soon oh soon

This is brief:

One of the sweet families--the Bs-- that I got to know and dearly love this summer is returning for a bit for Stateside. If you would please lift them each up throughout the next few days since they are leaving the place that has been home for two years and flying with 3 kids under the age of 4 and returning back to "Themerica" as little Bobo calls it.

home bittersweet home

Brace yourself! 

So I must tell you how everything ended up the last 25 hours of my time in Serbia and transit back to the States. We got dropped off at the airport at 4:30 AM! because of course the only flight from Belgrade to Germany flies out at the crack of dawn! Our great friend, Kyle, took us to the airport--he has had tons of experience of this by now this summer. But we had a few complications along the way but needless to say Our Father sure enough slowed the time down!!


Leaving Belgrade to Frankfurt, my seat was on the last row and how glad it was! I was tearing up and trying my best not allow everyone to see myself puffy and red-faced. And if you know me, you know I absolutely hate to cry in public..and usually I make jokes in those moments to lighten up the mood. Thus, I couldn't help but say in my head in my best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice "I'll be back!"  I long to be back there and see the folks we built relationships with and see how the Lord provided so many opportunities to show His Love to the Serbs. Furthermore, the sun was just rising as we were in commute to Germany and was comforted with Psalm 113:3-4 "From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations; His glory above the heavens." 


Even more so, the Sovereign Father sent people of Peace along our way. It was a tremendous blessing to encounter like-minded people in a completely foreign place. In the gate there was a massive group with the same shirt on which is que for church or school group; they were the former. And then while Bet was away, a girl plopped a book down beside me and I realized it was the Ted Decker trilogy book and sparked a conversation with her. She was in Bulgaria for the whole summer doing similar work. It was such a blessing to share with her and she with us for the 20 minutes we had. Then on our 10 hour flight back to Houston, the lady between Bet and I had picked up my Bible and said she had one similar to mine. She had been in Africa working at a Christian orphanage. And then near the end of the flight, I began to chat with the couple next to me in the middle aisle. They were like-minded as well and even more so..they lived in MS for a bit then went back to Alaska.  So many different people of Peace in Germany and on our flight!! 

Kerry...a dear blessing in Frankfurt

The flight to Houston I used to write in my journal and recap everything that had previously happened. Then back on US soil. Mixed emotions. However, it was pretty good to see this sign.

Had to go through customs and such and get luggage and tote it to another belt to transfer it and back through security....(the US security check point people were meaner than all the European ones for sure).  But then Bet and I had to split ways to go to our gates. It was pretty good to hear voices and know what they were saying but then I was still in my Serb mindset of words and actions. Jumped from Houston to Jackson and had these FABULOUS folks waiting for me with welcome home signs :) They are the best!! Then we chomped on some yummy seafood! 

Brennan, my G-MA, aunt, and parents

Later post to come with differences between the two countries, what I learned, and what I hope you can learn from my summer.

recap of last week in Srbija

So yes, I do know it has been four-ev-er as said in "Sandlot" since I have blogged but this is a recap of my last week in Serbia.

We visited the Strand and from poor choices--sand was stuck between the lens of my camera. Thus, the camera would not work. Last week and the camera doesn't work...panic hands! After some tinkering and removing nearly every micro-screw, the camera worked! After Tuesday's American Corner, we were asked to come over the home of the newlywed couple. They were so generous and hospitable to us. Wednesday--I nicknamed Bethany 'Betty Crocker' since she cooked our American Corner class some yummy desserts..and later babysat some of the most precious children known! Love them all so dearly!! Thursday--We went with Pam and her mom to the Dali exhibit. He did paintings characterizing the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, and for Dante's "Divine Comedy." And it was cool since I read "Inferno" two semesters ago in World Literature. Cool stuff then we enjoyed another traditional Serbian meal before our last American Corner [mentioned in previous post our plans].

It went soooo great! Praise Him, Praise Him. Everyone wanted a Bible! All of our English NTs went and nearly all the Cyrillic Bibles too! They were all so open and willing and eager!!!

Our last meeting. Love these great people. Please continue to pray for them!

Afterwards, we went to the home of the sisters [in the middle of the back row] and had a traditional Serbian meal called 'Sarma'--minced lamb and rice in a cabbage roll. It was so great to be able to go to another Serb home and be treated like ancient friends! Then we went back home to pack into the wee hours of the morning. Chaos, hectic, sweaty, panic hands described the time period between waking up and actually getting into the car to leave Novi Sad.


We got to spend a great Friday afternoon in Belgrade with some more of our colleagues. Then the "good-byes" or "vidimo se" came and tears on my part. It was hard to leave behind so many great people doing the Lord's work so self-lessly.  But whether this side of the heavens or walking the golden streets, I shall see them again :)