Dear friends,
There is so much to tell. We have long days - up before the sun and down long after the moon. Thursday morning we went to a home (orphange) in Dren - a home for preschoolers. These precious kids were a great highlight. The kids just want to be held and played with. One kid crawled up in Tom's lap and pointed to his own glasses and then to Tom's glasses and then just wanted to sit in his lap the rest of the time. Jeff had kids jumping up and down all around him. Leanne crawled in a playhouse and played with some smaller ones. Bridget had a small girl hold her hand and walk for about 15 minutes; when we were ready to leave the little girl began to cry and wail and did not want Bridget to leave. It was hard to leave; these kids soaked up the attention and love.
We then went and ate lunch at an OMV (a fancy gas station). We also went to a beautiful monastery.
Next we went to a special needs home (orphanage) in Petrovo. This home was very touching. There were children of all ages and of all needs physically and mentally. It was very touching to see the bed-ridden children and adults. Each of us prayed over the kids that we worked with. These people are so precious in our Father's heart.
We ended the day by driving into Greece; was a long day... With a HUGE surprise at the end of it. We arrived in Greece around 10pm very tired, but the Ridgways had secretly planned with Rachel's boyfriend the 'proposal.' Jim, Rachel's boyfriend, was waiting for her at the hotel with an engagement ring. She said 'yes'! Jim has joined the group for the rest of the trip.
Friday was an R&R day in Kavala, Philippi, and Thassos - places in Greece. The team had an amazing time wandering the ruins of Philippi where the Apostle Paul spent time. See Acts 16:6-40. We sat outside of the place that is thought to be the prison Paul and Silas were sent to. It really brings the Bible to life! We also saw the place where Lydia (from the same Acts story) was baptized. The afternoon was spent on the island of Thassos swimming in the Aegean Sea.
Today we are traveling to one more orphan home. We look forward to all God has planned.
Blessings!
