Dear friends
This time it is me, Stephan writing to you. We have not written for a while, but maybe it is because there did not happen as many interesting things recently. We are still in Belgrade, stay in the same house and wear the same clothes. While you in S.A. are freezing, we are sweating. It only cools down when it rains - lekker thunder storms.
At work things now changed so that we will come back to S.A. God willing only in January. The users of the system that we are busy configuring cannot spend enough time on the project and it is affecting our progress, but I believe that we will get there eventually. We are still waiting for the Croatian visas to come through. We have never experienced as much red tape - not even when we had to get Anandi out of India after being born there. After struggling for a month there were still a 7-step list of consecutive things that had to happen before we can have it.
At least we went to Novi Sad with the train one Saturday. It is much smaller than Belgrade, but beautiful and with lots of character. Have a look at the photo-album for Novi Sad. First we went to the Petrovaradin fort which has a great view of the Danobe river. Irene used the day to work on her hobby of collecting, drying and identifying field flowers. There are several imposing churches and other buildings on the city square as well as lots of flowers. And as it should be with any proper plain there is the scattering of doves and statues and stalls. Tied to every lamppost is a pot of flowers. And of course there is a McDonalds... After the meal we went walking the little streets and came to a beautiful park. Another one of those fairytale experiences that seem to cross our path every now and then.
We received in a roundabout way a parcel containing the childrens' roller-blades. (Thanks to Nicolai and Sarah) So we see more of the river nowerdays. It is fun to go for a stroll and roll next to the river in the evenings. Many a head turn to look in amazement at Anandi's comparative skill for her size on the roller-blades. And sometimes we stop for an ice-cream or to take photo's. Look at our album
of the Danube river for a few nice sunsets.
Seeing that we are going to stay longer, I thought it a good idea to spend more time on language-learning. The language they speak here and in Croatia is almost the same. So we got some software that teach and drill us and then I practise every afternoon with the taxi driver. Mostly this is a stranger whom I have to first inform of my endeavour to learn the language. I think they actually enjoy to teach me. Most of them cannot speak English so it is interesting. But it is not easy. As our friend, Andre, says it is a language with a cronical vowel-shortage with words like Cetvrtak (Thursday) and srtsa (heart). Then they have an affinity for 6-syllable words which I cannot remember. But the worst is the grammar. It is worse than Hindi or German and all words bend any which way or so it feels.
Sunday will be the Comrades marathon and I feel a bit nostalgic thinking about it. I am still running, but have scaled down a lot. Sadly so because the opportunity to jog is excellent here with the river and Kale Megdan so close. I think it is because there are so few people running here and almost no races.
Ministry is slow now. Please pray for an internet friend in India who became a seeker this week.
Anyway we will keep you informed about our comings and goings.
Your longing friends
Stephan, Irene, Nadia and Anandi
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Belgrade 7 - Afr
Hallo almal
Hierdie keer is dit ek, Stephan aan die woord. Ons het nogal lanklaas iets geskryf, maar dit is ook maar omdat daar nie soveel interessante dinge gebeur het met ons nie. Ons is nog steeds in Belgrade, bly in dieselfde huis en trek nog dieselfde klere aan. Terwyl julle in S.A nou koud kry, sweet ons. Dis koel net af wanneer dit reen - lekker donderstorms.
By die werk het dinge nou so verander dat ons eers Januariemaand gaan terugkom as die Here wil. Die gebruikers van die stelsel wat ons vir hulle insit sukkel om tyd te spandeer aan die projek en dit knie-halter ons vordering, maar ek glo ons sal wel daar kom. Ons wag ook nog in spanning vir ons Kroasie visas om deur te kom. In my lewe het ek nog nooit so baie "red tape" beleef nie nie eers toe ons so
gesukkel het om Anandi uit Indie uit te kry na sy daar gebore is nie. Na 'n maand se sukkel daarmee was dit steeds 'n 7-stap lysie van goed wat ons nog moet kry en doen om die visas te kry!
Ons het darem so een Sondag bietjie Novi Sad toe gegaan met die trein. Dis heelwat kleiner as Belgrade, maar mooi en met baie karakter. Kyk bietjie na die Novi Sad album. Eers was ons na die Petro Varadin fort toe met 'n fantastiese uitsig oor die Donou revier. Irene het haar nuwe stokperdjie om veldblommetjies te pluk, te pars en te identifiseer op groot skaal beoefen tussendeur. Die plein in die middestad het verskeie mooi kerke en baie blomme. En soos op elke plein wat sy sout werd is, was daar die duiwe en die standbeelde en die stalletjies. Aan elke lamppaal is daar 'n pot met blomme vasgemaak. En natuurlik is daar 'n McDonalds... Ons het na ete in die ou straatjies afgestap en in 'n pragtige park uitgekom. Nog een van daardie sprokies-ervarings wat ons elke nou en dan hier teekom.
Ons het ook met 'n ompad 'n pakkie ontvang met die kinders se roller-blades in. (Dankie Nicolai en Sarah) So ons sien nogal meer van die rivier deesdae. Dis tog te lekker om so bietjie in die aande te gaan "stroll en roll" langs die rivier. Anandi laat behoorlik die koppe draai omdat sy so goed skaats vir haar grootte. En soms koop ons roomys en neem foto's. Kyk na ons album van die Danube rivier vir
'n paar mooi sonsondergange.
