Lena went on EMU's India cross cultural with us in 2007, and she roomed with Jen from fall '07 to spring '08. She has continued to travel since we graduated and it was great getting to hear her stories.
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We have made lots of new friends during our time in Harrisburg, but last night we got to see an old friend!
Lena went on EMU's India cross cultural with us in 2007, and she roomed with Jen from fall '07 to spring '08. She has continued to travel since we graduated and it was great getting to hear her stories.
Lena went on EMU's India cross cultural with us in 2007, and she roomed with Jen from fall '07 to spring '08. She has continued to travel since we graduated and it was great getting to hear her stories.
Yesterday we received the documents we needed from Bulgaria to apply for visas, so we left our training center at 6:15 this morning for the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, D.C.!
When we got to the park & ride we found out we needed either quarters or dollar coins for the parking meter. We only had $20 bills and credit cards with us, so we were a little panicked about what to do. We met a man that worked at the metro station who helped us get our day passes, which gave us about $4 change, and then he gave us another dollar out of his own pocket so that we could make change at their change machine for quarters and have 5 hours worth of parking time! We went back out to the lot and paid for our parking; when we went back into the metro station the man was nowhere to be seen. We had planned to get his name so that we could pay him back when we got back from the city in the afternoon, but we never found him! ...Do you ever think you might have met an angel? This morning was one of those times for me.
We got to the embassy around 10:30am and submitted our applications. The process went very smoothly! The consulate employee said that our visas should be ready within 40 business days, and she will call us to let us know when we can pick them up or have them mailed. We left the embassy with a huge burden lifted and a great sense of relief. (If you know anything about our last two months of trying to get everything together for the application, you'll understand!)
The front entrance to the Bulgarian Embassy.
Because we were not going to be able to get back to our training center in time for our afternoon classes, we decided to stop by the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Last time we were in DC it was closed for remodeling, so we didn't get to see it! We were a little crunched for time since we were parked in a metered parking lot back at the park & ride, so we had to pick and choose which exhibits we visited.
Joe reading about an early engine.
Jen looking pretty next to something that she didn't read about and therefore doesn't know what it is.
Joe and statue, looking surprisingly alike.
Jen with a HUGE train engine.
This car drives itself... really!
Julia Childs' kitchen
The road signs on the way home were very demanding.
...don't ask.
When we got to the park & ride we found out we needed either quarters or dollar coins for the parking meter. We only had $20 bills and credit cards with us, so we were a little panicked about what to do. We met a man that worked at the metro station who helped us get our day passes, which gave us about $4 change, and then he gave us another dollar out of his own pocket so that we could make change at their change machine for quarters and have 5 hours worth of parking time! We went back out to the lot and paid for our parking; when we went back into the metro station the man was nowhere to be seen. We had planned to get his name so that we could pay him back when we got back from the city in the afternoon, but we never found him! ...Do you ever think you might have met an angel? This morning was one of those times for me.
We got to the embassy around 10:30am and submitted our applications. The process went very smoothly! The consulate employee said that our visas should be ready within 40 business days, and she will call us to let us know when we can pick them up or have them mailed. We left the embassy with a huge burden lifted and a great sense of relief. (If you know anything about our last two months of trying to get everything together for the application, you'll understand!)
The front entrance to the Bulgarian Embassy.
Because we were not going to be able to get back to our training center in time for our afternoon classes, we decided to stop by the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Last time we were in DC it was closed for remodeling, so we didn't get to see it! We were a little crunched for time since we were parked in a metered parking lot back at the park & ride, so we had to pick and choose which exhibits we visited.
Joe reading about an early engine.
Jen looking pretty next to something that she didn't read about and therefore doesn't know what it is.
Joe and statue, looking surprisingly alike.
Jen with a HUGE train engine.
This car drives itself... really!
Julia Childs' kitchen
The road signs on the way home were very demanding.
...don't ask.
Our training center is located about 45 minutes from part of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. This past Sunday, most of our group headed out in our beloved 12 passenger van to conquer the hills (or at least hike on part of them).
Jen... the hardcore hiker!
We call this the "fried egg mushroom."
My all time favorite hiking buddy.
We chose a "waterfall" trail, which was more like a waterfall tumble. It was very beautiful. Most of the hike was right along the side of a downhill stream, which helped to keep us cool in the oppressive heat.
Pictures don't do nature justice!
We stopped for a kodak moment on the way back down the trail.
Jen... the hardcore hiker!
We call this the "fried egg mushroom."
My all time favorite hiking buddy.
We chose a "waterfall" trail, which was more like a waterfall tumble. It was very beautiful. Most of the hike was right along the side of a downhill stream, which helped to keep us cool in the oppressive heat.
Pictures don't do nature justice!
We stopped for a kodak moment on the way back down the trail.
