Kosovar adventures- Chris and Lorraine

Almost there!

2011-12-06T23:56:00.002-08:00

Chris writes: So we have now completed more than a year together here in Kosova with OM. In total we have been in Kosova for three years. This has been a year where we have seen many ups and downs...we had a hard winter in our first house here and some of you shared in our sadness and loss during those days. Then when we were at our lowest and our money was cut we were offered a house rent free at just the right time. We had a good summer in the lovely house. We have house sat for other people during the year and this has made us appreciate and look forward to our own home so much. We will hopefully be in a position to rent our own home again during the spring of next year. We now both have a basic language though know we need more! Chris has worked in the schools and kids clubs around Kosova with the drug education and has built some good relationships. Lorraine has been developing her ministry and has built some good relationships with the kindergartens and is growing a craft passion and ministry.

We have much to be thankful for as we look back over the year..most of all to God for His goodness, grace and provision...but also to you, our supporters for your prayers and support.

We are looking forward and will be both be in the UK from mid December until end of January...details to follow...but are excited about returning...we believe we have a vision to establish a base here and build on the foundations we have laid over the last year and have many opportunities to share that while in the UK.

We have really appreciated your support and prayers over the last year and look forward to the next year with excitement.....and also trepidation!!

God Bless

2011-12-06T23:56:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

I am sure you are all aware now that we will both be in the UK from mid December until the end of January.

During January we will be traveling round the country and wanted to make you aware where we shall be.

# from 3rd til 9th we will be in Reading

# from 9th til 15th we will be in Bournemouth

# from 16th til 18th we will be in Essex/Kent

# from 19th til 25th we will be in Worthing

Thankyou to those who will be hosting us and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during our travels and sharing about our hopes and dreams for the next stage of our vision for Kosova........

With many blessings for a wonderful and restful Christmas and New Year to you and yours

much love to you all and thanks for your prayers and support, In Him....

Chris & Lorraine xx

back home!

2011-11-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

HIV/Aids awareness......

We have now returned to Kosova after our time in Italy on the training......this is the varied group of people from all over the world who were on the training with us......

HIV/aids is a problem all over the world....our concern is how much of a problem this could be in Kosova in the future so it is important that we are ready and equipped and can educate the children about this now.....we must help them to be educated and to be prepared......we cannot not share what we know....in the words of Wilberforce...'having seen all this you can choose to look the other way but you can never again say "I did not know".

Thankyou for your prayers and support and enabling us to continue in this vital ministry.

On the way home, as we flew into Tiranë, we stopped off in Durrës for a few nights and had a beautiful afternoon on the beach......

HIV/Aids in Italy??

2011-10-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

Chris writes...the schools have continued well...almost completed another school...as much as they seemed to want us anyhow and in another village too...been busy but has gone well...

We are now in Italy...hiv/aids impacts the world over so have been on a training course here...has been an intense week and has really stretched me but we leave tomorrow and head for home...for Kosova....am so grateful for the people who made it possible for us to be here and for the people we have met during our time here...God is sooo Good

schools work

2011-10-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Chris writes...finished our first school...was starting to feel a little tired at the end after repeating myself about fifty times..that was the first school and some say the toughest...good to do it but glad it is over. Some of the young people recieved it and were interested and engaged and they were a joy to teach..other seemed bored and were a struggle. The fact is they were all individuals and are vulnerable to drug use/abuse.

Some have already responded by emails/facebook which is great. Some say hi in the street.

But this is just the start. This week have been in Greece helping someone out for a few days but next week we start in another senior school here in Gjakove.

Would appreciate ongoing prayers..there is much to do......blessings

New Term!!

2011-09-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Back to school

Chris writes: well everything is in place now and tomorrow we start a new term and back in the schools. We have spent the summer (and a long hot one it was!) besides working on the language of course(!) preparing our literature, powerpoint, translating the website and now all is ready and we have the green light.
Things are happening here and doors are starting to open.

Appreciate your prayers but please don't stop!!

Be a blessing and be blessed...In Him

Time to rest..!!!

2011-09-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

Time out in Krushe e Vogel.

Chris writes: just taking a few days out at the moment. Feels like it has been a long summer, our first full one in Kosova, very hot for us, waiting and preparing for the return of the children (trying to spend the time wisely in language learning!!), lots of literature produced for the schools and the website almost translated. In addition it was the month of Ramazan so have not seen some of my Muslim friends as they have been fasting. Also we have now moved house in preperation for the next family to leave for furlough very soon.

It has been a long hot summer and I am glad that September is here and autumn around the corner....it looks like it could be a busy one!!

.........interesting watching the situation in Libya unfold and the problems caused by the bombings with water shortages and power outages........Kosova of course was where Libya is today, 12 years ago in 1999...but power outages are, after 12 years still a regular part of life here....and now we have no water.....from around 8pm until.....after bedtime!!

Just a part of daily life for the people here in Kosova.......who get on with life largely without complaining or without anyone noticing..........

..............my concern is how much longer will the next generation stand for this......

be a blessing and be blessed!!

Still helping Gjelane

2011-08-18T01:45:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: Was back in the pre school in Fushe kosova yesterday.

Seems strange calling it a preschool in this modern age, especially when some of the children are around 12 or 13 years old, but that is pretty much what it is.

Had the opportunity to do one-to-one with some of the children...wow!...easy for me but maybe I will never realise the importance or the significance of what is going on there and the doors and opportunities which were closed before and which will now hopefully be opened.

I still found it hard that some of the children could do maths and write their names but did not know their date of birth.

One of the children was seen in Pristina on the street cleaning car windows...he was asked why he had not been in school...he responded: 'I am not coming to your silly school anymore...I am going to the big school in September!!'

Sad but true...we have all done our part...inputting into these young and precious lives and next week it will be time for them to 'fly the nest' and 'start in the big school'.

All photographers check out: www.neighbourhood29.com

Be blessed and be a blessing xx

Helping Gjelane get to school

2011-08-09T04:11:00.000-07:00

School for Gjelane and her friends??

As you approach Pristina, the capital of Kosova, from Peja, you will come to a very busy roundabout and taking the first exit you pass through Fushe Kosova, the 'fields of Kosova'. This is a fairly new road.....an avenue...but rather than being lined with beautiful great oak trees, like the ones in UK, it is lined with superstores. As you pass along the road in a vehicle they become a blur one by one...from beds to bookshelves...from clothes to Christmas trees....from toys to tins of tuna. Almost everyday a new one appears, and yes, many times I have visited some of them myself.

All the more strange then that when you come to the same roundabout, involving great effort.....as it is so busy...to take a left turn, the second exit, a very different road greets you. As you drive along.. gradually the shops start to disappear...and the buildings become more unkempt...'this is clearly the wrong way'...'have we taken a wrong turn'....'maybe we need to turn back.'

But if you persist with your doubts and continue on this road going to where the road seems to end; you will meet a very different community and one which could not be more different than the 'avenue of commercialism'.

For it is here that you will meet some of the forgotten people of Kosova. They are the people of the Roma, the Ashkali and the Egyptian community.

Many of these children are excluded from school because they do not meet the criteria.

At the moment.

Things are changing for these children and the people of this tiny corner of Kosova thanks to the tireless efforts of one lady, (www.elizabethgowing.com) and many others from all over the world working with her, in September these children will be starting at school.

It has been a privilege to be able to call myself one of these 'many others' and to be just a small part of helping Gjelane and her friends get to school in September.

2011-08-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- I love Mondays...never thought I'd ever say that, but its my day for the market. I love walking down to the local seller and seeing what fruit and veg he has for that day. He is always busy so I try to go early and miss the rush.....all the fruit in the picture I got for 6 euro's, amazing, how cheap it is to eat here in Kosova.

coffee in Kosova!!

2011-07-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: had a good week...weather has actually been quite mild and damp...hope it has been drier at Wimbledon!!

Don't forget to join us for coffee tomorrow...11am UK time (12 noon in Kosova).

Will have skype on (chrisandraine) so please call or message if you can!

God Bless...thanks for your support and prayers xx

Addiction in Kosova?

2011-06-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: the visits to the schools went really well and we visited three schools and over a few weeks spoke to around 500 children between the ages of 14 and 16. Many of the children seemed repulsed by the meer idea of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs...this is so often the case but please pray that it will continue to be the case!!

With the schools almost out for the summer recess we now have three months to plan and further enhance and develop our sessions for next term. We already have the senior schools lined up for us to visit in Gjakova, around 3000 young people for us to talk with, then there is a possible school in Pristina and also one in Albania so next term is already looking busy!

At the other end of the drug spectrum.....this week I had the joy of taking someone who has been taking heroin for around 17 years to a rehab...please pray that he has the strength of character to 'stay the course'.

thanks for your prayers and support for this ministry xx

Bringing Hope and salt to Kosova??

2011-05-22T00:33:00.000-07:00

Salt shakers in Kosova???

Chris writes: Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full". (John 10:10) These words from Jesus stuck in my mind after our retreat in Macedonia. It was a really good time of relaxing and relationships....both developing existing and building new ones...getting to know people better who are working with the same organization as us from all over Albania, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia and of course Kosova.

But we are now back in Kosova and in a new house where we shall be living for the next three months. Spring is here and at last the sun is shining and after almost a solid week of rain it is good to see it back! The countryside is starting to come alive with green everywhere and the crops are tentatively coming out of the ground. Hope is in the air in Kosova as new life is here.

But scratch beneath the surface and you can see some cracks. You may already be aware of the fact that around 50% of the people here don't have a job. In the main street some people spend all day walking up and down or sitting in the cafes drinking maciatos. Men stand by the street in certain places in the town from 7am all day waiting for someone to drive up and offer them some work. Last week the employment market in Gjakova, our town, was further swelled by around 3000 extra bodies as the 18 year olds graduated and left school..after studying so hard for so many years they like so many other young and hopeful people around the world at this time have gone out into the big wide world..........hoping for a job or a place at university.