Met die dat ons nou langer hier gaan bly, het ek gedink dit sal dalk die moeite loon om bietjie in die taal in te grawe. Die taal wat hulle hier en in Kroatie praat, is byna dieselfde. So ons het sagteware gekry wat die taal behoorlik in jou indril en verder oefen ek elke middag met die taxibestuurder - meestal 'n wildvreemde wat ek nou eers moet vertel van my planne om die taal te leer. Ek dink nogal hulle geniet dit om my te help! Maar dis nie maklik nie. Soos ons vriend, Andre, se dis 'n taal met 'n kroniese klinkertekort met woorde soos Cetvrtak (Donderdag) en srtsa (hart). Dan het hulle 'n voorkeur vir 6-lettergreep woorde waarvan ek nog nie een kan onthou nie... Maar die ergste is die grammatika. Dis erger as Hindi of Duits met vreeslik baie verbuigings.
Sondag is dit die comrades en ek het nogal heimwee as ek dink aan laas jaar. Ek draf nog, maar het heelwat afgeskaal - bly net so aan die gang. En dit is nogal snaaks, want die geleentheid vir draf hier langs die rivier en by Kale Megdan is uitstekend. Maar miskien is dit omdat hier maar baie min mense draf en hier is nooit wedlope nie.
Wat die bediening aanbetref het dit nou 'n stil tyd binnegegaan. Bid gerus vir 'n internet vriend van Indie wat skielik 'n soeker geraak het.
Nou ja, ons sal julle op hoogte hou van die draaie wat die lewe met ons vat.
Julle verlangende vriende
Stephan, Irene, Nadia en Anandi
Hierdie keer is dit ek, Stephan aan die woord. Ons het nogal lanklaas iets geskryf, maar dit is ook maar omdat daar nie soveel interessante dinge gebeur het met ons nie. Ons is nog steeds in Belgrade, bly in dieselfde huis en trek nog dieselfde klere aan. Terwyl julle in S.A nou koud kry, sweet ons. Dis koel net af wanneer dit reen - lekker donderstorms.
By die werk het dinge nou so verander dat ons eers Januariemaand gaan terugkom as die Here wil. Die gebruikers van die stelsel wat ons vir hulle insit sukkel om tyd te spandeer aan die projek en dit knie-halter ons vordering, maar ek glo ons sal wel daar kom. Ons wag ook nog in spanning vir ons Kroasie visas om deur te kom. In my lewe het ek nog nooit so baie "red tape" beleef nie nie eers toe ons so
gesukkel het om Anandi uit Indie uit te kry na sy daar gebore is nie. Na 'n maand se sukkel daarmee was dit steeds 'n 7-stap lysie van goed wat ons nog moet kry en doen om die visas te kry!
Ons het darem so een Sondag bietjie Novi Sad toe gegaan met die trein. Dis heelwat kleiner as Belgrade, maar mooi en met baie karakter. Kyk bietjie na die Novi Sad album. Eers was ons na die Petro Varadin fort toe met 'n fantastiese uitsig oor die Donou revier. Irene het haar nuwe stokperdjie om veldblommetjies te pluk, te pars en te identifiseer op groot skaal beoefen tussendeur. Die plein in die middestad het verskeie mooi kerke en baie blomme. En soos op elke plein wat sy sout werd is, was daar die duiwe en die standbeelde en die stalletjies. Aan elke lamppaal is daar 'n pot met blomme vasgemaak. En natuurlik is daar 'n McDonalds... Ons het na ete in die ou straatjies afgestap en in 'n pragtige park uitgekom. Nog een van daardie sprokies-ervarings wat ons elke nou en dan hier teekom.
Ons het ook met 'n ompad 'n pakkie ontvang met die kinders se roller-blades in. (Dankie Nicolai en Sarah) So ons sien nogal meer van die rivier deesdae. Dis tog te lekker om so bietjie in die aande te gaan "stroll en roll" langs die rivier. Anandi laat behoorlik die koppe draai omdat sy so goed skaats vir haar grootte. En soms koop ons roomys en neem foto's. Kyk na ons album van die Danube rivier vir
'n paar mooi sonsondergange.
Met die dat ons nou langer hier gaan bly, het ek gedink dit sal dalk die moeite loon om bietjie in die taal in te grawe. Die taal wat hulle hier en in Kroatie praat, is byna dieselfde. So ons het sagteware gekry wat die taal behoorlik in jou indril en verder oefen ek elke middag met die taxibestuurder - meestal 'n wildvreemde wat ek nou eers moet vertel van my planne om die taal te leer. Ek dink nogal hulle geniet dit om my te help! Maar dis nie maklik nie. Soos ons vriend, Andre, se dis 'n taal met 'n kroniese klinkertekort met woorde soos Cetvrtak (Donderdag) en srtsa (hart). Dan het hulle 'n voorkeur vir 6-lettergreep woorde waarvan ek nog nie een kan onthou nie... Maar die ergste is die grammatika. Dis erger as Hindi of Duits met vreeslik baie verbuigings.
Sondag is dit die comrades en ek het nogal heimwee as ek dink aan laas jaar. Ek draf nog, maar het heelwat afgeskaal - bly net so aan die gang. En dit is nogal snaaks, want die geleentheid vir draf hier langs die rivier en by Kale Megdan is uitstekend. Maar miskien is dit omdat hier maar baie min mense draf en hier is nooit wedlope nie.
Wat die bediening aanbetref het dit nou 'n stil tyd binnegegaan. Bid gerus vir 'n internet vriend van Indie wat skielik 'n soeker geraak het.
Nou ja, ons sal julle op hoogte hou van die draaie wat die lewe met ons vat.
