - should be interesting (to say nothing of hilarious)

Tomorrow evening is..............wait for it.........................talent(less) night

More later - I want to post before the power goes squirrely.

Clint

posted by Clint @ 3:57 AM 4 comments

Greetings to the Team from Home

posted by Ken Kemp @ 3:23 PM 1 comments

Random (rambling....question mark) observations

Greetings on Tuesday (or is it Monday - time means nothing here, seemingly stands still). The team has officially gelled through minimal adversity. We shoulder on through mishaps and foibles ( laughing all the way, hahaha!) Students are precious - no surprise! So eager and open to be led. Hungry for knowledge - at times it can be overwhelming to think of the responsibility. Laughter is never far below the surface - it lingers like pleasant memories. We are blessed beyond imagination to be included.

Last night some team members went swimming in the Adriatic at night. No moon - just Turkish dance music and the lights of the beachfront hotels in a line extending in both directions. A shooting star illumined the sky and (strangely) my first thought was light - and more specifically the intensity of light. It reminded me of the verse, "......the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness is powerless to prevent it........"

More later...........................we are enjoying God together 24-7

Blessings
Mirapafshim - Hajde se shkova

Clint

posted by Clint @ 3:46 AM 0 comments

Lets try this again

Twenty minutes ago : halfway through a blog post when...............out goes the power! Now what

posted by Clint @ 3:43 AM 0 comments

Day Two @ camp - the continuing saga

The students remain eager to learn and quick to laugh even though the heat the continues to alter activity. . . I suppose that is the reason for the brief blog entries. . . and yet we trudge on, albeit sweaty.

They say sleep is overrated. . . "sleep when you get home", the students say. . . beginning to feel the sleep deprivation.

Continue to keep the students and team in your prayers - one of our team members is ill. . . more to come. . . stay tuned.

In Him,

Gina and Clint
(Advanced team)

P.S. hajde se shkova (we're outa' here)

posted by Clint @ 3:20 AM 4 comments

First day observations

As Gina mentioned day one is in the proverbial books. Successful day and............. no one succumbed to the humidity. We are in great spirits as a team and are enjoying conversational opportunities with students. The Adriatic is so salty you can float in it. The students seem to be enjoying one another and finding their rythm.

More later..........................................keep praying!

Clint

posted by Clint @ 3:49 AM 0 comments

1st Day of Teaching Is Finished

The first day of teaching is finished. The students are wonderful as usual. It is very hot here. Please pray that we get a little cooler weather. Tom is teaching USA football this afternoon for the kids. Tonight will be our first night of bible reading, about 10:00 am your time. So be praying. If this message seems a little disjointed it's because of the heat. Praise God there is air conditioning in the hotel rooms.

posted by Gena @ 3:28 AM 0 comments