Little Mize

Last year while in the States, I came down with appendicitis. Within the course of 24 hours, I was out of the hospital with a well-fed belly and nothing left to show for my big ordeal but 3 tiny slits in my gut, pictures of my ovaries, and loads of paperwork to petition for financial assistance for the $32,000 bill (which the hospital paid!!). 3 days after my operation, I was dancing (well, that's the closest word for it...) at my sister's wedding!

And I was grateful. I was grateful that it happened while I was in America. But NOW I am REALLY grateful because I've seen what it's like in Albania!

Today, I went to visit sweet little Rai, an 11 year old girl from the Safe House, in the public hospital. Yesterday, Raj got appendicits. Although she is hanging in there, my little "Mize" was in a lot of pain. One day after her operation, her stomach hurt, she was throwing up vile, she had no sort of pain killers, no IV, hadn't eaten or drunk (drunk? drank? drinken? huh...how do I not know this?!) anything for 24 hours, and she had a rubber glove attached to a tube that was draining blood and infection from her wound-site! Oh, and she wasn't allowed to have a pillow, or her bed raised! Poor girl! Although the hospital did offer a clean bed and a clean room, our staff had to bring changes of bedding and diapers, etc. for poor little Raj, who will most likely be there for about a week!

And for the sake of not making this political, which is the only way I see this going, I'm going to end this here! Te shkuara Raj!! Get well soon Raj!

Gabriel

In effort to record my daily happenings, I want to tell you about the interesting and pleasant man I met today, because I don't want to forget him!

As Steve and I were hopping into a furgon from Libonik to Korce, a man from the back seat immediately asked us in English, but with a HEAVY Albanian accent, "Where are you from?"

I turned around to see an older man (51), with a red complexion, soft blue eyes, and religious tattoos on each cheek of his face! One was written in Arabic "Allah is great" and the other a symbol for Allah.

We easily chatted with him about what we're doing in Albania and heard a bit about his experience in America. He went to the States as an illegal immigrant by hiding on a boat from France to the States without anything to eat or drink for a week!

Anyways, he loved talking about religion and eagerly welcomed discussion about faith. He kept emphasizing he wanted to discuss faith peaceably with us, and we agreed! As we were discussing the Bible, the driver of the furgon said, "speak in Albanian, this sounds interesting!!"

Before parting ways, Steve exchanged numbers with Gabriel with hopes to meet again for coffee. I quite enjoyed the company of our new friend, and even better, the driver let us ride for free! A good day!

Another Purge

A few months ago, I wrote a blog about my beloved socks and how difficult it was for me to part with things that hold sentimental value. At the time, I had no clue that that was just the beginning of what God was doing in my heart regarding the discipline of simplicity...

This last month, I MAJORLY purged my "closet". I'm talking about 4 garbage bags worth of my clothing! (Patting my own back). Currently, I can get ALMOST all of my clothing items into three small suitcases!!

Today, I called the airline we are flying home with, and I am allowed to check 2-23 kilo bags. (that's about 100 pounds total). To check an additional bag, regardless of the weight, is $160!! Through the post, I can mail 10 kilo's (22 pounds) for about $100. In other words, IT IS REALLY EXPENSIVE TO GET MY JUNK TO AMERICA!!

Obviously, I'm not excited about paying that much to keep my belongings, especially considering that my clothes aren't worth that much anyways! (They're practically all used clothing, bought from the Gabi)

So, considering that we have books, dvd's, knick-knacks, photo albums, (guitar??) etc. that should take a priority, it looks like it's time for ANOTHER purge!!

Basically, I have to limit all of my earthly belongings (on this side of the world anyways) into 120 pounds (I get 20 pounds to carry on).

Oh dear readers (all 5 of you), is this difficult for anybody else??! Send me your words of wisdom!!

Getting Ready to Go

As I was going to bed last night, I was feeling a bit remorseful that I have not better documented my incredible experiences during my time in Albania. I have felt intimidated by blogging, feeling the need to post perfectly worded, wonderfully humorous stories with incredible pictures to boot! What a shame to forget the funny and unique happenings of the last 4 years, but even more so, the things God has done to soften (and toughen) my heart and transform my character. I would hate to forget these things, and have to learn them all over again!!

So, as I am preparing myself mentally, spiritually, and physically for my return to the States, it feels really important to me to reflect and record about my time here. To meditate on the the things God has taught me, and the emotional process of leaving. So, I intend to do a lot more blogging the month of May...not so much for you, the reader...but as an avenue for me to process my thoughts. Posting them publicly simply keeps me accountable to actually doing it.

See?? That wasn't beautiful written, insightful, or funny...and I'm posting it anyways (and only proof-reading once!!) Hey, that's progress! =)