JENNIFER CARREL

Independence Day

On 5 July I headed over to 'little America' or better know around here as The Ridge. Tirana does not have a military base, instead it has the Embassy, a large housing compound of about 25 houses and then a smaller compound of 3 houses. The compound of 3 is directly west of the orphanage. I have become rather close with one family in the compound and they graciously invited the adopted parents of Roksana and I to ride with them to the 4th of July party at the US Ambassador's House! Mom & Dad.. the party didn't compare to the Oktoberfests of Germany but it was fun! Thanks Lori (Roksans's mom) for the great photos!!!

I was asked by a sweet friend, "Did they have fireworks on the 4th?"

I replied "No, why would they, they weren't celebrating the 4th?"

She asked annoyed and confused, "Well, why not?"

I said, "Um, maybe because it was our independence day and not Albania's!"

Albanian Wedding!

I have been so blessed to experience so many different Albanian cultural events. Sunday night I attended an Albanian Wedding! The groom is one of the drivers for Bethany Clinic. The celebration began at 8PM! For the first 30 minutes we were in a separate room from the reception for cocktails. We then moved down stairs to the banquet hall. It looked like your typical wedding reception. The only difference was an empty table reserved for the Brides Family. This reception was only for the groom's family and friends. They bride had her reception the night before. In my case, the bride's family arrived about 3 hours after the celebration began and they stayed only a few hours and then left. The bride and groom don't exchange vows in Albania nor do they have a formal ceremony declaring their union. They exchange rings in private and then go to the 'court' and sign the document of marriage. You don't bring large gifts to the celebration; instead you would have gone to his house that morning and dropped it off and stayed for a visit. During the reception you could bless them with money... they have a few dances where you could go out and stick the money to their foreheads! They danced the traditional Albanian line dances and the groom does a dance where he lights a handkerchief on fire and dances around with it. This is typically done after they cut the cake. But before you even get to the cake........ you have a 5-7 course meal. All courses but the cake course has some sort of meat. I ate so much that night!!!!! I really enjoy the line dances and was pretty good at it. I had the girls coming up to me after saying how good I was..haha. I even succeeded in getting Micah out on the dance floor. He was really cute... he is 15 years old and I don't think has ever danced with a girl before. I had to tell him when we first began to go in a circle because he was just swaying back and forth-80's style! The photos show it all... we were both laughing a good portion of the song! Bob, Cathy and the kids left around 1230 but I stayed until 230 with the rest of the Bethany Staff. I had a great time.. the Albanians really do know how to throw a party!!!!
!  

Jennifer's Adventure

Remember that wish I made about the cow...................
When I returned from the beach on Saturday I found a new pillow case on my bed.... photos show it all! And so the cow adventure soon became the theme for my 26th Birthday!
Around 330 on 1 June I came back up to my apartment and found Cathy walking towards me and she said, "Put on your boots, we have a birthday surprise" I shouted "I get to see a COW!" We walked outside to find the guard for Bethany, Husen,  waiting for us. He walked us through Sauk down the road towards the pasture lands. I was wearing a white t-shirt, blue shorts and my polka-dotted rain boots. On the road we met a guy with 3 cows. Husen walked over to one and called me over. I went to pet the cow but as for making him walk with me.. he wouldn't budge. But then came a guy with some goats.. he came riding up on his donkey! He jumped down and let me ride for a bit. He walked us around in circles on the road. It was unbelievably funny, but, really, you had to be there to appreciate it!   We gave the 'herders' of Sauk something to chuckle about for sure! I didn't think this day could get any better but....... then we came upon a lady with cows, sheep and lambs. Husen walked over and picked up one of the babies and gave it to me. It was such a Jesus Adventure. Husen was laughing and laughing over the whole day. Micah caught the entire adventure on video and as a present edited and set it to music! Cathy and Bob made me teriyaki salmon, rice and veggies after our adventure. The Wheelis' family came over for cake and ice cream.... Shilah, my sister, sent me a cake mix and Cathy made icing because the icing she sent exploded on the way here. Cathy made a road out of darker icing and out of no where found these two little cows on her dining room table.. a divine gift... and placed them on the road. I found a Jasmine figurine and made that 'ME' walking behind the cows. Cathy sprinkled different colored sprinkles on the sides of the road to represent the wild flowers growing in the fields. It was perfect!!! I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time over the adventure and the gifts they gave me.. you'll have to wait to see the gifts for a long explanation is needed to understand!