Julle verlangende vriende
Stephan, Irene, Nadia en Anandi
Friday, May 18, 2007
Belgrade 6 Eng
Zdravo!
I feel like I am behind in writing. So much can happen in two week's time.
We had a wonderful trip to Zlatibor. The trip (250 km) was interesting with the help of a few wrong turns. But every wrong turn got us to the most beautiful places. And so we landed in a valley where all the fields were colored with pastels, with forests of every green shade in between.
Zlatibor is centered around a lake. They are focused on local tourists. I think we were about the only foreigners there.But it is beautiful. We struggled a little bit to find the mountain. I felt a bit like "the Englishman that went up a hill and came down a mountain". The mountain that they boast about is not more than green hills, but it gives the effect of "the sound of music". Our children became small in the distance as they ran through the green fields. And everywhere they stopped to pick wild flowers. Die forests in between gives the most beautiful effect.
We followed the road through the landscape with the Yugo we rented for one day. We saw about 3 cars on road the whole day. The road took us to a cave with a opening of about 35 m. They build a big fence in front of the cave so we could not go inside. Then out of the blue appeared this old man with a key. But our Sripski was too little to understand him. Luckily some Serbian tourist came at that moment and they could tell us about the cave. The man took all of us into the cave with a flashlight. Scary, but awesome! Inside the cave are hiking trails of more than 1 km (I was glad he did not offer to take us). He also showed us a waterfall inside the cave (the river flows through the cave). And everything was free! It was wonderful.
From there we stopped at an open-air museum. There is a whole town of wooden buildings that they preserve. It showed us how people used to live and even live today to support themselves. We were very hungry at that point and stopped at a Serbian restaurant where we had Serbian hamburgers while Serbian folk music played in the background. What an experience!
Our last stop was at a waterfall of 20m. But it doesn't stop there. The water goes down the mountain in two streams and form more waterfalls till it reach the bottom. It was very beautiful. From there we tried to find the road back home. A road sign that said Zlatibor took us to a gravel road where we had a nice drive through the woods. The branches formed a tunnel with their branches. And it is the brightest green leaves I've ever seen. The road also took us to the highest point in that area. We could see on all side into the distance. It was awesome and the quietness around us was wonderful.
We went to visit the family in Panceville again last weekend. It was nice to visit with them. Stephan preached there again (also on Sunday at the Assemblies). He used one good illustration in his message about a cell phone and swiss army knife that he always carry with him in his pockets. The applied it to the Bible message by saying that you either stay in contact with Jesus through pray (cell phone) or you do it yourself (swiss army knife) - John 15.
I feel very homesick. I've heard this quote somewhere "You cannot have roots and wings". I thought about how this fits into the Bible's message. I think established in Jesus we can soar like eagles, doesn't matter where we are. But we are human and I am longing for home, so please write. :-)
Love
Stephan Irene Nadia Anandi
I feel like I am behind in writing. So much can happen in two week's time.
We had a wonderful trip to Zlatibor. The trip (250 km) was interesting with the help of a few wrong turns. But every wrong turn got us to the most beautiful places. And so we landed in a valley where all the fields were colored with pastels, with forests of every green shade in between.
Zlatibor is centered around a lake. They are focused on local tourists. I think we were about the only foreigners there.But it is beautiful. We struggled a little bit to find the mountain. I felt a bit like "the Englishman that went up a hill and came down a mountain". The mountain that they boast about is not more than green hills, but it gives the effect of "the sound of music". Our children became small in the distance as they ran through the green fields. And everywhere they stopped to pick wild flowers. Die forests in between gives the most beautiful effect.
We followed the road through the landscape with the Yugo we rented for one day. We saw about 3 cars on road the whole day. The road took us to a cave with a opening of about 35 m. They build a big fence in front of the cave so we could not go inside. Then out of the blue appeared this old man with a key. But our Sripski was too little to understand him. Luckily some Serbian tourist came at that moment and they could tell us about the cave. The man took all of us into the cave with a flashlight. Scary, but awesome! Inside the cave are hiking trails of more than 1 km (I was glad he did not offer to take us). He also showed us a waterfall inside the cave (the river flows through the cave). And everything was free! It was wonderful.
From there we stopped at an open-air museum. There is a whole town of wooden buildings that they preserve. It showed us how people used to live and even live today to support themselves. We were very hungry at that point and stopped at a Serbian restaurant where we had Serbian hamburgers while Serbian folk music played in the background. What an experience!
Our last stop was at a waterfall of 20m. But it doesn't stop there. The water goes down the mountain in two streams and form more waterfalls till it reach the bottom. It was very beautiful. From there we tried to find the road back home. A road sign that said Zlatibor took us to a gravel road where we had a nice drive through the woods. The branches formed a tunnel with their branches. And it is the brightest green leaves I've ever seen. The road also took us to the highest point in that area. We could see on all side into the distance. It was awesome and the quietness around us was wonderful.
We went to visit the family in Panceville again last weekend. It was nice to visit with them. Stephan preached there again (also on Sunday at the Assemblies). He used one good illustration in his message about a cell phone and swiss army knife that he always carry with him in his pockets. The applied it to the Bible message by saying that you either stay in contact with Jesus through pray (cell phone) or you do it yourself (swiss army knife) - John 15.
I feel very homesick. I've heard this quote somewhere "You cannot have roots and wings". I thought about how this fits into the Bible's message. I think established in Jesus we can soar like eagles, doesn't matter where we are. But we are human and I am longing for home, so please write. :-)
Love
Stephan Irene Nadia Anandi
Belgrade 6 Afr
Zdravo!
