Monday--last day in Albania :(

i can't believe it's been almost three weeks since we left home. it feels both like only an instant and about three lifetimes.

after breakfast, Doni and Asimi took us to visit an ancient ampitheatre in the central part of the town of Durres. this stadium is built like the Coliseum in Rome and was second in size only to that historic mammoth. it is believed that both the Apostle Paul and NT character Titus visited and preached here, and Titus was quite possible martyred here with many other believers in those days. we walked around the half-exhumed ruins of this 15,000 seat forum in the warm sun for about an hour. centuries ago, a little church met in the halls here after its original use faded. there is a remnant of a mosaic of a few saints that is partially visible in the depths of the structure. it was mystifying to think that the Apostle Paul walked and talked on the very ground where we stood. see Romans 15 where Paul mentions bringing the gospel to "Illyricum," or the Dalmation Coast, depending on your translation. this is the coastal and northern area of Albania and i believe what is now the area of MonteCristo, the small nation-state on the northern border.

after some gyros for lunch, we shopped for souvenirs in the town center and took in the sights and sounds of this dusty and developing city. many unfinished concrete structures sit all around the city, waiting for their day to become the next big hotel or resort. the folks seem happy enough, just moving through their day, doing the same things we do, the same thing humans have been doing for centuries. what does it all mean? (you can feel the throes of my existential crisis moving in on me now, can't ya?!).

back at our hotel by about 4PM, we napped and rested. some swam or waded in the sea, Andrea and i relaxed on beach chairs under an umbrella on the sand. it was very refreshing. i had the thought that normally i return from mission trips just absolutely exhausted physically and mentally and emotionally, collapsing as i step off the plane in CA. but this was a good day of rest for me. the ocean breeze in the air was helpful, and to see all the students enjoying each others' company after our work in Erseka was rather satisfying.

we enjoyed traditional Albanian fare for dinner. Albanians nearly live on this salad that is made of sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese, swimming in oil and vinegar and sprinkled over with salt and pepper. fresh bread is an ingredient in every meal, with butter or jam or other sweet spread. then a bowl with a cut of pork, seated in a thick yogurt-like sauce similar to the "a la king" part of chicken a la king, but a little more tangy.

after dinner we met in Andrea, Monique, and Meghann's room for about a two-hour debrief. i had spent some time earlier in the afternoon praying about and meditating on what to bring to this important time. i had a list of questions for the students to write in their journals and spend time on in reflection. i personally am an avid journal-er and praise this as a cardinal discipline in the spiritual life. the reason i had the students write things down in their journals was to encourage them not only to answer in ways that seemed immediate and obvious to them at the moment, but to come back to them in future days and months and years to see work accomplished and ground covered in their lives. i have a hard time believing that an unreflective life is worth it's salt. so often it's looking back over significant events of the recent past when we most clearly "hear" the voice of the Lord in our lives, and even catch a glimpse of the work He is always up to both in us and around us. i was so happily surprised with the feedback of the students to some of my questions that i nearly sobbed. they seemed to have learned so much. not only that, but to see and feel how comfortable they were sitting the same room together, sharing their thoughts and cares and worries and joys with one another really showed me that community, even family growth had taken place. this sort of thing reminds me why i am in ministry. it was a sweet moment in time.

after a few praise songs and a prayer, we finished. it was 11PM and we were looking down the barrel of a 2:30 wake up call for our bus ride to the airport. but alas...the room was filled with the dashuri...it was saturating the air and oozing under the door out into the hallway and downstairs...

sunday

sundays are usually long and busy days for me back home in SoCal, and it's the same here. we woke up sore and tired from the soccer game and from the two weeks of putting in our bets efforts all around here in Erseka.

Hollywood was representin' this morning in the children's program, going crazy with the hand motions AND Albanian lyrics to such hits as Ati Abraham (Father Abraham), Un Ka Paqe somethin'-somethin' (Peace like a River), and of course, Be Careful Little Eyes. i dig the way Matt B(enson) gets into singing/shouting the words in Albanian. the kids go nuts! it was a blast. some of us held up words to a memory verse on little cards and played a game with that. kids are the same wherever you go, i'm convinced. they're rambunctious, mischievous, sweet, fun, mostly untamed, and generally joyful when singing and playing games. God bless 'em.

we attended the adult service as well, singing some great songs (in Albanian) and enjoying fellowship. the sermon was from matthew, where Jesus was speaking and prophesying of the end times. after lunch back at our camp and load of last photos and teary-eyed goodbyes, we squeezed into a minivan taxi and headed out for a five hour trip to Durres. with just enough room for luggage and bodies, and after one half-hour stop for a snack, we pulled in to our hotel in the lovely coastal town about 8 in the evening. we lugged our luggage up the five flights of stairs to our rooms and trotted back down for a late dinner. we talked about the trip and joked around. everyone was in good spirits. Jamie Loos is in England now, for a summer study program, and we felt his absence. we even had an empty chair at the dinner table in his honor.

