My bags are packed and I'm ready to go... we are just waiting for our drivers, however we have learned never to expect anything to be early in this country!!!
America Here We Come!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Supermodel Legs, Lung Cancer, Ativan and No Conditioner??
It has been quite some time since i have blogged - and unfortunately - I still don't have the opportunity to post pictures. My photography has been lacking here, due to the busyness of the medical team - I have left the photography to my co team mates who have promised to share photos with me. So don't worry - I will have plenty to share back in the states.
Things have been wonderful here in Kosova. I am so in love with the country and the culture. I am starting to miss little things about the states but mostly i am not ready to leave on Sunday. Its hard to believe that we only have 2 days left before we travel. I am sure I will have the legs of a supermodel when I get back due to all the walking we do. From the guest house where we are staying its about a one mile walk to the church. Its one ginormous hill - so going down hill in the morning works yours calves and going up at night works every muscle in your body including your lungs!!!
The amount of smoking here is crazy. I didn't realize how spoiled I have become in the states with the no smoking laws. I can barely stand the second hand smoke anymore - I am sure I will have lung cancer by the time I leave.
Okay - so this is the thing I am MOST excited to blog about... I just bought 30 mg of lorazepam for one euro tonight - without a prescription!!!!! I just had to try it to see if i could really do it... and I could! No questions asked! Dustin and Wade - better watch your positions as "candy man," there's a new sheriff in town!!!
I cannot wait to take a shower with soft water!!! The water here is so hard that your hair never feels clean... I have never wanted a water softener more!!! I haven't used conditioner since the first day here and I have not had one tangle in my hair!!
God has blessed me tremedously here and I can not wait to return again in the future. I have met and become such close friends with wonderful people in such a short time. My heart is humbled by their circumstances and everything they have survived and I am blessed to know them.
I hope and pray all is well back in the states - I think of you often and am excited to see you all in a few short days!
Things have been wonderful here in Kosova. I am so in love with the country and the culture. I am starting to miss little things about the states but mostly i am not ready to leave on Sunday. Its hard to believe that we only have 2 days left before we travel. I am sure I will have the legs of a supermodel when I get back due to all the walking we do. From the guest house where we are staying its about a one mile walk to the church. Its one ginormous hill - so going down hill in the morning works yours calves and going up at night works every muscle in your body including your lungs!!!
The amount of smoking here is crazy. I didn't realize how spoiled I have become in the states with the no smoking laws. I can barely stand the second hand smoke anymore - I am sure I will have lung cancer by the time I leave.
Okay - so this is the thing I am MOST excited to blog about... I just bought 30 mg of lorazepam for one euro tonight - without a prescription!!!!! I just had to try it to see if i could really do it... and I could! No questions asked! Dustin and Wade - better watch your positions as "candy man," there's a new sheriff in town!!!
I cannot wait to take a shower with soft water!!! The water here is so hard that your hair never feels clean... I have never wanted a water softener more!!! I haven't used conditioner since the first day here and I have not had one tangle in my hair!!
God has blessed me tremedously here and I can not wait to return again in the future. I have met and become such close friends with wonderful people in such a short time. My heart is humbled by their circumstances and everything they have survived and I am blessed to know them.
I hope and pray all is well back in the states - I think of you often and am excited to see you all in a few short days!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
So crazy!
I appologize for not blogging the last few days. Life has just been crazy here in Kosova and we are keeping incredibly busy. My heart has been so blessed to be in this wonderful country and I am so excited about the new friends I have met.
Keep praying for our team. The Albanian schedule continues to be a stressor as most of us like to over plan things and instead we are not planning at all - just the way things are done. Everyone's health seems to be declining except for mine which seems to be improving.
Yesterday we spent the day in Istog which was one of the biggest blessings and today myself and 2 other girls from the team lectured 350+ medical professionals about various medical topics. Speaking with a translator is hard work.
I can't believe we only have 4 days left in Kosova. I am already sad to think of leaving - however I am anticipating a normal shower and text messaging :)
Love to you all,
Kate
Keep praying for our team. The Albanian schedule continues to be a stressor as most of us like to over plan things and instead we are not planning at all - just the way things are done. Everyone's health seems to be declining except for mine which seems to be improving.
Yesterday we spent the day in Istog which was one of the biggest blessings and today myself and 2 other girls from the team lectured 350+ medical professionals about various medical topics. Speaking with a translator is hard work.
I can't believe we only have 4 days left in Kosova. I am already sad to think of leaving - however I am anticipating a normal shower and text messaging :)
Love to you all,
Kate
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Only One Week Left!
I still have no pictures that I can post.. but don't worry, I'm taking plenty and so is most of the team.
Today was a fabulous day. I am feeling so much better after being on antibotics for 24 hours and I feel that I have finally won the battle with jet lag. This morning we had scrambled eggs for breakfast and headed for the church a bit earlier than yesterday. Once we arrived at the church, 4 of us decided to be adventurous and head to the store by ourselves to get some bottled water for the team. The traffic is crazy here but the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is crossing the streets. Traffic goes about 50 to 55 mph an hour on any major road and to cross the road, you simply step off the curb. There is no waiting for a break in traffic or to make sure someone will stop - you just step. SCARY. But the funny thing is that each of us has a minor panic attack anytime we step off the curb and then we have to stop and nervously laugh at how we haven't died before we finish crossing the street!! Its very humorous.