Dit voel asof ek agter is met die skryfwerk, want daar gebeur nogal baie in 2 weke se tyd.
Ons het toe 'n heerlike tyd gehad in Zlatibor. Die pad soontoe (so 250km) was interessant m.b.v. 'n verkeerde draai of twee. Maar elke verkeerde pad het ons by die mooiste plekke uitgebring. So het ons in 'n vallei beland waar die landerye met pastel kleure ingekleur is, met groen woude tussenin met elke skakering van groen waaraan mens kan dink.
Zlatibor sentreer rondom 'n meer en is baie op plaaslike toeriste ingestel. Ek dink ons was seker die enigste buitelanders daar. Maar dis pragtig. Ons het wel gesukkel om die berg te kry. Ek het bietjie gevoel soos "the englishman that went up a hill and came down a mountain". Die berg wat hulle so spog oor is niks meer as groen heuwels nie, maar dit gee nogal baie die effek van "the sound of music". Ons kinders het gehardloop deur die groen grasvelde dat hulle so klein geword het in die verte. En orals het hulle gestop en veldblomme gepluk. Die woude tussenin gee die mooiste effek.
Ons het ook 'n dag lank 'n pad gevolg deur die mooi landskap met die Yugo wat ons gehuur het. Ons het seker 3 karre gekry op die pad die hele dag. Dit het ons by 'n grot met 'n opening van 35m gebring. Hulle het 'n groot hek voor die grot aangebring en ons kon eers nie ingaan nie. Toe uit die bloute verskyn daar so 'n ou man wat die sleutel het. Maar ons Sripski was te min. Gelukkig het daar net op daardie oomblik ander Serbiese toeriste aangekom wat ons kon vertel van die grot. Die man het ons met 'n flitslig die grot van binne gewys. Scary, maar wonderlik! Binne die grot is daar staproetes van langer as 'n km (ek was nogal bly hy het nie aangebied om ons te vat nie). Hy het ons ook 'n waterval binne die grot gewys (die rivier vloei deur die grot). En dit alles gratis! Dit was wonderlik.
Daarna het ons by 'n buitelug museum gestop. Daar is 'n hele dorp van houthuise wat hulle oppas. Dit wys hoe mense geleef het en selfs nou nog lewe en hulleself onderhou. Ons was op daardie stadium baie honger en het gestop by 'n restaurant waar ons serbiese hamburgers geeet het terwyl vrolike serbiese volksmusiek gespeel het in die agtergrond.
Ons laaste stop was by 'n waterval van 20m. Maar dis nie waar dit stop nie. Die waterval kronkel in twee sulke strome af teen die berg en vorm nog watervalle tot onder. Dit was baie mooi. Van daar af het ons die pad terug probeer kry. 'n Bordjie was gese het Zlatibor het ons op 'n grondpad gebring waar ons eintlik deur die woude gery het. Die takke het so oor die pad gehang en 'n tonnel gevorm. En dit is die helderste groen blare wat ek nog gesien het. Die pad het ons ook op die hoogste punt in die area uitgebring. Ons kon elke kant van ons sien tot in die verte. Dit was asemrowend en die stilte was wonderlik.
Ons het verlede naweek ook weer in Panceville gaan kuier. Dit was heerlik om weer te kon saam kuier met die gesin daar. Stephan het weer gepreek daar (ook Sondag by Assemblies). Hy het een goeie illustrasie in sy preek genoem van 'n selfoon en swiss army knife, twee goed wat heeltyd in sy broeksakke bly. Die parallel wat hy getrek het met die Bybel is, bly in kontak met Jesus in gebed (selfoon) of doen dit self (swiss army knife) - Joh. 15.
Ek voel al baie home-sick. Ek het iewers die quote gehoor: "You cannot have roots and wings". Ek het gedink hoe dit by die Bybel inpas. Ek dink gevestig in Jesus kan ons sweef soos arende, maak nie saak waar ons is nie. Maar ons bly maar mens en ek verlang, so skryf asb. :-)
Liefde
Stephan Irene Nadia Anandi
Dit voel asof ek agter is met die skryfwerk, want daar gebeur nogal baie in 2 weke se tyd.
Ons het toe 'n heerlike tyd gehad in Zlatibor. Die pad soontoe (so 250km) was interessant m.b.v. 'n verkeerde draai of twee. Maar elke verkeerde pad het ons by die mooiste plekke uitgebring. So het ons in 'n vallei beland waar die landerye met pastel kleure ingekleur is, met groen woude tussenin met elke skakering van groen waaraan mens kan dink.
Zlatibor sentreer rondom 'n meer en is baie op plaaslike toeriste ingestel. Ek dink ons was seker die enigste buitelanders daar. Maar dis pragtig. Ons het wel gesukkel om die berg te kry. Ek het bietjie gevoel soos "the englishman that went up a hill and came down a mountain". Die berg wat hulle so spog oor is niks meer as groen heuwels nie, maar dit gee nogal baie die effek van "the sound of music". Ons kinders het gehardloop deur die groen grasvelde dat hulle so klein geword het in die verte. En orals het hulle gestop en veldblomme gepluk. Die woude tussenin gee die mooiste effek.
