Hello, Friends
Nate & Sarah and Tim & I made it safely to Tirana late Thursday night. My dad picked us up from the airport. Friday morning we met with a Christian worker who has successfully begun language schools for Albanians. We ate lunch with my parents' dear friends before driving down the old Roman road (a very curvy, mountainous drive) to Korce.
It's great to be home again! Today Tim was introduced to everyone who was at ch*ch office, and they were all very excited to meet Lydia's husband, (whom they've heard so much about). I have not been outside the house, since I'm still running fevers between 99-100.5 F. I've been feverish the past 10 days, but we both felt strongly that I should come anyway.
Monday night we host a couple's evening, and the women's retreat will be next Friday and Saturday. We all feel vulnerable, either due to exhaustion and/or sickness. However, today my family is taking the day to celebrate Thanksgiving Day (since we weren't together in November) before the Kimbers and Wrights arrive. We are so thankful to G*d because he is faithful. In our weakness, he is strong!
Blessings,
Lydia
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
80/20
Lydia and I are just about to get on a jet-plane heading for Albania! We are both excited and a little wary because Lydia's health has not been up to 100% these last few days. She had to call in sick on Monday and Tuesday because of an ear infection and abdominal pain. We went to the doctor today and she told us to go ahead with the trip, but with caution. She said she is 80% sure that these issues will fade away in the next few days. But that leaves 20% so we are being careful by getting a lot of rest, plenty of fluids, and taking the right medication. We appreciate your prayers.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The Ottoman Empire
Hi Friends,
I imagine that some of you may start checking this blog, so I figured I would go ahead and make a post before heading out.
In case you haven't heard much of the history of this part of the world, here is a little info... At its zenith, the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. After WWI, it was stripped of much of its empire, being left with what is now the country of Turkey. (Albania gained its independence at that time.)
Much has happened in these countries in the past century. Albania became communist and developed what likely was one of the harshest regimes among any of the communist countries. Its government banished all forms of religion and declared the country officially atheist. It even closed its doors to the Russians for being too liberal and eventually did the same to China and the former Yugoslavia as well, in effect completely isolating itself. In 1991 however, the Albanian people toppled the communist government as much of Eastern Europe had already done.
On the other hand, Macedonia experienced a less stringent form of communism. It broke away from Yugoslavia in the past decade or so to establish an autonomous government and country. It adopted the name "Macedonia" much to Greece's frustration. (The ancient region of Macedonia likely occupied parts of both modern-day countries.) Macedonia has pockets of Albanian people who differ greatly from the ethnic Macedonian people.
Turkey has effectively established a version of a secular, democratic state and has developed economically and politically. It is part of NATO and is seeking admission in some form to the European Union (EU). It has a population of somewhere between 70-80 million people and occupies a large land mass which is considered to be 97% in "Asia" and 3% in "Europe" given that Istanbul straddles both continents.
Well, hopefully this gives you an idea of the countries that we are visiting. We appreciate your "interest and thoughts" on our behalf and will seek to keep you updated. Tim & Lydia and Sarah & I fly out on Wednesday, and Ben & Kelly and Tom & Sue fly out on Friday.
- Nate
I imagine that some of you may start checking this blog, so I figured I would go ahead and make a post before heading out.
In case you haven't heard much of the history of this part of the world, here is a little info... At its zenith, the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. After WWI, it was stripped of much of its empire, being left with what is now the country of Turkey. (Albania gained its independence at that time.)
Much has happened in these countries in the past century. Albania became communist and developed what likely was one of the harshest regimes among any of the communist countries. Its government banished all forms of religion and declared the country officially atheist. It even closed its doors to the Russians for being too liberal and eventually did the same to China and the former Yugoslavia as well, in effect completely isolating itself. In 1991 however, the Albanian people toppled the communist government as much of Eastern Europe had already done.
On the other hand, Macedonia experienced a less stringent form of communism. It broke away from Yugoslavia in the past decade or so to establish an autonomous government and country. It adopted the name "Macedonia" much to Greece's frustration. (The ancient region of Macedonia likely occupied parts of both modern-day countries.) Macedonia has pockets of Albanian people who differ greatly from the ethnic Macedonian people.
Turkey has effectively established a version of a secular, democratic state and has developed economically and politically. It is part of NATO and is seeking admission in some form to the European Union (EU). It has a population of somewhere between 70-80 million people and occupies a large land mass which is considered to be 97% in "Asia" and 3% in "Europe" given that Istanbul straddles both continents.
Well, hopefully this gives you an idea of the countries that we are visiting. We appreciate your "interest and thoughts" on our behalf and will seek to keep you updated. Tim & Lydia and Sarah & I fly out on Wednesday, and Ben & Kelly and Tom & Sue fly out on Friday.
- Nate
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Adventure Begins
11 days and counting... In under a week Lydia and I, and Nate and Sarah will get on a jet plane and fly across 8 time zones to the far away land of Albania. We are incredibly excited and want to keep you updated on our trip. We will try to have a few updates each week, so make sure to check back once the trip begins (on the 28th).
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