Doni and Asimi, a couple dudes who work with Mark at the camp, met up with us at the hotel for our last two days. this is the same hotel we stayed in the first night we arrived. it sits on the sand and over looks the Adratic Sea. it's right in the middle of a huge crescent shaped bay, so looking both north and south you get a view of lights from hotels and buildings all along the water's edge. that, mingled with the romantic glow of the moon's reflection on the sea and its gentle ripples lapping onto the sand make for a refreshing and relaxing atmosphere. this is good for the soul.

final weekend in Albania

on saturday morning we finished some work projects at Mark and Ruthie's house and at their church across the street. they have a wonderful stone building with grapevines growing on steel-pole arbors all around. there's a basketball court in the back where some fierce America v. Albania games have been played...America winning all three, i might add, against all odds.

saturday afternoon left some time for rest, hand-washing some clothes, and the looking ahead to the frightful ordeal of repacking to go home. we had a softball game in the afternoon behind the local school building. the americans and albanians were mixed on each team with the highlight of the game being Kristin's amazing pitching and some horrendous fielding by all. we played with a tennis ball and no gloves on dirt, so it was a little on the wild side. but we all had a blast.
on saturday evenings everyone meets at the House of Hope (aka, Mark and Ruthie's house) for a bbq dinner and a bible study. Erik Gundy, another missionary who lives here with his wife and two kids, leads that study. he shared some good words from the Good Word and then we were off to play soccer! the local field here is a mixture of indoor and outdoor: it's on astro turf and completely encased with netting, even overhead. the court is just a little smaller than a normal indoor-sized soccer court, which is good, because old guys like me can't run as much anymore. in the soccer game the teams mixed americans and albanians again and we had loads of fun. kudos to Meghann with some amazing defensive skills. we also played with this guy Lucas from first pres. fresno. he's a good kid. his mom is a little over protective, but i talked her in to letting him come with us. he turned 13 on sunday.

we went to bed late and tired. there's no hot water at the camp right now, so my shower was ICY-cold! alas. but i was thankful. can't believe it's almost over...

Our Two Cents By: Mattie B and Jamie L

Albania, what a country!!! As we reflect on our 2 week excursion, we visualize all the wounderful memories that we have made here. Today was rough, too rough: no kids and lots of sanding, using only Albanian sand paper. We worked until about noon thirty then headed back to camp for some code seven (lunch) during our 502 break (lunch break).

Unfortunately in less then 24 hours one our our favorite comrads will be departing our troop. Jamison will be venturing to his studies at Oxford University, leaving the rest of his fellow comrads behind (me). The trip has taught us a lot about ourselves and our Albanian brothers and sisters. We both dearly miss our loved ones, and look forward to hunging and kissing them in the near future (except for Jamie who has another 3 weeks on the road).

The sunsets have been memorable and the shooting stars are magical. We wish this chapter of the Hollywood Pres. family could remain bound forever, but every fairy tale comes to an end sooner or later.

Much Love,

The Albanian Duo

One Day Left Of Camp

Tomorrow is our last day working with the kids in the camp. Today on our way home from the camp we were hit with a thunder storm and the rain has kept on for about the last 4 hours. Jamie and I walked home in the rain which was actually kind of fun. As of Thursday, our job will be to help our host with projects that he needs done both where we are staying and at the church. We are not sure what he has in mind for us, but we were told that it could be anything from painting to cleaning. This will last through Sunday. Sunday afternoon we get on a bus and head to Duras, where we will stay for two nights. Tuesday morning our flight leaves Tirana at 5am so we have to be up around 3am.

Last night the local high school has their prom, which was a lot different then a prom in the states. The entire city was out to see everyone dressed up. The students walked through the town and the streets were lined with people. A lot of people had fireworks, which made for a loud evening. We left around 10pm but the prom actually went until 6am.

Our time here has really gone by faster then I expected, but I am really enjoying myself and am glad I had the opportunity to serve the people of this country. I look forward to returning home and getting back to playing my tuba. Keep us in your prayers as we finish our final week here in Albania.

Matt

It has been one week so far.....

Well we have officially been in Erseke for one week. Today was Church where we prepared and presented a skit for the Children's hour, in which we had 80 children present to witness our amazing acting abilities!

In the Adult Service hour, directly afterwards, Jason spoke of power and its definition by way of purpose and essence. He also spoke of how serenity is key to our lives and recited the Serenity prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdon to know the difference.
As always his words spurred-on inner thought and reflection to nurish the soul and quench the spirit.

