Doing Dishes

It's the little things. 

We hear that a lot. We say that a lot. 

Sometimes the most meaningful acts of love are the little ones. 

I know that is true for me. When Cory sprays out a dirty cloth diaper...I fall in love with him all over again. 

But last night, I was reminded of how these kids and people around us are watching everything we do. 

The Winter Challenge is going on right now and the kids are all beside themselves trying to win. Yesterday they had to dance and sing to a scene from Singing in the Rain. HILARIOUS. 

One team a week also has to bake or cook some kind of dessert/snack for the whole group. 

So last night we were busy making peanut butter cookies. 

I have been pretty sick this week and have been kind of immobile. 

But, as I've told you the harvest is plentiful, the workers are few and there were only two ovens the kids could use to bake 200 cookies. So it's not like they could just go somewhere else. www.josiahventure.com 

At the end of the night, when they were about to go home, my friend said to me...

"You are really lucky. Cory is a good husband. I hope I find a husband like him." 

I looked over and he was washing the dishes. Something he does nearly every night. 

"Men in Albania don't do housework." She said with a laugh. 

And that is true. They don't. It is considered far beneath them. Men do not lift a finger inside their homes. They are the kings of their castle. 

But when I thought about it later I was thinking how interesting what she said was. 

Her culture would tell her to think...

How embarrassing for Cory.
He's not the man of his house.
Kristine must really boss him around.

But she was able to see through her culture and think...

Cory's taking care of his sick wife. 
Cory is a really good husband.
I hope I find a husband like him.

And I was reminded that it's the little things that are a testimony to the gospel and to the character of God. 

The gospel transcends culture. 

This girls Dad is an alcoholic. He has been out of a job for years. Her mom works 3 jobs to support her family. Her Dad sits at locals all day like I have mentioned HERE. 

And in the craziness of the night, this girl noticed that my husband was washing dishes for me. 

So, while we may not be able to speak yet and counsel and disciple and converse like we want to...we can keep doing the little things like making peanut butter cookies and doing the dirty dishes. 

He really is amazing though...he made zucchini crust pizza for dinner this week since I was an invalid. Every day I wonder how I got him???

And if you wake up and read this before 8 am your time, pray for Cory because he is teaching the story of the Good Samaritan to 100+ kids tonight. 

A Week in Photos

I've been trying to take some pictures of our daily life so that you can see the things I describe. 

This has proven harder than I anticipated, as I don't want to be a creep going around town taking pictures of "normal things." I am already stared at enough. 

As I have walked around Pogradec the last week, I've realized that many of the "sights" that I wish you could see, are faces. Not places. But faces. 

The lady who sells green onions and carrots in the neatest little rows, all day every day and wears the coolest looking parka jacket I have ever seen. 

The widow who cleans the streets of trash, all day every day. 

The man who laughs EVERY SINGLE TIME I buy produce at his little out door shop. I have no idea what he is laughing at. 

The elderly couple that owns the "health food" store down the street. It is definitely not the health food store you have in mind. We just call it that because they have things like oats and coconut milk. It is more of an "imported" foods store. You can actually even get soy sauce. Anyways, EVERY SINGLE TIME I go into this store, the sweet lady tries to sell me things I don't want or need...like that stringy, hairy stuff you use to make baklava. Or mushrooms. Or a VAT of olive oil. No, I just came in yesterday and I told you I have olive oil. 

The man who owns the shop across the street that we go into EVERY day to buy eggs or paper towels, or toilet paper or dark chocolate for Taliah :) 

Well, I wish I had faces for you today. I'll work up the courage to ask them if I can "make a photo of them" (literal translation). And find out if that would be offensive. They would probably be very confused. But here are some pictures of our everyday life. 

Most mornings after we eat breakfast and read our Bibles, we read this bible. It is a Children's bible story book. Yes like the one you read to 3 year olds. It says things like "You can be God's friend too," and "Jesus is happy when you obey him." I've never been so thrilled to be able to read these words. 