Ons het ook 'n dag lank 'n pad gevolg deur die mooi landskap met die Yugo wat ons gehuur het. Ons het seker 3 karre gekry op die pad die hele dag. Dit het ons by 'n grot met 'n opening van 35m gebring. Hulle het 'n groot hek voor die grot aangebring en ons kon eers nie ingaan nie. Toe uit die bloute verskyn daar so 'n ou man wat die sleutel het. Maar ons Sripski was te min. Gelukkig het daar net op daardie oomblik ander Serbiese toeriste aangekom wat ons kon vertel van die grot. Die man het ons met 'n flitslig die grot van binne gewys. Scary, maar wonderlik! Binne die grot is daar staproetes van langer as 'n km (ek was nogal bly hy het nie aangebied om ons te vat nie). Hy het ons ook 'n waterval binne die grot gewys (die rivier vloei deur die grot). En dit alles gratis! Dit was wonderlik.
Daarna het ons by 'n buitelug museum gestop. Daar is 'n hele dorp van houthuise wat hulle oppas. Dit wys hoe mense geleef het en selfs nou nog lewe en hulleself onderhou. Ons was op daardie stadium baie honger en het gestop by 'n restaurant waar ons serbiese hamburgers geeet het terwyl vrolike serbiese volksmusiek gespeel het in die agtergrond.
Ons laaste stop was by 'n waterval van 20m. Maar dis nie waar dit stop nie. Die waterval kronkel in twee sulke strome af teen die berg en vorm nog watervalle tot onder. Dit was baie mooi. Van daar af het ons die pad terug probeer kry. 'n Bordjie was gese het Zlatibor het ons op 'n grondpad gebring waar ons eintlik deur die woude gery het. Die takke het so oor die pad gehang en 'n tonnel gevorm. En dit is die helderste groen blare wat ek nog gesien het. Die pad het ons ook op die hoogste punt in die area uitgebring. Ons kon elke kant van ons sien tot in die verte. Dit was asemrowend en die stilte was wonderlik.
Ons het verlede naweek ook weer in Panceville gaan kuier. Dit was heerlik om weer te kon saam kuier met die gesin daar. Stephan het weer gepreek daar (ook Sondag by Assemblies). Hy het een goeie illustrasie in sy preek genoem van 'n selfoon en swiss army knife, twee goed wat heeltyd in sy broeksakke bly. Die parallel wat hy getrek het met die Bybel is, bly in kontak met Jesus in gebed (selfoon) of doen dit self (swiss army knife) - Joh. 15.
Ek voel al baie home-sick. Ek het iewers die quote gehoor: "You cannot have roots and wings". Ek het gedink hoe dit by die Bybel inpas. Ek dink gevestig in Jesus kan ons sweef soos arende, maak nie saak waar ons is nie. Maar ons bly maar mens en ek verlang, so skryf asb. :-)
Liefde
Stephan Irene Nadia Anandi
Monday, April 30, 2007
Belgrade 5 Eng
Dear friends and family
Thank you very much for your regular letters. We appreciate it. Belgrade got new life these last two weeks.
The trees have leaves, the fountains are running, the tulips and other flowers are blooming and they are selling ice-creams everywhere.
We went to Panceville this weekend, a town just outside Belgrade. Stephan preached there on Saturday and on Sunday he gave training in a town 3 hours drive from Panceville. The training sessions about small groups was 7 hours long and he was very tired. But it went well en he could encourage the cell leaders and taught them some small group principles.
The children and I went along, but we spend some time with the pastor's wife (she has a very difficult name :-) and their three children.
I enjoyed the company and the children enjoyed playing with the new friends. Die pastor's wife is an artist and she encouraged me to keep on drawing. She also makes the most beautiful dolls from corn leaves that she gets from her parent's plot.
For the long weekend we decided to take a trip to the mountains. Everybody recommended that we go to Zlatibor. I asked the Serbian information office to help us with phone calls, because the people don't speak English. The guy was very helpful, but after making two bookings and after two cancellations by the hotels, we finely gave up. But because we are a bit stubborn we decided to drive there anyway on Tuesday and if we cannot find a place to come back in the afternoon. We look forward to that. Except that it will be Stephan's first opportunity to drive on the right side of the road. But I think he will manage :-).
I have what I call my "Mr Bean" moments (we saw his latest movie here and we had the advantage - it was in English :-). I had one such experience in the Serbian Information office. The guy helped me to phone car rental places. One of the people spoke English and he handed met the phone. At the end of the conversation I wanted to know who I was speaking to. It was Woewoefkiwitch. I almost burst our laughing because it sounds so funny but I could keep my pose until I've put down the phone. I explained to the guy at the Information Office about the funny name this person has. He looked at the paper where I scribbled the name and his comment was "You spell it like this and it happens to be my last name." Well, luckily he struggles with Van der Merwe and shrugged it off :-).
Stephan had a few nice experiences these last two weeks. He ran the Belgrade half-marathon. He was stiff the next day but he enjoyed it very much. I will rather not tell you about my own marathon through the city looking for a t-shirt and race-number with only limited Skripsi :-). I will just say that I will not try to approach people with a paper in hand to ask something - they think I am a beggar :-). He also jogged down the Thames river in London last week. He needed to go to London for his visa and had one day to do sight-seeing.
Anandi also provides a few humourous moments. She can describe things very well. Some people in Belgrade put straps on their children when they go out for walks. Anandi's comment when se saw this was "Look Mommy, she dresses him like a dog". Luckily she said it in Afrikaans and they did not understand it :-). I showed Nadia and Anandi an old Asterix movie. The next morning I asked Nadia if she would like to read Asterix the Gaul (it helps with motivation for English reading). Anandi said "Yes, it is because he has such nice braids". She heard "girl" for those of you who didn't get it and she spoke about Obelix.