On our way to the camp we stopped for some YUMMY gyros and then headed off to assist Lindita in the all camp english lesson.

In so many words our team has grown tense over the past week, living in close quarters and in constant company-it's bound to happen. We spent a solid amount of time working through basic communicative skills to release our aggression and frustration. It was a needed time of cleansing that allowed us to cast our personal problems aside and refocus our attention to our group's purpose and calling here in Albania.

A team from First pres. Fresno arrived tonight and they will also be lodging here at Crossroads for the next two weeks. It is one big party here at the camp!!

We ended our really long day with a bit of worship while gazing at the stars....

Waiting in patience for my calling....
Allison Jolley

Blessed is the name of the Lord!

Hello to all-

I thought I would take the time to update everyone on where our adventures took the group today.
Yesterday as you might have read we prepared a short drama, to a passage from Exodus 2:11-15. When Moses is a teenage boy and he ends up killing a Hewbrew, for beating a slave. Then, ultmately runs away.
With our drama in tow, we traveled to Leskovik today which is about an hour our so south of Ereske. Anyway we arrived there to meet with the kids, which we found out there was only 2 of them, waiting for us to start the program. We ran through the drama, a few song which we tried to sing in Albanian and then played a game in Albanian kinda of like concentration, but not really. After the program we went to the missionary family's home for lunch in Leskovik. We had some amazing pizza and a great coversation about the past and future of Albania. When we left Leskovik we traveled about 15 mintues north to a lake and brought out the kayaks and cannoes, then we proceeded to float around the lake for about 2 hours.
We finally drove back to Erseke, where we met up with the rest of the people of the church for Saturday night BBQ, which is always amazing food. Tonight we had chicken, followed by a short talk by Eric who is one or the missionaries that works with the Stocher family.
Then to our surprise we were invited to play futbol with some of the staff and students from the group. Regetfully, Jason was the only one who took them up on their offer and played the full hour. I wanted to play golie, but I was told that they had enough people and that they didn't need me, which was kind of a bummer. However, Allison, Andrea and I sat on the side lines and played the roles of the team nurse and cheerleaders.
Please continue to Pray for all of us, through out the next week as our mission carries on. By the way, Jason in preching to the Adult service in this Sunday on "Power" (that is, the power given to believers as defined in the NT).
We are blessed everyday by the power God has given us to keep going, in our walks and in our journey here in Albania.

Thank you for your prayers and continuded support.

Becasue of J.C.,

Kristin

Greetings From Matt B (Benson)

It's Friday and the trip is going great! The team was given today off for some rest and relaxation. I, along with the rest of the boys room, woke up at about 11:30 this morning. It was great! We had a nice late breakfast and hung out for most of the morning. Meghann, Jamie, Beurskins, and I all went into town at about 1:30 for some gyros and gellado. For the last two nights, the boys bathroom has been without power, but that was repaired this morning. As most of you have probably heard, the internet is really slow here and we're not able to post any photos. The kids that we are working with are great and I enjoy making them smile. Every night we go to the House of Hope for an hour and play with the kids. Last night about 120 kids showed up, which is the most they have ever had in one evening. Its great to know that the work we are doing is bringing out more and more kids every night. The food here is also amazing. Our cooks are great, even though we cannot communicate with them because of the language barrier. The rest of our day will be spent prepairing a Sunday school lesson for Sunday, followed by our nightly visit to the House of Hope. Thank you for the prayers and I will see you guys in about 11 days.

With Love,

Matt BENSON

matthew beurskens saying whats up

VIVA la college ministry, First Pres. Church, Hollywood
what's up party people! so we're in Albania doing our thang. ha ha. The people here are different to say the least, and we're taking it in step by step. People here seem to be at two extremes, one being very open in how they act and the other being very soft spoken and submissive. It's amazing the different feelings you get from the beauty of these people . They accept the things that have been given to them, they do not whine or moan about what they don't have, they are happy for what they have, and do not want more as long as they have food on the table, clothes on their back, and a roof over their head. These people work so hard for the little that they get it's humbling, and eye opening for how lazy we are. the people here have the most beautiful greenish bluish redish eyes i have ever seen in my life. I know that description isn't very helpful, but really i have never in my life seen eyes this beautiful before. The truth of it is also that they're so beautiful, but there's also a darkness of sadness like they have seen things i could not imagine nor deal with. A very proud country knowing where and how they come to today, it's amazing i moan and complain about our country but surely these people know real issues.
On the lighter side of conversation, the food we get is all carbs, all of it "seriously" angelinos trainers could not deal with an albanian diet. However the time has come to say good bye because we are off to put a small dent in the world for Christ. i love you mom lates.