Below, is a picture of a funeral procession. I am standing on our balcony. I don't know if you can tell how many people are back there. There is a cemetery up the hill behind our house, so they always pass us. More often than you would think. When a processional goes by, everyone around stops and watches, I'm assuming as an act of respect. Often times people will also join the processional. It is also very quiet. No talking or crying ect. Just a very slow march up the hill. Many people carry flowers as well. 

I've mentioned this before, but the economy of Albania is one that struggles. Sadly, there is an incredible lack of good jobs. Many men are unemployed and during the days the "local's" or coffee shops are full of men sitting around drinking raki. Raki is their own special hard liquor that is probably about 98% alcohol. They sip a little glass of it alternately with a tiny mug of turkish coffee ALL DAY LONG. There are many "men only" locals, and nearly ever other shop is a Local. 

There is one next door that is very dark most of the day. I recently realized it's because there is 1 lightbulb suspended from the ceiling. When our power goes out I run outside to check if it is just us, or the whole neighborhood. I normally peak my head into this coffee shop but sometimes, I can't even tell if the light bulb is on or off...I don't even know if that makes sense. So I've gotten used to not being able to tell, and I just ask them "Ka drita?" You have lights? They probably think I'm really dumb because I'm sure I've asked when the light bulb is obviously on. 

Anyways, here are some men sipping their raki and chatting it up. Sometimes, there are like 6 men crowded around a table that same size. 

And here, is my breath of fresh air. It sounds ridiculous but this is like my ultimate gift from God apart from all the other real things like salvation and Cory and Shiloh. I joke around, but the weather and the dirt and the dust really can be hard for me. Especially depending on how pregnant or tired or ungodly I am. But this beautiful view when I go on walks with Shiloh, always reminds me that God is taking care of me. I feel like I can breath and relax. I am so thankful for this lake and this walk. 

Here is the little shop across the street that I mentioned early. We really do go here nearly every day. The son of the couple that owns it actually came to one the the camps this last summer. We look forward to the day where we can make more than small talk and truly be "neighbors" to these people. Many people own little shops like this. There are probably about a dozen in the quarter mile around our house. They live behind or on top of their shops and everyone sells the same thing. 

Here is Cory pushing Shiloh up the street to our house. He is actually starting to look Albanian I think. Twice this last week, we were getting groceries and as I was bagging things up, he was mistaken for a shop owner and asked about the cost of olives. You can see our white Mitsubishi Pajero on the left with the storage thing on top. Our house is right about the NOA sign . You can see Shiloh's widow. The green place next door is a wedding venue. This means that most Thursday nights there blaring Albanian music ALL NIGHT. I think we've gotten used it because now that I write this, I realize I don't notice it half as much anymore. 

Here is the man that cackles EVERY SINGLE TIME we get produce from him. I really don't know what is so funny. I'm probably saying everything wrong but he laughs when I say normal things like "Thank you" and I'm pretty sure I say that right because no one else laughs at me. He always has amazing yummy things I can't get anywhere else. Lately, he has had strawberries, which have been the blessing of February. His son is often there as well. One time I tripped on the stairs trying to reach for some garlic. He reminds me of this every time he sees me. It was obviously a high light for him. You can kind of tell, but next to all the produce is a shop that has more "practical" random things like brooms and kettles. But there are 1000's of things kind of like Ariel's cave. And EVERY SINGLE night the shop owners put it all away inside. And EVERY SINGLE morning they take it out and arrange it very nicely on boxes and tables in front of their shop. Seldom do you actually go into a shop to buy something. 

Here is a pic of the women's bible study today. Kids all come. Everyone talks over each other. But they wouldn't have it any other way. I love it. I probably stare everyone down as they are talking because I'm trying so hard to catch their words. Sometimes I get weird looks and I realize I am scowling at them. I CANNOT wait to be able to understand everything and then to be able to SAY everything. 

Last but not least, here are the two people I love more than anything. I can't believe I get to spend my days with them. Shiloh is a constant joy and gift to us. Cory endlessly serves and loves me in a way I don't deserve. Here he and Shiloh are, surveying the dinner that he made last night. I can't say enough about him. How hard he works every day to love us, to care for these people, and to give himself to this place. And now I can't say anymore because I'm pregnant and I'm starting to cry. 

