Final Blog

We have been back in the US for 3 weeks, and have been so warmly and joyfully welcomed home. We are settling in to a nice duplex just north of Corvallis; it is walking distance from the boys’ school.



The last few weeks of our trip went by in a blur. I will sum up: after leaving Italy, we took a train to Lucerne, Switzerland. After the busy time in Italy, it was wonderful to have no schedule and just wander the streets of this lovely town.





Then we headed to Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Notre Dame and finally, Disneyland Paris.



We ended our trip with a lovely time in London with my Aunt Tiz and Uncle Jack. They live in the north end of London, close to an underground station. We became “tube” experts. We love the public transportation system of London and could get almost anywhere. My aunt had set up a wonderful schedule of traditional British activities for us to enjoy. We ice skated at the Somerset House, saw the city from the London Eye Ferris wheel, enjoyed the Dick Whittington Pantomime, were enchanted by the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit at the incredible British Museum. We also headed out to the O2, the millennium dome, to see the King Tut exhibit. Most of all we enjoyed the time with Jack and Tiz and celebrating Christmas with my cousins and their families. We were renewed and strengthened by these relationships with family who have also become dear friends.

How to sum up a trip like this? Impossible. We are still processing and wondering what it all means. How to return to huge grocery stores and Starbucks (well, that might be OK) after such an experience? We don’t feel “called” overseas, yet are impelled to return. We wonder where and to what we are called.

Thank you all for traveling with us. Your prayers protected and encouraged us. We have been so touched by the outpouring of love for us and for Jerry’s mom. We know that we are right where we should be and that we serve a gracious and loving God.

An update on Jerry’s mom. Mary recovered well from her surgery and is starting chemotherapy treatments today, in fact, while I write. Jerry is with her now. Your continued prayers would be so appreciated. Mary has been so blessed by your prayers. Thank you.

Grace and Peace,
Cathi for all

Ciao, Italy!

Yesterday, we left Italy with a new appreciation for its culture, cuisine, and people. Catholicism is the dominant religion, and it permeates many facets of Italian life. The countryside and cities are dominated by Catholic churches, shrines, and sculptures of an era gone by. However, new statues and shrines of current Popes and Saints are numerous as well.

The people of Italy are warm, hospitable and love to cook! We have gained back all the weight we lost in Africa, and then some! We have learned new cooking techniques and an appreciation for pasta. Friendships are created around the dinner table. Italians love to party. Dinner usually starts around 8:30 P.M. and goes till midnight. From noon until 3:30 P.M. all shops are closed, now I know why, they all need a nap! We have made many new friends and we will miss them!

Jerry

Beautiful Trieste!

Hello Friends!

We have arrived safely in beautiful Trieste. This ancient Austrian city, now a part of Italy, in situated on the Adriatic Sea. The coastline is magnificent! We will be here a little more than a week, working in various capacities. It looks like we will be working distributing literature, and playing music.

Our hosts, David and Rachel Tucker, are wonderful! David and I share so many of the same passions: flyfishing, woodworking, hunting, music, sports and list I am sure would and could go on and on! Their two children, Laura and Gabriel, have graciously given up their bedrooms for us and are teaching us the finer points of Italian living!

As we finish our work here in Italy, I am reminded how very fortunate I and my family have been for taking such a life changing trip. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve people in this world, and am very grateful for the blessings that have been given to me. I am truly thankful.

Jerry

Change!

I can’t even begin to describe how much I have changed. I have witnessed first hand the generational poverty in Africa, and have had overwhelming feelings of relief and guilt coming to first world Europe. My core has been shaken. My compassion (or lack there of) is showing. By that I mean, in Africa, it is so easy to be compassionate to those who have nothing. While in England, Holland, Germany, and Italy, it is quite easy to walk by a beggar and not be moved with compassion. My heart screams out WHY? Why is there a lack of caring among those who we think have so much? Or is it that we all have been “shammed” so many times. Like the other day in the marketplace, an elderly woman stood visibly shaking, cup and cane in hand, hunched over looking pathetic. We later found out this woman was healthy and fine, a “gypsy.” She is known in town as “the shaker lady,” a sham she has been pulling for years.

I pray for a discerning, yet tender heart, longing to know how to treat others.

I have been changed in other ways as well. I have seen what I thought was abject poverty, only to see more extreme poverty. I have seen hate in the eyes of those who have been oppressed, and love in the eyes of others who are simply happy in spite of having nothing, and not knowing anything different. I have witnessed the art of the Masters: Van Gogh, Monet, and Seurat. And I have seen the art of the orphaned children. The architecture of Europe was inspirational, as were the children’s sand castles in Cinque Terre. My heart came alive dancing with the rhythms of South Africa, as well as the moments of pride, listening to the music of my own children.