June 16, 2010
An excerpt from Joe’s journal…
Today we started a two day series on cultural dynamics. When I looked over the lecture schedule and saw what today’s topic was, I was discouraged because I expected it to be long and boring; however, much to my surprise, I was so engrossed by the lecture I didn’t notice when it was time to quit for the day. Our teacher is very engaging, and she covered topics that I have been curious about. It was interesting to think about what type of culture I will be entering into and what aspects of Bulgarian culture will be different than American culture. We talked a lot about family structure and how people relate to each other on a personal and more macro scale. These lessons have started me thinking about Bulgarian culture and what it will be like. We had, for the first time, small groups divided by gender. It was great to talk with the other three guys and just have some time to discuss thoughts and questions.
An excerpt from Joe’s journal…
Today we started a two day series on cultural dynamics. When I looked over the lecture schedule and saw what today’s topic was, I was discouraged because I expected it to be long and boring; however, much to my surprise, I was so engrossed by the lecture I didn’t notice when it was time to quit for the day. Our teacher is very engaging, and she covered topics that I have been curious about. It was interesting to think about what type of culture I will be entering into and what aspects of Bulgarian culture will be different than American culture. We talked a lot about family structure and how people relate to each other on a personal and more macro scale. These lessons have started me thinking about Bulgarian culture and what it will be like. We had, for the first time, small groups divided by gender. It was great to talk with the other three guys and just have some time to discuss thoughts and questions.
June 13, 2010
An excerpt from Jen’s journal…
Today, Joe and I attended a local church called “Fountain Gate Church.” It was just a couple blocks away from HDC, so we walked there this morning for the service. We were so welcomed by everyone in the church. I think every member of the congregation either shook our hands or hugged us or both! There were several other visitors there from the community as well. The actual service was very different than what I am accustomed to. The sermon was about self-respect. I learned a lot from their congregation about making people feel welcome. I was also glad to be exposed to a different style of worship!
An excerpt from Jen’s journal…
Today, Joe and I attended a local church called “Fountain Gate Church.” It was just a couple blocks away from HDC, so we walked there this morning for the service. We were so welcomed by everyone in the church. I think every member of the congregation either shook our hands or hugged us or both! There were several other visitors there from the community as well. The actual service was very different than what I am accustomed to. The sermon was about self-respect. I learned a lot from their congregation about making people feel welcome. I was also glad to be exposed to a different style of worship!
We made it to a local cafe with wifi where we can access our blog. More updates to be published this evening!
June 12, 2010
Last night we visited a local mosque as a group. We all dressed conservatively out of respect, the women in the group wearing scarves over their heads and long skirts. Upon entering the mosque, each of us removed our shoes and placed them on designated shelves. We then proceeded into the musalla, or prayer hall, of the mosque. The imam, or leader, spoke with us about the pillars of Islam and other topics regarding the Muslim faith. He was very gracious in responding to our questions and allowing us to stay to observe the evening prayers. After the time of prayer, we stayed and had more discussions in small groups with some of the member of the mosque who had come to pray. It was a great experience, and we learned a lot. We continue to process a lot of what was discussed, and pray that God will continue to show us how to show love to people of other faiths.
Last night we visited a local mosque as a group. We all dressed conservatively out of respect, the women in the group wearing scarves over their heads and long skirts. Upon entering the mosque, each of us removed our shoes and placed them on designated shelves. We then proceeded into the musalla, or prayer hall, of the mosque. The imam, or leader, spoke with us about the pillars of Islam and other topics regarding the Muslim faith. He was very gracious in responding to our questions and allowing us to stay to observe the evening prayers. After the time of prayer, we stayed and had more discussions in small groups with some of the member of the mosque who had come to pray. It was a great experience, and we learned a lot. We continue to process a lot of what was discussed, and pray that God will continue to show us how to show love to people of other faiths.
Saturday, June 5th, we got to attend Deb Horst's graduation. It was a great time to be with family and celebrate. Congratulations, Mom!
Sorry we haven't posted in a while! The internet access that we had did not allow us to access our blog site to make any changes or add updates! Also, due to restrictions on the facility computers, we will not be able to post any pictures until we leave our training at the end of June. Sorry! We will keep writing blog posts, but they may not show up until the weekends, so please keep checking back!
June 9, 2010
June 6th we arrived in Harrisburg, PA, to start our training. We’re staying at EMM’s Harrisburg Discipleship Center. Monday morning we jumped right into things, with our first session at 8:30am! We have sessions all day, ending around 4:00pm. We’re learning about everything from themes in the Old and New Testaments to methods of spreading the Word.
It’s been great getting to see people again that we met at NAO. We’ve had fun times playing games and having discussions about what we’re learning. The people we are training with here will be going through some of the same things we will in the next year, so it’s wonderful to be able to build bonds now.
June 9, 2010
June 6th we arrived in Harrisburg, PA, to start our training. We’re staying at EMM’s Harrisburg Discipleship Center. Monday morning we jumped right into things, with our first session at 8:30am! We have sessions all day, ending around 4:00pm. We’re learning about everything from themes in the Old and New Testaments to methods of spreading the Word.
It’s been great getting to see people again that we met at NAO. We’ve had fun times playing games and having discussions about what we’re learning. The people we are training with here will be going through some of the same things we will in the next year, so it’s wonderful to be able to build bonds now.
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