Jesuzi Shpeon!

Jesus saves.  He saves the same in Haiti, India, America, Albania and to the ends of the earth the same way, by grace through faith.  Although we have seen God at work throughout our adoption journey, especially during our time here in Albania, it is so beautiful to be reminded that God (Zoti) is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow,… everywhere!   

We have been attending the church where the Bethany houseparents worship, Disciples of Jesus Church, that meets in the Campus Crusade for Christ building in Tirana.  We met a couple, Keli and Xheve, who work with youth.  They invited us to come to one of their youth activities, and we were finally able to go tonight with Genti.  They were so kind as to walk to Bethany to meet us and walk us back to where they meet in Sauk village.

There were 9 children at their event. It was the last event of the school year so it was a mini-celebration of all they had been learning.  The kids were so welcoming to us and Genti. We realized it was the first time Genti had ever been to a youth event with peers.  He was curious and tried to participate. The kids studied John this year, learning verses, and playing games.  They were all having fun and glad to be there. Please pray for these two faithful servants of our Lord who are serving in full time ministry here with support for only one.  They are trusting a faithful God for all they need to proclaim His name.

To join in worship of our God by singing in Albanian, to hear the Word preached in Albanian, to participate in prayers spoken by children in Albanian, has been such a joy! To God be the Glory! 

 "Jesus loves you" - a child's craft at the entrance to the children's worship center in Sauk.

 The children dig into some snacks after receiving their awards.

 The leaders of the children's ministry in Sauk:  Keli and Xheve

Genti & Teresa walking the streets of Sauk (a suburb of Tirana)

HOT

Just to let you know... it is currently 36 degrees hotter in Tirana than it is in Beresford. 
We haven't worn jeans since we got off the plane!
It's supposed to be even hotter in August when we return for the 2nd trip.

Progress!

We continue to spend most of our days together with just Genti. (In the beginning, he’d often feel most comfortable having a playmate come along.) We thank God for all the progress we see Genti making, progress that at first we didn’t even realize he’d need to make.  He played an entire game of modified UNO with Teresa and although he knows colors, he tries to say them in English as we play.  On the surface this may seem like no big deal but turn-taking, attending for an extended period of time, looking at the colors, trying to speak, trying to speak in English, … all is wonderful to see.  He is also enjoying taking walks outside the Bethany campus and will even walk part of the time himself.  (Previously he only wanted us to carry him.) We are taking him into a new building on each outing and although still wary of entering new buildings, today he walked through the grocery store with us in Sauk Village!

We have also made progress in the legal process of getting Genti home.  We had our preliminary hearing Wednesday and all went wonderfully!  The judge was very gracious and was excited for the opportunity for Genti.  She even waived the need for a psychological evaluation to save time! She also kindly set the date of our final court appearance for July 4, knowing that our airline tickets home are on July 8.  We are excited that all is proceeding and Genti’s world is expanding already!

 

Teresa stands high above the Adriatic coastline in Durres.

Teresa and Genti are working on a craft.

Some of the beautiful scenery around Sauk (rural Tirana).  Notice the castle way at the top. 

The country and people of Albania are beautiful and as we can see the mountains around us everyday, we are reminded of the awesome God we have, no matter where we live or what language we speak.  “I will lift my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

A Resort & A New Bicycle

Today was an eventful day full of fun! In the morning, we joined the local homeschool group at an outing to a resort with a beautiful pool, horses, play area, restaurant,… We went more for the opportunity to have Genti experience new places with us.  He did great!  He was hesitant on occasion but did pet the horse happily, put his feet in the pool (He would have jumped in had we let him!), and ate with us at the restaurant.  He did have difficulty going into the restaurant and started screaming but we continued to hold and reassure him, albeit in English, and he calmed down, eventually enjoying the atmosphere and the food.  It may have been his first pop with a straw.  He often is frightened of new buildings so this will be an ongoing adventure for him to trust us to go new places.

After his rest time in the afternoon, we filled a large pan with water and he thoroughly enjoyed getting wet with Dad. (Mom just took pictures.)  Then we gave him his new bike.  He loved it, and although he doesn’t have pedaling quite figured out, he can make her move!  (We so appreciate the Watanabe’s, the houseparents, who helped us get the bike and get it fixed.) There is a nice play area here for the children, but he usually doesn’t want to go since it’s where he has played for six years.

 Garet helps Genti pet a horse at the Panto Resort

 Teresa and Genti enjoy the three dishes she ordered.  We couldn't read the menu so we guessed and ended up with lots of appetizers.  They were yummy.

Genti loved pouring water on himself.  We spared you the horror of seeing the white whale sitting next to him.

 Lots of smiles and pictures today~here’s a few of both! We continue to thank God for all He is doing in our family here in Albania and back in South Dakota.

