JENNIFER CARREL

One wish....

Everywhere you go you see shepherds or herders and their livestock. You see them walking behind the animals or lying on the grass watching them graze. Life couldn't be more relaxing!!! I am currently seeking out a herder that will allow me to walk through Sauk herding his/her cow. I want nothing more than to walk a cow attached to a rope down the street. We believe the guard for the orphanage will allow me to use his cow for the adventure. Picture this: a huge cow, a rope, an American in shorts and polka dotted rain boots walking down the dirt road!! There are many that also wish for this... simply for the kodak moment....photos to follow if my wish comes true........ (just in case when I blow out my birthday candles next week.... you know what I'll be thinking)

THE BIG 1-0-0

TODAY 23 MAY, I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN ALBANIA FOR EXACTLY 100 DAYS.. AND FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE COUNTING DOWN FOR MY RETURN.......... ONLY 99 MORE TO GO!!!!!! 

Grace

Have you ever really experienced a storm. Have you ever danced in the rain? Rain clashing down, big drops, water flowing, drop after drop, thousands upon thousands falling down at once. Never halting for the first to hit the ground; simply falling, soaking everything, making all things new; cleaning, washing, providing growth. Have you ever imagined Grace falling down as the rain falls? Through His grace we too are made new, we are cleansed from our impurities, we grow closer and closer to the men and women he always envisioned us to be. Todd Agnew's song Grace Like Rain describes it perfectly! I now experience storms with a different perspective! Thank you for Your Rain!!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me

And I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see so clearly.

Hallelujah and Grace like rain, falls down on me

Hallelujah and all my stains are washed away, they're washed away

Twas Grace that  taught my heart to fear and Grace my fears relieved

How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed

Hallelujah and Grace like rain, falls down on me

Hallelujah and all my stains are washed away, they're washed away  yeah yeah

When we've been there ten thousand years bright shining as the Son

We've no less days to sing Your praise then when we've first begun

Hallelujah and Grace like rain, falls down on me

Hallelujah and all my stains are washed away

Hallelujah and Grace like rain falls down on me

Hallelujah and all my stains are washed away, they're washed away 

Hallelujah yeah, Hallelujah yeah yeah, Hallelujah yeah yeah yeah

Hallelujah and all my stains are washed away, they're washed away

Two becoming One!

    

 

 

An Albanian's home is a place for those you love, you don't invite just anyone to enter your home. Therefore, it is considered an honor to be invited in their home. A few weeks ago, I was invited to go spend the weekend at Dovi's house in Pogradec. Dovi and Egli were preparing for their engagement. So it wasn't simply an honor to be invited to her home but to be a part of the engagement was huge! Our second day there we crossed the border into Macedonia. Well some of us did... Jordan is only 16 and so they wouldn't let him cross because he was a minor.. they thought we were trying to traffic him. But yet all he wanted was McDONALDS!! Anyhow, we went to Macedonia to shop for the gifts Egli and Dovi would exchange as part of the engagement process. In addition, Egli had to purchase Dovi's ring. We spent hours upon hours shopping!! But they both found the gifts they would exchange.
The traditions of engagement in Albania are interesting. Egli and Dovi didn't want to do all of the usual traditions but they did take part in a few. On the day of the engagement, the girl's family would open up their house to the guy's family. Extended family and all!! This would be the first time he would ever enter her house. Her family would offer snacks and drinks to his family during the few hours of fellowship. It is proper to purchase all new serving dishes and trays for the special day. At one point during the conversation, the girl would walk around with a tray of champaign glasses. As exchange for the glass, you would place money on the tray. But when she got to the guy, he would announce he didn't have money to offer but he could offer her a ring instead. There's no getting down on one knee.. no formal asking. He would then present her the suitcase of gifts he purchased for her. After the fellowship at her house, she would go with his family to his house. As in Dovi and Egli's case; Dovi had also never been inside his house, let alone, any idea where Egli lived.  She would take with her the suitcase of gifts she purchased for him and a cake. The cake represents bringing her sweetness into his house and very soon into his family.
In Albania, until you have announced your engagement, your love for one another is a secret to the public's eye. If you are seen with a guy or girl and you have not announced your engagement, you are suspected of already consummating the marriage. Therefore, the engagement exchange is more important than the actual ceremony. They are now basically seen as being married. This past Saturday, they announced their engagement at church and celebrated with Turkish Delight! They have a tentative date of June 2009.