Children's Day

Children's Day was on 1 June. This day is dedicated to all the children and usually it is a day of food, dancing and gifts. We held a celebration at Bethany and had some special guests attend. A group of dancers came and danced some of the traditional Albanian dances. A few of our kids memorized poems and songs and performed them. I made books for each of the older kids and we had them displayed for all to see. The US Ambassador attended briefly. He was visiting the abandoned baby unit a few months back and had the opportunity to name one of the babies. He named him Henry after his body guard. The photos show me with the Ambassador and "Big" Henry with "little" Henry. It was a fun morning and the kids had a great time!!

31 MAY Celebration!

Photos from my birthday.... things only seen on the beaches of Albania and the restaurant of my birthday dinner!

Number 26

31 May 1982....

Landstuhl, Germany....

255 pm.....

God created me in my mother's womb, for 9 months she sacrificed her body, her comfort and her strength to allow me to grow and then the world welcomed me! 

Yesterday I celebrated number 26. I was asked if I felt older or any different. I thought for a second and then I responded with...

It is not that I am more concerned with turning a year older but the fact that every year I gain.. my parents gain. And it saddens me to think they are getting older as I indeed get older also. Then I began to tear up as I thought of the years that have pasted and the love that they have shown. I have the most wonderful parents, they have taught me to love, taught me to serve, taught me to fight for what is Truth, given me more than I could have asked for, sacrificed so much in order for me to live the life I have, supported me with so much love and even finances. I was blessed to be brought up by them and to call them Mom and Dad... I am who I am today because of their prayers and willingness to place me in the hands of God above no matter where or how far He takes me. And so yesterday wasn't a celebration for me... but rather I give them that day as a celebration of life for through them I am here and through them I am loved and through them I have a family I would do anything for! Thanks mom and dad for everything. 

And then I thought of God's grace. We associate 1 January with the beginning of a new year.. a new start.. the chance to do things different... but I think that 'new year' starts on your birthday for by the grace of God I have been given another year of life, another year to serve and to refine who I am in Him. And so yesterday was the start of a new year and I desire nothing more than to draw closer to Him, serve and love as He commands and modeled. My prayer is that everyday I am a step closer to becoming the woman God intended and a better daughter, sister and friend!

**Thank you to everyone for the boxes of gifts and cards. It was truly a blessing to know the love and support of those back home as I continue serving in Albania. 

Yesterday I went to the beach with some friends. We spent 6 hours soaking up the sun and just enjoying the fellowship and beauty of the Adriatic Sea. We also enjoyed the many sights only seen on the beaches of Albania... first off the man leading his donkey hauling fruit to sell.. and then once he sold the fruit.. coming back riding the donkey... or how about the guy walking his pet brown bear down the beach.. photo anyone?!?!  Then there's the guys that walk down the beach selling anything from cigarettes to bananas to bathing suits/covers to curtains... It is fun to see the 'walking wal-marts' on wheels!! If they don't have it you don't need it!!!

Tonight we are celebrating my birthday with dinner and a party hosted by my adopted parents..  I have grown to love this family as my own and it is a blessing to have their love displayed daily though their action and willingness. I am leaving in the morning for camp and will be back on Thursday.. I will post tonights events when I get back.. and I will post photos when I get back.. the internet was extremely slow tonight! I love you all and thanks again!

NATO INVITATION

I have been in Albania for only almost 3 months and I have seen so many historical events take place... the most recent incident:
ALBANIA'S INVITATION TO JOIN NATO!!!!!
Once again, flags were flown and celebrations were held! It is so neat to see the transformation of history take place. With these steps Albania is becoming a nation recognized by the rest of the world and hopefully these steps will allow the people to obtain visas faster and be accepted by the surrounding nations!! Until the next great event.....