We were saddened by some graffiti we saw recently: " You can't kill me I am already dead". Is how many of the people feel must feel. Jesus said " I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". So many people try to find life in so many different things.....drugs for example.....sadly they realize they do not bring freedom only bondage.

We believe that we have been called to Kosova to bring life and hope. Tomorrow we start one of our main purposes for being here as we visit the schools and talk about drug education......making healthy choices...bringing freedom.......not bondage.

Please pray that we can be effective in our witness and can be salt and light.

Much love

Proud to be British in Kosova!!

2011-04-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: While the UK, Kosova and the rest of the world are gripped in Royal fever and weddings we are proud to be British and living in Kosova. Gjakova is feeling more and more like home for us as we make more and more new friends here. Despite this in just under a week we end our contract here and leave our home and will be house sitting for some other missionaries, just five minutes away, while they are away for three months. Before this we will be in Ohrid, Macedonia for a retreat with OM then will have a few days break.

We have now been here over six months and doors are opening for us in various ways. It will be exciting to see how things continue to develop when we return. Thanks for your prayers....please keep praying! Much love in Him xx

Moving forward in Kosova

2011-04-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

Moving forward in Kosova......

Chris writes: it has been a long time since we have been here...has been a difficult and exciting time. We now know that the door has now closed on a move to the capital city, Pristina. We will still work there but not be based there. It really feels like a close shave. Moving there could have damaged things in so many ways for us. Since this became clear some exciting doors opened for us and most importantly two days after we were offered rent-free accomodation for the summer!! Wow so God IS in control!! It is useful to remind ourselves of this from time to time!
Things on the drug education front are moving forward slowly...picking up some sessions.....but am waiting for the flood gates to open but it MUST BE IN HIS TIME!!
Have now also produced a clearer statement of our vision..let me know if you want to see and pray into it
.
Have also been encouraged by a friend to pray for more of the prophetic....please pray and let me have feedback!!
In Him...xx

Still springing in Kosova

2011-03-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

Chris writes...ok the last one was a bit premature...but now spring is definitely on the way...today the sun returned!! Have not seen it for a few weeks...forgot what blue sky looks like!!

We are still open to change and moving but it feels like a door could be closing for us.....do we stubbornly fight on like king David in so many of his battles.....or do we accept it get and on with what we have been called to like king David in 2 Sam 12 v 20 -23.....at this time I am favouring the latter!!

Please pray!!

2011-03-04T02:42:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- Ok been a wait since I last wrote my thoughts. Lots has happened. A major experience for us has been the loss of our first unborn wee babe. Its hard to put in words sometimes feelings you feel inside. We have had so many people sharing their own private stories of loss its been touching. Why does something like this happen....don't know the answer to that million dollar question. Having lost so many of my own family member and now our wee babe, a sense of unfairness creeps in. I have to really dig deep in my heart and soul to not let this happen and take hold of my life. I love God and trust Him with my life, with Chris and our life together and if anything I feel a closeness to God more now than ever before. We believe we will be a family one day and our hands and arms are open to God to fill them with His love and blessings xx

Spring into Kosova.....

2011-02-15T06:34:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: had a good few days away, some prayer, Bible study and managed to finish a book on discipleship. Feeling a little clearer about our future and wanting to be best used by God to serve the people of Kosova...that could mean moving from where we are now.

Was struck by many thoughtful sayings but this was one of my favourites, a few people claim it including Winston Churchill:

'We make a living by what we get - we make a life by what we give.'

We are seeking to make a life by what we give to the people of Kosova.....would appreciate continued prayer over our future and our desire to be best used by Him here.

The snow has all gone here now, so felt able to go out for a run today without danger of slipping........(hoping for a sponsored run in May....details to follow!!) never was much good at ice skating so it is good to see the ice all gone......ah the joys of spring!!

Zoti ju Bekofte!!

2011-02-09T07:31:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: continuing on our journey and we have now been here in our house for three months. OM wisely ask that all new OMers spend thier first three months learning the language and this is what we have done...it has been tough but a great opportunity to spend so much time getting deeper into the country and culture. Not to say that we can speak it fluently...we will continue learning for sometime to come...but now maybe we can start to refocus.

For the next few days we will be praying and fasting over our future...please do remember us during these days and share any thoughts you have with us..

In Love, In Him xx

Journeying

2011-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: reflection and looking back at where we have come from is so important. Was so encouraged and enriched by hearing someone share this morning and knowing that I played a small part in his journey.

This can encourage us and affirm where we are going... but as someone once said: it is not where you have come from that is important......but where you are going.

One other reminder I heard recently from Oswald Chambers:

'The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him'

God Bless you on your journey with Him.

2010-12-30T09:55:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- Walking our friends dog this morning (they are away for New Year) up to the park near his home, I noticed many Embassies and Diplomats homes, all behind guarded high fences. It made me think about how in our lives sometimes we can have areas fenced off and other areas where we are guarded. Why? maybe because we don't want to get hurt, or maybe we just don't want to acknowledge it......for me, I am praying that as we see the New Year in and think about 2011, I want those areas in my life that are behind fences, to become free; for those guards and fences to be broken and to come down; for real freedom and joy to rein in its place. I want to soar like an Eagle not stumble through 2011 like a a fearful skater on the ice for the first time......I am excited yet scared about what God has in store but hand in hand with Chris, family and friends and most importantly with Him, I'm expecting it will be an amazing year.....Happy New Year xxx

New life in Kosova!! (Kosovo)

2010-12-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

Chris writes... currently in Pristina, the capital for some R & R and the new year is almost upon us! This is the time to reflect back over the last year at what was or not acheived and look foward to our hopes and dreams for the new year.

It is good to reflect, and good to dream but after the dreams must come a time of action and moving forward....stepping into all that God has in store for us.

We are setting up a new home and a new life for ourselves here in Kosova and pray that this is all in God's plan....we want to be walking with Him hand in hand in 2011...not two paces behind and not two paces in front.

Step forward boldly!!

2010-12-23T03:43:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: we have now been in the house for almost two months. After the fifth or six visit from the repair guy, the fridge now seems to be working at last! We also now have a cooker at last! We are preparing for Christmas and hope to be entertaining friends in our new home.

It is fair to say the last few weeks have been tough for us as a couple, and also individually, but that makes us all the more determined that this is where we are supposed to be.The frustration caused by appliances and also computers not working has been really hard. It is quite a relief that Christmas is here as we have been busy with the house, language learning and also giving out the shoeboxes around Kosova.

We are both now ready for a break and have the chance to house/dog sit in the capital Pristina for some friends over the New Year. This will hopefully give us both time to rest, reflect and plan for our future.

We would both appreciate your prayers at this time and please do share any words you have with us.

With every blessing for a restful Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

In Him xx

2010-12-06T02:19:00.000-08:00

Chris writes...great news!! the guy came with the bed...we sorted the wood stove...the washing machine is working....and on the second attempt I think the fridge is also now working!!

Praise God!!

Still lots more to keep us busy......and now at last, the temperature has dropped...snow is on the way!!

No rest for the wicked!!

2010-11-29T04:35:00.000-08:00

Chris writes - I have now been back in Kosova for six weeks, Lorraine has been here just over a week. Setting up home is never easy, so many things to do and to fix...so setting up home in a foreign country where you only speak a little of the language and in winter we knew was going to be an uphill struggle. Have now been in the house 3 weeks.....last week we were in despair...fridge, washing machine not working and the guy coming to fix had let us down twice...in addition a mountain of other jobs, including getting a bed as we have been sleeping in the lounge on the sofabed and sorting out our new woodstove.

Today has been a good day so far and its only lunchtime!!.......we purchased a bed this morning....hopefully delivered later, guy came to fix the fridge and washing machine, hopefully sorting the woodstove later and maybe a few other little jobs.....we could be on a roll here!!

Will let you know how we get on!!

Thanks for your prayers...we need em!!

2010-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- Its been a while since I have written an entry on the blog....After 5 months in the UK I rejoined Chris in Kosova last Friday. Time apart always makes the heart grow fonder and I can say that about missing Chris and Kosova. I had such a wonderful welcome from all our Kosova friends. During the 5 months I spent in the UK so much had happened.

Having experienced some good and not so good things I feel stronger now than ever before. After Chris returned to Kosova (four weeks ago) we have had to deal with being de-frauded, having our C.R.B applications forms with personal information stolen and a car crash.

The thought that someone could use this information illegally and be walking around identifing themselves as us and having access to our account creates such such fear. But it caused me to cling closer to God and trust Him more. All the way along our journey God has demonstrated His love and provision for us in so many ways.

I am excited for what is in store for us in Kosova.....the next stage is now beginning.......

life in Kosova

2010-10-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Taking for granted??

Chris writes....almost back in Kosova for one week and already I am thinking about the things we often take for granted....for a change I am not talking about lack of electricity....this is something you may recall we often went without for long periods of time in the village....here in the town I am only aware of two power cuts this week....

I am talking about something much closer to home...our sight!!

We have chess playing blind/partially sighted people from all over Kosova here at moment....they play with their hands....feeling the pieces/board as they go....it is quite amazing to watch...and it does not seem to hinder them!!

Take nothing for granted!! Rather thank God for all His blessings!! xx

2010-10-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: last time I spoke about journeys of faith...ours has been pretty amazing!

As we have travelled round recently I shared some thoughts about Peter and his journey of faith...in particular the story of him going to Jesus on the water...... and stepping out of the boat in Matthew 14.

