May 21, 2007

Howdy All! I am sorry this update is late.  My goal was to do a monthly
 update, but it has not worked out.  Things are going well here in Kosovo.
 I am adjusting to all the differences here.  The hardest part is not being
 as busy as I would like and not having a lot of hands on ministry.  This
 summer should definitely improve.  I have learned to do a lot of reading by
 candle light and to go to bed early and wake up when the sun comes up.  I
 have not adjusted to the food.  Most of the things they eat are very
 greasy, even their bread.  I am really trying to learn to eat what they
 serve.  As most of you know, I am not a meat eater and they love their
 beef!!!  I have prayed more over my food than ever before!  They do have
 excellent coffee.  It is served in very small cups, but very strong.  I
 now drink a "normal" cup of their coffee.  When I go back to the States I
 will have to use a pound of Folgers for a pot of coffee!
 
 We are preparing for a summer of Kids Klub.  Kids Klub is almost like a
 Sunday School lesson  just a little longer or maybe more like a VBS
 lesson.  Kids Klubs are held in the homes of children who have had heart
 surgery that has been provided by Samaritan's Purse.  We are currently in
 four homes and we just added another one in a gypsy colony.  In the end of
 June and through out the summer, we will go to every home once a week.
 The family invites children in their community and we generally have a
 room full.  We are hoping to work with over 150 children every week.  We
 are working on planning the programs out which is quite a challenge since
 this is not a child friendly society.  We can't even get supplies for
 crafts for the children  (construction paper, markers, etc.)  I am not
 good in the craft department anyway, so this is a huge challenge for me.
 Please pray for us as we plan.  We will be studying the boo k of Esther.
 Girls are not treated well here while boys are treated  like royalty.  We
 want the children to see that God loves them all and values boys and girls
 the same.
 
 My favorite ministry is the gypsy colonies.  We are still working in the
 colony here in Gjakova.  We have been there for five weeks.  We are in
 desperate need of prayer right now in this colony.  The extreme, radical
 Muslims have taken over the colony.  We had a tense situation on Friday,
 but God is there!  I have such peace about working with the children in
 the colony.  They are all so precious and they love it when we come.  We
 might not speak each others language, but love knows no boundaries.  The
 children are eager to be loved.  We are having 35-40 children every week
 and we have to turn children away because there is not enough room.  The
 children line up to be hugged and they are just starving for someone to
 love and accept them.  We have started giving them two pieces of fruit
 which has really helped.  They eat one while they are there and then I
 give them an orange as they leave.  They are all so h ungry and every week
 I catch a couple of children sticking fruit or juice  in their pants.
 They are beginning to know me so I can just give them a look with my hands
 out and they know to hand over the extras!    It is such a joy to be with
 the children.  I wish everyone could come and see their faces light up
 when they start singing or to hear all 39 children calling my name at one
 time so I can look at what they have done and brag on them.  I praise God
 that He has given me this opportunity!
 
 The new Kids Klub we have started is in another gypsy colony about 45
 minutes for Gjakova.  This colony is a little different.  Some of the
 children attend school and some of the "homes" have running water.  We can
 also tell Bible stories which is different from the other colony.  These
 children are also so eager for someone to love and accept them.  We have
 only done one official Kids Klub there, but we did go to a family and give
 them some much needed essentials.  When the children saw us, they all ran
 in thinking we were there for them.  It was such a sight to see the
 excitement on the children's faces.  We had to do some singing with them
 before they would let us leave!
 
 I am teaching all the children a little English while they are teaching me
 some Albanian.  We now have over 100 children that can say important
 English words and can communicate with others.  They can all say, "Mary"
 and "HOWDY!"  Of course they say howdy with a Southern drawl!
 
 I am attaching some pictures.  One is of the staff at Samaritan's Purse in
 Kosovo and the other is me doing what I do best:  running my mouth!
 
 Please Pray:
 Colony Outreach - especially the one in Gjakova and the impact the Muslims
 are having. on the children.  Children - all the children that we work  with
 Guidance - in all the out reaches.  I only want to do what the Lord
 directs Wisdom - to know what to say and when to say it.  (Remember I am
 in a country where women are second class citizens and sometimes my NY
 attitude comes out in me.)
 Adjustment - my continuing adjusting to the way of life here in Kosovo.
 New York Yankees - some of you have not been praying because I hear they
 are not doing too well!
 
 Thank you for your prayer support.  It helps me to know that so many of
 you are praying.  I also appreciate all the emails.  Some of you are so
 faithful even when I do not have a chance to respond.  Thank you!!!
 Please pray and write.
 
 In His Service,
 MARY