I will soon try to get some pictures of all the faces here. I'm thankful that even though there are so many faces in America that we miss, after nearly 9 months here, there are so many faces here that we have grown to love. 

Plugging Away

2 weeks has come and gone.

I'm not sure when or how this happened.

Between taking care of this little girl....

And getting ready for this little girl....

31 weeks tomorrow! 

the days and weeks just go by.

Cory and I spent our Valentines dinner talking about the last 8 months in Albania. What we have learned. What we have felt. How we have changed.

We both concluded that what we "feel" more than anything, is humbled.

In many ways, to dive into a new culture is to have whatever "identity" you had, ripped from you.

Our personalities are different...because we can't talk.

Our "gifts" are "masked?"....because we can't speak.

Our confidence is a bit shaken...because we say things like "I like to eat my parents," and "These girls are my brothers." The other day, instead of telling someone I was brushing my teeth, Cory said "Kristine is a tooth brush."

So...everything is a little...off, for lack of a better word.

I daily realize that I am incapable of discipling girls like I want to. I cannot invest in their lives in the way I am accustomed to.

And so I throw parties and make cupcakes, to show them that I love them.

I had a Valentines Day Party last week.

I tried to make pink cookies, but they just turned out flesh colored.

I also tried to make Dark Chocolate Salted caramels but they were more like chocolate covered brown sugar cubes.

I think I should stop.

Anyways, we played games, and laughed and ate and made Valentines. It was a crazy, screaming whirlwind.

At the very end I told them that God loves them with the most real, true, deep love that makes every other love pale in comparison. He wants their love and He wants their lives.

And that was all I could do.

And so it's humbling, because you feel like you aren't giving God what you used to be capable of. You are doing easy, seemingly meaningless things. But I suppose that's what faithfulness is. And I at least want to faithful, even if it doesn't look like much.

And so, with great motivation, we plug away at Albanian.

It is also humbling to realize what I think is of value to God.

In all reality,  he doesn't care how I serve Him if my heart isn't right.

Right now, the students are busy with "The Winter Challenge." It is a six week "challenge" where they are given different tasks to do as a team. They are playing games such as "Bigger or Better," creating skits, and making dessert for the entire youth group.

In recent weeks, our little meeting room, has been PACKED out. Dozens of people standing.

There were probably 120 kids last Friday. And as I looked around I realized that on that particular night, there were only 3 "staff" there. 2 of whom speak enough Albanian to converse comfortably with 2 year olds...yes that's Cory and I.

So, the harvest is plentiful. Anybody want to be a worker? www.josiahventure.com

We realize that after this "challenge" is over, there were probably be empty seats in the room again.

This Winter Challenge is meant to be an evangelistic tool and even one that bonds the group we already have.

And we were saying the other night that all of the work that goes into one event, is worth it even if only one kid gets involved in a bible study or gets involved in church and eventually gives his life to Christ.

Because from "The Christmas Carol" drama we have girls like this.

From summer camp we have boys and girls like these ones.

And all the hard work put into what seems meaningless suddenly becomes meaningful.

All of those kids on Friday night heard the story of the 99 sheep. Or the lost sheep. Or the 100 sheep?

Anyways, ultimately they heard that they are precious to Jesus and that He is the true Good Shepherd of their souls.

So pray, for the new students involved in this Winter Challenge.

A guy that Cory has been discipling, told him on Friday night that he couldn't escape his love for the Bible. He knows that God is tugging on his heart to use him for ministry, but he is apprehensive about how dramatically this changes his life. Pray for this young man.

And our ultimate prayer is that from these students getting saved, leaders would rise up among them to lead this little church here in Pogradec. We pray that the next generation would be one of God fearing Albanian believers in this place.

You Look Like an Animal

Yesterday I was told I look like an animal. 

I was so excited I knew what the sweet, scruffy old man had said, that I forgot to be offended. 

"Did you say animal??? Oh yes, yes!" 

I was buying lemons from him and looked up and he was laughing at me. 

You look like an animal. He said. 

And in all reality, I kind of do. 

I really bundle up when I go outside. So much so that I can't see out of my peripheral. I almost got hit by a car today...twice. 