Our Trip to the Zoo (Kopeshti Zoologjik)

We’ve been gone from home nearly a week and spending almost as many days with our new son.  Initially we were visiting him about an hour at a time, a couple times a day.  Yesterday, we went to the orphanage to visit and he wanted to leave with us to go to the BATI.  We spent the whole morning with him, at the BATI or outside on the playground.  In spite of walking by his “home” several times, he didn’t want to return.  We went back at lunch and as we said goodbye, he started to cry so we stayed for lunch.  Afterwards, we even asked the cook if we could try the soup and other baked dish so we’d know better what Genti was used to. (Both were tasty and not too different from our spices.) We spent the entire evening time with him as well and gave him his Panda Pillow-pet at bedtime.

Today we (Genti, Garet, Teresa, 7 other children, and staff) went to the zoo in Tirana.  The vehicle was packed and no one uses seat belts.  Still, Genti was not afraid and wanted to sit on our laps!  The driving in Albania is “anything goes” so the trips are always eventful. (Last night, while our host, Bob, was driving, a parked car decided to do a u-turn through three lanes of chaotic traffic!) The zoo was clean and had lions, bears, birds, kittens, dogs, goats, and ostriches.  The kids had fun.  Genti was afraid to go into one building but otherwise did very well the entire outing, seeming very comfortable with us. 

Genti loves listening to the mp3 player.  He wants Mom to listen to hers at the same time.  He's partial to Family Force 5.

Taking a break at the zoo. 

Garet giving a piggy back ride to Genti.

We feel encouraged and thank God for how far Gent has come in trusting us so far.

Meeting Gent

Tuesday at about 4:30 local time we met our youngest son for the first time face-to-face!  When we walked into Rozafa House (his building), at first he just stared at us as if wondering how we could be here instead of on a computer screen then he ran full out into Garet's arms for a hug.  He gave me one too.  We spent the afternoon and evening with him inside and outside, playing with him as well as all the other kids at the orphanage. He seemed to be relating best to Garet because Garet was playing more physically with him (wrestling, carrying, tickling, piggy back rides,...)  We brought him a zuzu pet and he squealed with delight.  The noises and movement were great for him (as well as all the other children).  He did well at sharing occasionally.  Although this was a great start, all the other children are sweet and enjoy attention too.  We recognize the need to spend increasingly more time alone with our son so we can relate just to him and to help both him and the other kids start to get used to being apart.  It's a great beginning, and we are looking forward to getting to know him better and have our family all under one roof.  We are so grateful to our Lord for bringing us this far! Teresa

We made it!

We landed in Tirana, Albania at 11:30 local time... which would be 4:30am Tuesday morning for those of you in the Central Time Zone. 
Our plane rides were uneventful... but LONG!  The 8 hour trip over the ocean would have been more enjoyable if we could have got some shuteye for part of it!  The view of Munich and Tirane, Albania were gorgeous.  We took a lot of pictures and will post them later. 
Bob & Cathy Watanabe (the house parents from America) took us on a quick tour of the city.  We even stopped for some groceries at a small market.  We spent 4400 Leks on a few meals. 
We got settled in the BATI which is their onsite dormitory.  We will get to meet Gent at 4:30 local time this afternoon. 
We are very excited about meeting our new son! 

Taking off

We're sitting in Sioux Falls airport ready to begin our long trek to Tirana, Albania.  Really enjoyed taking off my shoes with everybody else in the TSA line for security.
We have a backpack full of fun toys for Gent to use on his trip back.  That was the only bag they wanted to open up and look at.  They weren't sure about letting the pack of play-doh go through but decided it was ok.  They were very nice.
Saw Sherry Bathke from George, IA and Barry Duncan a former Gateway employee.  Plus a very nice woman overheard our adoption story and said she has an adopted child too.  She took our first picture of us in the airport.  We'll post the picture later.
We've memorized the "Albania Song" and performed it for Joyce Loudenslager.  I think she believes we're nuts.   Thank you to Joyce for driving us to the airport!
More later.
Garet & Teresa

The "Unofficial" Albania Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_tT-q8EF0

I walked into work and Scott Korsten made my entire day today.  I was telling him about my upcoming travel to Albania.  He immediately asked me if I knew "the Albania song" and I had to say "no".  He was reminded of this cute scene from "Cheers".  You'll never forget Albania after hearing this :)

Wrapping things up in America

I have such wonderful co-workers.  I was very nervous this week... almost butterflies in my stomach.  I felt like there were so many things to do and not enough days in the week to get them done. 
Thursday was a very productive day at work and so was Friday, but as the end of the day grew near, there were still loose ends to tie up.
My terrific Human Resources team was so gracious in taking charge of the items that were still left to be "checked-off".  Thank you so much to my wonderful Human Resources Team at Showplace.  YOU ARE THE BEST.
Garet