Matthew almost sounds quite matter of fact in 14:25...there was Jesus walking on the water!!........The way you do!!..........Peter sees Jesus and thinks I could do that....wow what a man of courage!! Jesus says...'come'!! (verse 29). Gulp!!................What is often over looked is Peter DID walk on the water...but just like we all do he took his eyes off Jesus...looked at the wind and waves and STARTED to sink....instantly he called out and...instantly Jesus saved Him...Peter grew through that experience.

18 months ago we stepped out the boat when we went to Kosova as a couple to live.

Now it is time to step out of the boat again....after 4 months in UK and around 5000 miles of travelling I shall return to Kosova on Monday 18th...our monthly support is over 60% and rising and it is time for us to continue the next part of our adventure...!!

Thanks for your prayers and support xx

Our journey home...to Kosova

2010-09-28T20:09:00.001-07:00

Our Journey back to Kosova.......

Chris writes:

Don't you find that God gets better and you love Him more and more day by day!! Had a fantastic time in Bournemouth and in our last week we were given over £1000!! Wow!! Do you find that He knows just what you need.....when you need it?!?

As we have traveled round the UK we have never gone without anything we needed. We have also purchased many clothes and things to take back with us...everything God has supplied.

We have now finished most of our travels......almost 5000 miles!!.......and have returned to Worthing...for the next two weeks we are housesitting for my parents who will be in USA visiting my brother and his wife. Now we have some time on our own....to relax...

Must admit that I have been a little frantic...."come on God....now we need You!!" I had a date of the middle of October in mind to return to Kosova......before the winter starts.....ideally we need most of our support to be pledged before we leave.

Initially we were told we had around 10%..."Ok God....long way to go!!"

After looking deeper we have now been told that we have over 30% of which does not include other gifts we know are in the pipeline...this brings us to over 50% of our support and we know of still more which is coming to us!!! Praise the Lord!!

Today someone prayed that we'd have the faith to step out......I believe it is time to book our ticket!! What about your story of faith??

God Bless xx

God is Amazing!!

2010-09-15T03:20:00.000-07:00

Chris writes:

Isn't God fab!!

We are now in Bournemouth and He IS supplying everything......this week we paid something out and with two hours He had paid it back to us!! Exactly the same amount and quite unexpected!!

We needed to have money for our rabies jabs and thought we'd have to draw it out of our account...the day before we had more than we needed and after we had done what we did above....

Yesterday morning we went to a prayer meeting and have been asked back to the church.....after racing around...striving!!...we went to another one in the evening...hardly anyone was there!! it was like God was saying...I AM in control...not you....just rest in ME!!

He was reminding me that mission should not be our priority...worship should be...evrything else comes in His time!!

God Bless xx

2010-09-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Things are going well here in Holland on our conference. There is nothing quite like home though and we are both looking forward to being back in the UK........ then back to that tiny corner of Europe it is our priveledge to call home....Kosova....there really is nothing like home!!

We have just sent our newsletter out....do contact us if you would like to recieve a copy

2010-08-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

God is so faithful!! we have been waiting for several months for a tax rebate which we thought would cover our costs for going to Holland for the next stage in our journey as development workers in Europe.....

with no sight of the rebate our costs have been covered!! Praise God!!!!..thanks for your prayers!

Kosova for the kosovans!!

2010-07-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Interesting seeing all the news reports from the ICJ about Kosova and whether its declaration of independence in 2008 was legal.

Having lived there for 18 months and got to know so many of the people who lost family members and/or friends I guess it is hard for us to be impartial.

What I do know is that many people have fought many battles over this tiny corner of the world: the Bulgarians, the Byzantines, the Serbs, Most recently in 1450 - 1912 the Ottamans, the Serbs again from 1912 - today.

During those hundreds of years they have been tortured, supressed, bullied, amongst others by many of their conquerors.

I spoke to an Orthodox person in the UK recently who seemed to be under the impression most of the region is populated by Orthodox people. From my experience this is not the case and it is mainly Kosova Albanians who live there. Around 90%.

Is it time to allow the people of this country to decide their own destiny?

What do you think??

WWJD???

2010-07-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: our busy time here in the UK continues but thankfully we have managed to have a week off in a remote part of South Wales of relaxing and watching the rain!

After that we came here to 'All Nations College', just north of London, where we are having two weeks of training and getting to know another mission organisation which we will also be linked with CMS (Church Mission Society). We are learning, amongst other things, about something we often take for granted...culture...and crossing into another culture.....the way we see and experience things can be so different to the way other people see things...even the Gospel...one person will see one thing in a verse and someone else something different.

A few quotes from CMS have struck me: "Mission is not someone else's job - it is mine". Mission is something we as Christians should ALL be involved in...some of us get called to serve abroad some at home. "Christian mission is about crossing boundaries not crushing them". We must find a way of "engaging with each other which is respectful but not compromising". Lesslie Newbigin.

Very interesting!!

2010-07-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: it is hard to believe but we have been in the UK for three weeks now - the time has flown by so quickly it feels like so much longer. Our time in Krushe feels so far away and the sadness of having to leave so many of our friends there has been equalled by our joy to see our friends and family in UK. Our three weeks here have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride and one blessing after another. We arrived here and after a night just outside Reading went up north to Clitheroe via the collection of our vehicle. Then to north Wales and more blessings. Then we had our weekend with OM and have now been accepted to work with them in Kosova, subject to raising our support. Finally we headed south to Bournemouth and Moorlands to congratulate our friends on completing their degrees. Then along the coast to Worthing and Shoreham.
We leave Worthing on Sunday and head off on our travels again!!

Our Time here has been birthed in prayer and we are so grateful to all of you who have prayed for us. We are experiencing such a mixture of emotions as we are travelling around talking and sharing with people and are both trying not to strive in playing our part to raise our support. We have found when we went unprepared that the Holy Spirit was given room to take over and we and others were blessed as a result. Please do pray that we can maintain a blanace and that He gets the glory not us.....this is the reason why we ALL do what we do....for His glory....Amen!!

2010-06-09T01:36:00.000-07:00

Chris writes...time is so close now we leave on Saturday.... and we are frantically trying to get all the packing done and say goodbye to our friends and extended family here while keeping things running at the kindergarten while making all the preperations for our time in the UK!! We really appreciate your prayers.

But the two stages of our time here in Kosova are bluring into one as I was starkly reminded yesterday of one of the reasons why we are coming back.......hearing about a 20 year old boy who was found dead here with a needle sticking out of his arm. The youth here are very disenchanted...corruption is rife...they have been promised much but little is happening...it is a ticking bomb.......please keep praying!!

2010-06-01T01:42:00.000-07:00

Summer is here?

Chris writes: today, the first of June our clock is ticking ever faster. We now have 11 more days here and must admit to a real mixture of emotions...excitement at the thought of seeing the U.K. and our family and friends again, nervous at the thought of leaving the security of Humedica and Krushe, excitement at the thought of coming back to Kosova later this year and nervous of how it will all go over the summer and will we have enough support to enable us to come back at the end of September??

We know that this is the right way forward and a few months ago, just like Peter in Matt 14 we asked Jesus if He wanted us to step out of the boat and just Peter we felt He said Yes, so that is what we will be doing in 11 days time!

Please pray that we will both keep sane and use this remaining time here wisely!!

God Bless....or as they say here Zoti ju Bekoft

2010-05-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- Water has been a common theme over these last few weeks. For one it has been raining heavily and two we have visited a couple of amazing waterfalls. The picture on the left is of Drini I Bardhe near Peje and the one on the right is at Mirusha, just outside Gjakova. We had two staff outings and visited them both. It was a great time together and for the staff a new experience; to visit them as they had never had the opportunity to go before. We were so happy to take them.......

Its been wonderful to see some more of the beauty of Kosova. It has some stunning areas that are a must if you get to visit. We'd be happy to show you them, if you come ever get the chance to come our way!!!!

2010-05-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Spring (and Summer!) are here!!

Chris writes: six weeks today we shall be on our way back to the UK. We have now told the staff team downstairs who gave a mixed reaction! To be expected! We are now really starting to tell people. It really feels like the clock is ticking and time is rushing past. There is still much to do and people to arrange to visit before we leave here. We will loose much when we go from here - so when we return, we need to have increased our support significantly to cover these costs. Has been a tough week for Lorraine and me and put a strain on our relationship but we are still talking! After really studying Philippians 4: 6 & 7 however we are reminded that it is not about what we do but about God. He has unlimited resourses and we are in His hands. Just like Spring (and summer) it will come to us in His time and not ours! Amen!

This week the oldest person in the village died. She was 86. I was speaking with her grandson for the traditional 'condolence' visit about the changes she experienced in her life. The family structure is still so important here but how can that withstand what we call 'progress' or 'development' as just like in the west the family becomes more fragmented and relationships become less important. I pray that we can delay that coming here.

2010-04-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

Endings and beginnings

Chris writes: in a little over seven weeks we shall be finishing our time in Krushe e Vogel as missionaries working for Humedica and serving under Dave & Cindy Johnson. It would be fair to say that not all of our time has been easy...some has been pretty hard and put a real strain on our relationship. On the other hand some has been enjoyable and we know that we have learnt such a lot about ourselves, about others and about serving in a different culture. Today we spoke with D & C to confirm and finalise our plans and tomorrow we will share with the staff. We leave here on 12th June, planning to visit UK for around three months when we hope to return to Kosova to start a new ministry offering drug education. We still have much to pray about and arrange before we leave for UK. We continue to value and appreciate your prayers especially, but not just that we can use our remaining time here wisely and all will come together as God wills, but also for the staff and children here as they face further change and unsettlement and also for Dave, Cindy and Alban who we will giving the reins back to on 12th June.