After fetching water, we went back to the church where we all sat around the kitchen table and listened to Artur (the pastor) tell us of Kosova history. It was very fascinating and it is amazing how knowledgable he is about so many things. Then most of the team headed to Vustri again and did children's ministry. There were about 120 kids which is low for for them because this is the first week that they are back in session for the fall/winter. The children's behavior was amazing and not one of them misbehaved for the entire session - not one! Becky started an impromtu english lesson which i quickly jumped into. The children were beautiful and it was such a blessing.
This afternoon, Laurie, Beth and I were lucky enough to be escorted to Mitrovice by Laurie's uncle. We spent the afternoon site seeing and learning more about Kosova culture. Then this evening we had a wonderful authentic Albanian meal followed by a 'night on the town' with the girls. I feel that I have made some new friends today and am so excited to continue to cultivate new friendship and be a blessing to others.
Tomorrow is our day of rest. We have church in the evening since the church doesn't currently have a santcuary. So we are having a late breakfast followed by some site seeing before church and then dinner afterwards!!! I hope everyone is doing well... I am thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,
Kate
Today was a fabulous day. I am feeling so much better after being on antibotics for 24 hours and I feel that I have finally won the battle with jet lag. This morning we had scrambled eggs for breakfast and headed for the church a bit earlier than yesterday. Once we arrived at the church, 4 of us decided to be adventurous and head to the store by ourselves to get some bottled water for the team. The traffic is crazy here but the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is crossing the streets. Traffic goes about 50 to 55 mph an hour on any major road and to cross the road, you simply step off the curb. There is no waiting for a break in traffic or to make sure someone will stop - you just step. SCARY. But the funny thing is that each of us has a minor panic attack anytime we step off the curb and then we have to stop and nervously laugh at how we haven't died before we finish crossing the street!! Its very humorous.
After fetching water, we went back to the church where we all sat around the kitchen table and listened to Artur (the pastor) tell us of Kosova history. It was very fascinating and it is amazing how knowledgable he is about so many things. Then most of the team headed to Vustri again and did children's ministry. There were about 120 kids which is low for for them because this is the first week that they are back in session for the fall/winter. The children's behavior was amazing and not one of them misbehaved for the entire session - not one! Becky started an impromtu english lesson which i quickly jumped into. The children were beautiful and it was such a blessing.
This afternoon, Laurie, Beth and I were lucky enough to be escorted to Mitrovice by Laurie's uncle. We spent the afternoon site seeing and learning more about Kosova culture. Then this evening we had a wonderful authentic Albanian meal followed by a 'night on the town' with the girls. I feel that I have made some new friends today and am so excited to continue to cultivate new friendship and be a blessing to others.
Tomorrow is our day of rest. We have church in the evening since the church doesn't currently have a santcuary. So we are having a late breakfast followed by some site seeing before church and then dinner afterwards!!! I hope everyone is doing well... I am thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,
Kate
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sill No Pictures
I still have not had the opportunity to upload pictures... the computer at the guest house apparently does not have a USB port (its uber old!). So I will have to update pictures at a later time.
Today, we went to a local near by city named Vustri (sp) and worked with locals on their english and did a medical and eye glass clinic. We only had 2 interpreters so it was a difficult task, but we got it done. We saw one little 10 year old boy who had Cerebral Palsy - although we could do nothing for the child but give some vitamins and show the mother how to do some leg exercise, the family was pleased that we could at least tell them what was wrong with their son. We also saw a 27 month old with Hip Dyspasia. It is a trying time for the medical team as there is so much we could do for these patients in the states but little we can do here.
I am officially sick. My nasty 2 week cold has finally turned into a sinus infection. After running a fever most of the morning, I started antibotics and have been sleeping off and on throughout the day. The entire team is impressed with my ability to sleep ANYWHERE and through ANYTHING. I tell them its a hazard from the job.
Continue to pray for team unity and health and also for each of us as we adjust to the culture here. I promise I wil add pictures and stories about our travels as soon as I am able!!
Much Love,
Kate
Today, we went to a local near by city named Vustri (sp) and worked with locals on their english and did a medical and eye glass clinic. We only had 2 interpreters so it was a difficult task, but we got it done. We saw one little 10 year old boy who had Cerebral Palsy - although we could do nothing for the child but give some vitamins and show the mother how to do some leg exercise, the family was pleased that we could at least tell them what was wrong with their son. We also saw a 27 month old with Hip Dyspasia. It is a trying time for the medical team as there is so much we could do for these patients in the states but little we can do here.
I am officially sick. My nasty 2 week cold has finally turned into a sinus infection. After running a fever most of the morning, I started antibotics and have been sleeping off and on throughout the day. The entire team is impressed with my ability to sleep ANYWHERE and through ANYTHING. I tell them its a hazard from the job.
