Kosova 2006 - An Odyssey

Today sees the last change to the second team, having had our dutch team mates arrive on saturday and Dr Jonny and Alec having flown off home today!!!
This is one of the smallest teams that we've had for a long time, and what 35 people did last year, 13 are doing this year!!!The Lord has stretched us beyond our own abilities through leading kids clubs with one leader and one translator at times, all in His plan and for His strength to be made manifest in our work. This past seven days has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows...from scottish dancing in International night last nite, to one of our team members getting tonsilitus, and from sweltering heat to an impromtu dance off involving a professional breakdancer and circle time in the kids clubs!
God has shown us what it is to follow His will and doing it with passion and energy has also bn a challenge, but as attitudes of tiredness or lack of entusiasm have arisen (speaking for myself here) God has opened my eyes to the greatness of His work and the multiple rewards He lavishes upon us when we least expect it, in mysterious forms too, from a hug, to a letter from broken children, telling us that we have entered their hearts and that they will never forget us until the day they die. Such expressions of love can only be the work of God penetrating the broken hearts of the people of Kosova.

Please pray for

• Energy and passion
• Safety on the roads
• Guidance as we enter the last seven days of our odyssey
• Vicky's speedy recovery from tonsilitus

lots of love, Vicky xoxoxox

Ok,I know our updating of the blog has been poor but it is an indication of the little free time we have had to engage in such activities!!
Since our last blog we have had an amazing time!! God has been so so good! The 2nd week of the 1st team was awesome. The team really really bonded together amazingly..each with their own personall gifts and talents to bring to the team and together i really believe we achieved great things for God. As the team went home on Sunday I really believe they went home with big hearts for the people of Kosova and I know for many it will not be the last time they will be here!!
As a team and personally I really believe we have been taught so many things over the last few weeks!!
The team leaving on Sunday meant that those of us staying for the month had a couple of days to chill and catch up on some sleep!! We had some relaxing mornings by the pool...which did result in Lucy burning herself in areas u really would rather not...we did warn her cream would have been a good idea, she never listens!!
Wednesday then found us in 4x4 landrover driving lessons with the lovely Alistair.. for some reason he believed we had something to learn when it came to driving such vehicles... and boy was he right!!!!!!!
The lessons started with some theory in a classroom setting...Alistair had lovely coloured photos ready for us and spare pages provided for extra note taking!! He even added the use of a white board to his classroom resources...at this point some of us girlies where feeling slightly anxious at the task ahead!! But immediately Alistair made us fell very comfortable and before long we were feeling much more confident. We learnt about transfer gear boxes and diff locks and off roading driving to name but a few. It was when he talked about and explained the off road driving experience we were going to engage in that we felt out levels of fear rise again.
Off we went.. 3 landys in convoy...Ali at the lead!! We arrived at the field where the practical was to start...a hill i wud say at a 45degree slop (no exaggeration)!! Words from Ali...put your diff in, 2nd gear and off u go!! Yeah you got it we were anxious!! Lucy feeling quite happy residing in the back of the jeep was then quickly spied by Ali who whipped her out and put her in control of his!! On 1st attempt a few sliding backward scenes were clear to be seen.. we were meant to be going up! But after a bit of practise and lots of errors we were beasting up and down the mountain face and were even joined at onepoint by the police- who proceeded to pick flowers. The experience continued with some off road jungle driving.. when i say jungle i mean jungle the trees where through the windows!! You will be pleased to hear that we all did return safely and from the mouth of our teacher all proved ourselves very well at the wheel. We hope a certificate is coming our way soon..imagine that in the cv!!!
It was long after returning from our lessons that the lovely 2nd team arrived!!
So today we have started back to team activities! This morning we had a little planning time and a tour of peja town for the 1st timers amongest us and this af we hit kids and teens club again!! Its exciting to be starting all the activities again. Pray that God would just so fill us up with his energy and strength and that once again as a team ( a much smaller team) that we would be united as we have the privelage of sharing Gods amazing amazing love with the people here!! Also pray for 3 of our team who are travelling from Holland.. their car has broke down in Germany and they have not made it yet! Pray for their safe arrival!
Thats all for now
Ruth

Thankfully this saturday we finally reached our full complement of translators with the arrival of argjira and the reappearance of alketa - the fabulous bala sisters!!!!
now at full force the clubs are storming ahead. numbers are growing each day and the only problem is one of space (which is a great problem to have!)

