Cameroon/Kamerun/Cameroun

In April I had my first chance to visit the African country Cameroon. I spent just under two weeks in the capitol city of Yaoundé attending the first Cameroon Grace Brethren Church national conference and teaching pastors and church members. I also had a very stimulating afternoon with a group of youth from one of the Yaoundé churches.

One of the first things that struck me is how modern and advanced Cameroon is in comparison to Chad and the CAR - traffic lights, many more cars, nicer cars, areas of the city with beautiful houses, larger number of paved streets, street lights (put in for the visit from the Pope), many tall buildings, imported APPLES being sold on about every corner!

Barack Obama was a popular guy!
(click on picture to enlarge)

Scribbled on a wall: The "King of the Blacks"!

I wasn't expecting to see this!

Look-alike friends at one of the churches.

The youth choir making their grand entrance and getting everyone in the mood for the conference.

Elaborately choreographed steps, singing as the went along.

I'd like to see Shelly try this one on somebody.

Part of a Christian youth movement, something akin to the girl scouts . . .

. . . and boy scouts.

This Christian movement is losing influence among young people who generally have become very westernized, especially in the large cities.
There is a dire need for good work among the young people in the central African countries!

As always, the ladies provide some of the most interesting cultural displays while doing the lion's share of the physical work for the conference (cooking and clean-up) - they are the backbone of the families and churches.

They love to sing and dance.

I felt like Forrest Gump!

The ladies in all their finery.

Frank Puhl, German missionary, delivered one of the keynote addresses at the conference.

This young man and his wife were presented for ordination, I believe the first ordained pastor in the fledgling Grace Brethren fellowship in Cameroon. I had the joy of preaching his ordination sermon.

The young man in the middle, Paul, was my translator (English to French) for this trip. He and I connected quickly and I consider him to be one of the best African translators I've ever had.
(I don't often miss an opportunity to wear one of my "African" ties made by our friend from Pennsylvanie, Nellie Diehl.)

This is in front of one of the neighborhood churches where I held classes.

I could take pictures of the children all day!

One of the 13 Yaoundé Grace Brethren Churches is located in this building. Until now, most of the Grace Brethren Churches are made up of immigrants from Chad and the CAR and are counted among the poorer elements of the Cameroonian society.

Another one of the neighborhood GBCs in Yaoundé.

Receiving a parting thank-you gift from the president of the Cameroon Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

I was definitely not there in the dry season. We had to contend often with torrential rains which virtually stopped our meetings, the pounding rain on tin roofs making verbal communication impossible.

A sophisticated drainage system in the yard of one of the churches - a small river accumulated very quickly.

I had the delight to get to know Dan, Karis, Kayla and Krista Seely while I was in Yaoundé. Karis (of whom I did not get a picture - sorry!) is Steven Varner's first cousin. Dan and Karis are church-planting missionaries in their first term and have a delightful home and family. They just happen to be direct neighbors to Karen Foster, one of our Grace Brethren missionaries in Cameroon, so I got to see them frequently and had some meals in their home.

I also had fun practicing my grandpa skills with two cute, wiggly little red heads.

Here is Karen Foster with translator Paul. Karen is a seasoned Africa missionary having served many years in the CAR and now managing administrative duties in Cameroon as well as carrying on active ministry to the African ladies and helping develop and coordinate a blossoming Sunday School program. Karen is a member of our home church, Grace Brethren of Columbus, Ohio. She also served me a lot of great meals while I was there!

Birthday Quiz!!

The Great Birthday Quiz!
The person who responds in the comment option and has the most correct answers (in some cases POLITICALLY correct - be careful how you answer!) wins a prize, imported from Germany - to be handed out at Daniel and Elizabeth's wedding on August 1 in Columbus, Ohio. Non-German speakers are allowed to ask for help from their German-speaking friends. More than one person can win a prize!

Question #1: Of the first 4 cakes shown, which cake belongs to which birthday boy or girl?