FUTBOL

SO I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR ONE MONTH AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS... I HAVE YET TO GET SICK FROM  THE FOOD OR WATER, LET ALONE JUST LIVING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.....AND SO IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME TO GET HURT PLAYING FUTBOL WITH A BUNCH OF MISSIONARY KIDS!!!
THURSDAY NIGHTS WE RENT OUT A FIELD AND PLAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR...THIS PAST THURSDAY I WAS BEAT UP BY A BUNCH OF 13-16 YEAR OLDS... FIRST I WAS NAILED IN THE INNER THIGH AND NEARLY PASSED OUT.. I WAS BENT OVER FOR QUITE SOME TIME THE GUYS WERE QUESTIONING IF I WAS ACTUALLY A GIRL..THEN I WENT TUMBLING TRYING TO REGAIN POSSESSION OF THE BALL... I STOOD BACK UP TO THE REALIZATION THAT MY KNEE WAS DRIPPING BLOOD AND MY RIGHT HAND TINGLING AND STIFFENING UP RELATIVELY QUICK..I TRIED TO SHAKE IT OFF BUT IT WAS SO COLD OUTSIDE I COULD BARELY FEEL MY FINGERS... NEEDLESS TO SAY I CAME HOME TO NURSE CATHY AND SHE WRAPPED IT AND TOLD ME TO WAIT OUT THE NIGHT AND WE'LL DETERMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF X-RAYS IN THE MORNING.
MY THUMB AND POINTER FINGER AND THE WHOLE AREA AROUND THEM ARE IN THE WORST PAIN. MY HAND IS BLUE AND A SENSATION OCCASSIONALY SHOOTS UP MY ARM. IT WAS DETERMIKNED I SHOULD GO GET X-RAYS JUST BECAUSE IT WAS MY RIGHT HAND AND PERMINATE DAMAGE WOULD BE A BAD THING. I WENT WITH A CARETAKER TO A SPECIALITY HOSPITAL. THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY I WAS AN AMERICAN BECAUSE I WAS CRAZY FOR WEARING FLIP FLOPS WHEN IT WAS COLD OUT. THE X-RAY ROOM HAD PIPES RUNNING THROUGH, HOLES IN THE WALLS AND THE EQUIPMENT WAS FROM THE 1945- WORLD WAR 2 ERA.. I REALLY WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD MY CAMERA!!! THEY TOOK THE PHOTOS AND THEN ASSESSED THERE WAS NO BREAK....AND THE CRAZY THING WAS... THEY DIDN'T EVEN CHARGE ME FOR THE 2 X-RAY PHOTOS!!!!!!!  THEY SAID TO JUST KEEP IT WRAPPED AND TAKE MEDS TO KEEP THE SWELLING DOWN...
HOPEFULLY THIS IS THE WORST TO HAPPEN WHILE IN ALBANIA.........

BLAST IN ALBANIA

A few weeks back, I had to go to the US Embassy for a document in order to receive my permanent residency because I am here longer than 90 days... the lady behind the counter gave me two words of advice: CALL HOME! She meant call home if something happens that would make the news, call home if you think because of surrounding circumstances anyone would worry....basically call home just to check in because she knows my mother is worried about me living in another country. I APOLOGIZE, FOR I DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER ADVICE!!! I didn't call home and I didn't mention anything about the blast to Geoffrey when we talked Saturday night. I have been fortunate to witness a historical event-Kosovo declaring independence-but I have also been unfortunate to witness a great tragedy! Many of you might have heard about the explosion that happened this past Saturday in a town right outside of Tirana. I was at youth group and so I can't say with certainty that I felt or heard the explosion. But the ammunition site was located about 15 miles from where the orphanage is located. Honestly, you probably know more about what has happened and the details concerning fatalities than I do; I don't have access to televised news (not that I would know what they were saying) and our internet has been off and on the past couple of days. Pray for the people, for wisdom concerning the destruction of the ammo. It is said that there are 100,000 tons of ammo that needs to be destroyed scattered around Albania. Accidental explosions have happened in the past but they are trying their best to get rid of the ammo. Pray for the families that still don't know the fate of their loved ones, the neighborhood that was near the site and the destruction that needs to be cleaned up and the lives that need rebuilding.

Kosovo Independence!!

It was exciting to witness history on Monday afternoon... I'm not sure how much broadcast the US posted on the Independence of Kosovo from Serbia but it caused a huge celebration in Albania!! About 80% of the population in Kosovo are ethnic Albanians and so it basically expands their territory as a people group. The Albanians flew their flags and had a celebration in the streets; with fireworks, music and crowds!! They are also so thankful to the US for their support that along with waving the Albanian flag, many had American flags on their cars or carried them on poles. It was a moment of history I am glad I was able to be a part of! I have a photo of the thank you sign but have yet to figure out how to post so that will come soon!! But be in prayer for the people in Kosovo, so far there has not been to much retaliation by the Serbs but it is still early.