Yes. I changed. I continue to change. You see, my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. You can’t describe this change unless it has happened to you. Worry has never been one of my “gifts”, but it seems that I now have received a crash course. The news came suddenly, and dramatically as well. We were unable to retrieve email for days, as it was a train ride away to link to the internet. I was shocked and worried. My dear mother said she wanted us to continue on with our trip, and she would be fine. My sister (a nurse) gave me all the details. We decided as a family that it is best to end our trip early, and return home after Christmas. I am changed.


Jerry

Italy, contined R & R

Here we are in beautiful Cinque Terre! We rented an apartment from Daniella (thank you!) through a “Rick Steves” comment blog, who recommended Paula’s boat service, which in turn hooked us up with Daniella... whew! We are up on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Spectacular sunsets in the evenings, and sunrises greet us in the morning with hot coffee on the deck sipping on teak patio furniture.

The temperature here is in the low 70’s, the sun has been shining, and best of all… all the tourists have gone back home! Well…except for a few! Our stairway down to the town is one hundred and sixty steps (thank you Micah for counting, again and again!), weaving through a tapestry of Italian terraced gardens and architecture. The town is divided into two sections; the new, and old town. We are situated in the new section, but it is a simple downhill ten minute walk and we are in the heart of old town.

Boutiques and focaccia shops abound. Little alley ways can lead you to a magnificent square or a medieval church, or even a dead end! Cobble streets are the norm, and at almost any vantage point, you can catch a glimpse of the sea, the beautiful teal colored water, and majestic stone outcroppings.

We are in the birth place of pesto… so we are having pesto and pasta for dinner, with a salad, fresh made focaccia bread, virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Yummy! : )

We are making great family memories here, photos and more stories to come…

Jerry

We took a scooter ride. Much to the boys delight and Cathi's worry!

London, Amsterdam, Hamburg

We arrived in London, the morning after a long overnight trip from Kenya, with a layover in Qatar. We will miss our brothers and sisters in Africa.

London is a bustling city, full of life and very first world. I never thought I would be so happy to see the first world. Long, hot showers, cold drinks and clean machine washed/dried clothes were welcome niceties after three months in Africa.

Cathi’s aunt and uncle hosted us in London for a day and we also met up with friends, some from America and one from Ecuador. It was a refreshing time of Starbucks and well, more Starbucks!

Here we are with our dear friends, the Koets and the Brandelieses.



After a three nights in London, we jumped on an overnight ferry ride to Amsterdam. This ferry was equivalent to a “cruise ship” for the English Channel. We had a lovely berth, on board meals, and even entertainment. When we arrived in Amsterdam, we were refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Cathi’s dad and wife happened to be taking a real cruise and were docked in Amsterdam for two nights, so we were able to meet for dinner and a nice visit.

We were able to connect with my family on two occasions over… well, yes, coffee! Our housing was great; we rented a small apartment (thanks, Craigslist!) The public transportation is excellent! The family enjoyed some “sight doing” (Jess hates sight seeing so we have to do sight doing!) a bike tour of the Dutch countryside and Amsterdam. Of course, we took in the Van Gogh Museum, and a canal boat tour as well.

Today, we are on a train to Hamburg. We will spend the night in there, then catch a train for Ahrensburg in the morning to visit the “Von Schimmelmann” Castle. Yes, we have a castle… doesn’t everyone? We are enjoying a little rest and relaxation, soon we will be back to work in Italy.

Jerry

Mobasa to London

Hello Friends!

We were sad to leave our good friends in Mombasa. It seemed like such a quick visit, however, we made lasting friendships and gained several pounds! The hospitality of the local people and our dear friend Carol made us feel so welcome. The Indian, Arab, and Kenyan food was so tasty, as well as healthy!

I conducted seminars and clinics for guitar, spoke to young college kids about friendship and accountability, but most importantly we developed relationships with people who are living out their lives there. Though it's coastline is beautiful, Mombasa has it's difficulties for westerners, water issues (lack of water), heat/humidity, wild life (monkeys throwing mangos at our head and insects!). The culture is predominantly Muslim/Hindu, and their "swahili/arabic coffee" is too sweet and spicy! We enjoyed our time with the Fellowship Baptist Church, joining them on an all day safari at Tsavo National Park. We got a close up look at a huge lioness!

We traveled to Nairobi for a night, and stayed at the wonderful Mennonite Guest House with its beautiful grounds. We were able to walk to a nearby coffee shop (Java House), and had the best vanilla latte in Africa! Soon we boarded our flight to London. Upon arrival, we quickly found the Starbucks in the airport. There was much rejoicing! (See photo above!) Then, we braved the train and the tube and met up with Cathi's aunt and uncle. Now we are at our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) in a modest room for only $160/night. Ouch! We will be setting up our revised itinerary, since our Nairobi plans fell through.

We will keep you updated!

Jerry