Back in the Saddle

We are back in Kosova. We returned as familiar visitors this time, greeted with embraces rather than handshakes. Our home was a welcome site and the sounds of the land were comforting… well, maybe not the packs of barking dogs at night. Compared to last year when we were strangers, this was an uncomplicated and energizing arrival.

On the way…we stopped in London for four days. The kids were particularly intrigued with Stonehenge. We did touristy things at a casual pace. Bloody fun, mate.

We’ve now had a couple days of teacher orientation and three days of school. Our enrollment is up to 70, so we’ve almost tripled in size. It’s nice having a little more bustle in the halls and classrooms. It’s still a teacher’s paradise having less than a dozen students in each class. I will be teaching Geometry, Algebra 2 and Precalculus. Julia will be helping the middle school teachers, Sarah and Sherry.

It appears that we will be moving into the big city of Prishtina. There is a house right next to our school that we will be renting (2nd floor). It’s a bit bigger, we’ll have an extra room, but most importantly, our commute will be a walk of about 50 meters. Since all four of us are going to the school now we are VERY excited, however, we will miss our quiet, little village terribly.

We had a wonderful time back in the states. Daniel’s baseball team did very well and he’s already practiced with the ‘08-09 squad. Melanie was able to ride several horses at Sandy Run stables – good for her body and soul. We scurried around reconnecting with friends and family. Our time in Georgia and Florida with Julia’s family was medicine for homesick hearts and staying with Gary’s parents in Kentucky was a tasty treat for us all (as was Granny’s pecan pie).

Insight

I’m told there are about 40 Christian churches in Kosova. Just a few have buildings and congregations larger than thirty. Indeed, most Sunday worship services are held in living rooms. Matters of the heart are complex here, but God is working through many patient missionaries. I am often amazed at their poise, courage and efforts.

For the past three months I’ve been leading a Bible study for a group of teenagers here in the village. Their young pastor sits in as well. We have been walking through the Bible using an older visual resource called the Panorama Bible Study as our guide. I’ve pulled in various other resources and we’ve watched a couple Nooma videos too.

It’s pleasing working with new(er) Christians. They’re eager and ask big, broad questions that easily generate conversation. The issue with Muslim converts is one of depth. They often have to practice their faith in secret or in solitude. Many of the boys don’t take the materials home with them. Pulling out a Bible and some resources would draw ire, strong words, maybe the back of a hand. A recent convert was kicked out of his home by his parents – along with his wife and young kids. These realities are why I cherish our time together and pray that the scriptures we discuss will speak to them throughout the week.

This past week we talked about the book of Acts. It’s an exciting book to study! The Holy Spirit, Saul’s conversion, Stephen’s stoning, Peter raises Tabitha from death, thousands coming to the Lord and the disciples faithfully taking the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth.

The story of Cornelius made me think of these boys and their pastor-in-training. The Holy Spirit is for everyone. This group of 8 has three ethnicities in it. In their new faith, they are at times as uncomfortable as Peter was staying at the Tanner’s house. Yet God reveals to them His message of salvation and they pursue Him as best they can. Often I can see Him in their eyes (Psalm 19:8).

Soccer Super Bowl

Wednesday night I watched a soccer match on TV from beginning to end. Soccer games are long, and compared to American football they’re kinda boring. But this was the European championship and it was far from boring. After the regular 90 minutes had passed, the teams were tied 1 to 1 (exciting, eh?). They then played 30 minutes of extended time and still came out tied at one goal. Now the penalty kicks start. First Manchester, then Chelsea. After five penalty kicks they had each missed one – still tied. The intensity is quite palpable (fancy word – look it up). There are about 15 of us in the Chesnut’s living room. The young boys (some of them are my students) who have been trash talking on either side are quiet as each penalty kick approaches. The first team to miss loses. On the eighth penalty kick the Chelsea player failed to score. ManU’s goalie had clinched the championship for his teammates and I had watched my first complete soccer game.

The game was held in Moscow. It started at 11:00pm and ended well past midnight for those attending the game. I heard on the radio that over 100 million people worldwide watched this match. It was 11:15pm when I went and found Melanie asleep on a couch upstairs. Yes, this was a school night for both of us. Bad daddy.

