We went to church in Sunday morning and me and Dave entertained ourselves during the sermon by reading our bibles which was good. In the afternoon we went to the church in sukth where we again read our bibles during the sermon. In the evening Besi and i went to play football which was fun, we had a really good game.
On Monday we had a lazy day. After waking up late we went out for lunch with Ruth and Amelia. It was quite a long drive there but it was quite a special restaurant. The waiter was riding a horse around, and if he didn't bring the food on the horse he ran around. I had three fish and some shrimps from the BBQ which were very nice. At the end of the meal he came and brought some flowers on his horse. In the evening we watched DVDs, Dave and I have got quite into Mim and Besis DVD series, recently we've been watching Roswell all about Aliens.
Yesterday Dave and I went to Tirane on the bus. We had a look around the centre and went to the fake McDonald's and a rotating bar at the top of a tall building. We then got a mini bus back and went to the Good News Club that CEF were running. It was in a very poor area near the CEF office and quite a few kids came and seemed to be genuinely interested and enjoying it. In the evening we went to Sukth for a BBQ. We had some nice ribs and the company was great. Lots of people we've met over the last month, so it was nice to see them for the last time.
Today we are going to meet up with some people and say good bye. And then we fly out late this evening. We've had a great time in Albania. Its been good seeing a different culture and see the work that CEF and others are doing out here to spread God word. I will defiantly be back, maybe next year, but it would be cool to learn a bit more Albanian first!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
In the Mountains Up North
So at 1 O'clock on Wednesday we were waiting by the side of the motorway with Besis uncle, Arjan, and his 11 year old daughter Gena, waiting for the bus up north. It was a very windy route with spectacular scenery all around, and cool views of the new motorway they are building to Kosovo. 4 hours later we arrived at Fushe-arrez, a small town in the mountains. we waited around for an hour and a bit for a car to take us to the house. After an even more windy journey in a fairly old bright yellow mercedes we arrived at the house in a stunning location.
The house is clinging to the side of the hill, with views of the valley bellow and mountains in the distance. We went to the next door neighbours for a drink of Rakki (an Albanian spirit , which they make and drink a lot of, i wasn't really a fan). After a dinner of peppers, white cheese and sausages we headed to bed.
After an average sleep (woken by the guard dog barking all night and the rats in the ceiling) Arjan woke us at 7 in the morning. We had a coffee for berkkie, he showed us all his land. It was very pretty, the fields on the steep hillside all very green. Lunch was peppers, white cheese and cucumber, and then it was nap time.
In the afternoon Dave and I erad for a bit and then went for a walk over to the other side of the valley so we were directly opposite the house. We took lots of pictures and chatted. In the evening we played cards and had dinner, peppers, sausage, cucumber, beans and white cheese. Wev'e had lots of interesting conversations using hand signals and the phrase book we had!
In the morning I did not feel good, the bug I had earlier in the week had returned and it was not nice as there was only a squatter toilet in the house! I spent most of the day in bed and had a few games of cards and read a bit. We also went down to the river where there was a nice waterfall, it would have been tempting to swim if id been feeling better.
In the evening Besi and his other uncle came, and this morning we woke at 6am and drove back to Durres.
Tomorrow we've got church in Durres and chuch in Sukth, and probably not football, unless I'm feeling a lot better.
The house is clinging to the side of the hill, with views of the valley bellow and mountains in the distance. We went to the next door neighbours for a drink of Rakki (an Albanian spirit , which they make and drink a lot of, i wasn't really a fan). After a dinner of peppers, white cheese and sausages we headed to bed.
After an average sleep (woken by the guard dog barking all night and the rats in the ceiling) Arjan woke us at 7 in the morning. We had a coffee for berkkie, he showed us all his land. It was very pretty, the fields on the steep hillside all very green. Lunch was peppers, white cheese and cucumber, and then it was nap time.
In the afternoon Dave and I erad for a bit and then went for a walk over to the other side of the valley so we were directly opposite the house. We took lots of pictures and chatted. In the evening we played cards and had dinner, peppers, sausage, cucumber, beans and white cheese. Wev'e had lots of interesting conversations using hand signals and the phrase book we had!
In the morning I did not feel good, the bug I had earlier in the week had returned and it was not nice as there was only a squatter toilet in the house! I spent most of the day in bed and had a few games of cards and read a bit. We also went down to the river where there was a nice waterfall, it would have been tempting to swim if id been feeling better.
In the evening Besi and his other uncle came, and this morning we woke at 6am and drove back to Durres.
Tomorrow we've got church in Durres and chuch in Sukth, and probably not football, unless I'm feeling a lot better.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Face Painting
On sunday morning I woke up feeling pretty ill, so didnt go to morning church, afternoon church in Sukth or football in the evening. Which was a shame cos i was looking forward to going again, and seeing some people we've met. I dont think I had swine flu, but you never no! Im better now anyway.