A sad day in Krushe

2010-03-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- My heart wept today for the villagers of Krushe. Even as I write this entry now, my eyes are filling up from the memory of what I saw and felt today. As you enter the village a separate burial site is off to one side where the bodies of those men and boys identified and returned lay to rest. Eleven years on from that fateful day, 26 March 1999 so many loved ones are still missing and have not been identified. As one family buries their son, husband and father today, many are still hoping for the return of their beloveds. For the few who have their bodies buried in this grave site they have a place to go and weep and lay flowers. But for many where do they go?? I have never met such strong women as those here in Krushe. Every day they live with their memories; memories I can't even begin to imagine. Yet they go about their busy lives, caring and looking after the remaining members of their family. As I stood and witnessed these amazing women visit the graves I will never forget the sound of their crying and sheer grief. It pierced my heart, and all I wanted to do was give each one a hug.....But what I did do was pray; pray for these families, for their pain to lessen. Seeing some of the children from the village school lined up with their wreathes was a very striking image. May God's love and peace rest in this place; on the people of Krushe and on the people of Kosova. Thank you to those who were able to say a prayer for today........Kosova is very much in our hearts xx

2010-03-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

A Villlage mourns

Chris writes: today, 11 years after the massacre here in Krushe e Vogel another body was returned to the village to its final resting place. A family and a village can now properly start to grieve and mourn the loss of another of their men. It is hard to imagine how it must feel as I watched one of the sons clutching a picture at the graveside of his father. I could not see tears....maybe the feeling was just so overwhelming that after 11 years, at last the body of his father will be at rest.

It was a real priviledge to stand with the people of our village today and comfort them as they mourn. I hope they will now be allowed to move on and look to a better future...a better future for the children...thus the investment of Humedica in this tiny village....which we have had the joy (mostly!) of being part of for the last fifteen months.

The saddest part for me though was one of the other families in the village who decided not to bury their lost one as they are hoping and praying that other bodies from the family will be found and then they will be buried together.

Thank you for supporting and praying for us as we support the people of this tiny village and help them look to the future. Pray that they can grieve and build a better future.

2010-03-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- The last two weeks have been very full for me...one week was spent in the UK (was a whistle stop tour, on my own) attending a funeral of an amazing lady, Karena Mackay, from Reading Family Church and visiting my Brother & family and my Dad & his wife Jane. If you ever travel by train up and down the country, travel LIGHT!! I learnt the hard way. Three big bags, trains and undergrounds really don't mix. The second was a surprise trip to Macedonia. As soon as I walked off the plane I was whisked away by my wonderful husband....brownie points to him!!!!

It has been great to get back to the day care and be with the children and staff. Each morning I have a five minute meeting with the staff at the beginning of the day. This morning I read a quote from 'Family Matters' by David Pytches. It read like this......'The strength of the nation derives from the integrity of the home' (Confucius). I shared my thoughts about how I see Kosova being founded on the family; it draws strength from that family unit; how the day care is a family unit and how we try to impart family values that the children will grasp and take on board and share with others.

This week sees Krushe e Vogel's memorial day (26th). A day when families remember the pain and suffering; the loss of loved ones; that day, in 1999, which brought such change to family life and structure forever. We have one family in the village who after 11 years will see the body of their loved one returned and be able to have some closure as they get to say good bye. Please pray and remember the people of Krushe. We pray that the pain they feel will lessen; that comfort can come to their homes. You are in our hearts Krushe xx

2010-03-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: had a great time in Skopje, Macedonia and now safely back in Krushe. Today is yet another beautiful day and it really feels like winter is behind us at last.
Yesterday it was so good at last being able to do some long awaited jobs outside which have been building up here in the Cerdhe over the winter months.

With a little under three months left here in Krushe it really does feel like we are on the 'home straight' now....hoping and praying that we can 'finish strong' and not be distracted by what we will be doing when in the UK or what we will do when we return here!

2010-03-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: you know the saying just as you thought it was safe to go out?.....well just as I thought spring was finally here after our long slog this winter.......the weather got cold again and now we have more snow! Ah well! What to do as they say here! Just smile and keep on keeping on! Off to Macedonia on Wednesday for what i think is a well earned break with Lorraine.....regular power, bacon, sausages, Mc'ds! Happy days!! God Bless x

2010-02-25T01:38:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: well the power did return...for the Independance day celebrations here on the 17th of this month. It only lasted a few days however and with the high winds we lost power again for the whole of last weekend! Understandably we were pretty frustrated! But 'what to do' as they say here!! There is alot of pain and suffering behind those words though - to us in the west the war started and finished here in 1999 when NATO came in - but for the people here the suffering started at least ten years before with for example: the Albanian language being illegalised, people thrown into prison for no/little reason and almost over night the entire police force replaced by a Serbian force - to name a few. Understandably this must have left the people here feeling totally powerless and just having to accept the situation. The civil war started soon after but sadly the KLA (Kosova Liberation Army) were labeled terroists to us in the 'comfortable and civilised' west. This must have left them feeling completely alone and rejected.

It has felt like a long hard slog this winter (and are we thro' it yet?!) with so many struggles and frustrations but our desire is that we can finish strong and leave here on a good note. We continue praying about our future and knocking on various doors and would appreciate your prayers. Every Thursday this year we have been fasting our meals for the whole day - I hate Thursdays! Please do join with us and say a prayer and share anything with us you feel God may be showing you for us. Well it is Thursday and lunchtime .......so time to pray. Zoti ju Bekfoft xx

2010-02-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: Ah the weekend!! time to relax and sleep!! Sadly life in Krushe once again means that we are being held to ransom by the electricity company (Kek) after having our power cut off since Thursday afternoon. This will probably last until Monday at least. Unfortunately when this has happened previously, people would just hook into their neighbours supply so the company now just cuts out the whole section where the worst offenders are which of course affects those that do and don't pay in the same way. Our feelings are mixed with annoyance with Kek and frustration for the people that think they can escape without paying. Sadly for some people this is because they have no income at all...this then leads back to the government and how are they helping such people...but we are not living in a rich country such as UK we are in a country with high unemployment and evidently little resources to help those struggling financially. This all makes the head spin and an acceptance of the situation or as they say here 's'ka me bon' or 'what to do'!! Having said all the above this is tempered with the sound of our generator which fills the air not to mention the oversized car battery underneath the table where i am working which makes us very grateful and means that we still do have some connection with the world outside of Kosova! We continue praying and fasting as we seek God's will for our future...but for now the washing up calls me...with water boiled on the gas stove of course! Thanks for your prayers, support and for following our adventures. God Bless. Chris xx

2010-02-02T02:54:00.000-08:00

Chris writes.... the time is just before 12pm and another day is over at the Cerdhe in Krushe e Vogel. The day care falls silent once again until tomorrow morning at 7.40am when the first staff and children arrive. Everyone has gone home and we are left to ourselves - up the stairs in our own wonderful home. It is hard to imagine that in a little over four months we shall be leaving the Cerdhe to start a new life for ourselves, we believe and desire to be in Kosova. We have now been living in this tiny village in the south of Kosova for just over 12 months, excluding our time in UK during last summer. Sometimes it has been really hard going and very frustrating, sometimes most enjoyable. Sometimes we have felt like running, sometimes like staying. The fact is that after 12 months I really feel that at last we are starting to make a difference. The staff seem to notice more how we treat the children. We are starting to build relationships with people in the village. We are more able to communicate with the staff and children as little by little (nga pac nga pac - as they say here) all be it painfully slow we are starting to grasp the language. We are starting to learn and understand more of the culture. I am even starting to feel more confident and secure with the job....a job I had never done before! I feel like Nehemiah...we came here to do a tough job leaving the comfort and security of UK and soon we will return, for a while to our family and friends, to the beach, to our church, to fish and chips....and so on. But we are not there yet...there is still more we must do, more we can learn, more we can take from our time here. Thankyou so much for following our adventure and standing with us and please pray that we can finish strong and that our adventure will continue and we will know and remain in God's will for our future. Zoti ju bekoft.....or God Bless as they say here......ne emrin Jezus.... ..in name of Jesus. xx

2010-01-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

Chris writes - Christmas and the New Year celebrations are fast becoming a distant memory as we once again settle back into the new school term. Routine is so important to children and after just a few days back we are already back into the swing with our early mornings and early lunches once again. The new year looks exciting and full of promise and it also looks uncertain with the only thing we know for sure is we shall be leaving Krushe in June when we return to the UK for a break and catch up with family and friends. We are spending much time talking and praying as we try to discern God's plan for us for our future. We believe that to be in Kosova and have a few ideas and hopes and dreams but nothing is certain yet. Krushe has been a testing and sometimes tough time for us but we know that we have learnt much and grown as a result and pray that we will leave stronger for the experience. Thanks for your prayers and please do share anything you feel God might be saying to you for us. God Bless you and yours in 2010 xx

2010-01-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

Just one of the pictures our friends took New Years
Eve whilst on the hill over looking Gjakova....... Thanks Ang xx

