Students Left Today

Today most of the students left right after lunch. I had told my prayer partner goodbye earlier when she left before lunch to go home to her husband and 1 1/2 year old daughter. I wish Sanda safe travels and will think of her often in her country, Romania. Natasha and Zhengy left right at the end of lunch. It will take them 3 days to get home. They are such a precious couple and I will remember them also in their country of Ukraine. I have their email address and plan to keep in touch.

As the students said their goodbyes, it was a bittersweet time. We knew from the beginning that our time with them was limited and that we probably won't see them again until Heaven. They have many trials in their countries...particularly those from the former Soviet Union. Some of the students shared how difficult their economies were since the Soviet Union dissolved. They struggle to make a living yet they are such joyous Christians! I will never forget the crazy antics of Vladimar, Maxim, and Ruslan. They know how to make people laugh and will continue to be great spiritual leaders in their homeland of Siberia and Latvia.

We said good-bye to our friends and wished them God's blessings. Then 10 minutes later, we were working away getting this place cleaned up and ready for the next session. Of course, nothing is really that dirty but we have to wipe down walls, disinfect bathrooms, change and wash bedding and towels, mop, vacuum, and the list goes on and on!

Tonight the staff had a recognition for the short term & long term workers and the professors. At the end they gave us boxes of the delicious Milka candy! Yummy!

Tomorrow night after we work all day long, we go to dinner at a local restaurant for an authentic Austrian meal. Sure hope that I am not too tired to enjoy it!!