I made it to CEF yesterday morning where we handed out invitations to the kids in the neighbourhood and then met in a corner of a street for a Good News club 10 minutes later. Unfortunately no kids turned up, I think maybe a little more planning is needed. In the afternoon I went to meet Dave, who was with Ruth and Amalia, and another family from church at an out door swimming pool. We had fun entertaining the kids and it was very hot.
In the evening was the out reach on the streets. We went to an area where all the kids hang out in the evening and we did face painting. As before the kids loved it and due to the demand I had to face paint too! I got quite into it in the end, especially doing skeletons, and i did a pretty good rabbit! On thing I do remember was a painting spiderman on a teenager with a mustache! It would never happen in Britain! We then kicked a ball round for a bit with the kids and then headed off home.
This morning Dave dan I are off on an adventure. We are going up north for 2 days with Besi's uncle who has a house in the mountains and doesnt speak any english! It should be fun!
I made it to CEF yesterday morning where we handed out invitations to the kids in the neighbourhood and then met in a corner of a street for a Good News club 10 minutes later. Unfortunately no kids turned up, I think maybe a little more planning is needed. In the afternoon I went to meet Dave, who was with Ruth and Amalia, and another family from church at an out door swimming pool. We had fun entertaining the kids and it was very hot.
In the evening was the out reach on the streets. We went to an area where all the kids hang out in the evening and we did face painting. As before the kids loved it and due to the demand I had to face paint too! I got quite into it in the end, especially doing skeletons, and i did a pretty good rabbit! On thing I do remember was a painting spiderman on a teenager with a mustache! It would never happen in Britain! We then kicked a ball round for a bit with the kids and then headed off home.
This morning Dave dan I are off on an adventure. We are going up north for 2 days with Besi's uncle who has a house in the mountains and doesnt speak any english! It should be fun!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Evangelsim on the beach, cable cars and 6 way international skype conversations
Firstly sorry its soo long, its been a very busy week!
This week has been really good. On Monday Dave and i wondered over to CEF early in the morning for the kids rally. It went well again, the guys especially enjoying a crazy game of lets all run around after the football! I have enjoyed building relationships with the kids despite the language barrier, i can say hello, how are you, and that's about it! After an average pizza for lunch (we wont be going there again) we sat around in CEF chatting and going on the fast Internet. In the evening Maki had a call from his flat saying the water had all ran out. So we went to get a tank with the land rover and went backwards and forwards a few times filling it up and emptying out into their tank. We also got a suflaq for dinner whilst the tank was filling, we came back to find the front drive flooded! We eventually got home at about 11pm, but it was quite a fun evening of chatting and fellowship.
Tuesday morning I ran to CEF and then we walked back to the bus stop and went to the beach! Me and Visar (the kosovan guy who's name i forgot) went together and handed out these leaflets about Christianity to the kids. Most of them seemed quite interested, it was annoying that i couldn't talk to them too, i just said hi and thank you / goodbye. In the afternoon I met up with Dave and we went around the 1st century amphitheatre which was cool. And then we went up this hill to this bar with amazing views over Durres.
On Wednesday we went to the beach again, this time a nicer one, not so busy. Mim Dave and I went with the pastor from church and his wife and his 4 year old son Danieli and his fried. We had a fun time playing with an inflatable shark and relaxing on the sun lounger until two four year olds started poking you in the face!
On Thursday morning we went to a very nice pancake cafe for breakfast with mim and then Besi drove us to Tirane. We went up the mountain in the cable car which had cool views over Tirane. We had a very nice picnic and a beer in the posh bar and then headed back down.
Yesterday I ran over to CEF for the kids craft morning. I spent the morning drawing round little kids hands and helping them cut them out (stopping them cutting fingers off) and sticking a lolly stick on. We then played 4 year olds versions of jenga and connect 4 which was fun. In the afternoon Dave and I went to a village called Dushk with maki for a good news club, we went there 2 weeks ago so was cool to see them again, and they wer all very excited about getting their invitations to camp.
Yesterday evening we had a very fun 6 way conversation on Skye spanning 3 countries. Loads of my friends from Bristol wer online as well as Charlotte in Amsterdam and me and Dave here. We chatted for a few hours which was cool, as we havent all been together for ages!
We now have only 11 days left! its gone so quick but I'm really enjoying it. I really could see my self working with kids here one day, or somewhere else in a developing country. You can see how much we take for granted in the UK, and small things u do here make a big difference to them.
Next week we are doing out reach on the street, and i think I'm going to be planning the ice breakers, so that should be fun.
hope all is well with you, please comment.