2010-01-05T06:57:00.001-08:00

Lorraine writes- well, cant believe we are into 2010 already!! what an amazing year....our Christmas celebrations were wonderful, we have a lot of fun, laughter and as many yummy trimmings as I could muster up. We had a fresh turkey which I cooked and we had to transport him, ALIVE, in the back of the jeep from the collection point, a farm in Gjakova, back to our village......boy that was a challenge for me!!!!! we had one of our staff, sort him out ready for me to cook him. I wish I hadn't seen its little face before he went off for the chop!!! We are animal lovers but I guess having a turkey for Christmas day outweighs it all. It was strange celebrating Christmas when all around you people were gearing up for the New Year. Christmas has no meaning, for the every day Kosovar/Muslim here.....Some of the believing Kosovars got together and had a celebration which was wonderful. They did a powerful drama and many young people were there!!! New Year was truly amazing for us both. We climbed a hill in Gjakova with friends and saw the best firework display I have ever seen in my life. In England you would of paid maybe £5 to see a 10 minute display. This was aleast a 40 minute or so display covering the whole of the town. I had trouble trying to keep up with my right and left as bangs and sparks were going off in all directions!!!! Thank you Paul and Ang for suggesting to go up there and see this New Year in!!! What will 2010 hold for us.......only God knows. We are praying for our future here in Kosova and know that it will play a big role still, but for us doing what, we don't know right now. We have big prayers and open ears to hear what God says. We miss our family and dear friends but we know this is where we are meant to be......God can provide and comfort us, more than we know. I need to let Him do that much more than I let Him!!!! Happy New Year to you all xx lots of love xx

2009-12-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- hearing sad news any time of the year of about friends and loved ones is hard, but it always seems harder when it around Christmas time!! Our thoughts and prayers go out to Craig & Karena MacKay and family at this time. We received word and have read Craig's blog regarding his beloved wife, Karena. She is in the last stages of cancer and we want to extend our love and prayers to them........Karena is an inspirational women of God, and has impacted many people, me being one of them. All our love to you Karena xx

2009-12-07T06:30:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- the children in the day care are getting so excited about Christmas...WHY.... because Humedica give them every year a wonderful shoebox full of gifts!! As soon as the staff put the tree, decorations and lights up they all started singin 'Happy New Year'. This beautiful picture is of one of our children comforting her sister who is too young to attend day care, but often trys to creep in and join us!! The children love being in the day care and get so much out of attending....its a joy to see their happy smiles!!

2009-12-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

Chris on location in one of the mountain villages whilst holding a medical clinic for Humedica. A doctor from Germany came to run the clinics for two weeks at the beginning of November. Nine villages where visited and over 400 patients were seen.

2009-12-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: well we are now in December, Advent and thoughts naturally go to Christmas and friends and family. For us of course it is a little different so I guess only natural that feelings of homesickness creep in. How I would just love to be able to walk along the coast by the sea, or go bike riding or worship and listen in church in the English langauge...but those are some of the things we have given up by our choice to live in Kosova. We have now been here over a year and so maybe the romance and glitz...if there ever was any of being a missionary....is starting to wear off and I am starting to miss some of those simple things I used to take for granted! Today was difficult in our Albanian speaking church with little translation - Lorraine was away and I was not expecting translation just for me the only English speaker there! It really feels like we are at a crossroads - will we decide to carry on with our adventure here in Kosova or return to UK?? It feels that there is much for us to do here and our long-term future could be here but at what cost? Some days the cost seems minimal and other days it seems very high. Please do pray that we will make the right decision and stay in God's will. Thanks for reading and praying for us and standing with us in our adventure. Zoti Bekoft!!

2009-11-23T01:40:00.001-08:00

Chris writes: well life is at last starting to settle down as winter sets in, the last of the doctors have gone home and all has been packed and stored away ready for next year. Things are going well with the jobs which had been piling up for me while I was out with the doctor and my to-do list is now quite a bit shorter than my arm!! Our second power cut (and third long one!) due to non payment by our neighbours last week did not help life here but fortunately only for 48 hours this time but thankfully the power and our sanity was restored as abruptly as it was cut off! The regular cold and dank mist in the morning and glorious sunny afternoon is becoming a pattern for the weather as we watch with concern the flooding back home in the UK. Life seems a little slower now and less frantic but that may not last long as we have the arrival of the Christmas packages just around the corner and then our second Christmas as missionaries serving in Kosova to look forward to. We are now starting to come to grips with some aspects of life here and starting to know what to expect which is good. Our learning of the language is growing but never as fast as we would like. As a couple we are trying to work together better and understand each other better..but still somedays are harder than others. The support, love and prayers from our friends and family is being felt by us both. We are also thinking and talking a lot about our future and hope to share this with you at sometime. Well lunch is calling so I'd best sign off and say thank you so much for reading and following our adventure here in Kosova. Much love

2009-11-09T11:39:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: well it is hard to believe that we have been here in Kosova for a whole year tomorrow!! Our first birthday! At the moment life is sooo.....busy as we are in the middle of our doctor visit and my job is driving him out into the villages. In addition my job in the clinic has changed...i am not just registering the patients....but now i am sorting out the drugs - giving out the medicines as prescribed by the doctor!! It does mean i am much more involved in the clinics and much busier and all round better experience which i am enjoying. Naturally while i am doing the clinics all my jobs back in Krushe are piling up but that is ok and just means i will be busy for a few weeks to come! We are doing ok as a couple and our future here seems to be getting clearer but we were rocked by the news that two good friends of ours working out here could be returning home at anytime...this made me feel quite homesick and a reminder of the frailty of our existence out here. Please do pray for us especially during this busy time that we will be able to keep healthy and strong and we will not be affected by the attacks of the enemy. Zoti Bekoft and thanks for reading....we love you guys :)

2009-10-10T06:46:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: we have now been back in Kosova around seven weeks and our summer in the UK seems along time ago. It has been very busy since we returned with the organising and preperation for the visit of our doctor and nurse from Germany who were with us for two weeks. This basically involves around four weeks of work in total...one week preparing two weeks actually taking them out and running the clinics in the villages and then one week clearing up and trying to get back to normal. In addition there is still the jobs and routine maintainence to catch up with when time allows! We are both still growing and learning..with the language..with working together in ministry and also the (possibly) temporary addition of a puppy! Sadly some Kosovars do not treat dogs very well and there are many strays wandering around or dead by the side of the road. Our desire is to be a witness in all things and should no less involve treating animals with respect. The puppy adopted us and we felt we needed to be a witness and so are trying to give him a good start in life. Have taken him to the vet and are currently looking for an alternative home for him. There are some reasons why we should not keep him and are praying for wisdom over this. Having him has brought up issues for us both which only further complicates life here but God knows and we are in His hands! We are also now in our second term here and are praying and fasting over our future...our desire is that our will is His will and His will is our will. Please do join us in this prayer and share any words you have with us. Thanks for standing with us in our adventures here...lol and Zoti Bekoft...(God Bless)

2009-09-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

Chris writes...we are now back in Kosova and settling into life in our tiny village. We had a fantastic time in the UK seeing so many family and friends...thank-you ALL for making it such a special time! but at the end we were ready to come home. Life in Krushe continues much the same and it is nice to continue with the relationships with the children (though some are not so rewarding!) and other people of the village. The new school year has once again re-started and it is good to see the children coming back...tho some of course will not be coming back as they have moved up to big school over the road! We have had quite a busy few weeks getting everything ready and also preparing for the medical visits. We have just started another medical fortnight and have a doctor and a nurse staying with us for two weeks. We look after them then organise clinics and take them into the remote villages to run GP surgeries. Of course this takes a lot of organising and keeps us busy for quite a few weeks. As we start our second term here we are of course looking at our future and would appreciate your prayers in this regard. We are also trying harder with the language and know that we need to put more time and effort into this....please pray and thanks for reading and following our adventures! Zoti Bekoft...God Bless...xx

2009-08-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: we have been in the UK for over a month now and in just over a week we will be heading back to a place in a tiny village in Kosova we now call home...Krushe. It might seem far away from us at the moment as we have become so engrossed back in UK culture again.......... ..friends and family around us, motorways, expensive cups of coffee, pavements everywhere, rain, aside from the regular electricity supply of course...but it is still our home and the place where we will not be going to a sports bag to find our clothes anymore. We have had a fantastic time in the UK and been so blessed, loved and well looked after by our friends and family but now we must return home. We have travelled over 2000 miles (over 3200 kms to our friends in Kosova!) travelling most of the length and breadth of the country in a blessing of a car. But before all that we have our last visit.....to the Dorset area to see friends, our flat in Christchurch and preach at our church on Sunday before return here next week in preparation for Kosova. We have so many mixed feelings but are really looking forward to going home again. Thanks for reading and for your support and prayers for us during our time in UK.

2009-07-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- well, one week on and have to say I am loving being back in the UK. I have done so much in such a short time and have had a great time with my brother and family but, its time for us to move on and Wales is our next venue. We have drunk lots of huge mugs of coffee and tea, eaten great food, done lots of walking, experienced British rain and wonderful scenery and even used a laundrette for the very first time in my life!!!!!! Even though I am enjoying our break, Krushe isn't too far from my mind and heart. I had an opportunity to share at Rosehill Baptist Church Girls Brigade about our work at the day care but also about the first GB group in Kosova which was formed in January this year. Some things have changed since we've been away, yet other things remain the same. I'm finding that as I go around from place to place that I am comparing many things between Kosova and Britain. As our time here continues we will be praying about what we're experienced so far and what God may have in store for us!!

2009-07-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: we are now back in the UK for six weeks having returned on Friday. We have been living in Krushe for eight months....this will be our first time away. When we returned we expected a culture shock....but it does not seem to have affected us yet. It almost seems that we have just settled back into life in UK so easily...too easily maybe. While missing our friends back in Kosova we are excited to be seeing our friends and family in UK. We have been blessed with the use of a car on loan from my parents and have travelled to Lorraine's brother and his family in the north of England. Next we visit friends and family in Wales, then Reading, Worthing, Kent and Bournemouth......hopefully we are not doing too much travelling and will get opportunity to rest and relax as well! We also hope this time will also give us an opportunity to reflect and pray about our first period in Krushe and look to our next period. Naturally we want to stay in God's will and will be seeking Him for our future there. Thanks for your prayers....we need them more than ever now! Thanks for reading. Zoti Bekoft x

2009-06-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- This picture was taken by me when we were visiting the sight of the Krushe's mass killing just two weeks ago. All that remains of the barn where we believe 116 men where killed at the sight, are two craters. These craters where made by the Serbs, who bombed it, to hide the killings and make it look like NATO had done it. It was an emotional time, as we had never been that close to where the killings took place. Looking over some pictures I had taken of that day, I came across this one. WOW, it gave me goose bumps and does every time I look at it. The light of the sun is shining over one of the craters. For me, this image shouts out, how God is shining over Krushe, and its people. The people and children of this village are shown love, on a daily basis, through the day care and all those who are involved through its ministry. The village has gone through the worst kind of human experience, but it warms me to think that God's hand is over them. It reminds me also, of how God has his hand over us. That is so important to us and gives us the energy, drive and passion to do what we do.