Well, it's all for now. We are getting attached to Belgrade. It is peaceful and without crime. We will also miss our new friends in the church. It is wonderful to be part of a family that is worldwide. Jesus wanted it like that, for us to be one. He made it possible through His death and resurrection.
Love
Stewan Irena Nada and Ujiway :-)
Thank you very much for your regular letters. We appreciate it. Belgrade got new life these last two weeks.
The trees have leaves, the fountains are running, the tulips and other flowers are blooming and they are selling ice-creams everywhere.
We went to Panceville this weekend, a town just outside Belgrade. Stephan preached there on Saturday and on Sunday he gave training in a town 3 hours drive from Panceville. The training sessions about small groups was 7 hours long and he was very tired. But it went well en he could encourage the cell leaders and taught them some small group principles.
The children and I went along, but we spend some time with the pastor's wife (she has a very difficult name :-) and their three children.
I enjoyed the company and the children enjoyed playing with the new friends. Die pastor's wife is an artist and she encouraged me to keep on drawing. She also makes the most beautiful dolls from corn leaves that she gets from her parent's plot.
For the long weekend we decided to take a trip to the mountains. Everybody recommended that we go to Zlatibor. I asked the Serbian information office to help us with phone calls, because the people don't speak English. The guy was very helpful, but after making two bookings and after two cancellations by the hotels, we finely gave up. But because we are a bit stubborn we decided to drive there anyway on Tuesday and if we cannot find a place to come back in the afternoon. We look forward to that. Except that it will be Stephan's first opportunity to drive on the right side of the road. But I think he will manage :-).
I have what I call my "Mr Bean" moments (we saw his latest movie here and we had the advantage - it was in English :-). I had one such experience in the Serbian Information office. The guy helped me to phone car rental places. One of the people spoke English and he handed met the phone. At the end of the conversation I wanted to know who I was speaking to. It was Woewoefkiwitch. I almost burst our laughing because it sounds so funny but I could keep my pose until I've put down the phone. I explained to the guy at the Information Office about the funny name this person has. He looked at the paper where I scribbled the name and his comment was "You spell it like this and it happens to be my last name." Well, luckily he struggles with Van der Merwe and shrugged it off :-).
Stephan had a few nice experiences these last two weeks. He ran the Belgrade half-marathon. He was stiff the next day but he enjoyed it very much. I will rather not tell you about my own marathon through the city looking for a t-shirt and race-number with only limited Skripsi :-). I will just say that I will not try to approach people with a paper in hand to ask something - they think I am a beggar :-). He also jogged down the Thames river in London last week. He needed to go to London for his visa and had one day to do sight-seeing.
Anandi also provides a few humourous moments. She can describe things very well. Some people in Belgrade put straps on their children when they go out for walks. Anandi's comment when se saw this was "Look Mommy, she dresses him like a dog". Luckily she said it in Afrikaans and they did not understand it :-). I showed Nadia and Anandi an old Asterix movie. The next morning I asked Nadia if she would like to read Asterix the Gaul (it helps with motivation for English reading). Anandi said "Yes, it is because he has such nice braids". She heard "girl" for those of you who didn't get it and she spoke about Obelix.
Well, it's all for now. We are getting attached to Belgrade. It is peaceful and without crime. We will also miss our new friends in the church. It is wonderful to be part of a family that is worldwide. Jesus wanted it like that, for us to be one. He made it possible through His death and resurrection.
Love
Stewan Irena Nada and Ujiway :-)
Belgrade 5 Afr
Liewe vriende en familie
Baie dankie vir julle gereelde briewe. Ons waardeer dit. Belgrade het die laaste twee weke nuwe lewe gekry.
Die bome het blare, die fonteine is aan, die tulpe en ander blomme is uit en hulle het die roomysse uitgepak.
Ons was hierdie naweek in Panceville, 'n dorpie net buite Belgrade. Stephan het daar gepreek Saterdag en Sondag heeldag opleiding gegee in 'n ander dorp 3 ure se ry van Panceville af. Hy het 7 ure land opleiding gegee en was pootuit. Maar dit baie goed gegaan en hy kon 'n paar selleiers bemoedig en selgroep beginsels leer.
Ek en die kinders was ook saam, maar het die heeltyd gekuier saam met die pastoor se vrou (haar naam is baie moeilik :-) en sy drie kinders.
Ek het die geselskap geniet en die kinders het heerlik gespeel. Die pastoor se vrou is 'n kunstenaar en sy het my aangemoedig om aan te hou teken. Sy maak ook die mooiste vroutjies van mielieblare.
Omdat dit eintlik 'n langnaweek is, het ons besluit om 'n trip na die berge te beplan. Almal het ons aanbeveel om Zlatibor toe te gaan. Ek het toe die Serbiese inligtingskantoor gevra om ons te help met oproepe, want die mense praat mos nie Engels nie. Die ou daar was baie hulpvaardig, maar na twee bookings wat gemaak is en deur die hotelle gekanselleer is, het ons maar moed opgegee. Maar ons het maar 'n hardkoppige streek in ons en het besluit om in elk geval Dinsdag Zlatibor toe te ry en indien ons nie plek kry nie, maar weer terug te kom die middag. Ons sien nogal uit daarna. Behalwe dat dit Stephan se eerste keer sal wees vir ry aan die regterkant van die pad. Maar ek is seker hy sal dit regkry :-).