 My pregnant, animal self. 

Yesterday it was a rainy, cold, snowy, cold day. Actually it's been like that for the last two weeks. 

It had been a couple days and I must have been acting a little stir crazy, or pregnant, or emotional or all of the above because Cory made me leave the house. 

Actually I know I was. I was tired of the weather. Annoyed that Shiloh skipped her nap. Discouraged with Albanian.

How could I get annoyed at her? 

So, I bundled up and decided to just go out and stock up on food. Normally I stop when I can't carry any more, and I head home. But yesterday I just made trips. 

I found strawberries. 
I got some exercise. 
I remembered the people that live around me that have so much less than I do. 

And I came home a much more energized, happy wife and mom to a sleeping baby and a wonderful husband. 

And I am thankful. That even though I don't deserve it, the Lord encourages my heart in the small ways. It is in those little ways that I daily see His care for me. 

And I was challenged, 

to get my act together on the days when I don't get to go out, 
and there are no strawberries, 
and it's snowing 
and my husband is gone 
and my baby is trying to pull my nose off (yes she does this when she gets mad at me...). 

And I realize too that the "hard" days are good. Because they make me more thankful for days like today. 

It was cold out but sunny and beautiful. We went on a walk with Shiloh singing in her stroller. 

In our Albanian lesson, concepts that haven't clicked for months, finally made sense in our brains today. 

The girls bible study was unreal. 

The sweetest girl (we will call her Leyla) and her friend have been coming to our bible study for a couple months now. They first started coming to church because of the play "A Christmas Carol" and have stuck around ever since. 

They both come from Muslim families, and even told my sisters that they were Muslim. 

I have mentioned this before, but in Albania, a kid saying they're Muslim can be much more ethnic than religious. 

So, I didn't know where she was at with the Lord and was planning on talking with her soon. 

In bible study, she always listens so carefully and asks questions and is so engaged. But that could also be because she likes to learn. 

We are going through the book of John. Recently, I have been wondering if I bit off a little bit more than I could chew. 

Their spiritual knowledge is only what they have learned the past 3 months in church. And while John is amazing, I have thought maybe it was a bit over all their heads. Especially since I am speaking English and the bible study is being translated. 

Today we were finishing John 6. 

Jesus literally says "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." 

Great. 

It was only 2 years ago that Christianity was recognized as a religion in Albania. 

Before that, it was a cult. 

So in light of that, I was a bit nervous about explaining to these teenage girls why Jesus says that we must eat his flesh. 

The word for "flesh" in Albanian is "mish." When I go to the butcher here, I go to the shop that says "Mish." So, it even translates a little...funny. 

Jesus says "Eat my meat..." or something like that. 

They all looked very confused and extremely grossed out. 

But then we began to break it down. 

Why would Jesus say that he is "the bread of life." 

What do we need to live physically? 

Are we only physical beings? 

What does our soul need to live forever? 

And I showed them from John 6 that Christ is saying he feeds and waters our souls. 

He is giving us a physical picture for a spiritual reality. 

And I keep thinking of Hebrews 4:12 "The Word of the Lord is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword." 

Because they understood. 

And this girl I mentioned above said, "That is beautiful." 

Then my sweet friend who I have mentioned before HERE, asked "What are the last days?" 

Great. Again. 

I was not prepared for this question. And I prayed. 

And I explained that:

Jesus will come back and he will reign on this earth. 

He will have a kingdom and he will be in charge of everything. 

You will be a part of his kingdom if you believe that he is the bread of life. 

And then from Leyla's mouth comes..."What will happen to the people who don't believe in Jesus? Where will their souls go?" 

And I gulped. 

Cory and I were talking tonight about how we didn't realize how much we would have to introduce to Hell to kids. They have actually never heard of it. They don't know what it is. They don't know that people go there when they die. 

"Yes," another girl says, "what about the people who don't believe in Jesus but they pray to God. What about the people in China and India?" 

Why China and India are even on the table when I'm sitting in Pogradec, Albania, I do not know...but apparently those are very far away, heathen places. 

How do I answer that question???

We turned to John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through me." 