2009-06-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: We have now been in Krushe for over seven months. Family and friends in the UK seem so far away. The places we know seem a distant memory. We are now less than a month away from stepping out of the plane back on UK soil. This fills us with excitement and also trepidation. We have changed and people in the UK will have changed - how will we react to them and how will they to us? We are both ready for a break and an opportunity to take a step back. Are we still in the place God where wants us? Maybe for me this has been more of a question which hit me recently than for Lorraine - with her background in childcare seeing the facility developed is something she is very much enjoying embracing. There is so much we could be doing in Kosova...but coming here has very much been about things being 'stripped away'...the people and things which mean so much to us we have learnt to look forward to when we visit the UK, but now I guess it is more about the character qualities; the unseen aspects of our nature or dependancies, though good in themselves, which we can cling to rather than to God. Moses had to spend many years as a shepherd in the desert before he was ready for the job of leading the people out of Egypt!
We have now passed through the especially busy period. Several people have come and left us and new friendships formed, we are now settling back into a somewhat normal routine. Last weekend we even had the chance to get away. The busyness and heat of summer continues - with watering the grass in the evening, cutting it during the day and dealing with mole hills caused by the damp ground - it is almost a never ending circle!
Inevitably with all the busyness something has been dropped and sadly this has been our learning of the language. This has probably been our biggest challenge over the last seven months and having a good reason not to do it has not been hard to justify. After a good lesson yesterday (Praise God!) we were reminded just how much we do know however..thanks Korab!
Whilst in the UK (10th July until 24th August) in addition to a period of relaxation we hope to visit and see as many people as possible and are currently making preperations for that. The dates are in our newsletter - which hopefully you have seen - maybe we could meet up if we are close by you.....Please let us know.
Thanks for reading and do share any thoughts you have - Zoti Bekoft x

2009-05-28T12:08:00.001-07:00

Chris writes - well we have lived to fight another day! It has been a long and tiring week but we have survived it. Last night our power (and sanity) was restored! All week there have been rumours and speculation - finally it happened! We saw the workmen at the sub-station in the village as we were leaving a family we were visiting and asked them - to our delight they said "Po" (Yes)! They left the village and nothing happened. Then about an hour or so later we heard some shouts from over the road - somebody had flicked the switch at the power station and the village was 'on' again! It is so good to be able to put things in the fridge again and not in the cool box or the bucket of cold water. We have got used to the odd hour or two...or even five hours on a bad day...but a whole week.....!! You suddenly realise just what you take for granted when you don't have it...we just have so much to be thankful for! Today we saw workmen measuring up our road with a view to laying down tarmac - wow this is just too much!! Thanks for reading and Zoti Bekoft x

2009-05-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Chris writes - we all have our crosses to bear as they say! At the moment much of Kosova is without electricity as the power company Kek hold us all to ransom. This is a crazy and difficult situation and our own village has been told we must pay 6000 euros before our power is reinstated. Our power was cut on Wednesday lunchtime - today is Sunday! Having to start the generator every twelve hours to run the freezers is proving expensive - and tiring. As i write the sound of generators running fills the air. Sadly we have now got to the point of having to throw food away as there is not enough power to keep everything frozen. This has really limited us and even communication outside the country -it feels like we have gone back in time - but as they say here 'what to do'. The Bible i think is the better saying however as we read the other day - 'Consider it pure Joy' !! Thanks for reading and praying with us - Zoti Bekoft!!

2009-05-16T05:44:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: The busy busy fortnight has come to an end and with some sadness took our Doctor and new friend to the airport this morning and put him on the first flight out. Has been a challenging but interesting fortnight and now is the time to reflect. we saw over 450 patients during the period - people who would otherwise have had great difficulty or never actually made a trip to the doctor. Many of the problems are common, many where pretty mundane but all of them important to the individual. The two weeks has stretched us as a couple and there are some lessons we can learn. But through it all relationships are so important to the Kosovar people and it has been a priveldge to get to know and build friendships with them.
We have almost made our plans for our trip to the UK in the summer and hope to be able to see and share more with as many of you as possible - please contact us if you have not been in touch recently so we can arrange this. Thanks for your prayers and for sharing our adventure with us - Zoti Bekoft!

2009-05-14T04:24:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- Have you every seen or heard about an old TV show called 'The GoodLife'?? it stared Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal. This couple left the employment rat race and became self sufficient; growing their own food, making their own clothes, things they needed; trading homegrown goods for milk and other things they couldn't make. Well its safe to say that I feel a little like our life has become like that!!! The art of cooking was not my strong point, but I have learnt so much since I've been here. We have now even turned our hand to growing. We have planted lettuces, peppers, strawberries, melons and tomatoes. Trying to make my own rather than buying food has become the favoured choice. I have been fortunate too, to be have been given a sewing machine with the intention of making items we need like clothes or things for the house. Having bought some lovely fabric, I have successfully made 5 cushion covers!! may be simple and not much to shout about, but for someone who has never sewn before a good start!! Many things in our life have changed; somethings have taken a while to adjust to, somethings we embraced straight away and some things are ongoing challenges. Its such great character building thought; my beautiful Mum (who sadly is no longer with us) always said how important it was to allow God to change and mould us; to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow. I know I want to better myself; to learn new skills, and being in Kosova is definiatly helping with that!! We really value our family and friends; messages sent from individuals are a real blessing; and we especially value prayers!! Newsletter due to be sent out soon!! Keep reading :-) x

2009-05-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: just a few days into the busy fortnight! When we were back in UK we never would have realised just how busy these times get! Going reasonably well with a few slip-ups - well at least the vehicle is legal now! Great building the relationships with people in the villages and hope to be able to build on these in the future. Still struggling with some of the same problems and some new ones mainly generated by our busyness would appreciate prayers for improved communications! Thanks for reading and be blessed x

2009-04-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Chris writes - has been a busy few weeks but really enjoyed having my parents over with us. Think they really enjoyed their time here and were pleasantly surprised - as it was not what they expected! We visited some of the neighbouring countries and also went to a wedding and were invited out by one of the families in the village for a traditional meal. It was amazing how much we managed to pack in but as usual we ran out of time and did not get it all in. It was encouraging though as everyone told us that we would suddenly be aware how much we have learnt since we came here just over six months ago and also how much we have changed and how accepting we have become to the driving and lack of electricity and so on. Well we are now preparing for a busy few weeks with a medical fortnight and a mission team here for a month. We will then be flying home around mid July for six weeks in the UK so the next few months already look busy! Things are going well generally and getting better at working together as a team, language is growing but very slowly - still practice helps to get better!! Thanks for reading and Zoti ju Bekofte!!

2009-03-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- seeing the sun set over the day care fills my heart with hope for this village. After a week of emotions running high, and low for the villagers, we long to see them feeling this hope too. It was very humbling for us to see and be there for the 10th anniversary of the killings. To see and hear the tears flowing just made our hearts melt. To see one of our staff members grieving over the body of her brother just returned 10 years on, that was being buried on the anniversary, makes you wonder what is happening in this world we live in. Praying for the people and this land seems all we can do, but boy what an amazing and great opportunuity, we need to do that!!!

2009-03-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

Chris writes - Friday and the end of a rollercoaster week of emotions. The daycare has been closed all week for the school holidays so we took the opportunity to get away for a few days and went to Peje which is north from where we are. Had a good time relaxing and reading and practicing our langauge - which is coming along very well - what an answer to prayer! We visited a Serbian historic Church in Peje which is, after ten years, still guarded by NATO. We even had to hand our passports in to visit the place. It made me wonder for how much longer they would be guarding it. One of the locals i spoke to said NATO should leave and just 'let us get on with our lives now'. Sadly it seems that emotions are still strong however. We returned home on Wedneday. The medical team are not coming at the weekend so the pressure for us is off now. Yesterday it was the 10th Anniversary of the massacre in Krushe and our friend and staff members' brother who was killed in the war was buried in the village. After 10 long years the family have only now got an opportunity to see him at rest. The amazing thing is that they are actually the lucky ones. Their pain and grief is only eclipsed by the other families in the village for whom the bodies are still missing. There are 26 people buried in the graveyard but there are still a staggering 90 people still missing. These families cannot move on - everyday living with the hope that their loved one could walk through the door at any moment. It is so easy at times like this to become very anti-Serbian and want to see revenge and justice for these families - our friends and neighbours. Please do pray for us for grace and wisdom in abundance! On more mundane matters - today we have been in Prishtine trying to sort out the path for the medicines to come in. What in UK could be done over the phone or by post has to be done here in person. In addition we have now booked our flight back to the UK in July (we hope to see some of you!!) and our flight back here in August! It seems that 'Kosova is in our hearts' and will continue to play a large part in our lives for the forseeable future! Thanks for reading. Zoti ju Bekofte!!