Ek het sulke "Mr Bean" oomblikke - dis my naam daarvoor (ons het sy nuutste fliek hier gesien en het die voordeel gehad - dit was in Engels :-). Een het ek gehad by die serbiese inligtingskantoor. Die ou daar het my gehelp om plekke te bel wat karre uithuur. Een van die mense praat toe Engels. Aan die einde van die gesprek wou ek weet wat sy naam is. Dit is toe Woewoefkiwitch. Ek lag toe amper kliphard in die ou se oor want dit klink baie snaaks, maar kon toe darem myself in toom hou tot ek die foon neergesit het. Ek vertel toe vir die ou van die man met die snaakse naam. Hy kyk toe na die papier waar ek die naam geskribbel het en sy kommentaar was "You spell it like this and it happens to be my last name." Wel, gelukkig sukkel hy met Van der Merwe so hy was darem nie te verontwaardig nie.
Stephan het 'n paar heerlike ervarings gehad hierdie laaste twee weke. Hy het die Belgrade halfmarathon gehardloop. Hy was maar styf gewees maar dit was heerlik. Hy het goed gehardloop. Ek sal maar nie vertel van my eie marathon stap deur die stad agter 'n t-shirt en resies-nommer aan, met beperkte Sripski nie :-). Ek sal maar net se dat ek nie weer mense met 'n papiertjie in die hand sal probeer nader om iets te vra nie - hulle dink ek bedel :-). So het hy ook in Londen gaan draf langs die Teems af verlede week. Dit was nodig dat hy Londen toe gaan vir sy visum en hy het vir een dag heerlik sight-seeing gedoen.
Anandi het ook vir 'n paar snaakse oomblikke gesorg. Sy kan 'n ding baie goed beskryf. Party mense hierso maak hulle kinders aan bandjies vas wanneer hulle gaan stap. Anandi se opmerking was "Kyk Mamma sy trek hom soos 'n hond aan". Gelukkig praat die mense nie Afrikaans hier nie :-). Ek het vir Nadia en Anandi 'n ou Asterix movie gewys en die oggend vir Nadia gevra of sy graag Asterix the Gaul sou wou lees (dit help vir motivering vir Engels lees). Anandi se so ewe rustig "Ja, dis omdat hy sukkel mooi vlegsels het". Sy het "girl" gehoor vir die wat dit nie gesnap het nie (en sy praat van Obelix).
Wel, dis vir eers al. Ons raak nogal geheg aan Belgrade. Dis so rustig en misdaad vry. Ons sal ook ons vriende by die kerk mis. Dis wonderlik om deel van 'n familie te wees wat wereldwyd is. Dis wat Jesus wou he, dat ons een sal wees. Hy het dit moontlik gemaak vir ons deur sy dood en opstanding.
Liefde
Stewan Irena Nada en Ujiewaai :-)
Baie dankie vir julle gereelde briewe. Ons waardeer dit. Belgrade het die laaste twee weke nuwe lewe gekry.
Die bome het blare, die fonteine is aan, die tulpe en ander blomme is uit en hulle het die roomysse uitgepak.
Ons was hierdie naweek in Panceville, 'n dorpie net buite Belgrade. Stephan het daar gepreek Saterdag en Sondag heeldag opleiding gegee in 'n ander dorp 3 ure se ry van Panceville af. Hy het 7 ure land opleiding gegee en was pootuit. Maar dit baie goed gegaan en hy kon 'n paar selleiers bemoedig en selgroep beginsels leer.
Ek en die kinders was ook saam, maar het die heeltyd gekuier saam met die pastoor se vrou (haar naam is baie moeilik :-) en sy drie kinders.
Ek het die geselskap geniet en die kinders het heerlik gespeel. Die pastoor se vrou is 'n kunstenaar en sy het my aangemoedig om aan te hou teken. Sy maak ook die mooiste vroutjies van mielieblare.
Omdat dit eintlik 'n langnaweek is, het ons besluit om 'n trip na die berge te beplan. Almal het ons aanbeveel om Zlatibor toe te gaan. Ek het toe die Serbiese inligtingskantoor gevra om ons te help met oproepe, want die mense praat mos nie Engels nie. Die ou daar was baie hulpvaardig, maar na twee bookings wat gemaak is en deur die hotelle gekanselleer is, het ons maar moed opgegee. Maar ons het maar 'n hardkoppige streek in ons en het besluit om in elk geval Dinsdag Zlatibor toe te ry en indien ons nie plek kry nie, maar weer terug te kom die middag. Ons sien nogal uit daarna. Behalwe dat dit Stephan se eerste keer sal wees vir ry aan die regterkant van die pad. Maar ek is seker hy sal dit regkry :-).
Ek het sulke "Mr Bean" oomblikke - dis my naam daarvoor (ons het sy nuutste fliek hier gesien en het die voordeel gehad - dit was in Engels :-). Een het ek gehad by die serbiese inligtingskantoor. Die ou daar het my gehelp om plekke te bel wat karre uithuur. Een van die mense praat toe Engels. Aan die einde van die gesprek wou ek weet wat sy naam is. Dit is toe Woewoefkiwitch. Ek lag toe amper kliphard in die ou se oor want dit klink baie snaaks, maar kon toe darem myself in toom hou tot ek die foon neergesit het. Ek vertel toe vir die ou van die man met die snaakse naam. Hy kyk toe na die papier waar ek die naam geskribbel het en sy kommentaar was "You spell it like this and it happens to be my last name." Wel, gelukkig sukkel hy met Van der Merwe so hy was darem nie te verontwaardig nie.
