Meetings and Surprises

I'm sorry to have been so long in updating the blog. It has been a busy and successful week, but with little computer access since Wednesday. On Thursday we met with the head of the city council in Kybarti. He was very supportive of our work and complimentary of our efforts to help the church and the city. He pledged his support and the support of the other officials in the city government. They may even be able to help with the demolishing of the old facility. He was also gracious enough to set up a meeting for the following morning with the officials for the whole county. He called the mayor, which is what the call the person in charge of the whole county, and we met with him the next morning. He had also heard of our efforts and of our work in the area, and told of his support and pledged his help in getting the new church constructed as soon as possible. Before we began our meetings we had already received a letter stating that the new project would be considered on November 28 rather than February of next year; we were elated with the change in time making it possible for us to get ahead of our schedule.


As you can see we had a very good meeting with the city officials. They were most cordial and even had lunch with us the very next day. After each meeting we had a time of informal fellowship where we talked about continuing projects in the area and felt that they were truly interested in the work were were doing in Kybarti.

On Friday morning, we visited the local high school. There we meet with students and teachers for a while before breaking up to participate in individual classes. Lowell Zollar took one of the classes and talked about his experience at NASA. Bill Roberts spoke in another class on his work with NATO; the class was preparing for a debate on NATO to be held the very next day. I spoke to a third class on values and cultural changes in the United States. We were all most impressed with the students. They asked intelligent questions and were very well behaved and courteous.


Following lunch on Friday, we began meeting with the church members who are responsible for various ministries. Here is Bill presenting teaching materials to the children's Sunday school teachers. We were so impressed with the work they are doing with children and with women. The are working with support groups for women who are abused and considering some educational courses to help drug and alcohol problems among teens. There is also a food pantry that they are developing as well as come programs to help their members learn more about Methodist doctrine. Of particular interest was an neat program designed to teach young people how to play the guitar; sounds like Bobby had a lot of influence the last time we visited.


During a break yesterday, Bill, Lowell and I took a walk around the park area where the new church is to be constructed. For the first time since we arrived the sun was out and we could get a good picture of the old building that needs to be torn down. In the back is the beautiful catholic church and it looks like such a contrast to this old dilapidated building on our property. The park area is supposed to be completely redone in the near future, and the new building we are planning will be a welcome addition for the whole community. The park will then become a gathering area for the whole town. It will nice to have a Methodist church as a part of that beautiful reconstructed area.

Today we visited the Hill of Crosses, a most amazing site. No words can describe the experience of seeing all of these crosses together and feeling the deep sense of sacredness they represent. The whole hill and surrounding area now is covered with crosses, many just stacked next to or on top of each other. They are everywhere; millions of crosses, representing people of faith that the strength and determination of a nation wanting to be free. It was an honor and a privilege to be there as it has been an honor and privilege to be among the members of our partner church this week. As we are worshiping with them tomorrow, we will be thinking of you and your services of worship at home. God bless!