East Europe Recap
- Food. When you go to training camp, you receive small portions, no snacks, and some things that you may question whether it is safe to eat. And then you go to Europe for the first two months. The food is plentiful. Gelato and ice cream can be found everywhere, and were eaten to the point of illness by many a teammate. I may have discovered I am mildly lactose intolerant. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant and cheap. Chocolate hazelnut butter known as nutella and many other names can be found in any grocery store. It has become our replacement for peanut butter, which is much harder to locate. Fresh honey. Pastries. Pretzles. Cooking for an entire squad in Romania.
- Weather. Also known as heat. Temps in Albania were over 100, we hit 115 one day according to our students. Looking up the forecast involved seeing pictures that did not include suns, but thermometers and warning signs. Our hostel in Bucharest had heat warnings posted in the lobby. The Greeks complained about the heat wave they were experiencing while we were there. All three countries basically shut down from 12 to 4 pm to avoid the heat. Sweat drenched shirts and puddles on the floor were common (the sweet ladies in Albania were kind to point out that I sweat much more than anyone else seems to). These places are normally hot this time of year, but we were told many times that we were there during unseasonably high temperatures. Preparation for Africa? Fortunately, we had a one week reprieve in Romania when it rained constantly and dipped into the 50s.
- Pastor/Missionary graveyards. Everywhere we went in Europe we were told that there is a lack of leadership in the church. Many people are resistant to change. There is a new generation rising up, but they lack mentors and Christian leaders to guide them. Pastors themselves are not being filled up. This is a place that needs much prayer and encouragement. They desperately need leaders and encouragers.
- Walking. And walking some more. We have generally been located in cities where everything is within walking distance. I have yet to ride in a taxi. In Romania we walk about 15-20 minutes to the market to pick up 6L bottles of water for the squad, and groceries to feed 55. And then we carry them back. Thank goodness, since we are eating all that ice cream anyway…
- Health. Among the many things we will be leaving behind in Europe include various toenails. They seem to be the casualties of cobblestones, doors, chairs, walls… Being “gently” assisted out of a train with your pack on can also be rather dangerous, as I am now out of all the large bandaids I brought. I’ve learned my team is a bit accident-prone…
- Beaches and seas. I have been blessed to have already swum in both the Adriatic and Aegean seas. When the temperatures are that hot, the only thing to do was to head to the beach in Albania, so that we did. While in Greece I was also able to do a bit of snorkeling in the super clear waters. Very peaceful days.
- Things left unattended. The Albanians like to water everything. This includes the typical – plants, yards – but also, the road, sidewalk, patio…and despite the soaring temps and lack of rain, we would continue to find hoses left unattended, pouring water into the road or into the creek full of trash. In Romania, Andie was quick to note that the unattended items here…are men’s’ rotund bellies, left out for the world to see. Sometimes no shirts at all, other times shirts pulled up just above their bellies. Quite a sight.
- My birthday! I was blessed to be able to celebrate my birthday with the entire squad on one of our off days in Romania. A banner was hung from my bunk, birthday fairies left treats on my bed, I was kicked out of the kitchen for trying to clean or do dishes multiple times, I was sung “happy birthday” to an uncomfortable amount of times, I received a ukulele lullaby, and the kitchen team grilled me a cookie when they couldn’t get the oven to work. I don’t think I have ever celebrated my birthday with 54 other people before, and it was an experience I will not soon forget. I was surrounded by so much love.
- Dogs. Street dogs everywhere. We had one that frequently followed us home in Albania. Large dogs in Greece that could be violent and aggressive. One of these aggressive dogs appeared to be guarding our group for awhile while we were out evangelizing. We had a few dogs in Romania that lived on the mission house property. They loved us quite a bit and were always present at meals. One of which liked to attempt to climb into my tent every night.
- Language. Learning a new language every few weeks is a definite challenge. Quickly picking up words like “thank you” “hello” “goodbye” “ice cream” and the number 7 (ordering food for a 7 member team) becomes essential. Languages attempted so far include Albanian, Romanian, maybe 2 Greek words, and I even got to practice my Spanish with one of our Romanian contacts. I got super excited when I had a completely Romanian communication with the pharmacist one day…yay for romance languages having the same words!
- Leaving behind my comfort and complacency. Being vulnerable with my team. Allowing my emotions to exist. Processing through difficult stuff. Big things are coming.
I meant to post this before we left Romania, but time got the best of me. We have made it safely to Malawi! Internet involves a ride into town when we have free time, so you will not hear from me super often, but I will update you all on how it is going here soon!
