General Meeting

Last week the commander of the US forces here in Kosova visited our high school and chatted with the students for about 2 hours. Brigadier General Douglas B. Earhart heads a Multinational Task Force at Camp Bondsteel in southeastern Kosovo. There are about 1,700 troops there, plus some soldiers from other countries. This is one of 8 or 9 task forces that make up the UN forces (16,000 troops) here in Kosovo. They have been keeping the peace since 1999. The General invited us to camp Bondsteel for a field trip and we will be going there October 31. The students are very excited and the staff likes the fact that there is a Taco Bell on the Bondsteel premises.

Early Winter?

This past Sunday we woke up to three inches of snow on the ground! As always, the first snow was exciting and beautiful. This picture was taken from our balcony. It is not normal for snow to fall in October - today the high is going to be 64. Our weather will mirror northern Kentucky's weather for the most part. We are hoping for a mild winter since our home heating sources are portable electric units, and power is off about as much as it is on. The pattern is not consistent. One day this week we had 4 hours off, 2 hours on. Another day this week we had power most of the day. Here in our village several families use wood to heat their homes. We certainly have a better appreciation for the comforts of the US. Sleigh bells rinnnnnng, are ya listening?

Fli

This is a pan of fli, a popular dish here in Kosova. There are several layers that look like this current layer. This pan is about half done. Each layer of bread strips is spooned in and then a lid with hot coals (on top) is placed over the pan to brown the dough mix. Sour cream is poured between each layer of dough, then another layer is spooned in. Repeat for about 7 layers. Often you eat it with yogurt. This pan is simply placed in the middle of the table and everyone just picks at the portion of the circular pan directly in front of them. Pick until you get to the bottom. We have a hard time getting to the bottom of our section - it's quite filling. I favor the browned (crunchy) strips.

Visiting

Tending to relationships is important here. More so in the villages than in the city, but still, folks visit. Saturday night we visited a family nearby – Dan and their son have become occasional buddies. Our language teacher went along to translate for us. We arrived around 6:30pm, took off our shoes outside the front door and all gathered in one of the two side rooms. One of the girls allowed each of us to rinse our hands in a bowl as she poured warm water from a pitcher.

G and H have six children. They invited us for Iftar, the evening meal during Ramadan. Twelve of us gathered around a small rectangular table as an assortment of food was placed before us. The most prominent dish was fli (flee), a national bread dish often cooked outside with hot coals. Dishes and bowls with cooked peppers, sausage and cabbage slaw were placed around the large circular pan of fli. We all reached and picked and shared which is typical for meals here.

Conversation was brisk and predictable – mutual greetings, kids, work, family history, Kosova independence. We spoke warmly about our transition into Albanian culture and shed some light on our American home and the loved ones we left in the states. Our different faiths did not get in the way, even now during Ramadan. God’s (Zot) name was mentioned in both Muslim and Christian context yet never muddied or restricted the topic at hand. We were two faithful families, genuinely interested in each other for friendship’s sake – we both thought being nice to others was paramount, kids shouldn’t cavort after dark, city life is too busy and politics often get in the way.

Julia and I are always grateful for the hospitality extended to us and the raw experiences our family takes part in. This family shared beyond their means and that is often the case when we are invited for a meal. We get the best from each family we visit. It isn’t excess or splendor – just smiles and friendship.

Dan's Decision

Sunday, September 16, has been a beautiful day in more ways than one. Outside it is sunny, but cool. The sky is blue and a light breeze is blowing. Batllava lake is glistening and cold. Many are fretting that the lake is 9 meters low, but today a small group has gathered to rejoice in the baptism of Daniel Palmer. Praise God. While dad spoke with Dan, his handwritten reasons for becoming a "child of God" were read to a crowd of a dozen or so. Mom took pictures, sister looked on. Dan emerged a new creation. Everyone smiled. God is good and Dan knows it.

9 - 11

The evening of 9-11 we found ourselves in the middle of Prishtina sitting in the Red Hall, a modest concert hall with long red curtains draped along the walls. We were there to take in a memorial concert for the tragic events of September 11th. After opening remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister and the head of the US office in Prishtina (translated in English, Albanian and Serbian), we enjoyed an intimate concert given by the Kosova Philharmony –Opera Orchestra. Several of the high school staff were there quietly appreciating the quality of the music and the genuine empathy collectively expressed by the Kosovar performers. It is unique, indeed, to experience being allies at such a simple, personal level. The people of Kosova truly appreciate America and its citizens for what they have done (and will do) for them, and hopefully for their independence.

Grand Opening

Prishtina High School had its grand opening this past Tuesday. It was a formal occasion with parents, students and dignitaries mingling outside prior to the ribbon cutting. Our principal greeted everyone and the mayor of Prishtina spoke. The family who funded and built the striking five million euro building was praised for their generosity and commended for their many benevolent endeavors in Prishtina. People filed in and enjoyed a variety of hors d’oeurves, a string quartet played and many smiling faces explored the building and classrooms. Julia got to meet my coworkers and Melanie & Daniel got to hang out in daddy’s classroom (but they like the 5th floor PE area the best).

The building is indeed beautiful. It was good to finally fire the starting pistol; now we can begin teaching. The next three days went quickly. We are teaching in “orientation” mode for the first couple weeks. Students aren’t in their specific classes yet because we need to determine their abilities in each main subject area – so Sarah, the other math teacher, and I are teaching together and trying to determine where each student belongs: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry or Algebra II. This orientation is a perfect time for teachers to begin building relationships while teaching fundamental skills.

We presently have only 20 students, so we are also allowing time for procrastinators – we hope there are several. God is throwing us a curve ball when it comes to student numbers. Please pray for this. We will continue to teach no matter what happens and the staff and students are already very close – bonding doesn’t take long with small class sizes.