It's getting a little HOT here also

Every once in a while we take the opportunity to look at the weather in Lewiston.  My goodness it has been hot there.  Well, we seem to be catching up with you here in Albania.  There is one distinct difference - the humidity is a little higher here.  Like about 85%,  I don't know how that compares to Lewiston's uncomfortable index but when it's 95 F and 85% humidity all you have to do is walk out the door and you begin to perspire.  I mean I don't mind a little moisture on the brow but like my shirt is just soaked.  My collar is wet enough to wring water out of it.  So we stay inside in our air conditioned apartment a bit more.

So how's the work going?  It really seems to be moving forward pretty good.  We are happy to be here and hope that the small things that we do will be of benefit to those we help.  Our video nights in the park are going well and we enjoy being with the missionaries as they talk with people on the street.  It's good to know that even though we can't speak the language we can do something to help with teaching the gospel and working with the people.  About twice a week we set up a movie screen at the local city park and show the Bible videos while the missionaries talk with those who stop or just walk by.  There are thousands of people out in the evening just walking up and down the main street of town.  The park is full of old men playing chess, dominos and cards.  And there are always a couple of groups of kids playing soccer or volleyball.  The park is also lined on three sides with outdoor restaurants and shops.  A very different culture than the one we have in Lewiston.  At home a few people get out and walk the dyke in the evening but nothing like what we see here.  Sidewalks on both sides of the street are packed with people just strolling along enjoying the company and the cooler evening air

Emeljano took us on a boat ride last week that was really a lot of fun.  We went to a beach across the bay and then up the peninsula to a fascinating cave.  What we thought might be a few hour trip took most of the day.  But it was very enjoyable.  I enjoyed the boat ride more than staying on the beach.

Our Pathway program will be over this week and we have really enjoyed watching the students improve their English comprehension, use and writing.  So we are starting to recruit for this Fall.  Things don't look promising but we're going to see how many students we can shake out of the trees.  It's a great course and really helps the kids prepare for college work.  But many fail to see the benefit of a college education.  Seems so obvious to us but some say it doesn't matter if you have a college degree or not you still can't get a job.  So we try hard to dispel the false notion that it doesn't really matter life's going to be hard anyway.

Okay I'll try and drop in a few photos with this blog.  Be sure and check out Dixie's facebook page.  She is way a head of me on sharing photos.