a week in shqiperia

so the language is mega slowly coming along; today at lunch (yes at 3pm) i was sat with an local who i think i may get to spend lots of time with during this trip [partly because he is going to be working on the house as i may join in in 2weeks time]. as i was taugh words for some of the foods, so im sure he will be testing me when i next see him, lol.

since i last wrote i have really started getting into what is going on here in albania. with the elections on sunday we have been into politics like it went out of fashion last season; its made and everyone is really into it. which i believe is a good things even though it has caused a few fights, people really want to have a say and choice in their country (of course better said than practised). but the voting ended on sunday eve only to then still be 2/3 the way through counting the ballet boxes. im not sure which is more true albanian time or africian time.

but monday saw our first CEF ralley, well durres second but mine and joshes first, with the next one tomorrow morning. as josh is involved more with CEF with his time here he went off to the meeting this morning and then to spend a day in the office (which he now hates and would rather be out with the kids than being in the office). i was off with besi to see that house and how the concrete was coimg along today (yes the floor was being set in mim and besi's new house). then back to the office in durres for missions without borders (an non-christian based) charity which links richer countries up with poorer ones to then link supports directly to families. this is then followed up by communications between the two. this charity is besi's paid job and the other two that he does are not paid.

so now that i am getting an better view of what is going on here! i am going to try and learn some language especially now that i am taking active roles in things; eg at the ralley yesterday (lots of games with a talk in the middle for kids) i ended up having to keep some of the boys quiet with the huge vast 20words that i know. so hoping that i will be up on words soon :D and in true developing countries style i was on the roof while the concrete was being put on the floor/roof. it was an experience and amazing to see how things are done here, and having attempted conersations with locals. always ending very quickly, ops

hope that you feel informed and understand what is going on. please just email me to explain things further is you want, as i know that many of you dont know the people here. the basics are that im visiting mim and besi but also here to see ruth and maki (both missionaries from my church). mim and besi are bulding onto besi parents house in sukth where he is pastor of a church and hoping to build the church family. while ruth and maki are working for CEF and maki is head of the whole albania action that happens; this is where josh (my friend from back home) is out here also working closely with in the run up to camp. CEF run summer camps throughout the world and josh is helping in the preparations for the camps here in albania. i am here spending time with mim and besi and seeing what is going on and trying to get an bigger picture but also having some involvement with CEF as i was out here with them last time i was in albania 3years ago.

so all is all, the sun us warming up and at perfect temp today. so hopefully wont get much hotter but we shall see.
kl beans, well done for getting to the end