Yesterday (sunday) was meant to be a day of rest and we were joined for a picninc at the team house by the local church members. it wasn't quite the respectful, bonding that we had expected. instead a full on water fight ensued - no-one was left unscathed!! but it was a great day and i can honestly say we are all probably a lot more comfortable with each other now!! after you've dumped a bin full of water over someone's head tall inhibitions are lost!

claire- a personal message to you, just to really tug at those heart strings. the roma kids have been asking everyday when you are coming and they think you are coming with paul on thursday.... so there is still time to get on that plane!!

all for now - a busy week of kids/teens/womens and men's clubs/groups ahead so keep on praying for energy, opportunities and safety!!

Yo all those of you who are interested in the 'Kosova 2006 - An Odyssey!" Are humbliest apoplogies for taking so long to get some updates on the blog but despite what some of you may think we are working excessively hard out here.
A wee quick update for you all!!
We have now been here 4 days, been involved in lots of kids clubs, teen girls groups, teen boys groups, ladies groups, teen guys and girls bible studies.... you see I told you we were real workers! All of these have gone so so so well... the people here have been as amazing as ever, we have been greeted with lots of hugs and kisses. Numbers at all the groups have been great and no doubt will keep growing when word gets about that the amazing Irish are in town!!
Its been class to have about 8 local members of the church coming out with us to help in the different groups each morning and then coming back and having lunch with the team.
The team itself has been amazing, everyone has settled so well into team life here in mighty Kosova and its been particularly class to see how the 1st timers have just got stuck in.
Tomorrow we plan to do some house visits and spend time with some of the families we like to hang out with!
A few wee prayer points to keep you all on your knees:
1. Pray that as a team we would continue to be united in our goal of sharing God's love here in Peja.
2. Pray that all those people - kids, teens, ladies, men who are are hearing God's word will have seeds planted in their heart and come to experience God's amazing love for them.
3. Pray for Ian as he leads us in team bible studies. (these have been a real encouragement).
4. Pray for energy and strength as the sun continues to beat down.
5. Pray for the locals christians from the church who have been helping us that the time they have spent with us is a encouragement to them as much as it is to us.
6. Pray in all we do God's name will be honoured!!

Thats all for now!!
Ruth

This has been a real eye opener to the world of long term mission on the field, as I witnessed such strong advances coming upon us from the enemy...especially in the physical sense, as my hostesses have experienced major pass-out pain in the form of tooth ache and back pain...but the Lord has been faithful in healing them beyond our own human intervention and this has shown me the power of prayer! Life can be complicated so much by the language barrier, horrid heat and the many bugs and trouble with cultural differences, yet amongst the struggle the simpliest truths have be so manifest to me...to simply love the little children and our neighbours especially when its hard! Following Jesus' path has many bumps along the way but the rewards creep up and bite you in the bum (in an amazingly good way)....i recommend you try it!!! being a servant requires work, but the rewards are abundant! xoxox vicky

Please pray for Primrose, Abi & Brad's family & myself, that the Lord might keep us safe from harm, both physically and spiritually! thanks

Hey there...i kno ur expecting the wonderful luce, but this time ur being introduced to Vicky...im currently enjoying the wonderful land of Kosoovvaaaa!! (5th summer running) in Peja...I arrived Wed to the sweltering heat and random airport incidents.
So i'l give you a little insight as to why I'm here now, as teams dont begin 'til july...
I'm spliting my time assisting the wonderful Primy in English classes & helping the Abster with her three wonderful little byrds...homeschooling and anything else!!!
Ok i'm off to the mountains today with a whole host of people to celebrate Alistair's birthday, and Ezzie has just warned me about the 'big pig's with horns'...'just watch out in case they come near your tent!'...so i'l b watching out for all types of wildlife, bores included!!!

Please pray for our safety and health over the next week or so, as we approach the arrival of the teams, and God's guidance throughout every inch of our preparation!

We'l speak soon...dont fret!
xoxxoox
vickster

that's right just nine more sleeps (10 if you plan on getting a couple of hours between sunday/monday when we leave at 3am) before we arrive in the beautiful surrounds of Peja. before that we have to navigate dublin aiport, budapest airport and pristina airport but all things are minor. the team euros have been ordered, dishes and cooking rota drawn up and room allocation done. all that's left is to get there!!

so here comes the serious bit (possibly the first serious bit of the blog so far), some prayer points for our imminient departure and arrival in peja

1. TRAVEL!!!! that we all get where we need to do (i.e Kosova) without trauma or trouble and end the day of travelling with all the suitcases we started with!

2. pray in particular for new people on the team that they won't feel overwhelmed or homesick but that they realise that they are an important part of the team.

3. pray for the kids, young people and adults we will be meeting and sharing with. that God will really work in their lives, and open their hearts.