The only way we can be made right with God is through his son Jesus Christ. 

God made the world perfect. He made all people to have a right relationship with him. But man sinned. And because of that we are separated from God. 

The only way to God is through His son Jesus Christ. 

How does that make you feel?

And Leyla says "I am scared. I am not scared for myself because I believe in Jesus for myself. But I am scared for other people. For my family and friends. I am afraid that I will not be with them in the last day." 

And then I just wanted to cry. Amazed that this girl I had been wondering about does profess faith in Christ. Saddened at the reality of her words. Panicked knowing how to answer her. 

And that is why you have to tell them about him. I told her. 

I told her that is why Cory and I came to Pogradec. To help Erion and Melodie to start a church so that everyone in Pogradec could hear about Jesus. 

I told them that salvation is a gift. That many hear but not all believe. 

I told them that the gospel is the good news, but that this is the hard part. 

Jesus promises to save our souls forever. But he doesn't promise that your life will be easy. 

And they all shook their heads as if that resounded with them more than anything. 

And I am again, amazed at the power of the Word of God. 

What I thought would be the hardest passage so far, turned out to be one of the most spiritually deep and real conversations we have had. 

And in light of these biblical truths, nothing else matters really. The weather. Shiloh skipping her nap. Having a hard lesson. 

They all seem like such horrible things to complain about. 

Because Jesus is coming. And he will reign in his Kingdom. And I will be there. 

And I so badly want these girls to be there too. 

Please pray for their families. I do believe the Lord will work through these students, and use them to spread the truth to the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. 

We have seen it happen already, and cannot wait to see what else the Lord will do. 

Willing Hearts and Hands

I have alluded to this before, but it is something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. I am using extremes, but that is for emphasis. This is a generalization. 

That is: the pride with which the Albanian women care for their families and for their home. 

Perhaps I had a warped perspective in America, and I am only realizing that by being Albania. Or perhaps many in America do have a warped perspective that infiltrates the culture. So whether it is me, or American culture in general, I am not sure, but this is what has challenged me in the last 8 months: 

For an Albanian woman taking care of her family is her sole job. Many do take jobs outside of the home in order to support their family. But the goal is one and the same. 

Her mind is entirely wrapped up in this endeavor. 

Every single day she makes (from scratch) breakfast, lunch and dinner for her family. 

Every single day she sweeps and mops her entire house. 

Every single day she does laundry and hangs it out to dry. 

Every single day she shops for groceries and/or home goods. 

She doesn't have a dryer or a dishwasher. 

She does have a wood stove. 

In the fall, she cans fruit and vegetables to get them through the summer. 

Throughout the year, she sews, knits and weaves, rugs, clothes and doilies to give her daughter when she gets married. 

In the summer, she prepares for winter. 

Can you say Proverbs 31? 

And while this absolutely challenges me, there is something greater that has hit home. 

It is the attitude with which she does this. The pride, the joy, the determination. 

She does not view it as a burden.

She does not view it as something that must be done so that she can do the things she really wants to.

It is not a "sacrifice."

She views it as a calling, a mission and a privilege. 

She makes no excuses because she doesn't need to. 

Her home is always ready for guests. 

Her day is always full but she is never stressed by what needs to be done. 

Because she plans, she prepares, and she prioritizes.

And again. It is a calling, a mission and a privilege. 

This convicts me because sometimes I look at my home and the work it takes as a burden not as a joy. 

I think; I just washed this dish, I just mopped this floor, I just changed her diaper. 

More than that, it challenges me to strive to be better. 

To plan for the week better. To be more strategic about my shopping. To be efficient with my time. 

Not to be a perfectionist. Not to find my identity. 

But to do my job well as unto the Lord. 

I understand that every day is not perfection. Obviously. 

But it is the heart and mindset behind it. 

I am privileged to have a home to take care of. 

It is a joy to make meals for my family. 

And if I take pride in my home like these women do, I will naturally strive to be better. 

And ironically I have seen this in a godless culture. Biblical principals in a place where no one has a Bible. 

And of course I knew this, technically.

But it has been amazing and challenging to see it lived out in this way. 

Women's Bibles study last week