Question #2: Of the three birthday people represented, how old (in years) is each one?*
(Hint: The cake Helen is carrying shows two possible options. Look carefully at Helen's hair and general appearance for evidence of which cake gives the correct age.)

*possible trick question!

The more berries, the better.

Question #3: Who's creation is this? (It is a girl who used to go by the title "Edelgermanin")

All of Helen's friends are anxious to reach this age milestone. Question #4: Why is this so?

I think we've gone to gift bags - attractive, easy and re-usable.

You can always use a decorative tea cup.

The table looked especially festive for Helen's big day.

Many family members and friends graced our table with their presence that day.

Annika Schurr with Judith.

Micha Schurr anticipating a piece of birthday cake. Question #5: What is the name of the cake shown in the bottom right-hand corner of the picture?

How thankful we are that we kept all those old toys. This kept the boys busy for quite a while. Question #6: What brand of toy is the A-frame house with the turquoise roof?

A nice bouquet of flowers always spruces up the sideboard.

Question #7: Name three differences between Helen's birthday table and this one.

Amy Hausmann with Theo.

Uli Hausmann and Kelly.

Becky had to put a puzzle together in order to find out what her present from Nadine and Annika was.

Almost complete. Now, turn it over and find out what it is.

Question #8: What category does this present relate to? (Even non-German speakers can figure this one out! Look for the key word.)

Quilt Creations

From an endless array, selecting just the right combination of colors and patters becomes the decisive first step in the creative process.

This was determined to provide just the right balance for a throw to be used on our living room couch.

Once the colors and patterns are chosen for the individual blocks, the cutting begins. Attention to detail at this stage provides for precision as the pieces are sewn together.

As the blocks are completed, they must be arranged into larger squares.

Which blocks fit together to provide the most pleasing result?

Finding the perfect balance of light/dark, pattern/plain, red/green/brown/blue requires a good "feel" and an ability to envision the whole.

A "birds eye" perspective is helpful!

The project takes shape.

With borders sewn on it almost is complete. Next step is to add filling, backing and do the quilting. Then it will take its proud place on the back of our living room couch.

Becky, Nadine and Annika have found a common passion for creative pursuits that periodically finds them lugging their sewing machines and supplies to one another's houses for an evening of quilting fun.

Meanwhile a second quilt is in the very beginning stages. This time Becky and Annika are working on the same project together.

Nadine is called in for consultation as they seek to strike the perfect balance of colors, patterns and shades. Finished products will be displayed at a later date.

Special "Events"

Right after Freya and Steve left we received a team of 8 Grace College students led by former missionary colleague Kip Cone for just under two weeks of outreach ministry using English as a drawing card. Arrival at the train station in Aalen.

It was a remarkable group of young people - culturally sensitive, flexible, gifted and enthusiastic. They fit in to a multitude of different contexts and left a lasting impact on many people with whom they came into contact. This has encouraged us to consider inviting teams in future years for similar outreach ministries. Departure some 12 days later at the train station in Aalen.

A few short weeks later Thomas arrived with a group of friends, the Relevents Woodwind Quintet, for a week of concerts interspersed with sight-seeing excursions.

Thomas had to find his way back into German quickly as the quintet spent their first two days playing for music classes in Thomas' former school, Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium in Aalen.

These opportunities were coordinated by Norbert Locher, one of Thomas' teachers when he was a student at the school.

An evening concert was presented in this picturesque building in the center of Nördlingen, a medieval walled city about 1/2 hour to the east of Aalen.

The atmosphere in this concert hall was rustic and noble at the same time. The audience was enthusiastically appreciative as evidenced by their applause and comments afterwords.

The group was extremely professional and made a very pleasant impression.

A special treat was having Thomas' former and Zachary's current oboe teacher, Vannippon Kim-Thorn along with his wife present on that evening.