Prayer Needed

Bethany has been ministering to children, families, and staff at the Group Homes in Sauk since 1993. A potentially serious threat to this project seems to be coming to a head, and we ask that you stand with us in prayer, that the Lord will intervene our behalf and that of these kids. An outside organization with significant political power, is attempting to break our contract with the Albanian Government and illegally take some of Bethany's land.

We are working to do what we can to find a nonconfrontational solution to this, and trusting that the Lord will be our defender and shield. Please pray that those of us involved will act with godly wisdom, and that the Lord will protect what has been committed to Him.

Thank you all. We trust that the Lord will hear our cries for help and protection!

The Need...

Last Monday was 'go buy paint for The Loft' day. I was supposed to meet Egli and Robert at 10 oclock at the church office... every morning when I get dressed I have to answer two questions: (1) What is the temperature outside? and (2) Do I want to stick out as an American/foreigner or do I want to blend in? Two ways to really stick out: A. Wear flip flops (not a good thing for me considering I only brought flip flops) B. Wear short sleeves or shorts... the Albanians don't decide their attire according to the weather but according to the calendar date. That day has yet to come! Anyhow, so I decided to wear a short sleeve shirt and off I went... I have to walk a bit up a hill to get to the bus stop and I was running late. I was already out of the orphanage grounds and up the hill when I noticed I was already beginning to sweat... but I also noticed my arm pits were beginning to stick.... oh no I FORGOT TO PUT ON DEODORANT!!!! Time to make a decision: I could either simply go on and blend in with the majority of the Albania's and their natural perfume or I could run all the way back home and be even later. And so.......off I ran!!! I was about 15 minutes late but I smelt sweet!! There are just some things you simply can't go without....

Bag + Running= BURN

I ran to the park yesterday to meet a few other missionary woman but decided to take along my bag containing my Bible, journal, flip flops, a t-shirt and a water bottle. As a result.... a battle wound!!! As for the rest of the days events: the three of us walked a good distance through the park and at one point these two teenage boys kept walking by us and saying stuff or whistling. I noticed but brushed it off not going to give them a reaction. We walked back to about the middle of the park (side note: this park is rather huge!!) and said our good-byes and I took off in one direction and they took off in the other. By the grace of God, I happened to turn around for some reason and noticed they were following me and gaining ground. I kept walking trying to weigh my odds and decide if I should keep going or not. The road takes you along the lake and then up towards Sauk and the orphanage. But the only problem is after a certain point not many continue to walk towards Sauk leaving me solo on the road. I went so far and noticed I didn't see anyone on the path in front of me.. I wasn't about to walk beyond the point where people were. I sat down near this girl and looked down.. the guys walked by me and said something. They walked a bit more and then sat down. By this time I was rather nervous because I didn't have my phone on me (which will never happen again) and I don't know enough Albanian to tell someone they were following me! I decided my only choice was to walk all the way back to where I parted from the others and take the path towards the city and catch the bus back to Sauk. And so off I went.. I kept looking behind me to see if they followed me back but I didn't see them. I was walking so fast that my legs were burning. Anyhow, I made it back to the main road and as I was waiting for the bus, Bob pulled up and I was so happy to see my "other family!" One of the caretakers said it is not wise to walk through the park by yourself.. yeah I know that now!! Don't worry mom.... it won't happen again!!! It was just another display of His love for me and His provision over my life...