swag
May 9, 2015
More from the Retreat (2)

Earlier today I posted photos from Friday of the Mennonite mission workers retreat last week. Now I'll sample my Saturday and Sunday portfolio. First are two of my attempts at photographing birds and flowers--beauty I try to capture wherever I am.

a male house sparrow on a rooftop

Male House Sparrow Sits on Tile Roof (2-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

a rose is always beautiful

Classic Roses Add Beauty to Any Environment (2-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Our input sessions included worship, introductions from each mission group, a skit from Joseph's life and some pracxtical input from the life of Joseph. Here are some vignettes.

listening to a report from other mission workers

Lynn Suter, Janet and Floyd Blosser, and Vince Ramella Listen during a Session (2-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Joesph behind bars of prison

Elsie, Justin Rittenhouse, and Klementina Shahini Act Out Joseph in Prison (2-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Joseph meets his brothers in Egypt

Floyd (far right) Directs Skit of Joseph and His Brothers in Egypt (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

I check my script for Jacob's part

I Check My Script for Jacob's Lines (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Janet Blosser sares practical input from Joseph's life

Janet Gives Practical Input from Joseph's Life (2-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

On Sunday just before lunch, the group recognized the excellent childcare the four women from Lezha Academic Center and the two young men (one from Lezhë and one from Lushnjë) gave to the group of children from infants up through seventh grade.

the women from LAC who provided childcare 

Armelda, Alda, Fabi, and Evianda Accept Our Thanks (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

the two y0ung men working with three bigger boys

Anton and Klodi Also Accept Our Thanks (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Then before we began dispersed (the group from Lezhë was leaving after lunch), we had to try to get together for a group picture. Thanks to Bev Steiner for using my camera to record the moments below. I especially appreciated the informal photos.

let's get set up for our group picture

Anyone Telling Us What to Do? (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

we almost have it all together

Hey, We Almost Got It (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

the final result looks pretty good 

Aren't We Good? (3-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

If anyone wants a larger version of the last photo for printing. It is available. After such good times of conversation and fun, we returned to our regular tasks with renewed vigor and by being blessed by learning to know new friends in a deeper way.

May 9, 2015
More from the Retreat

Ins last week's post I presented a few informal photos from the beginning of the Mediterranean Retreat for all Virginia Mennonite Masson workers in Europe held April 30-May 4. (The Lezhë group left the retreat on Sunday afternoon, May 3 due to obligations on Monday.) Today I'm showing some photos from Friday, the second day of the retreat.

The Tropikal Hotel in Durres where we met for the retreat was right along the Adriatic Sea, so I took some photos from the fourth floor balcony prior to the beginning of our first session.

Dini on the balcony with the Adriatic Sea at his back

Dini Shahini Against the Background of the Adriatic Sea (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

a cargo ship anchored at the port

A Cargo Ship at Anchor in the Durres Port (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

a look over the wate at the main part of Dures

The Main City of Duress, Albania (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Each session began with some worship and singing time led by Shawn Green, introduction of the lives of missionaries in a given area, skits and input led by Floyd and Janet Blosser, and time for personal reflection.

Shawn Green leqding us in singing

Shawn Green Leads the Grloup in Singing (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

men gathered to share about their seense of God's call

Steve Steiner, Rafael Tartari, and Josh Kirkman Share in Our Group (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Giovanni with Shawn intwerpreting

Giovanni Greco and Shawn Green Share about Living in Italy (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

close up of the nested dolls

Close-up Photo of the Nested Dolls (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Breakfast was buffet-style while lunch and dinner were served meals. The food was very good and the convseraton among persons at the retreat was also excellent--fun, informative and challenging.

lunch time we were served at tables

Alda and Armelda Eat Lunch at Our Table (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

As we were getting ready for the beginning of the evening sessions, we usually had a beautiful view of the setting Sun. 

sunset on Friday evening

Sun Sets over Durres and the Adriatic Sea (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Friday evening there was a talent show that all enjoyed--children through seniors. (I guess I am admitting to being a senior citizen.)

Katrina and Justin sing a duet

Katrina Schmid and Justin Rittenhouse Sing a Duet (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Brady shows his profixciency with thwe Rubixc's xcube

Brady Ramella Does Quick Work on the Rubik's Cube (1-May-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The retreat was a time of refreshment and challenge. It was good to learn to know new people who are trying to live cross-culturally, too. May God grant each of us his wisdom, peace and love!

--©2014-15, Richard L. Bowman

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