Update # 3 Saturday in Belgrade

To wake up in the morning and  realize that you have actually slept the whole night, wow, ....maybe the  jetlag monster is finally on the retreat. You know it was bad,  when last night I was looking at some of the pictures we had taken during the day...and Pat starts laughing at me...I had actually fallen asleep looking at the computer....so we knew it was time to go to bed...and so we all did. Bogdan had in his own way decided yesterday that a nap was not part of his plan for the day....so by the time evening rolled around, he was exhausted to say the least ....Yes,  yesterday (Saturday) was a full day and such a fun day. We went on an outing Steve, Tanja, Bogdan, Pat and I ....down to Belgrade to look at the sights.

First we had to find a map though...how can you be somewhere and not know where you are? So, after being orientated, we now know that Mitrovic, their town is on the road between Belgrade and the Croatian border....the same route that we drove many, many years ago as we came up from Lebanon to Europe. We have many memories from the former Yugoslavia, but sad to say, we had never really seen anything, just driven through. So, yesterday was a treat. A real treat. Being on outings is also a very good time to just talk and hang out and enjoy fellowship together. And what is better than doing that in the company of friends.
The sun was out and we were excited....and after a little driving here and there, looking at things....(oh there are so many really beautiful buildings in this city...AND also some bombed out left from the war) we had to find parking. And that does not change by being in a foreign country....it is difficult. But we were all rejoicing when one little spot opened up on a small back street close to where we were going. There seemed to be sooooo many people out and about. It was Saturday...and it was sunny....and spring is in the air. The side walk cafes all over were jam packed with folks just hanging out...as was the park right by the river. We got to see where the Donahue and the Siva come together....mighty and impressive...and then we ended our little outing with a late (very late) lunch in a small resturant nearby. And we were also informed that it was here that Tanja and Steve had their first date...and this is the place they come back to for anniversaries and special times. It was small a cozy and the food was great...just one thing was very puzzling...almost everyone in the establishment was smoking!!! Coming from a place where that is a real no no....it thok a while to get used to sitting in a cloud of smoke...thankfully all the windows were open  the the breeze was nice....and we really did have a great time.
Ended the day with a trip to the supermarket with Tanja...a real treat....to walk the streets where they live and work....to be and do what they are doing....that is why we are here....to hang with our friends, to be of encouragement, to listen and talk...so good. And we are so thankful that Pat's health is doing fine...with pills and rest and lot's of prayers, he is fine. Thanks for being on this trip with us.
We cannot in words tell you how good it is to visit and see and experience where our people live and minister....this is so much part of who they are....We are also excited for the team Good Shepherd is sending to serve here in the summer. And next week Steve and Tanja are off on their first camp for the year, down in the south of the country where Tanja comes from. So she and Bogdan also get to visit with family for a while.