Kosovo2018: #9 In the cafe after church (Photos by Joshie)

After church we all head down to the cafe for a customary coffee and catch up.

I recall last time this was great fun. I caught up with friends and Joshie managed to take a few photos.






















































- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Kosovo2018: #8: Football

Last time I was here I played football (and was told to people that I was Roberto Carlos)



This time we went to see the local footy club play.



It was a hot day and man was it good's. Down to 10 men. Penalty going against us and a great goal to win the game. I managed to capture the goal from the stalls (but you can't see it... though check out the response from the crowd- you can see Joshie enjoyed it!)

Kosovo2018: #7 Through the roof

We were asked to visit an old lady.



I couldn’t work out whether she was a widow but she lives alone and she has hole in her roof. She attends the local church which Ray goes to whilst here.



The weather is better the day we visit. It was only raining slightly. Three weeks ago there was snow and I was told only a few weeks ago there was torrential rain.



We are here to take the first look at the problem. It took us a while to find. We had to ask the neighbour to phone the lady as she couldn’t hear us knocking at the gate. The house is on three floors. There’s a basement which is incomplete. The top floor is also incomplete.



There are stairs that go up but it has been covered to seal up. We go up and through to check out. It’s an incomplete house. She lives on one floor. Easier to manage. She really wants to offer us some food and drink and gets us a juice. Joshie is very happy.



After inspecting the roof area it looks like it needs new tiles and some doors and windows. Luan picks up the phone to ask his friend to come and look at the roof to give an idea of cost for a job like this.



We leave but resolve to buying some essentials and coming back to drop off. She’s not there when we come back. Joshie drops the eggs off where we left our drinks.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,

Kosovo2018 #6: Family fun

Caleb & I visited Avni (a wood cutter) and his family a couple of years ago. Caleb played football with Hasret and Avni showed me lots of photos. The girls were immense fun and they were sharing how Altonne (middle) was recovering from a deliberate hit and run- they joked she was half metal.

If I had one word to describe this family it would be blessed. There’s an immense amount of fun and appreciation in this household.

Hasret was playing his drums and they were singing songs. He even shared some of his drawing that he’s been doing. He said he’d love to learn to play the guitar someday.

There are hardships and then there’s some. I feel taught afresh being here about some of life’s simple blessings: one another.

Altonne shared: only this morning I remembered Caleb and you and I prayed for you and thanked God for you.

The gratitude is mutual as are the prayers for this family.















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,

Kosovo2018: #5 Joshie of Gjakova

Here’s the explorer in his new habitat.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,

Kosovo2018: #4 Coffee

I recall hearing that Coffee is the world’s number one drink. More popular that water.

One thing I love in any country is ‘going out for coffee’. And this place is no exception.

Such a great tradition.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,

Kosovo2018: #3 Redux

Just been re-reading a few entries from the last time I was here with Caleb.

https://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/kosovo

The house we are now staying in is now complete.












- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,

Kosovo2018 #2: Slept in an airport

Flights are expensive.

We can do anything to make them cheaper. Including an overnight stay in Vienna.

Joshie was up for it. So was I. I’ve done it a few times before. Even my friend Ray who I gave a lift to the airport only last week did it. He is in his 60s and ‘in between’ chemo sessions. Ray has arranged most of our trip and we’re meeting him on the other side.

The adventure begins.


















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,

Kosovo2018 #1 Joshie n Papa

Around 14 years ago I nearly left the charity sector. I was disillusioned with it. Too much money and power in the wrong hands. Saw too much of what I’d rather not in an ‘industry of help’.

I wanted out.

Teaching was my panacea. Applied. Interviewed. The university however failed to let me know that I got in. An administrative error. One that cost me my teaching career that I never had but also one which reopened the door for charity. Except this time without money. The question put to me was do you want to do this. Money aside. What do you want to do?

This is tough question- as I really didn’t know. Teaching held prospect, a safe career, respect and security. Oh and money. The other had none of these.

I asked just about everyone what I should do hoping that I could outsource this issue. I received lots of advise around pros and cons and supportive sentiments. It was only when I asked a professor (and good friend’s father) who said this exact question: what do you want to do?

I didn’t have an immediate answer as I was till trying to scramble around the what should I do the of response.

I went home.Told Angie exactly what happened and she asked me the same question: what do you want to do?

The answer was instinctive. I want to do the charity thing. I just don’t know how we will survive. She said “let’s pray now”. We did. We went to sleep. The next morning she woke up and said “let’s do this together”.

We have done this now for nearly 15 years. A few years ago I said we must start bringing our children when the time is right. That time happened for Caleb two years ago and now it’s Joshie’s turn.

Today we stepped out the door and were heading to Kosovo to see friends and start to see more of the world, but to share in what we are doing together as a family.
























- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,