Sporting Observations

Soccer is king in Kosova and all of Europe for that matter. There’s also volleyball and basketball here in Pristina, but they’re a distant second. Karate is another sport that is prominent enough to hold competitions.

Marbles. This is the king of neighborhood sport, kinda like kickball in America. Several kids gather around an unmarked, circular area and flick their marbles toward various targets (other marbles, depressions, rocks) to see who gets closest. The rules evade me, they are probably different depending on whose patch of dirt you’re using. Often matches reduce to shouting…kinda like kickball in America. Outside our kitchen window I’ve actually seen a kid 'take their marbles and go home.'

May Day

We could see nine bon fires from our patio, some within yards, others in the hills several miles away. We could hear the villagers cheering and singing around the fires closest to us. It’s a competition of sorts. A tradition carried out on the eve of May Day, which is Labour Day here in Kosova.

While America doesn’t make much of May Day (May 1), it is a festival with a history predating Christ, and today it is celebrated all across Europe for many different reasons. It’s pagan roots have been Christianized or secularized over the years. May 1st is approximately half-way between the summer equinox and the winter solstice, in Catholic circles it’s a day to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary, it’s mostly known as International Workers Day and often hosts as many protests for worker’s rights as festivals for youngsters and families.

Wikipedia tells me: Long ago the May Day custom was the setting of new fire. The fire itself was thought to lend life to the burgeoning springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the smoke for seeing good luck. I don’t think the folks here were thinking of these associations, they were just trying to make the biggest bon fire that gave off the most black smoke and had longlasting embers.

Good luck to you and your sweetheart. Smokey says, “Don’t play with fire”.

Firsts

First Wave
Julia and Daniel will be heading home this week. They’ll both enjoy an extended sleep over with Granny and PaPa starting Wednesday night. They’re heading back a little early so Dan can hook up with his baseball team, the Panthers. He’ll play his first game 24 hours after landing. They are both excited, but we’ll all feel awkward during the six weeks we’re apart. Gary and Melanie head home June 9. Anticipation.

First School Year
Pristina High School has had a wonderful first year. We are a tight-knit group. About 50 of us see each other every day. Students, teachers, staff, administrators. It’s no surprise that we have bonded, probably deeper than any of us really know. From this group PHS will have its first graduating class next year. Rewarding.

First Re-Entry Meal
Well, maybe not the first – Granny and PaPa will take care of that. We’re certainly looking forward to a few meals upon our return to the states. These and others have filled our conversation many times here in Kosova. Gary’s looking forward to a fried fish platter at Mr. Herb’s in Hebron. Melanie would very much like a Steak and Shake hamburger platter. Julia simply wants to eat in a smoke free restaurant. Dan wants to devour a plate of Buffalo Wings with a root beer. Delicious.

First Mission Trip
Moving to Kosova was a tough decision, but hindsight makes us chuckle, “why were we so worried?” This (first) blog is ample evidence of how God has blessed our time here. This is our first assignment, but it shall not be the last. Peace.

First Visitors

Mimi, Aunt Georgia and Baxter! Joy.

First Care Package
Hmmmm? Uncle Greg and Aunt Lauren we think. But we sure thank all of you that sent one (or more). At least three of you had a package sent back. The most infamous was a little booger of a package that traveled about 30,000 miles before reaching our couch - the place where all care packages are peeled open, plucked apart and squeezed for all the excitement they can render. Laughter.

First Visitors :-)

We welcomed our first visitors over the Easter break. It was a pleasure having Julia’s mom (Julia), sister (Georgia) and nephew (Baxter). The treat lasted for nine days and involved a road trip through four countries, a service project at a local school, LOTS of ethnic food, plenty of laughs. They were able to get a taste of our daily routine here in the village and also venture to the big city to visit the high school. They met several of our neighbors, humorously struggled with the language (as we do), endured power outages and weathered snow & rain.

Baxter’s 5th grade class in California (Green Valley Elementary) collected toothbrushes and toothpaste along with money to put together care packages for an elementary school near our village. Berganice is a village school with 65 students spanning eight grades. A trade of smiles and an embrace of friendship – these were really the exchanges that day.

The two daughters and mom sure enjoyed being together. Daniel and Baxter were constantly active. We are thankful for their safe travel and feel energized now that we’ve shared our journey first-hand.