Stephan het 'n paar heerlike ervarings gehad hierdie laaste twee weke. Hy het die Belgrade halfmarathon gehardloop. Hy was maar styf gewees maar dit was heerlik. Hy het goed gehardloop. Ek sal maar nie vertel van my eie marathon stap deur die stad agter 'n t-shirt en resies-nommer aan, met beperkte Sripski nie :-). Ek sal maar net se dat ek nie weer mense met 'n papiertjie in die hand sal probeer nader om iets te vra nie - hulle dink ek bedel :-). So het hy ook in Londen gaan draf langs die Teems af verlede week. Dit was nodig dat hy Londen toe gaan vir sy visum en hy het vir een dag heerlik sight-seeing gedoen.
Anandi het ook vir 'n paar snaakse oomblikke gesorg. Sy kan 'n ding baie goed beskryf. Party mense hierso maak hulle kinders aan bandjies vas wanneer hulle gaan stap. Anandi se opmerking was "Kyk Mamma sy trek hom soos 'n hond aan". Gelukkig praat die mense nie Afrikaans hier nie :-). Ek het vir Nadia en Anandi 'n ou Asterix movie gewys en die oggend vir Nadia gevra of sy graag Asterix the Gaul sou wou lees (dit help vir motivering vir Engels lees). Anandi se so ewe rustig "Ja, dis omdat hy sukkel mooi vlegsels het". Sy het "girl" gehoor vir die wat dit nie gesnap het nie (en sy praat van Obelix).
Wel, dis vir eers al. Ons raak nogal geheg aan Belgrade. Dis so rustig en misdaad vry. Ons sal ook ons vriende by die kerk mis. Dis wonderlik om deel van 'n familie te wees wat wereldwyd is. Dis wat Jesus wou he, dat ons een sal wees. Hy het dit moontlik gemaak vir ons deur sy dood en opstanding.
Liefde
Stewan Irena Nada en Ujiewaai :-)
Friday, April 6, 2007
Belgrade 4 Eng
Ka ko ste? Dali emate rajunar. Volim te. Oops, I'm so confused. I speak Srpski so much that I even type my messages now in Srpski ... I wish :-)
As Easter is getting nearer we miss two things: easter eggs and hot-cross buns. We have seen the Orthodox church easter symbols Saterday at St. Mark's church. They sold bells (for the good news), and wreaths (for the crown of thorns) at the church. It was like a fair and the children and us enjoyed it very much. They had al kinds of nice sweets that we just had to try. We also made the mistake to buy two balloons for the children that we had to drag along for the rest of the day through busy streets in busses and full shops.
We are going to have a quiet easter weekend in Belgrade. We will join the Assemblies church Friday evening for an Easter service. We also visited their only cell group this week. It was very good and a blessing to us. They treated us with a Serbian meal and afterwards we all prayed for each other. The leader and his wife can speak English very well and taught us a lot about the language and culture.
Our experience with the Serbians is that they seem unfriendly, but they are actually friendly and helpful (and they love to spend lots of time in caffe's next to the street). But this is how a woman tried to explain them to us on Sunday at church "They're loud, they're proud and they think they know something." I think there is truth in there somewhere.
Sunday we went to Ada Chiganlija. It felt even bigger than Kalemegdan. People practice any kind of sport there and even watersports. It seems like it can also be the local beach where people tan and swim. We cannot get enough af all the parks. It is awesome.
Stephan is working from home for now. We enjoy it, but he finds it difficult. But we hope that everyhting will work out soon and that all the uncertainties will be solved. In the mean time we try to make the most of every opportunity and take every day as it comes.
Well, I have to admit that I miss home already. Some days I feel a bit tired of the strange country and then I just want to stay at home (more specifically the shower) :-). It does not happen that often. It is too much fun to go and explore.
We hope you'll have a peaceful and quiet Easter weekend and that Jesus will have the place He deserves in your lives.
Love
Stephan en Irene
As Easter is getting nearer we miss two things: easter eggs and hot-cross buns. We have seen the Orthodox church easter symbols Saterday at St. Mark's church. They sold bells (for the good news), and wreaths (for the crown of thorns) at the church. It was like a fair and the children and us enjoyed it very much. They had al kinds of nice sweets that we just had to try. We also made the mistake to buy two balloons for the children that we had to drag along for the rest of the day through busy streets in busses and full shops.
We are going to have a quiet easter weekend in Belgrade. We will join the Assemblies church Friday evening for an Easter service. We also visited their only cell group this week. It was very good and a blessing to us. They treated us with a Serbian meal and afterwards we all prayed for each other. The leader and his wife can speak English very well and taught us a lot about the language and culture.
Our experience with the Serbians is that they seem unfriendly, but they are actually friendly and helpful (and they love to spend lots of time in caffe's next to the street). But this is how a woman tried to explain them to us on Sunday at church "They're loud, they're proud and they think they know something." I think there is truth in there somewhere.
Sunday we went to Ada Chiganlija. It felt even bigger than Kalemegdan. People practice any kind of sport there and even watersports. It seems like it can also be the local beach where people tan and swim. We cannot get enough af all the parks. It is awesome.
Stephan is working from home for now. We enjoy it, but he finds it difficult. But we hope that everyhting will work out soon and that all the uncertainties will be solved. In the mean time we try to make the most of every opportunity and take every day as it comes.
Well, I have to admit that I miss home already. Some days I feel a bit tired of the strange country and then I just want to stay at home (more specifically the shower) :-). It does not happen that often. It is too much fun to go and explore.
We hope you'll have a peaceful and quiet Easter weekend and that Jesus will have the place He deserves in your lives.
Love
Stephan en Irene
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