Camp and our last day in Pogradec

Getting 60 kids through the Labyrinth took around 4 hours in the freezing cold. After going to bed for what seemed like a couple of hours we got up and packed our belongings and sat down for breakfast (Regular Nutella and Vanilla Nutella on bread). After breakfast we waited for the kids' bus to come. In the mean time we started our goodbyes and the tears were something none of us could hold back. As I walked around and said goodbye I noticed even Jake had tears in his eyes as he said goodbye. Hugs from the kids were so tight I wasn't sure they were going to let go at all. In fact one of the boys had to be peeled off of Charles (from Kingsburg). There were many "I will miss you" 's all around. It was the hardest day by far. 

After the kids left, the boys decided to draw cards for shower time. They make everything exciting... even showers. 

So the girls drew numbers. Not as exciting. Kailee got #1! 

Finally the staff bus showed up and we walked the dirt road back to the highway. 

As we traveled back to Pogradec all I could do was pray. Asking the Lord to help me understand all that I am thinking and feeling. Why do I not want to go home to an easy lifestyle? Honestly, I am asking the Lord to help me be content with going home. I want to stay and love on the people and share with them the love of Christ. I am struggling to find things at home in America important. We are so petty and focused on unimportant things and most of the time we are blind to things that keep us from that one reason we live... sharing the gospel. All that seems important here is sharing the love of Christ with these people, where there is a need and a want for the gospel and discipleship. 

When Jeff and I were younger I had always wanted to go on a missions trip. Something about it made me long for the experience of it. But when it came down to logistics I would have told you that I would probably never permentantly move that far from my extended family. God calls me to be be content when I have a lot and little and wherever He says go and I'm trying to depend on Him and His purpose for my life and not what I think should be my purpose. My thoughts are so jumbled in my own head that I'm not even sure this all makes sense to anyone. It is very overwhelming.

Today we got back to Cory and Kristine's house and took showers for the first time in 5 days. It was cold but wonderful. The rest of the day was pretty mellow. We rented the paddle boats and hung out on the lake for an hour and sat by the water and had a cappuccino. Later we had dinner back at the house and then walked to get the famous donuts we have all been eating. We are all getting on a 6 hour bus ride to Thessaloniki tomorrow morning at 8:30 am so it was an early night. I fell asleep at midnight. ;)

Here are some pictures below of the kids. Names are most likely not spelled correctly. 

This is Redy and his brother Iglee. They are now part of our family. We have really grown to love them like sons. They live 5 minutes from Cory and Kristine so they hung out with us after camp. 

My sweet friend Stella

Oh these two... Someone said they looked like they were on a roller coaster. 

Sara

Ashlie

Marietta 

Elayna and Jessica

Maria

Manuella

Kristina

Themi and Ana

Little Marinella

This little boy, Dorian loved Jeff and tried to stab Kylie but I think he was trying to love her. ;) Jeff taught him to pretend punch and then go into a hug since he kept being violent. After that he didn't leave Jeff alone. 

Maly