Sunday, March 29

Even a trip to church is interesting in Albania!

This morning, the team from Yucaipa left... no, I haven't told you yet about them, because it has simply been too busy.  But, they have filled the restaurant at the Qendra Stefan every morning and evening as they begin and end their outreaches, and part of their team visited the prison with me last week.  More later... if I ever get a chance to "cool my heels."  OK, this morning we took a leisurely walk to church...


We left a little early because we were invited to have a bagel with the Chappels... or at least meet in the bagel shop around the corner from church.  Right out of the "block," we wondered at the group gathered at the traffic circle just outside the Qendra Stefan.  It looks like they have a bird group, or perhaps they are trading, showing or selling their birds!  Last trip, Katie was told they were carrier pigeons, but some look more like pet birds... who knows!

So, around the circle, past the vegetable stand, and we run straight into the local rotisserie.  You will see that you can get a cooked chicken for lunch, for just 450 lek.  Or, if you're tired of chicken, you can get a goat's head for the same price (they are on the first row at the left - teeth and everything). 

We see this rotisserie every day.  I must admit, I'm not sure that the chickens and goat's heads are not the same as were left over from yesterday.  My taxi driver has warned me about buying one of these... I'm not sure why...

So, down the Rruga Hoxha Tahsim, left on the Rruga George W. Bush, across to the Rruga Elbansani, and low and behold we practically fell into this uncovered hole.  Katie is taking a photo of a resident of this abode... he was eating his fill of whatever has dropped into it, and Katie reports him to be quite portly.  You'll have to ask her about his species!

Down the Rr. Elbasani, past the small permanent circus-ride park and finally to the corner (which you have seen before) of the street where Instituti Jeta e Re is located... our church will meet on the top floor.  But, first, we wanted to meet Kyle and Linda at the local bagel shop... what is  happening outside?  A fellow is selling chickens, tied together by their feet, that he is carrying upside down in each of his hands.  Kyle got a picture of the transaction... I was too late to get one, so I settled on taking a photo of everyone watching him.

Church was great, and a real blessing for me.  It really has focused my mind about this trip.  The trip has been unusual in several ways - but then, what trip is "usual."  We visited afterwards with the wonderful people of Kisha Gur i Temelit (Cornerstone Church - named after a church in Iowa whose pastor was here last spring... I tried to talk him into applying for, or at least investigating, an opening I know of for a senior pastor), some time with Linda and Kyle, Berti and Adi.  We found Pellumb and Eli with Adi and Berti, so had a chance to catch up with them.  Then dinner with Ida and Migena.  It has been a wonderful day. 

I must catch you up, but, as seems to be my fate on this trip, I am exhausted.  We lost another hour last night... today is the first day of daylight savings time here.  It will be easier to connect with Bill now that we are back to nine hours difference... but it meant one less hour of sleep for us.

"Naten e mir" (good night) everyone.  Will try to catch you up on days past tomorrow... that is, if I get a chance!

Pafshim.