Kosovo 2016

We are back from our trip to Kosovo! Last week I traveled to Gjakova, Kosovo with 8 students and 4 adult leaders. Some good friends of ours, Michael and Rebecca Johnstone, started a ministry there about a year ago. Michael and Rebecca used to work at ICSV with us but felt called to Kosovo. There main focus is to reach out to the youth through athletics - mainly baseball. They have been quite successful in building relationships with many teenagers there and teaching them about baseball. We were excited to partner with them and be apart of their ministry in anyway possible. Our main focus was to help the Johnstones build relationships by spending time with teenagers, playing sports with them, teaching them English, and doing whatever else the Johnstones needed us to do.



Our first day was spent at a local elementary/middle school (Primary - 9th). It just happened to be National Forest Preserve day in Kosovo so we helped plant some trees outside the school, teach English, and play sports with the students.

 

Our second day we visited Michael and Rebecca's church where we found the pastor teaching English to Kosovars. These students would come after their school day to learn English. Our ICSV students paired up with a Kosovar and spent the next couple of hours teaching them English through games and conversations. A lot of instant connections were made. We then went to the church's cafe titled, King's Cafe where we spent more time with the students. 

Our friend Rebecca has really connected with some of her neighbors at the local salon. She took the females there one evening and we all did something fun to our hair. The women were so appreciative that we came to their salon and spent time with them. After a couple of days we were quickly learning that quality time and presence is something that is very important to the Kosovars. Also, over 60% of the population is unemployed and things tend to be very inexpensive. Therefore, when we would tip the women 5 euro, they were extremely appreciative. Some didn't even want to take it. And yes, I added some pink to my hair :). 

The third day we visited a prestigious high school in Gjakova. The school greeted us with a very warm welcome which we were not expecting. We received a tour of the school, visited various classrooms where we answered questions about our school, culture, and ourselves and ended the day playing sports with the students in the gymnasium. It is rare for young people to go visit different schools in Kosovo so everyone was very excited to meet us and learn about Austria. The principal and teachers were very eager to make connections with our school and share methodologies etc. They are always seeking ways to make their school a better place. 

Greeted by staff and students

 

The principal gifted us with a signed football. 

The Culture of Kosovo

Kosovo is located in the Balkan Peninsula in South Eastern Europe. It is recognized as a sovereign state by most countries and is made up of mainly Albanian and Serbian ethnicities. Yugoslavia’s disintegration began with a civil war between ethnicities and resulted in Kosovo being declared a republic by popular demand in 1990. Shortly afterward the Kosovo War broke out which was sparked by Albanian separatist against the Serbian government, which escalated into a major insurgency that finally involved a controversial NATO bombing by the United States. By 1999, a NATO-led peacekeeping effort was in effect, and Kosovo was declared an independent republic in 2008, although it is still not fully recognized as such by the United Nations today (iexplore.com). Albanian is the official language and Islam is the official religion. Relationships are highly valued in Kosovo and the people are generally very friendly and outgoing. Many Kosovars are still suffering from the aftermath of the war and looking to get back on their feet. They still have a long ways to go, but the younger generation is very optimistic about their country's future. Being in Kosovo was quite an experience and was a culture that I have never experienced before. I felt very privileged to have visited this country and learn about their history, culture, and desire to grow. Please continue to pray for this country as they seek to gain recognition as an independent state, build up the younger generation, and decrease the unemployment rate. In addition, we pray that these people will ultimately experience the love of Jesus Christ through the Johnstones ministry and live a life committed to Christ. 

 

Delicious local cuisine

Smile Center where we stayed for the week

Senoritis

ICSV

If there is one word I could use to describe the current state of our student mentality right now, it would be senoritis. The highly acclaimed Urban Dictionary states that senoritis is a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors/students. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as graduation. This is not uncommon once students are close to Spring Break and can see the light at the end of the tunnel to the school year. To be honest, I would imagine most teachers also suffer from this disease. Despite the mentality, a lot of amazing things have been happening at ICSV that I would love to share with you. 

Every Thursday morning the High School students head to our multi-purpose room and attend chapel. Chapel usually consists of school announcements, a few worship songs, and then a message presented by either the High School chaplain or a guest speaker. Our High School chaplain has been going through a series titled, A Theory of Everything and using the bible as a basis for it. He has covered a wide-range of topics that include creation, the trinity, relationships, and sex. Needless to say, a lot of interesting conversations and questions have arose from these messages. What's even more amazing is the impact it has been having on our student body. You might not be able to see it on the surface level, but God is working deep in the hearts of our students and leaving a mark on a lot of students we wouldn't think would care. Also, we have had multiple students approach our chaplain and ask if they can share their testimony or what God has been teaching them in chapel. I went to a Christian High School where most of the students were Christians and I can't even imagine doing that. I have just been very impressed with the questions the students are asking, the conversations that are being had, and to never be surprised by whom God chooses to pursue. Thank you to those that have been praying for these students because your prayers are being answered and God is pursuing these students.

Mission Trips

Kosovo Team

In about two weeks I will be heading to Kosovo with 8 students to partner with some friends who have started a ministry there. These friends used to teach at ICSV and moved to there about a year ago. We are very excited to not only visit them but to serve the people of Kosovo. The main focus of our trip is to build relationships with Kosovars and aid our friends in whatever needs they may have. Our theme for the trip is Blessed to Bless. We recognize that we have been given much and have been blessed incredibly. Our desire to is be a blessing to our friends and the people of Kosovo. Please be praying for our trip and that God would provide many ways for us to bless others.





Saying Goodbye
About 3 weeks ago I got a text from a former student saying that she was moving back to her home country in 2 weeks. She was a student I had taught, coached, mentored, traveled with, and spent many hours with planning various events at ICSV. Receiving this news was hard. A disadvantage to working at an international school is the high turn over rate of students and teachers. A lot of students come for 3-4 years and then return to their home countries for various reasons. The hardest part is you never know when you will see these people again. It is moments like these that I am SO thankful for the promise of eternity. The community that the Lord surrounds with is an eternal community and holding on to that promise is what makes these goodbyes a little bit easier. I have never thought about eternity as much as I have living here in Vienna. The promise of being in heaven with Jesus surrounded by a great community of believers and friends is enough to make me want to go there now. :)

Energy Break

Two weeks ago Becca and I got to spend our energy break (a week off of school in February) in the beautiful state of Tyrol. We were surrounded by massive mountains and fresh air. We skied, hiked, and enjoyed some quality roommate time.