School Supplies.

 

I just realized that this didn't post this morning. I thought that it went through but I guess it didn't...

 

 

Yesterday, we (myself, Rachel, and small team from Tennessee) had the privilege of packaging up school supplies and watching Roma children filled with joy to receive them. A couple in our church dedicates their "free time" to caring for and visiting Roma families in Prishtina. They both work full-time jobs and have such a heart and passion of the poor. They have connections with an organization that donates school supplies every year for families they know are in need. We helped this couple bag up the supplies for each individual child and then we went with them to visit the families and their children. What a wonderful experience...



 

 

 

 

Bagging the school supplies

 

What a HUGE blessing...

 

 

Don't be mislead by picture -- this little girl was sooo happy to get her bag filled with school supplies! Most people here don't smile for pictures. Her dad was also so happy!

 

The whole group that came for supplies at the first location

 

Part of the Roma family's (that I teach English to) yard, where we handed out the bags

 

The front of their house

 

The father gets up early in the morning to go through dumpsters to find pop cans to earn a little extra income

 

Second group of Roma we visited to hand out supplies to

 

Each kid was so anxious to hear their name called off!

 

Love this picture!

 

Grandfather with his special needs granddaughter. There is VERY little support or resources for children with special needs in Kosovo.

 

 

Group shot

Sorry...

Sorry friends that I haven't been posting anything the past three days or so. It's been really busy here. We have a team here from Tennessee that is helping us paint and fix up the community center and also distribute school supplies, among other things. We worked 11 hours today! I have pictures I will post up tomorrow to show you all the improvements we've made on redesigning the center. It looks GREAT!

Keep me in your prayers as I seek the Lord and try to represent Him in all I do.

Ballet Begins Once Again!

Yesterday was registration for my two ballet classes. The first class/registration time was at 4PM (for 6-9 year old girls) and the second class/registration was at 5PM (for 10-12 year old girls).This culture tends to be more laid back about time. Those of you who have lived over seas might relate to this. During day camp this summer, the majority of the kids didn't come until the third or fourth day. The best advertisement comes through word of mouth. I could put up flyers all day long, but until people start telling their friends, few will actually show up. Because life revolves more around who you know rather than what you know, a flyer only goes so far. I've been learning this the hard way. The turn out yesterday was good! It wasn't exactly how I had expected, but that's life! Over the summer about ten girls came to the first class but by the second class it had doubled! The word has already gotten around about the classes and next week we expect at least a dozen more. 

I passed out the leotards, shoes, and skirts at the registration. My plan was that they would sign up for the class, get sized, hear information about the class, take home their letter to their parents, and write a "Thank You" letter to Fort Wayne Ballet. That way, we could just start class right away next week. But my "mental clock" was back in America. Things take more time here. I probably should have waited another week to give the girls their things. But I was too excited!!! I'll have to take time next to go over the same procedure for the new girls. 

The girls that did come loved the shoes, leotards, and skirts! They all looked so cute! I put a big sheet over all the things we laid out on the ground. When they came I told them how generous Fort Wayne Ballet was and then I unveiled the surprise! They all smiled and appalled! Three of them were sisters. They have kind of a sad story. Their are four children in their family and their mom stayed at home with them (like most mothers do here). But one day their dad just got up and left. Their mom now works a full-time job and doesn't get to be with the kids very much. I'm so happy they get to be in my class and be blessed in a small way. 

Skirts, leotards, and shoes all lined up! 

Ballet slippers!

Macy looked soooo cute in her leotard and skirt! She loved it!

Me and some of my little dancers! 

The girls made cute little "Thank You" cards for Fort Wayne Ballet

Anida and I  :)

Today...

It's been a hard day.

But God's love is greater.

Fall Semester Officially Starts!

Today is the kick off of the fall semester! Everyone started school today and the community center is up and running again! Rachel and I walked around the many apartment buildings around the community center and hung up flyers for my two ballet classes and beginners /English for kids. We saw dozens of kids running around playing. We stopped and talked with several different groups, telling them about my classes starting in a couple of days. I love kids so much! It got me all excited for this semester and what God is going to do!