Continue to pray for team unity and health and also for each of us as we adjust to the culture here. I promise I wil add pictures and stories about our travels as soon as I am able!!
Much Love,
Kate
Thursday, October 2, 2008
So exhausted!!
We have arrived!!!!
Our last plane landed in Kosova today at 3:40 (that 8:40 am MN time!). We are so incredibly thankful for smooth and safe travel. No one lost a single bag, not one flight was delayed, and overall we had a good time traveling. I was able to sleep for about 4 hours last night on the plane, but other team members were not so fortunate. I do have to say that turbelance on a Boeing 777 feels identical to riding westbound in an ambulance down I-90 - so I felt right at home and konked out!!!
We landed at 3:40 and now at 10:00pm we finally have some down time. EVERY ONE is plumb exhausted. I have lots of pictures and much more to post, but none of it will make any sense unless i get some rest. However, I must say that I am in love with this country and its people!
Continue to keep up in your prayers!!
With Love,
Kate
Our last plane landed in Kosova today at 3:40 (that 8:40 am MN time!). We are so incredibly thankful for smooth and safe travel. No one lost a single bag, not one flight was delayed, and overall we had a good time traveling. I was able to sleep for about 4 hours last night on the plane, but other team members were not so fortunate. I do have to say that turbelance on a Boeing 777 feels identical to riding westbound in an ambulance down I-90 - so I felt right at home and konked out!!!
We landed at 3:40 and now at 10:00pm we finally have some down time. EVERY ONE is plumb exhausted. I have lots of pictures and much more to post, but none of it will make any sense unless i get some rest. However, I must say that I am in love with this country and its people!
Continue to keep up in your prayers!!
With Love,
Kate
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Leavin On a Jet Plane...
Well the time as come for just to leave. Beth is currently loading the call as I sit here and blog (I'm such a great roommate!!) Its been a relatively easy morning for us. We were well packed last night and we had lists for what still needed to be done this morning. Kim even stayed to say a last minute good bye. Here's a few photos of us this morning!!! Kim was a little groggy still!!
We arrive tomorrow afternoon at 3pm Kosova time... its going to be a long day but we are all pumped to be on our way and eager to get to our destination. Pray that God will give us smooth and safe travel.
We arrive tomorrow afternoon at 3pm Kosova time... its going to be a long day but we are all pumped to be on our way and eager to get to our destination. Pray that God will give us smooth and safe travel.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Ready, Set, Pack!!!
Tonight we had our last team meeting before we leave! We met to go over last minute details and pack up all of our team supplies.
One of our big team projects is doing an eye class clinic. The team has worked hard to obtain reading glasses or "cheaters" as most of the team calls them. We ended up with over 300 glasses. The great things about this ministry is that we have had an eye chart made in using John 3:16 and have had it translated into Albanian, so very basis of this ministry is founded on sharing the gospel. Here is a picture of all the glasses sorted out by strength before we started packing them.
Today we packed 10 bags of supplies. $1400 of medications, numerous other medical supplies, 80 labs coats, 100 stethoscopes, school supplies, stickers, candy, a few treats for local missionaries, and "large man socks" for the local pastor!!
We are all very excited and can't wait to serve the people of Kosova!!
One of our big team projects is doing an eye class clinic. The team has worked hard to obtain reading glasses or "cheaters" as most of the team calls them. We ended up with over 300 glasses. The great things about this ministry is that we have had an eye chart made in using John 3:16 and have had it translated into Albanian, so very basis of this ministry is founded on sharing the gospel. Here is a picture of all the glasses sorted out by strength before we started packing them.
Today we packed 10 bags of supplies. $1400 of medications, numerous other medical supplies, 80 labs coats, 100 stethoscopes, school supplies, stickers, candy, a few treats for local missionaries, and "large man socks" for the local pastor!!
We are all very excited and can't wait to serve the people of Kosova!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Count Down: One Week!!
We leave in one week for Kosova!!! Actually in one week, we will be somewhere between Chicago and Washington DC.
First things first, I should probably explain Kosova vs Kosovo. Many of you, I am sure, are use to seeing Kosovo. This is the Serbian pronounciation and spelling and the one that has been adopted by the United Nations. However, the Albanian pronunciation and spelling is Kosova so out of respect for those we are going to serve, the team uses Albanian version of the word.
Things have been very crazy around here. I go back to work this afternoon for 3 more shifts and I am trying to get as much ready to go as possible. Beth and I have done the majority of our shopping. Final Doctors appointment have been scheduled. Our Travel Registration has been filled out and filed with the State Department. Personal supplies have been divided up and assigned among Beth, Laurie and I so that we don't all bring shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair dryers, iPod chargers, etc. We meet on Monday for our final team meeting and to pack all of our team supplies. Beth is currently working on her lecture presentations and I finished mine just this morning.
Please pray for us in this last week. Please pray for health - I am still not near 100% well yet although I do have my voice back and I know that others from the team are struggling with illness as well. Pray for us as we make final preparations to leave families, homes, and jobs. Also, pray that packing and all the details that go into having an enjoyable and effective trip are completed in a smooth and no-stress manner.
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