From left to right: Laura Dangerfield Stevens, flute; Thomas Pappas, oboe; Mary Pritchett-Boudreault, French horn; Ann Shoemaker, bassoon; Shawn Copeland, clarinette.

In action!

Guess who did the music for our church service on Sunday morning? Joining the quintet is Jim Boudreault, Mary's husband, on the trumpet.

After their Sunday evening concert in the music school in Aalen. Music of this type and of this excellence is seldom heard in Aalen as was attested to by the enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive newspaper reviews.

After a full day of church and concert everyone relaxed with hamburger treats from McDonalds. After a much too short visit they were off to the airport early Monday morning. The european based managment team (Becky and John) looks forward to organizing future concert tours for this up and coming group.

Filling the House for Christmas and New Year Traditions

Beginning on the first advent Sunday the "traditional" Christmas decorations start to appear.

A mini-nativity scene for the window sill.

With a rosy-cheeked baby Jesus.

The expert light-"untangeler" at work doing the "traditional" tree decoration.

It was a joy to have the Varner four (gathered for a "traditional" picture in front of the decorated Christmas tree) visiting for the holidays!

Now, what could be in this box?????

Before they came, Max was wondering if we had any John Deere toys! With a little help from our local toy store we were able to accommodate.

To the delight of all.

Henry savoring a moment when he had the tractor all to himself.

Other toys of a more "traditional" nature also proved attractive.

Indeed, even a shiny coffee pot could be entertaining with a bit of imagination.

And of course there was no lack of musical interludes.

Henry continuing the "tradition" his mother helped begin with her untold number of hours at this very same piano.

We all felt a little sorry for Steve who had to finish marking papers and posting grades for the business class he had taught at Grace College during the fall semester.

Henry helping his dad prepare for his part in the "traditional" Christmas Eve service at church.

The "traditional" December 22nd birthday celebration.

Who would plan their birthday just before Christmas?!?

Notice the "traditional" NON-CHRISTMAS wrapping paper.

The "traditional" birthday and Christmas present: Esprit socks.

Receiving a "traditional" birthday hug from her honey.

The "traditional" Christmas Eve Greek/American spread after the church service and just before opening our gifts.

Some unusual non-"traditional" ways to fill the time between holiday celebrations.

Steve putting his expert mechanical abilities to work helping Gerson resurrect his 35 year old Landrover.

Multiplied thousands of walnuts were shelled and bagged - the harvest of the past several years from the tree in front of our house.

Quite possibly a world-wide first: An international Settlers game via skype - two players in Aalen, Germany and two in Greensboro, NC, USA!

The healthy ingredients of the "traditional" New Year's Eve midnight snack: pretzels,

banana pieces,

canned cherries,

mandarin oranges,

pineapple chunks,

fresh kiwi fruit and . . .

. . . the main ingredient, complements of Ritter Sport - only the best for this "traditional" favorite!

Nobody had to be asked twice to "dig in."

A great "traditional" way to end the old year and begin the new.

A momentary feeding frenzy until the reality sets in - chocolate can be very filling!

To work off the excess, our "traditional" New Year's walk.

Seeing how fast we can freeze the little kids.

Encountering endangered species along the way.

Giving the horses some excitement on the way back home.

That Time of Year Again

By popular demand, a step-by-step posting on the art of making "perfect" Greek bread.
The batter, mixed and rising in a warm place to double its original size.

Meanwhile the pans are greased and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Then the dough is cut into eighths, kneaded thoroughly and formed into round balls.

These are placed evenly spaced onto the pans and then "painted" with an egg white wash.

The final stage before the oven - generously sprinkled with sesame seeds and snipped in the classic pattern with kitchen scissors. Then they are set out to rise a second time to double their size.

Ready to pop into the pre-heated oven.

The first few minutes in the oven they rise to their optimal size.

Now we just need to keep a watchful eye so they bake evenly.
The smell begins to fill the house.

Set out to cool briefly.

Looking good enough to eat!