2009-03-13T02:06:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: today I am glad to say is Friday and the end of a busy week! We are looking forward to a weekend relaxing. We have one more week before we get a week off and then the fun starts! Medical teams and my parents staying with us will keep us busy almost until May. The last few weeks have been good - preparing for Dave & Cindy to return from USA - which they did this week. It is good to have them back and hand back the 'mantle' and start preparing for the summer here in Krushe. We are also talking about our return to Krushe which we both feel is right to do. In the midst of us talking about our life and the next few months, our future and our vision for our time here - the pain of the people in the village is still as raw as ever. This week one of the staff very couragously shared with us that the body of her brother would be returning to the village to be buried in two weeks time. She has wrestled with this for sometime and also with oppostion from others in her family as her brother is the only body which will be returning and whether it is right just for one person. Her pain of not being able to see her brother at rest and of trying to think of the feelings of other people in the village must be quite intense. This is our priveldge to be able to support her through these days. This morning we found out that there was a meeting in the village yesterday to discuss bring charges against the people who rioted in the village in 2006 when the UN brought some Serbian people through the village. At times like these it is easy to flare up and protest for justice and mercy. Please pray that we will have wisdom in doing what Jesus would have done. Thanks for reading.

2009-02-23T02:39:00.000-08:00

Chris writes - last week was a short one. We were off on Monday for the Independence day holiday so I visited a friend in his new English school in the morning. In the afternoon we visited one of the families of the children - building relationships. Had a party in the evening with some pretty amazing dancing. Tuesday was the big day and we went into Gjakova to celebrate with the guys from the Smile centre. The evening was amazing just walking up and down the main street greeting people. The whole Independance thing is quite strange and it feels a little unsteady - as you might be aware many countries still do not recognise it - hopefully given time they will. But Kosovar people are very patriotic and their flag, and many other countries flags who helped them, were proudly displayed everywhere. We got home to bed very late wishing we had another day off! Wednesday was a regular day with the addition of a volunteer from the UK who brought us some fantastic treats over - thanks Charlie!! Out for coffee to Prizren in the afternoon - Kosova life! On Thursday evening we were invited out to one of the families for a Burek (my favourite!) and some amazing Kosovar hospitality - the life! On Friday we took our volunteer back to Gjakova and went shopping - Joy! Saturday after cleaning the auto went out to Prizren with another couple and home for food. On Sunday we were at our church and after - for coffee - the life! In the evening we caught up with some langauguage and the enevitable three hour power cut - with the invertor only working for one hour this was pretty tough - Kosova! Still battling with my gremlins and find myself having to keep asking for forgiveness! Still struggling with trying to be a loving husband/team-mate. Some days are better than others - sometimes it is silly things which trip me up! Keep on keeping on!! Thanks for reading and praying!!

2009-02-12T05:26:00.001-08:00

Lorraine writes- where has the time gone!!! Three months has just flown by. We so love being here, learning how to be part of a different culture. We have started to visit each of the children attending the day care (a long process as we have 45 on the register) Its wonderful to meet the children in their home environment; to see where they live, meet their brothers and sisters. Meeting their parents has been a privilege. Being able to encourage them regarding their child/children has given us a great opportunity to engage in conversation and to begin to establish a relationship with them and to share about what life is like in the day care. Kosova's Independence day is just around the corner (17th Feb) and we are keen to be part of a country celebrating freedom, after experiencing so much pain and oppression. Quite how they will celebrate is yet to be seen, but we are looking forward to it!

2009-02-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: we have now been in Kosova for over three months and it is really feeling like home. That is not to say it has been easy. Working and living as a team for me and Rainie is new to us so naturally there have been some adjustments to make and it has not always been easy. This has been particularly hard as we live and work in the same building - often with other people around us so moments together can be precious. This has of course all stretched our relationship - sometimes more than othertimes! I must admit I have not found it easy trying to be a good boss and be a loving husband! We are also still without Dave and Cindy who hopefully will be back in one month. Yippee! We have also had big problems with getting our money - thanks Abbey! We have also struggled with the language and finding the time in the evening has often been a battle for us both. Praise God we are living through it and growing in grace for this new life we have taken on. Last night we had a mains power cut and just got on with what we were doing - sometimes by candlelight sometimes with the generator. We seem to have hit a milestone with the language and are starting to remember some of the words inspite of our dyslexia! Now that is an answer to prayer! At one stage I thought I would never remember a word! I guess our testimony is: it has not always been easy but then we never expected it to be - but we are living and growing through it. Whoever said living any kind of life - living life God's way - was going to be easy? Nobody I know. When people ask where was God my only answer can be He was right there with us all the time - His hand just so clearly seems to be on what we are doing here we have found favour with the staff and children and had some answers to prayer and watched His provision on the way too. It is not to get complacent of course or make you think that we have got it all cracked - we still have much to do and it won't be easy - but all this bodes well as we think and pray about what happens after September but that is for another day! Thanks for reading and I pray that you can know and share something of our relationship with Our Heavenly Father. :)

2009-01-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2009-01-21T08:31:00.000-08:00

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 :)

2009-01-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-01-01T13:43:00.001-08:00

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......

2008-12-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!! Christmas in a different place yet alone a different country sure is strange and i must admit i found it difficult to get into the 'Christmas mood' and to think of it as us celebrating it away from UK. In addition we have even had some of that white stuff! A white Christmas! How amazing!! Our struggle remains the language and will probably continue to be so. Despite having said that when we arrived here seven weeks ago it seemed such a mountain for us to climb in terms of adjusting and getting to know our roles and the people that it is amazing to think what we have done in such a short space of time. We now have our boxes from the UK and are enjoying seeing our personal stuff around us and the place becomes much more like home. We have many good friendships out here now and will enjoy spending some time with them especially over the next week or so. Dave & Cindy have now left us for around two and half months so this will be the testing time for us, though the nursery is closed at the moment until 12th January there are always jobs to be done. We hope that we will be able to get a few days away for a break the week after next. So almost two months in and we feel fairly settled and are even adjusting to the erratic electricity supply which is particularly strange tonight - on and off every ten minutes or so. It would never happen in the UK - but then we are in Kosova and consider it a privledge to be here. Looking at the vast array of stars the other night - a sight i have not seen in a little while - made me think of that verse in Psalms 8: "when i consider the heavens...the moon and the stars....what is man that You are mindful of him...." Wow!! What a God! That is the most important thing - not our ministries but our relationship with God. How amazing!!

2008-12-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- Today was the last day of Kindergarten for 2008. We re-open for the kids on Jan 12th, so the next three weeks will be very quite with out them and the staff here! Its been a joy getting to know the kids and staff over the last 6 weeks; learning about their culture and how they live and trying to learn their language. Having a break over Christmas and New Year will give us more time to get really settled and plant our feet firmly on the ground. I've found it hard to settle, but I guess moving anywhere new, especially a new country, does take time. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Life for a women here in Kosova is very different than in the west. I have to respect the traditions and learn to adapt to a new way of life. Now that we have our boxes, which arrived last week safe and sound, with our personal belongings in, its making the place feel really like home :-) Putting ones thoughts down isn't as easy as I thought it would be. But as Christmas arrives and with the New Year almost here, I'm praying that 2009 will be an amazing year where I can truly communicate whats on my heart. I pray that it will be a year of blessings and one where I will grow in faith and grace and serve the people of Krushe e Vogel/Kosova well. I endeavour to not get so worried about things and take one step at a time; to enjoy the surroundings and to develop deeper relationships with friends. We love to receive emails and post, so if you have any free time to write, we'd love to hear from you. Lots of love to you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR xxxxx

2008-12-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

Well we have now past another milestone and have been here over a month and settling into a routine. It has been a busy weekend with Dave & Cindy away in Greece over the weekend. first thing on Friday we had a problem with the heating then we had a call to say our Christmas parcels had arrived at the border so i had to drive to Mitrovice. From there i had to go back to Pristine but we got stuck in heavy traffic and by the time we arrived the office had closed early for the holiday weekend! That is Kosova! Went to another church run by a UK couple on Sunday and Monday for the holiday we visited the staff in thier homes and ate Baraclav - a sweet cake for the holiday time - a tough and filling day!! Dave & Cindy were back on Monday night and before dawn on Tuesday we were back to sort the parcels out. After another long day we got the parcels to our village around 6pmish - that's life! Still it is so good to be in the centre of God's will!!

2008-12-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: it is hard to imagine but we have been here almost one month. We are settling into life here in Krushe and starting to take the people and the place to our hearts. We are finding out our roles and beginning to feel more at home. Dave and Cindy have been great - so patient and gentle with us - but are preparing to leave us in a few weeks! We did get to celebrate thanksgiving with them last week - wow! I have now driven the auto a fair bit and am getting to know where things are and also my way round Prizren - our nearest big town for banks and things. The weekend was flag day - an extra day off to celebrate the independance from Turkey and some traditional dancing and stuff at the school. We visited another church on Sunday - a good friend and brother is the pastor - a very humble local guy. Hopefully this weekend we will visit a church run by a couple from UK. It really is hard to think we have only been here for a month. The big one is the language for me and would appreciate your prayers for retention! The weekend could be busy as the Christmas parcels are due to arrive and am unsure at the mo how this will work out and whether we will have to go to the border to meet the truck or not.....

2008-11-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Lorraine writes- Not been an easy two weeks, settling in; the lack of power and even the snow this week has caused me no end of stress!!! I have to keep remembering that we are on Gods path and here is where He wants us! I have enjoyed being with the staff and kids in the Kindergarten. In some ways they are streets ahead of those kids I left behind in Bournemouth, with manners and the way they play, but yet they are behind in so many other areas. Life is so simple here; I'm learning to take it slow and to chill more.

