Finally the weather has cooled down a bit, and its very nice. This morning I was actually even cold. It still has not rained yet, but at least its bearable to walk outside, or do anything inside. Since I have been gone for awhile and really busy when I was here, my apartment got really messy. For the past couple days it seems like all I have done is clean, clean, and clean. The only problem was that I could only clean for about 10 minutes before I was way too hot to keep going. For most hours of the afternoon the water was off, so I couldn't even cool off with a cold shower and start again. Therefore the cleaning process has been slow going. I think I finally have it down to a manageable task and I should be finished soon...and then it will be ready to be cleaned again. The joys of living in a dusty city with not much water.
In addition to cleaning I have relaxed a lot this week. And I have gone to the airport a lot. I really know that my summer team is leaving, so far I have taken 2 trips to the airport and 3 more to go. (Gotta plan that better next year.)
Ok, time to catch up on some more sleep. Nap time. I woke up at 6am this morning, and even earlier for tomorrow, so I sleep while I can.
Tuesday, July 31
Saturday, July 28
pray for rain
I forgot to mention this, please can you all pray for rain here. I asked some of my summer students who have been here for the whole month of July, has it rained since you have been here. They responded, once for about 5 minutes. The weather is unbearably hot at times, getting up to 110 or more, and the land is dry. There are many fires and there is not much water left to put them out.
Last Sunday as we were driving back from the beach many areas of the mountains were on fire. At that point I had been away from the news for a long time, and didn't know why we kept seeing so many fires. Then on Wednesday I went into the mountains near my old city to visit the Leadership camp going on there. The plan for that day was supposed to be a hike further up the mountain with all the campers, and the "big game" on top of the mountain. This didn't happen because the mountain was on fire. The night before they watched the flames spreading and entire trees engulfing in flames. That morning they packed up their stuff, expecting to be evacuated. Thankfully the firemen came and were able to stop the fire from spreading further down the mountain...at least for the time being. A few of us went to go help the firemen, but by the time we got there it was all under control and we just wandered through the ashes. I had never seen a forest fire before, and wished I brought my camera with me (but when thinking I would be near actual flames, left it behind.) That day the smoke still bellowed out from different parts of the mountain, but in the evening you could only see flames in a few areas, all very distant and small.
Last Sunday as we were driving back from the beach many areas of the mountains were on fire. At that point I had been away from the news for a long time, and didn't know why we kept seeing so many fires. Then on Wednesday I went into the mountains near my old city to visit the Leadership camp going on there. The plan for that day was supposed to be a hike further up the mountain with all the campers, and the "big game" on top of the mountain. This didn't happen because the mountain was on fire. The night before they watched the flames spreading and entire trees engulfing in flames. That morning they packed up their stuff, expecting to be evacuated. Thankfully the firemen came and were able to stop the fire from spreading further down the mountain...at least for the time being. A few of us went to go help the firemen, but by the time we got there it was all under control and we just wandered through the ashes. I had never seen a forest fire before, and wished I brought my camera with me (but when thinking I would be near actual flames, left it behind.) That day the smoke still bellowed out from different parts of the mountain, but in the evening you could only see flames in a few areas, all very distant and small.
summer
Wow, time flies when you are having fun....and also when you are crazy busy. Sorry for the lack of updates lately. The busyness of my summer is coming to a close and I am thankful. Half of my sumer team left yesterday and the rest will leave this week. Although it is sad to see them all leave, its nice to have a break and rest.
For about 10 days this month I was at the beach, leading a team of 26. It was a bit overwhelming at times, but a lot of fun for those involved. 15 people came from California, along with some of my summer team from Texas, and a few of my students as translators.
It was interesting leading a team in a city that I had only visited on vacation. Its not where I live, and therefore I didn't know all the details of where everything was and how everything worked.
Thankfully God provided and everything worked smoothly...or close to it. We spent the afternoons on the beach meeting people by playing volleyball and building sand castles.
Then we went out for the evenings. The students from Texas played music at a Cafe every night and we invited people we met during the day to join us there for the evenings.
It was fun to meet Albanians from all over Europe, as they all come to this beach for their vacation.
Once we came back from the beach there was only one week left for part of my summer team, so it was full of final activities with the students here. I think later this month (well really next month) I will go to the beach again, but this time to actually rest and relax.
After next week I will be on my own here again. Anyone want to come and teach English with me? I have had help here since January, and its going to be hard to cover everything on my own again. I know God has a plan for the work here, so I will wait and see what it is.
For about 10 days this month I was at the beach, leading a team of 26. It was a bit overwhelming at times, but a lot of fun for those involved. 15 people came from California, along with some of my summer team from Texas, and a few of my students as translators.
It was interesting leading a team in a city that I had only visited on vacation. Its not where I live, and therefore I didn't know all the details of where everything was and how everything worked.
Thankfully God provided and everything worked smoothly...or close to it. We spent the afternoons on the beach meeting people by playing volleyball and building sand castles.
Then we went out for the evenings. The students from Texas played music at a Cafe every night and we invited people we met during the day to join us there for the evenings.
It was fun to meet Albanians from all over Europe, as they all come to this beach for their vacation.
Once we came back from the beach there was only one week left for part of my summer team, so it was full of final activities with the students here. I think later this month (well really next month) I will go to the beach again, but this time to actually rest and relax.
After next week I will be on my own here again. Anyone want to come and teach English with me? I have had help here since January, and its going to be hard to cover everything on my own again. I know God has a plan for the work here, so I will wait and see what it is.
Friday, July 6
4th of July
Another week has passed and I am not sure where it went. Since getting back from Greece I have been very busy and finally today I have a free day. Its very exciting. The only problem, I am sick. I want to enjoy my day off, not stay home in bed all day. Hopefully some medicine will kick in soon and I will be feeling better.
Happy 4th of July. For the first time in 4 years of being here I saw fireworks. We have a large summer team here now, so during the day they competed in an "Amazing Race." This ended at the park where we had a cookout with all our students who were involved in the Race giving clues. The race was much more complicated than I ever expected, but it was fun, and I think all involved enjoyed it. In the evening there was a concert here, with a small fireworks show. It was good.
Okay, I know that I had other stories to tell, but I can't think of them now.
Happy 4th of July. For the first time in 4 years of being here I saw fireworks. We have a large summer team here now, so during the day they competed in an "Amazing Race." This ended at the park where we had a cookout with all our students who were involved in the Race giving clues. The race was much more complicated than I ever expected, but it was fun, and I think all involved enjoyed it. In the evening there was a concert here, with a small fireworks show. It was good.
Okay, I know that I had other stories to tell, but I can't think of them now.
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