Winter With a Vengeance

We had some really nice snowfalls this past winter which transformed our sometimes drab-looking surroundings into a sparkling winter paradise.

An otherwise "naked" birch tree in the back yard.

Of course all that snow had to be removed from the driveway and sidewalks - this became our daily ritual after the morning jog through the woods.

Even Gerson's old-timer Landrover looked noble under our stately walnut tree.

The view from this side has changed gradually over the years as the tree has grown.

On the Road Again

In November '08 it was time for me (John) to hit the road (sky) again, taking this Ryanair flight from Stuttgart to Dublin for some enriching meetings with good friends, members of our GBIM Europe team.

I think I have a new favorite country and a new favorite city!

Taking in some of the delightful sights as we passed through the heart of the city on our way to our meeting place.

I would love to have taken a tour of the canal system in the area.

The street where our teammates Roy and Holly Angle live.

An Irish neighborhood just as I would have pictured it.

We spent some very rewarding days learning from and challenging one another regarding effective ways to teach God's word in the skeptical and sometimes harsh European cultural climate.

Although the discussions were stimulating, we also found ample time for relaxed fellowship and sharing around meals and coffee.

After a brief stopover in Aalen it was off to Dijon, France for a few days talking through strategic planning for our GBIM Europe team.

It was my first visit to our Grace Brethren Church in this beautiful French city famous (among other things) for its spicy mustard.

Once again we spent quite a bit of time in meetings . . .

. . . but we did have some time to take in some of the sights around town.

We came upon this scene as this French couple was just leaving the church after their wedding ceremony.

And what would a trip to France be without encountering some sort of strike or protest!

Just before heading back to Aalen I enjoyed a Sunday morning church service with the Dijon church where I had the joy of delivering the message for that day. The Klawitter family provided the music that day as well.

Miscellaneous

As I was traveling down the Autobahn one day I made the discovery that in Germany even truck drivers are geeks!

Recent family picture - greetings from Aalen!

Baby Boom!

About this time last year we were thinking it would be nice if some babies were added to our church family . . .

. . . and lo and behold!!! Three in one year.

Nadine with her first child, Salome, born end of August.

Becky remembering what it felt like.

Salome with her best friend Judith Schurr who was born toward the end of June. Little Theo Hausmann was born in April.

Special events

REICHSSTÄDTER TAGE

Once again this year we had the Tea Bus come to Aalen for our city festival outreach event on the second weekend of September.

We were located on a main entrance to the downtown area of Aalen and many 100s of festival visitors walked right by our bus.

The self-contained unit has everything you need to set up a sidewalk café.

Storage area on the roof of the bus.

The climbing wall being installed.

Being stabilized

Mounting the "stones."

One of the first climbers to reach the top. Handing out tracts, doing surveys and engaging passers-by in conversation.

A typical scene inside the bus that repeated itself often over the 2 1/2 days. We talked to a LOT of people about their relationship to God.

BAPTISM

At the end of September we went out to a lake for our second baptism of the season.

Fokko would be doing the baptizing this time.

The water was a bit cold, but Miri braved it as she entered the lake.

Joy overcame her fears of the cold water as she completed this step of obedience to the Lord.

Visitors - late summer and fall

One of the privileges of our life has been getting to know people from all over the world. We've enjoyed hosting friends and family in recent weeks . . .

beginning in August with Bob Steiger, who was on his way from Chad heading back to the States. I (John) had gotten to know Bob during ministry trips to Chad over the past several years and we were delighted that he could spend a couple of days with us . . .

before meeting up with Michael Puhl, son of Frank and Karin Puhl, German friends who have spent the past 15 years as missionaries in Chad. Michael and Bob headed to Prague and other points before Bob flew back to the States to pursue the next phases of his life.

It was our very special treat to have Monica and John with Clara and Nick visit us for two wonderful weeks in September. Here they look pretty refreshed after having just crossed the Atlantic and basically losing a night's sleep!

