Lorraine writes- Our weeks are becoming more and more enjoyable.....the children are really at ease with us both and are often keen to have us sit with them at their table. A few times I have played a cat and mouse ring game with the younger group; reckon its a conspiracy though, as every time I play, when its time for the cat to chase the mouse almost every time the children have chosen me to be the cat and run after them (the mouse)!!!!! There's always a lot of laughter during that game :-) and lots of energy released on my part. At the start of every day we gather as a staff team and I lead a time of encouragement. We had been discussing role models, recently; what are they, how to be a good role model and why. Its been great how the staff are able to share their thoughts on the topic. As we chatted we talked about how we had people in our lives who inspired us yet there are those who don't always have a positive role models to look to. We are role models for the children and as a team we are investing in the lives of the children in our care; that investment (i.e manners, acceptance, love, faithfulness, trustworthiness) can then flow out and be passed on, into the lives of those the children, come in contact with, like their family and friends. As a result positive behaviour, attitudes, kindness, happiness and love can flow out into the village and even further a field as they grow up, out into the wider community and society. Wow, what an exciting opportunity. We pray every morning, before day care starts, Chris, Alban (our translator) and my self; we pray that God's love will flow over the day care; we have been reading through some Psalms. Psalm 139 verse 15 reads "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body". I think about the children here and how God saw each of them as they where created, if we can show them just a glimpse of how much God loves them then how amazing will that be!!!

Chris writes: have been thinking a lot about sacrifice and giving up recently. As a Christian of course we ask what can we give up when we have everything in Jesus - and indeed that is the ideal but for how many of us is it really true. How many of us can say we are totally fulfilled by our relationship with Jesus? Not with our ministry or anyone or anything else. We can have total fulfilment in Jesus! How amazing! Look at Jesus in the Gospels - he sought to meet all the needs which were presented to Him. He healed (there is a study in itself - the complete person eyes, ears, legs, hands and so on....) He raised the dead, cured the lepers, He fed - physically and Spiritually - was there any part of the body which Jesus did not touch?? As a Christian a relationship with God includes Him as friend, provider, parent, Saviour....and so on - another study there! I am reading one of Yancy's books, entitled prayer and this quote jumped out at me from a monk he was visiting: "if you need anything let us know and we'll teach you to live without it!" What do we need and what do want? what are we willing to give up? I got this other great quote from our daily reading notes recently questioning how you know it is God asking you to give up something when 'you are willing to leave behind those things which now mean nothing in order to live for those things which now mean everything'. So is God everything to you? For me coming over here has really moved me along that road - I guess to the place where I have been able to let go of 'those things which mean nothing'. The truth is of course as i am sure someone said around 2000 years ago after the death of Jesus - the more you give up the more God gives back to you - finances, friends so we don't really go without - its a bit of a pardox I suppose. Wow! Amazing God! Or Awesome! As they say in USA.

Things are going well here. The Snow has almost all melted and it is so good to see some green again - although our lawn looks like it has been attacked by a large family of moles! Going well with the roles bit and learning what each others role is. We have now started back with the nursery after an extended break and are just trying to get to know the staff and the children more and trying to be good role models but maybe Rainie will tell you more about that.
Thanks for reading :)

Chris writes: it seems that we are rapidly settling into life here and adapting to all its quirks. It is great to think how quickly we are adapting to this culture - the wonder is how quickly would we adapt back to life in the developed west. One test has been trying to even update the blog. Every time for the last few days i have tried to do it the power has gone out - and typing by candlelight is not very appealing! Kosova. We are really learning to adapt and in some ways it is good training for what seems like a recession which our friends and family are going through back home in the UK. The only difference is that over here they are prepared and used to this way of life - in some ways this is refreshing. We have just returned from four nights in Macedonia which was a good break but great to be home again in Kosova. We left on rather difficult snowy roads. We returned on the same roads and any hopes of a thaw were dashed. the weather here has been quite amazing. Temperatures so far as low as 20 below and snow two feet deep plus in places - it seems that for some the novelty of the snow is now wearing a little thin! Today it has been raining and this has frozen so we now have a sheet of ice everywhere - much to the joy of the children who enjoy skating down our driveway! This weather has meant that the school has been closed so we in the nursery have followed suit. Hopefully we will open next week as we are both missing the children, the staff and the routine of the day-care. One of the most exciting things from our time here is the way our relationship and faith in God is developing. Not having many of the distractions from back home has been really good for this. Also working together as a team has been challenging for us as a couple and one which we are learning and seeking to improve upon everyday. It seems really exciting to think of all that we are learning in this way of life and i would recommend it to you all!! Thanks for reading.

Lorraine writes- On the stroke of midnight the sky across Gjakova was lit up by fireworks, celebrating and welcoming in 2009. It almost glowed and was a sight I haven't ever seen before. Bonfire night always has fireworks going off at different time; but this was fireworks all going off at the same time, amazing!!! All you could hear was the sound of rockets whizzing and bangers popping. The noise was almost deafening. After having a wonderful, very English Christmas, it's safe to say New Years eve was very Kosovan. Two very different times of fellowship but both equally enjoyable. I got quite emotional to think we were celebrating Christmas and New Year in Kosova. As the snow fell on Christmas day, it was hard to stop the tears of amazement and joy. Amazement and joy at God's nature and creation, at His faithfulness to me (and Chris) and at what He has in store for us here in Kosova. Even though we have been truly blessed with our accommodation and surroundings, it feels like God is stripping away luxuries and getting me to look at myself, my character and the basics of faith. He's wanting to simply say 'I Love You Lorraine....let me remould you, make you new'!! I'm excited about 2009 and pray that I will be open to God's loving arms and touch. Thank you for your prayers and support. I, we, really appreciate and value it. Many blessings to you as we go into 2009. Happy New Year!!

Chris writes: Happy New Year! It is so easy to take for granted all the blessings you have around you - many people think it is amazing what we have done and the sacrifices we have made - but i have been challenged by two different people today. Yes it is hard being away from family and friends and the comforts we take for granted - TV,(esp Doctor Who!) regular electricity supply, being able to go for a walk by the beach, being able to comunicate with people in the shop without needing a translator, having to learn a new language - but what have we really given up? We have a lovely spacious flat, many of our belongings around us, access to to two autos, loads of friends and snow! We have had a fantastic Christmas and New Year entertaining and being entertained. Last night we visited a family and had a great evening of food and fun and setting off fireworks. Today we had people over to our flat and again had a fantastic time of fun and food. I guess the lesson is gratitude for all that we have and we have soooo much here in Kosova! Next week we head off to Macedonia for a few days break - wow! Thanks for reading......