Writing from hot and sunny Albania. We are having a very lazy time. Dave has not found renewed energy as we had hoped but we are glad to be able to see both the girls and their families. We had a slow start last week as Mim had a tummy bug for 3 days which was a bit worrying but she and baby are all ok now.
We have been staying with Ruth and Maki this week but tomorrow we intend going out to Sukth to stay with Mim and Besi and family. It is exciting to see the house progressing and the roof tiles are due to go on this week. The internal walls are now all plastered - soon it will be wall and floor tile choosing time very exciting!
Besi spends his time on the roof working full tilt before a possible change in the weather. as well as this he has to fit in buying materials, preaching and pastoral work and delivering stuff for 'Mission without borders"
Ruth and Maki have also had the builders in and painters with great improvements. All must be sorted before they leave in December. Amelia entertains and is delightful -very vocal in her own language. She looks on the brink of taking her first unaided steps - will she perform this feat before Granny and Grandad leave ?
Think that's all the news for now will write more fully when we return to UK.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Thursday, 3 September 2009
...who only stand and wait
It's now the 3rd week since our relaxing time in Austria, and two weeks to our next trip to Albania. Sorry for lack of updates - I've found tiredness reluctant to relax its grip, and sit now at the computer knowing that before an hour is up, my body and mind will be craving the horizontal.
To catch up - the heavy rain forecast for Grossglockner did not materialise, and the first hour of that day glorious sunshine and high snow covered peaks as the coach wound its way up many hairpins to 2500 metres. Crossing the col into the next valley took us into cloud, and later some light rain. The visitor centre overlooking the cloud shrouded peaks did not appeal, so we took the funicular (250') and path (250') down to the Pasterze glacier below, every 50 vertical feet of the path marking 10 years retreat of the glacier. The tour guide had warned everyone against the glacier trip (you might break you leg!), but then I was the only one on the coach with mountain poles as both crutches and reminders of former exploits. The following day we walked for 40 minutes by the Achensee in glorious sunshine, and the day after visited a major waterfall.
The last two days we gently explored the centres of Salzburg and Munich. A holiday marked by God's favour especially re the weather, and sufficient strength to make each day worthwhile, although some of the early starts (8.30) I did find taxing. And we were able to smooth the stress of air travel by ordering a wheelchair at the airports - not only avoided standing for long periods, but gave (unwarranted) priority through customs etc. Though one did feel a little Matt Lucas like getting out of the wheelchair to walk through the metal scanner!
And so to the present, where we find ourselves a little wearied over the last few days. No dramas or crises, just a sapping of emotional strength. I guess its like the airport queues - I can cope at the airport provided I am walking with a stick - its the standing still that takes it out of me. And maybe that's how these last few weeks have felt - standing still - where we had expected to be making ground.
Paul speaks of the putting on the whole armour of God, "so that you may be able to stand". As that passage says in conclusion, "with this in mind keep on praying..." We thank you.
To catch up - the heavy rain forecast for Grossglockner did not materialise, and the first hour of that day glorious sunshine and high snow covered peaks as the coach wound its way up many hairpins to 2500 metres. Crossing the col into the next valley took us into cloud, and later some light rain. The visitor centre overlooking the cloud shrouded peaks did not appeal, so we took the funicular (250') and path (250') down to the Pasterze glacier below, every 50 vertical feet of the path marking 10 years retreat of the glacier. The tour guide had warned everyone against the glacier trip (you might break you leg!), but then I was the only one on the coach with mountain poles as both crutches and reminders of former exploits. The following day we walked for 40 minutes by the Achensee in glorious sunshine, and the day after visited a major waterfall.
The last two days we gently explored the centres of Salzburg and Munich. A holiday marked by God's favour especially re the weather, and sufficient strength to make each day worthwhile, although some of the early starts (8.30) I did find taxing. And we were able to smooth the stress of air travel by ordering a wheelchair at the airports - not only avoided standing for long periods, but gave (unwarranted) priority through customs etc. Though one did feel a little Matt Lucas like getting out of the wheelchair to walk through the metal scanner!
And so to the present, where we find ourselves a little wearied over the last few days. No dramas or crises, just a sapping of emotional strength. I guess its like the airport queues - I can cope at the airport provided I am walking with a stick - its the standing still that takes it out of me. And maybe that's how these last few weeks have felt - standing still - where we had expected to be making ground.
Paul speaks of the putting on the whole armour of God, "so that you may be able to stand". As that passage says in conclusion, "with this in mind keep on praying..." We thank you.
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