Living in Albania--Richard L. Bowman

May 30, 2015

My Classes Let Up; Other Things Filled In

This is the first week that I am not teaching my class. The seniors finished classes on Friday a week ago. But my week was still rather full. Take a look.

This week's post again begins with the worship team from church. But this time Xhorxhina since she has returned for the summer from LCC International University in Lithuania has again joined the group.

the worship group at church

Justin, Xhorxhina, Fabi, Evianda, and Rafael Lead in Singing (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

I do have the Albania Bible on my Kindle, but I usually cannot follow it but for a few words.

with my Kndle I am listening to the sermon

My Kindle Displays the Albanian Bible (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Fabi is one of the interpreters who uses the Wi-Fi translation equipment to help out the English speakers understand the worship service. I listen in only during the sermon, trying to let God speak to me through the other components of our worship time, e.g. prayer and singing, even though I do not know the language.

Fabi is doing the itnerpreting for the English speakers

Fabi Speaks Quietly into the Mike for the Translating Equipment (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

After church Justin Rittenhouse and Elsie and I went to Besa's for pizza and good conversaiton.

Justin Rittenhouse talks as we are served our pizza

Justin Explains a Point (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Elsie listens to the conversaiton

Elsie Listens (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

my Pica Luna has arrived

My "Pica Luna" (Calzone) (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Later, in early evening, Elsie and I tried a bit of a walk to the bridge and the new plaza near the city hall. I wanted to photograph the swallows flying near the bridge (which did not happen). However, there was a man fishing in the Drini River. Maybe I can try that.

a fisherman along the Drini River at the bridge

How Many Fishing Poles Can One Person Tend? (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

the Drini River as it flows through Lezhe

The Drini River through Lezhë (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

In our slow walk (due to my hip pain) from the bridge to the plaza, we were caught by Samuel and Francis Marques who were on their way back from some grocery shopping.

Francis and Samuel Marques near their hoome apartment

Samuel and Francis Marques Return from a Shop (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Juliana Marques leanis over her balconey to say hit to us and her family

Juliana Awaits Their Return (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

As we sat on a new concrete bench near the plaza in front of city hall and the cultural palace, we could see all of the people out for a walk, to play, or just to soak up some warm sunshine.

all ages are out on the plaza by city hall

All Ages Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outside (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

senior men walk and discuss life

Men Visit as They Stroll Through the Park (24-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

On Tuesday evening Katrina Schmid and her parents, who were visiting her, invited the American teachers and staff to Jolly's Restaurant for dinner. It was a nice time of fellowship. Riding down in the elevator gave me a chance to capture a strange kind of selfie photo in the mirror on the back wall.

a mirrored photo in the elevator to Jolly's Restaurant

Picture of a Mirror in an Elevator (26-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The next evening, Wednesday, is the time for the church's weekly prayer meeting. I attended for non-verbal inspiration.

Wednesday evening prayer meeting

Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting at Guri i Themelit (27-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Thursday evening we had a Lezhë Mennonite Mission team meeting for a time of inspiration and prayer along with the opportunity to hear about each person's planned activities for the summer months. We will all be busy, for sure.

relaxing before the start of our Albania mission team meeting

A Stretch Before Our Team Meeting (28-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Pauolo ges to his favorite friend, Norma

Paolo with Norma Teles, His Favorite Friend (28-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Allen Umble reads a Longfellow's poem

Allen Umble Reads Longfellow (28-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

After the team meeting, Klementina, Katrina and I went to the home of some friends of the Shahin's to visit and for dinner. From their apartment atop one of the newer buildings in Lezhë, I experienced a new view of the city.

looking at a street layout from the top floor of an apartment building

the round-about seen from high above

Along one of the radial streets from the traffic-circle above, one can see the remaining make-shift homes of some Romas (gypsies). The "street news" is that one of the Catholic priests is arranging for some inexpensive housing for these families.

on another radiating street is a small groujp of Roma shanties

One of the sons, Andi, in the home we were visiting is an eleventh-grade student at Lezha Academic Center. We had met his seven-year-old sister, Endi, last spring when she would come to LAC after school and wait until she could ride home with her brother.

Endi and Andi share thier home with us

Katrina samples the byrek and cake

Endi rides her bikke on the large balcony

Friday morning brought another meeting for me, that of the Albania Mennonite Mission Field Council. Rafael Tartari, Dini Shahini, Allen Umble and I make up the Field Council. The group is less than one year old and has its purpose to consider and provide direction for ministry carried out by AMM personnel. Allen, from Lushnjë which is more than two hours south of Lezhë, stayed at our home overnight, and the council met at Kristi's for a breakfast meeting the next morning.

Rafael and Dini get ready fro our Field Council breakfast at Kristi's

Allen and I also get ready

Hopefully our coming week will not be quite as full. But that is the way our lives here in Lezhë go sometimes. Hopefully God is using us for his purposes.

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