Passau Germany

Way back in June ... some highlights from around Passau. I'll have more from Passau later. And a whole lot more from all over!

Long time ...

Well, I realize that entries in this blog are long overdue! I've recently had the pleasure of seeing some of you "silent readers" in Alaska. What a treat to spend a month there!

So, in the next few days I promise that I'll post lots (aka "gobs," "heaps!") of photos from our visits to Germany, Italy, Austria, Czech Rep., England, and then on to my visits in Alaska.

Currently, I'm sitting in my hotel room in Houston. I've turned in my passport for the final visa work for Saudi. Jim's settling in there, nicely. Though he's been swamped with work, he's been able to get moved into our house with limited supplies as we await the arrival of our shipment. 10 days from now, I'll be joining Jim. What a long and circuitous route it's been! One filled with amazing adventures, sensory overload in beautiful location after beautiful location, valuable time with family in Alaska, hook-ups with friends in Alaska, and now hooking up (this week) with friends in Texas.

My heart is full. Soon, some of it will be spilling out, here!

The International Wedding of an Italian and a German in Bavaria

Jim flew from Houston (but was a day late and missed the wedding due to visa delays) and I flew from Thailand, to our friends' wedding in Bavaria, Germany -- in the village of Euzerdorf, near Passau, Germany.

Wolfgang is German and Ilaria is Italian. Because they both worked for (Wolfgang just retired) the very international company for whom Jim works, the wedding was so international that it caused most of the villagers from many of the villages to hide in the balcony of the church before the service so that they could witness it! A busload of Italians -- 35 of them -- arrived from Milan. Cars of Italians and Germans arrived. Others arrived via plane -- one friend of Ilaria's, a manager in the company, flew from Rio just for the weekend. It was like a great reunion for many of us who had all met each other while we were in Nigeria.


Here are dear friends who currently both work in Moscow. Thomas is from Austria and Patricia is from Venezuela. Later in our vacation we stayed in their home near Vienna (even though they were back in Moscow). Photos will be loaded later of that area.












And here's a sweet family from Myanmar. He's now working in Paris.















The bridal couple arrived on Wollo's 25 year old motorbike.


















The service was mainly bi-lingual, German and Italian; the priest was fluent in both. The only English was my short prayer -- which wasn't very Catholic, to the dismay of the priest, I believe!

















This traditional organ grinder pumped out German and Bavarian tunes for a few hours! Ilaria (an accomplished pianist/organist/harpsichordist) hated it but Wolfgang was thrilled!















































Jim arrived the next day ... the party was still continuing, though many had left!









Great friends who were just on their way out of Nigeria. He's French and she's Argentine. They will be working in Rio, next.

A Few Shots from Boy's Football Ministry in a village near Ubon

We stopped for coconuts on our way out to the village.








Boy and Jeri bought some new shoes in varied sizes for the boys to try on -- so that they all can get their own shoes. Boy and Jeri will bring the shoes to be used each week -- so that the shoes survive. They're buying all of these supplies out of their pockets (which are usually pretty empty!) so let them know if you're interested in helping support a specific child or to support their ministries as a whole.












Boy is a fabulous coach -- very firm but loving and patient. Very well prepared. Very hard working. Very talented, himself!


























Jeri and I love these next 2 photos. Notice the sequence -- Boy models, a boy follows!



















They need to buy and build a large net next to the field -- to keep the balls from hitting the fence that runs along the edge!

Last Photos in Balikpapan part 2

So, on my last full day in Balikpapan, I went out with a friend, Angela from Canada, and her driver for a day of photo shooting. These are just a few. Indonesia seems so far away already ... after being overwhelmed by history and beauty in Europe.