Living in Albania--Richard L. Bowman

March 21, 2015

Spring Begins with Activities and Colds

Spring comes to the area of the world on different dates. In the USA March 21 is considered the first day of Spring. In Albania, one may select from a number of options.

Even though Albania has been on the Gregorian calendar for many years, some people still refer to March 1 as the first day of spring. It dates back to the Illyrians when March 1 was the first day of the Julian calendar. Since 2004, March 14 is an official national holiday variously called Summer Day or Spring Day. As a country who is becoming more and more western, March 21 is the First Day of Spring. And to commemorate some older Moslem roots, Nowruz (the Persian New Year) is also an official national holiday on April 22 even though it can actually fall on March 20, 21 or 22 depending on which day the Sun actually crosses the celestial equator.

Even though we were not celebrating Summer Day, on March 14 Lezha Academic Center, through Klementina Shahini, hosted the teachers and staff and invited their spouses to join them for a meal at Jolly's Restaurant.

Klementina recognized all of the teachers and gave them an educaitonal pin

Klementina Shares Her Thanks to the Teachers and Staff of LAC (14-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The food was great, the conversation was warm and friendly, and the two young ones held the adults captive. Alba and Tonin brought their daughter (half-year-old Mia), and Bardha and Nikolin brought their son (one-and-a-half-year-old Art).

Alda holds both small children in her arms

Alda Holds the Two Young Children Who Were Loved by All (14-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Tonin holds his and Alba's daughter, Mia

Mia Held by Her Father Tonin (14-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Bardha's and Kikolin's son, Art

Art Holds His Own Place at the Table (14-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The next day, Sunday, we did our usual and went for coffee and my bar to converse with those from church and school who showed up there.

My Bar coffee shop

Menu at My Bar (15-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Elsie and Katrina are visiting together in My Bar

Elsie and Katrina Visit Over Coffee (15-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Before we headed over to the church for an ten o'clock service, I took this photo out of the second-story window of My Bar. the yellow rectangle outlines the store front of the church.

the view to the church from My Bar

The Church as Seen from My Bar (15 Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

singing praises inside the church

Singing Praises inside the Church (15-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Sunday was the first day that the new missionaries from Brazil were here to worship with us. They are Francis, Juliana, and Samuel (a first grader) Marques. Pastor Rafael Tautari has worked heavily on getting ready for their arrival. He and I will work with them as they apply to be appointed by Virginia Mennonite Missions. They do not speak English, and I do not speak Portuguese. Rafael will help with this interpreting, and Elsie will be very handy, too, as she can communicate with Juliana who knows Spanish.

the Marques family joined us for the first time for worship

Francis and Julianna Chat with Elsie in Spanish (15-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

love, hope and faith banners

Love, Hope and Faith Banners in Albanian (15-Mar-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

After church I bought some byrek as part of our lunch.

looking across the main streeet at the byrek shop and others

Sunday evening we went to Angelina's and her husband's new home and shared in the blessing for the apartment. We also enjoyed the fellowship and the very good food.

a blessing for a new home

food provided for the cxelebration

Tuesday morning, Rafael, Dini and I met as the pastor's council for the church. They are two dear brothers in Christ's family with me. Then Dini drove me to LAC since it is still too far for me to walk. I pray that God will continue to bring healing to my left leg where the hip replacement operation was done.

Dini and Rafael wait for me after a pastoral cxouncil meeting

Spring time bring beautiful flowers, but it can also bring colds. On Thursday morning I awoke feeling pretty bad with a head cold and sore throat. By the time I finished with my class I was having difficulty talking. So Friday and today were days of rest and recuperation. Pray with me that I will be OK to teach on Monday and maybe even to attend church services tomorrow.

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