 

Tomorrow we have another staff meeting and our big cleaning day at the community center. I am so excited for the following day when I have my first ballet class for the fall and get to give the girls their ballet shoes and leotards! We decided that, instead sending the things home with the girls, we would put their names on their leotards, skirts, and shoes and leave them at the center. My supervisor fears that they will take the stuff and never come back. We really want girls who are dedicated to coming to be the ones to get the shoes and outfits. I can only hold 12 girls a class and I'm sure I will have more than 24 girls sign up. What we'll do is have a waiting list and if a girl misses more than two or three classes, we will have another girl take her place. I will be sending home a letter to all the parents informing them of how we will run things. I also want the parents to know who I am and feel free to contact me or introduce themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging up flyers for my ballet and English classes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tough Day

 

Today was challenging on a number of levels. Most things here are pretty unpredictable. Each day is an adventure! However, one thing that is consistent here are the culture differences or even cultural conflict. Some things are just bound to happen when two cultures try to live with one another. It's never easy. Feelings tend to get hurt, especially among believers. Right when I think I have "mercy" down, God stretches me a little further. And He always gives the strength to do it.

 

 

Another challenge today was delivering school supplies to different poor families in the area. Rachel's church donated money for us to buy school supplies for underprivileged families. The first family we visited was Serbian. They have four children, all of which are in school. They live in a village outside the city. They have a little house (in need of many repairs), a small garden, and some animals out back. A couple of their pigs got loose and the mother was chasing them with a stick to get them back inside the fence! She was such a sweet, sweet woman. She gave us plums, peppers, and tomatoes from her garden as a gift. On top of giving them school supplies, we gave them clothes and shoes were also donated.

 

The second family was one of the poorest families I have ever met. The mother had 14 children! All of them were were about a year a part in age, the youngest being 6 months. One entire wall of their house was missing, exposing the inside of their home. I don't know what they are going to do in the winter time to keep the cold air out. There were flies and trash everywhere. We had to enter through the garage to get to their house, which had a broken down van inside and smelled of urine. Her children were so beautiful! Most of them had thick, curly had and wore mixed-match boys and girls clothes. They were so quiet and sweet. The mother was so grateful for the backpacks and school supplies. They start school tomorrow. I walked out, asking God how I can better help them. Sometimes our help, if not appropriately done, can make things worse. I am praying that the HS will show me what their biggest needs are and how I can help meet those needs while I am here.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Mother of 14 children, not all were present

 

 

 

Serbian family, just the two daughters are present in the photo.

Left to Right: Violeta (works with different Roma groups), two Serbian daughters (Ahh! I can't remember their names right now!), me, and Rachel

 

 

 

 

 

Community Center Meeting and Other News

Today was our big meeting for the community center. It lasted three and a half hours. I was exhausted by the time we were done! Well, maybe even before that! It was good though. We covered a lot of important things -- finanaces, everyone's roles, expectations, etc. We have a big cleaning day on Monday to get ready for classes. There is also a team coming this week to volunteer for multiple things -- one of which is painting and redecorating the community center. We're all really excited for it's new modern look!

I officially begin my ballet classes again this upcoming week along with my new beginner English course for kids. I'm really excited!!! The following week the coffee house will start up and a middle school "girls only" night. I am sooooo excited to give the girls their ballet slippers, leotards and bags! They are going to LOVE it! I'll make sure to video tape it and put it up on my blog. God is so good!

Tonight Rachel and I got to go out for coffee with three of our girl friends. It was good. We are still trying to get the girls acquainted and comfortable with one another before we start the Book study. We are hoping to start that very soon. We are praying that the girls will be receptive to it.

An Albanian friend of ours (who is a believer) was put in jail recently. There is question as to why exactly he is there. I just ask that you pray for him and his family. They are facing a lot of hardships right now.