More to Lithuania than we have seen in 6 years!

Labas,

Friday we (just David and Jude) went to the beach for the day. A beach day entails walking 15 minutes to the ferry, purchasing tickets (prices are way up from last summer 2lt 90 centa each -just a little over a buck, but double from last year). The ferry ride takes about 10 minutes then we walk on a beautiful path through woods for another 20 minutes and are greeting by wide expanses of beach and surf. It was beautiful. We played in the waves, ate a picnic lunch, read (tried out the kindle that AHS lent me this summer, works very well, easy to read and very portable), and slept on and off. At about 6:00 we came back to the city in search of dinner, but instead we ran into some full time staff out for a beer and joined them. They have been here for a year and intend to stay for another. They have 4 children. Luke is 16, Hannah 14, Andrew 12, and Sophie 6 who was adopted while they were living in Bulgaria. We had a little grocery shopping to do so after that we went back to the dorm for cheese sandwiches and went to bed. David took this picture at 11:00 pm as we were tucking in.

Saturday we got up and did the laundry that collects after a week. We washed it all in the machines here in the dorm and then hung it all up to dry. Then we walked to Old Town, about a 25 minute walk, for coffee and cinnamon rolls. Then we went to the outdoor market and bought knit socks and fresh produce - tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, arugala, green onions, carrots, and snap peas. We have plenty for lunches for the week. One of the women here to teach has been down with flu like symptoms and we did a little shopping for her, she neede milk and bread. When I got back to the dorm I made her a spinach salad with strawberries and walnuts and took her groceries to her. She was delighted.

At noon Kel and Sharon, friends from New Zealand now living in Klaipeda, picked us up and took us to places we have never been before. First we headed north to the town of Krentinga and toured a beautifully refurbished church. We watched one wedding and noticed several more wedding parties lined up for their turn. Then we found a spot for a picnic lunch. We spread out a blanket and had drumsticks, bread and a spinach/stawberry salad. Then we drove to the town of Platelia. This is the town that Becka spent her time in at a YWam camp our first year here. We have never seen the town, lake, school, before and it was nice to see. From there we went to Sentaji to an old, abandoned since 1978 Soviet missile installation. Amazing! We were allowed to scramble around underground into the tunnels, fuel stores, control rooms and the actual missile silo. Thank God it never fired. The missles at this site were, however, were transferred to Cuba

by truck, train, and then commericial ships in 1962 and trainned on the US. Once again, thank God they were never fired. New missiles were installed in Sentaji at that point. Well, after that we rode through countryside and found a darling little cafe in the darling little town of Salantai. The menus were handwritten. David and Kel had racks and racks of ribs, Sharon had a huge plate of french fries and veggies, I had a huge bowl of great chicken soup. The owner was delighted to have us, and we were delighed to be there. At the end she asked if there was anything else we wanted and we asked her if she had any dessert. She said no, but she would go to the store and get some cake if we waited a moment. We told her no, it was fine. Well, after we paid ($4.00 for the plateful of ribs, about 80 cents for the soup) she returned with a plate of cookies. On our way now to the beach. We drove east to the Baltic to see a famous and beautiful sculpture of 3 very happy dancing ladies. We also saw many storkes and a fox as we drove around all day. Back to the dorms by 10:00 after a very busy, fun day.

So now it is Sunday and we are at school getting ready for students tomorrow. My class lists are smaller than usual. I have between 14 and 16 students per class. Here are some of their first names: Aiste, Kararzxna, Asta, Ricard, Gintare, Andreta, Edita, Darja, Andris, ViltareRaimonda, Sviatlana, Ugne, Ruta, Giedre, Mindaugas. There is a strong belief that since Monday is a national holiday, that some of our students may not show up until Tuesday so maybe I'll get more. Can't wait to meet them. Bible studies start with the students on Tuesday.

Well, Viso Gero (all is well, good-bye) and Sudiovu (God is with us),

Jude and David (who added all the photos) too!