2008-11-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: this weekend the snow came! Waking on Saturday morning it was quite a beautiful sight - of course it is not without its problems - but over here they just seem to shrug it off. It is unlike anything i have seen for a long time. In UK we just brush it off the path or it turns to sludge. Over here by today it was hard work to remove it from the path - guess that is another lesson i just learned! The power has been erratic as usual as well - usually three hours on and three off - on Saturday night we had no power at all so had to put one of the generators on for a bit just to keep the food frozen on Sunday morning before church just as i was clearing the drive of ice! Some of the young guys helped me. Welcome to Kosova! All that aside things are going pretty well apart from still hanging onto a cold. Dave and Cindy have been great and we are getting to know the local staff that we will manage. Getting to know where everything is and how it works and what switch must be where and when! How to get to this place or that - driving in a strange way (so says Lorraine as well!) Coping with the lack of TV and just watching Dvds which of course we get to control! The weekend was good went to church on Saturday and Sunday!! On Sunday after we went out for lunch with a friend and his wife and then visited some families we know - they were bowled over to see us - what a welcome! So all in all a good two weeks - Someone out there must be praying! They are being heard - thankyou!!

2008-11-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: it is hard to imagine but we have actually been here over a week now and are starting to settle in and find our feet. I have managed to cope with the design fault on thier cars and am managing to stay on the wrong side of the road - most of the time! Dave and Cindy have been great at not putting any presssure on us and letting us find our feet. The weekend was good - took Raine for a brunch on Saturday for a sumona at a bakery in Gjkova - after almost two years the guy remembered my name! I felt qiute guilty at forgetting his! This life is soooo relaxed!! After a relaxed shopping trip we went to see the new managers at the Smile centre in Gjk. They started earlier this year and have similar testimonies to us. On Sunday we went to one of our home churches here in Kosova - as we start finding a regular place to worship and fellowship. This week has been hard as i have had a cold (touch of man-flu!). Must admit as i was wallowing in my self pity i felt it is never easy being ill away from home - then i remembered we don't have a home back in UK - this is our home! Home is where the heart is here in Kosova with Raine - maybe it sounds strange but that is giving me a strength - Krushe Vogel is our new home!! Had an awful night last night not much sleep at all - after praying eventually got some sleep and woke up and have felt loads better! Why is that a surprise! Day could end well as Raine has been cooking!!

2008-11-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: has been a fantastic day - Praise God!! really felt some sort of a connection with the children and doing some useful (i think!) work. Playing with and dancing to some Albanian music with the children this morning - drove one of the autos (cannot say 'car' in Albanian! Look it up!) this morning - sadly as we all know, they have a design fault and they put the drivers seat on the left side so you have to use the stick with your right hand which takes some getting used to; then doing some gardening which everyone said looks good and had a kick around with some of the older children who also helped and encouraged with the gardening - this was a great opportunity to build relationships with them. After supper came down to earth with a bump while chatting with Cindy telling about how the people just don't respect the place or the work that has been done and how they have recently actually trashed the place while everyone was away - she said this really is about longhaul and we should not expect to see any quick results! Oh well - never mind.......keep trusting!!

2008-11-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: Well our adventure continues and we are actually living in Kosova now! We had a good flight which was odd after we had just been stung for £70 by BA for what they called excess luggage!! We measured our carry-on bags beforehand and they fitted the measurements on their website ....and so on......anyhow to be fair we did have two holdalls and i was carrying/wearing the other half of my suitcase so i guess it was a fair cop! We arrived at the airport to beautiful sunshine - it was pouring when we left UK - ha ha God has a sense of humour and knew we needed a gentle introduction! We where met by Dave and Cindy - our bosses who are also giving us a gentle introduction! It really is a case of information overload at the mo. trying to learn the peoples/childrens names/what our roles are/besides the language is just too much - i really would benefit from an extra hard drive to plug into - so if anyone has any ideas!! I must admit i am not sure that any amount of cross cultural training would have prepared us for this - the CC is currently the easy bit! Please pray that both us and the people we serve will have enough grace until things start to kick in!!

2008-11-09T08:15:00.000-08:00

Chris writes: it is hard to imagine but almost three months to the day we now stand just hours away from the next part of our Kosovan Adventure and actually starting a new life in the country we feel God has called us to. Emotions are a mixture of excitement, tiredness over the lack of sleep and just a desire to just get on with the next stage in our adventure! We end our UK tour in Kent and over the last week or so our final distance travelled was just about 900 miles. We are seeking a good home for our faithful car and have several interested! Our only outstanding issues are with our two mobile phone contracts which unfortunately run until the end of July - the call charges in Kosova prevent us taking them with us - so they shall remain behind in the UK waiting for new users! We have now just about completed the packing for the upteenth time and have even managed to offload a few more of our clothes! We even spent part of last night with my computer genius brother-in-law setting up new accounts on our computer: Skype, MSM and so on are all forms of communication now available to us!

2008-11-05T04:24:00.001-08:00

Chris writes: 800 miles and two tired and weary travellers later we arrrive back on the south Coast of England! Over the weekend we visited some of our family/friends in the north of England/Wales. As imagined this was an emotional time saying goodbye to these people and the uncertianty of when we will be seeing them again remains - but thanks to the medium of the internet and Skype.....The weekend was particularly encouraging as we visited one church in Skipton - where they were actually talking and praying about Kosova!! This was great to be able to recieve further support and encouragement from some people we had never met before - the priveledge and opportunity to serve in Kosova made me feel honoured that we were able to go in this way. We are now in Worthing making the final preparations and visiting Family and friends before we leave next week - the time feels like it is racing by and the jobs that we still need to do seem to be mounting up! lol xx

2008-10-29T04:49:00.000-07:00

Chris writes: Today is Wednesday and time is racing past. tomorrow is my last shift with bcha in Bournemouth. Lorraine has not been working this week which in a sense is a relief as we have to get everything packed, some stuff back to the flat, last few emails, and catching up with one or two people. We plan to leave for the north early on Friday morning, seeing friends and family before heading back south mid-next week then Kent next weekend for the Smile reunion and leave on the Monday. we are both writing lists after lists and trying to stay focused!!

2008-10-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

Lorraine writes- Today saw our church family and friends get together after the service for a bring and share lunch. It was great to spend time with friends who are dear to us; to chat and laugh together. The final sorting and packing for our big off is underway and we have been so blessed by many words of encouragements.

Chris writes: the day went really well and it was good to see so many of our friends and family there to support us. During the service we shared a little - i spoke about the three things which had encouraged me 1) all the many people who had supported and encouraged us and it felt like they were going with us in a sense 2) was the ripple effect what we are doing seems to be having on other people and the many people Christian and non who have been inspired and motivated by what we are doing - it is quite humbling and something we would never have imagined 3) I don't know much about timescales when you are starting off in missionary work but three months from the date we got accepted to the date we actually fly seems pretty good - doing things like renting the flat which happened almost straight away (with a gulp at the time!) plus packing all our stuff into boxes and suitcases and storing some in the loft; moving in with families around Bournemouth; setting up new accounts; starting a new old job for me; besides getting the newsletters out and raising the money - we had to have at least three months in the back with the rest pledged (this seemed a mountain in itself!) - when we go next week we should have virtually all the money we need until July 2009!! Now i don't want to get super spiritual here or anything but to me, with or without the theology degree(!) that all kind of implies that God is firmly in what we are doing and He has not only opened a door for us but OPENED THE FLOODGATES!!!

2008-10-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

The journey to actually living in Kosova started for us in what seemed a relatively simple way. Lorraine had grown tired with her career and needed a change. she moved to Kent and worked for Smile International organising their aid, this included several visits to kosova, part of the former Yugoslavia which had been ravaged by the war during the late 1990s. When marriage plans took over she left Kent and Smile behind and moved briefly back home to Reading and finally Christchurch to settle into married life with Chris. The move enabled Chris to complete his time at Moorlands Bible College as a college based rather than placement based student. Things were moving into place. This enabled Chris to have a period of five week block placement and the offhand comment was made about Kosova which Lorraine thought was a great idea - Chris was not so sure! As the time grew closer Lorraine was not so sure either! Five weeks in Kosova was a great test of our marriage - still less than a year old. We both Struggled - Chris was homesick and Lorraine found the flat large and lonely. Chris returned home with a great sense of relief and never expected to return. However it seemed that God had other plans for us concerning the country and in June of 2008 we returned as a couple this time able to share experiences.

On our last day with our bags all packed we visited Krushe, a place Chris had visited on his own and which had made quite an impact on him. While there we found out about a vacancy for a couple as volunteer managers. Chris had been searching all over for employment and no doors had opened so we persued this new opportunity very gingerly - rejecting at first owing to the lack of money involved! Eventually however we could reject it no longer so we started the application process. The constraints of email made this process a little uncertain at times but finally on the 10th of August we received an email to say we had been accepted! A mixture of elation and panic followed! The next three months became a blur but a great testimony to the goodness of God and of His hand being upon our journey to Kosova all along! We rented the flat almost straight away and moved in with various people in the Bournemouth area, sorting bank accounts, setting up giving accounts, set up newsletters, continuing or finishing and starting new jobs as roles switched around but thankfully we both ended up with full time employment, and waiting on God as we watched Him moving people to give - and give they did! We needed to have three months behind us in the bank and the rest of the year pledged before we could start life in Kosova. We set a target of being in Kosova before the end of November - which seemed very soon for our managers - ultimately we knew there was a vacancy and wanted to fill it asap. We looked at booking the flight and settled for 10th November - though we did not realise at the time precisely three months to the day after we had been accepted!! We can only but give the credit to our amazing God! Though we might have lacked the faith at first and have planned other ways if there was a shortfall - we need not have worried. To date (25/10/08) we have more than covered our first three months and are well over halfway towards the remainder with other gifts still promised! We move forward in our journey to Kosova in the grace and strength of our awesome God!!