Past Students

One of the fun things about summer is getting a chance to connect with students from the past. Here are two graduates from 2004 I think? Laura and Cassie. I had lunch with Laura and supper with Cassie. Clarissa also came for supper but I didn't catch a picture of her. It's always fun to catch up on what is going on in their life. Laura will be finishing at IWU and Cassie will be finishing at Anderson. Cassie is working E.R. at the Cleveland Hospital this summer and hopes to be accepted for her masters at U.K. I am very proud of both of them!!!

Macedonia Trip 2008

I continue to post pictures of my trip to Macedonia because I have so many pictures to share. I really don't like having other pictures in the middle of other pictures. Although my friend Keetha has shared with me how to put pictures in at a different time...it just seems to be so much work. I hope you all will bear with me a little more as I continue to post pictures of our trip.

An Amazing Salad

This was my favorite salad. The cheese on the top is amazing and the cucumbers taste so fresh like they just came out of the garden. I'm not sure how you spell it but I think it is pronounced Skopsha...something like that it was by far my very favorite food there in Macedonia

My Support Group

These three amigos walked with me up the mountain in Macedonia. They were so patient with me. I will forever thank them for helping me. Hayley thanks for singing the "At the Cross" because that really helped. I will also never forget our stoning of the beetle. That was really crazy. I wish I had a picture of that to post Krista.

Check out my Slide Show!

Starting to decend into Macedonia!

Decending into the Balkan Mountains

We have arrived!

Home Away from Home

New Friends at the Orphanage

The Night at the Orphanage

We had a party with the orphanage. It was so much fun. We did some fun skits and they did some major break dancing!

Ethan and John Chill'n at the Cafe

Hard Work!

Don mowing the old fashioned way. Those ladies are just amazed at his skills!!!

Face Painted Guinea Pig

The oprhans weren't sure they wanted their face painted so Mr. V. assured them it wouldn't hurt. Ha

Monopoly!

Nertz Anyone

We played a lot of Nertz! A fast pace game of solitare with partners!

Roommates!!

The Custom

The custom was to remove your shoes before entering the house so when we entered the house we left a lot of shoes at the doorway. Can you see Svetlana's Boots?

Once a woman to be feared...now to be loved!!!!

Everyday We Waited for Bus # 22

Make sure you have your yellow ticket!

All 23 Must load Bus # 22

The bus ride

ride the bus

Macedonia and Lakeview Together!

Here are our high school Macedonia Friends at their school.

Cutest Couple!!!

Svetlana's Boots

Here are Svetlana's boots that scared us at first! These boots gave her the look that she meant business!

Hayley and Svetlana

Here is Svetlana our interpreter that everyone was so scared of at first but then we got to know the softer side of her and we all fell in love with her!

Me, Rachelle, and Shelli

Here is Rachelle the director of the English School. She was such a sweetie! We loved her right from the start and had a hard time saying good-bye so instead we just said see you later! She is an amazing teacher!

Andy and Megan

Here is the little guy that we tutored at the English School. He was sooo cute as you can see. The next picture is the picture we took at his house with his family except for his dad who was away.

Andy's Family

Jump Rope Contest

This guy smoked me in jump rope! He jumped 79 times to my 10 in a row!

My Nertz Partner and my guitar caddy! Thanks David

Good times in Macedonia

Airport or Hotel

We tried to get as much rest in the airport as possible before we arrived in Macedonia

Here is a view from the mountain that we climbed

We made it to the top! It was at least a three hour hike straight up. It was a huge accomplishment for me but for others it was a piece of cake. The view at the top was worth it all!

more time to write

Today Megan, John Alcock and I are helping a little boy with his English and math at the school. The rest of the crew are at a local elementary school working with the kids there. We had a great time yesterday visiting the various churches. The girls who went with me to an International Evangelical Church enjoyed the worship in English. We were all homesick to hear our praise and worship in our language. We also enjoyed teaching a preschool class at the church. It was also awesome to go to the cafe next door after church. The cafes here are amazing! We certainly don't know how to relax in America! The kids are doing great and I am so proud of them. Each of them brings something to contribute to the table! It is amazing to see God work through them . Well ...ta ta for now! Chow!

A Quick Check In

i am in an internet cafe right now and thought i would blog a few lines. i cannot capitalize on this keyboard..not sure what the problem is but anyway...i am doing fine....its says my time is nearly up so i guess i will go for now....i will try to check in later....God is good!!!1

Made It!

Hey just a quick note to say we made it and are doing well. We went to the High School today. The kids were great and enjoyed getting to meet other teens from another country. We don't have much time to write but just wanted to check in.

Macedonia Here I Come

• Macedonia Mission Trip April 27-May 9
• In just a few short days I will visit the country of Macedonia. No, I haven't had a vision of anyone asking for help for me to come. Our high school seniors picked this for their senior trip and as one of their sponsors I have the privilege of going with them. I am looking forward to it but ,have been stressed at times trying to prepare to go. We are only allowed one backpack to take all we need for twelve days. Any ideas? We are teaching the students that you can live with less. I'll TRY anything once. Please pray for us in this way:
  Pray that we can be a blessing to the those working there and that we will strengthen the bridge they have been building to the Macedonians there.
  Pray for our spouses and children we leave behind.
  Pray our seniors hearts will be soft and pliable for God's shaping and molding.
  Pray for strength and wisdom for us sponsors as we lead this group.
  May His light shine through us!

PRAY

Today I continue to pray for a little girl at our school who is very sick. You can read her story at the end of this post. I continue to pray for healing for her. Some days we have news of a praise for a step in the right direction and other days it seems her condition steps back. I continue to feel led to not loose hope but to trust in a God who is our rock our shield and our fortress in times of trouble. Please, please join me in praying for Chrissy. She is precious!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrissybriles