Bits of happiness and sadness

With the dance studio shutting down and whispers of a lockdown coming, the girls' dance teacher, Mrs. Natalia, decided to go back to Greece early. She had already planned to go at the end of May because she wanted to be reunited with her family. Corona just fast-tracked her plans.

Kylie and her friend Khadijah made a quick plan for a going away gift.  

Khadijah ordered some sweatshirts, and Kylie came up with a logo for their adult dance class, and together, they wanted to present their teacher with her own sweatshirt before she left the country.

Khadijah, Kylie, and Karis

Everyone got their name initial on the front

And the name of their dance class on the back

They said their goodbyes for the last time because we had already attended a big going away party for her the night before.

March 3, 2020

It had included LOTS of food...like every good party does.

From several different countries

Mrs. Natalia had many friends from many walks of life.  She choreographed the pageant each year where a regional princess was chosen, she did pilates, yoga, aerial yoga, and ballet classes nearly every day of the week either in the studio or in her home.

There was dancing, eating, speeches given,

 hugs goodbye,

and pictures with crying red-eyes taken.

Most of the people at the party were adults, but these four special girls were also invited to come!

March 2, 2020

On March 8th, the girls got their braces off on the same day. After a sad month of seeing their teacher leave, this was cause for much celebration!

March 8, 2020

And on March 10th, Keira spent the day at the apartment of her friend that was in the picture with her above. We had dropped off Keira with her bike, and the girl's mother took them out to the grassy courtyard and helped Keira until she learned how to ride her bike!  Big day!!

It's also kind of interesting that Karis and Caleb also learned how to ride their bikes on our grass in Africa.  Kylie is the only one who learned on cement :)

March 10, 2020

A few days combined

Well, here's one way to "catch up" on blogging.  

Reduce and combine.

February 9, 2012  “Addressing”

Doug was in town in the car, so he dropped Florence and I off today at the prison.  We didn’t see any prisoners, so Doug said he would wait until he saw that we were in. 

We saw a guard outside, and she told us the prisoners were “dressing” over at the men’s prison.  

We got back in the car, and I told Doug, I guess the ladies are trying on new uniforms because the guard said they are "dressing."

Florence said, “No.  She said, ‘Addressing.’”

It reminded me of Martyr’sDay all over again.

February 16, 2012

We told more stories today about the teachings and power of Jesus.  They answered my questions, but they had none of their own.  I think they were burdened with prayer requests and concersn.

The prayer requests were heavy: 

*dead relatives

*dead spirits visiting them in prison

*dreams of husband beating her children who are back home

*crying because she doesn’t know who is taking care of her children

*the judge has not shown up for any court dates in over three months

*wants revenge on her enemies

*dreamed her two children were nailed to a cross

*children sick at home

February 24, 2012

Today started off very subdued.  They told us since it was Lent, they were “feeling it with Jesus,” so they would not dance or play drums while they sang.  It was so sad sounding.

I wanted them to celebrate because Jesus is Alive, but alas, it sounded like we were at a funeral.

We talked about the demon-possessed man today (Mark 5:1-20).  I could tell a point of interest when a woman asked, “Did the demons really leave when Jesus told them to?”

The ladies enjoyed the discussion over the pigs.  One lady from another faith said, “We don’t eat pig meat because Jesus sent the demons in them and made them unclean.”  Florence said, “If you believe Jesus had the power to send the demons into the pigs, why don’t you believe in Jesus?”

The ladies thought that was funny, and they laughed and clapped.

When they got quiet again, I told them that the Bible says it’s not what goes in you that makes you unclean.  It’s what comes out of you (Matthew 15:11)...actions, words, etc.

They clapped, and said they really liked that, too.  Then the lady who started the conversation said, “I have facts.  Now I can eat pig!”

When the discussion was over, there was immediate sadness and downcast looks over the whole room.  Florence asked the ladies, “Why are you so sad today?  Some of you look angry, and some of you so beaten down.  Is it the heat?  Your health?  Your families?”

One lady spoke for them all:

“We’re sad because we’re in prison!”

Oh, how they need the freedom of Christ!