Josh
This week has been really good. On Monday Dave and i wondered over to CEF early in the morning for the kids rally. It went well again, the guys especially enjoying a crazy game of lets all run around after the football! I have enjoyed building relationships with the kids despite the language barrier, i can say hello, how are you, and that's about it! After an average pizza for lunch (we wont be going there again) we sat around in CEF chatting and going on the fast Internet. In the evening Maki had a call from his flat saying the water had all ran out. So we went to get a tank with the land rover and went backwards and forwards a few times filling it up and emptying out into their tank. We also got a suflaq for dinner whilst the tank was filling, we came back to find the front drive flooded! We eventually got home at about 11pm, but it was quite a fun evening of chatting and fellowship.
Tuesday morning I ran to CEF and then we walked back to the bus stop and went to the beach! Me and Visar (the kosovan guy who's name i forgot) went together and handed out these leaflets about Christianity to the kids. Most of them seemed quite interested, it was annoying that i couldn't talk to them too, i just said hi and thank you / goodbye. In the afternoon I met up with Dave and we went around the 1st century amphitheatre which was cool. And then we went up this hill to this bar with amazing views over Durres.
On Wednesday we went to the beach again, this time a nicer one, not so busy. Mim Dave and I went with the pastor from church and his wife and his 4 year old son Danieli and his fried. We had a fun time playing with an inflatable shark and relaxing on the sun lounger until two four year olds started poking you in the face!
On Thursday morning we went to a very nice pancake cafe for breakfast with mim and then Besi drove us to Tirane. We went up the mountain in the cable car which had cool views over Tirane. We had a very nice picnic and a beer in the posh bar and then headed back down.
Yesterday I ran over to CEF for the kids craft morning. I spent the morning drawing round little kids hands and helping them cut them out (stopping them cutting fingers off) and sticking a lolly stick on. We then played 4 year olds versions of jenga and connect 4 which was fun. In the afternoon Dave and I went to a village called Dushk with maki for a good news club, we went there 2 weeks ago so was cool to see them again, and they wer all very excited about getting their invitations to camp.
Yesterday evening we had a very fun 6 way conversation on Skye spanning 3 countries. Loads of my friends from Bristol wer online as well as Charlotte in Amsterdam and me and Dave here. We chatted for a few hours which was cool, as we havent all been together for ages!
We now have only 11 days left! its gone so quick but I'm really enjoying it. I really could see my self working with kids here one day, or somewhere else in a developing country. You can see how much we take for granted in the UK, and small things u do here make a big difference to them.
Next week we are doing out reach on the street, and i think I'm going to be planning the ice breakers, so that should be fun.
hope all is well with you, please comment.
Josh
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Miss Shiperia and More
The rally on Wednesday went really well, i had planned the games and the kids seemed to enjoy them and no one got too badly injured, so that was good! We then went back to CEF to plan for Fridays craft day we also went for a drink we Maki in a bar on one of the tallest building with amazing views over Durres. IN the evening Dave and I went to Miss Shiperia (Albania) 2009. It was only just down the road and not too expensive so we thought we might as well. It was very interesting, and we gad a laugh. There was also some very bad singers between the ladies change of costumes!
On Thursday we planned for the craft event and moved chairs around and bought some materials. In the Evenki we went for a meal with Maki at his friends restaurant, we had muscles, chips, salad and bass it was great. That evening we stayed at Makis house as we wer up early on Friday for the craft morning.
The craft morning went really well. The kids really enjoyed doing graffiti making hats and especially getting their faces painted. Even the 14 year olds. None of them had ever had it done before. It was quite humbling to see how excited they were and how we take small things like craft, and art work for granted. They never have chances to make things and paint etc.
This weened has been good. Yesterday we went to sukth to look at the house with a concrete floor now! We the went to a beach in the afternoon and swam in the warm sea. This morning we went to the church in Durres and I helped Maki with the kids work. We then had a men's church BBQ for lunch which was nice, and in the afternoon we went to the small church in Sukth where Besi is the leader. This evening I played football again with Besis family and friends from church.
2moro there is another rally and iv got to come up with some games for it again.
Hope ur all well.
Josh
On Thursday we planned for the craft event and moved chairs around and bought some materials. In the Evenki we went for a meal with Maki at his friends restaurant, we had muscles, chips, salad and bass it was great. That evening we stayed at Makis house as we wer up early on Friday for the craft morning.
The craft morning went really well. The kids really enjoyed doing graffiti making hats and especially getting their faces painted. Even the 14 year olds. None of them had ever had it done before. It was quite humbling to see how excited they were and how we take small things like craft, and art work for granted. They never have chances to make things and paint etc.
This weened has been good. Yesterday we went to sukth to look at the house with a concrete floor now! We the went to a beach in the afternoon and swam in the warm sea. This morning we went to the church in Durres and I helped Maki with the kids work. We then had a men's church BBQ for lunch which was nice, and in the afternoon we went to the small church in Sukth where Besi is the leader. This evening I played football again with Besis family and friends from church.
2moro there is another rally and iv got to come up with some games for it again.
Hope ur all well.
Josh
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