It didn't take Nick too long to figure out what do do with the Bobby-Car. It became "his" property for the duration of their visit and he defended it with vigor.

He learned how to drive, honk the horn and use the cell phone (illegal in Germany while driving!) all at the same time.

Clara didn't need any instructions on what to do with Barbie.

We were glad we had saved all the dolls and clothes for such a time as this. Here is Clara "accessorizing."

During the two weeks the Rudys were able to go on outings to the Stuttgart zoo, the Ludwigsburg Castle with magnificent floral gardens and children's fairy tale garden and to the fabulous Neuschwanstein Castle located on the Austrian border. They got to take the train to Stuttgart, a first for many of them.

Uncle Dietmar found the perfect gift for Clara - a Disney fairy tale castle helium balloon.

We took nature walks with the kids and were amazed at the variety of berries we found along the way.

We ended up at the playground where their mother and aunts and uncles used to play as children - brought back fond memories!

While the Rudys were with us we got to go see where Dietmar and Steffi live and enjoyed some scrumptious cake creations by Steffi and Becky (see below).

Some days we just enjoyed chilling at home . . .

. . . where Clara discovered "Highlights Magazine" and the "Timbertoes"

One of the highlights we got to enjoy was Clara's 5th birthday with this special cake creation by Monica. After hundreds of icing dots and stripes . . .

. . . this masterpiece emerged.

Steffi's creative talents also contributed to a successful celebration.

Clara enjoyed opening her presents.

And John got to put his engineering talents to good use.

Installing two AAA batteries completed the job.

A very special guest for this day was Frau Felber, Monica's 4th grade teacher. Thomas, Erika and Zachary also had Frau Felber during their grade school years.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. We made the trip to the Frankfurt airport once again to say good-bye.

Waiting patiently in line at the check-in, and off they went.

Visiting airports has become a way of life, this time picking up Erika in Stuttgart.


She is in Germany for 7 weeks of student teaching before returning to the States for her last semester at Grace College.

Becky's orchids re-bloomed just in time for Erika to enjoy with us.

Erika had a week with us in Aalen before heading to Munich for her teaching assignment. During these days she was able to adjust to the time difference and do necessary paper work to prepare for her time at the Munich International School.

Erika also got to see Steffi and Dietmar's place for the first time . . .

. . . where we enjoyed a delightful meal and a cup of tea.

On October 31st it was off to Munich . . .

. . . enjoying a cappuccino at McDonalds before finding the school.

Located outside Munich in a beautiful setting is the MIC where Erika will be spending the next weeks teaching music to elementary school students from literally all over the world.

Several scenes from around the school to give an idea of the setting in which Erika will be spending her days.

View from the school campus to the Alps in the south.

An odd sign that I found near the school.

The word on the top, the name of a hiking trail, is, roughly translated, "Sow Herder's Trail"

After Erika had some time with her supervising teacher, a young lady from Australia, we headed into Munich to the home of Hans and Gabi Faber.

This is a German family, members of a church where a young couple from our church attended during their years in Munich, that has graciously opened their home to Erika for the weeks she will be at the international school.

Not all our visitors have come from so far away. Nadine Kolster came by last week to help Becky get started on a new quilting project.

The scissors were clicking and the sewing maching whirring as the project takes shape. Becky at her creative best. The end result will be posted on a future blog.

Helen's back!

It was fun following Helen's plane as it approached and landed at the Frankfurt airport

Shortly thereafter Helen emerged from the customs area with all her luggage!!

After a mad dash to the train station located beneath the airport terminal we just caught our train as the doors were ready to close

It was a long but relaxing trip back home and a chance to catch up a bit

We were struck by this familiar graffiti-face painted on the side of a train station that we passed on our way

Unpacking and settling in. There's no place like home!

Faithful Pray-er Lisbeth Leis

On Sunday, August 17 Becky, Zach and I went to Stuttgart for church and spent lunchtime and the afternoon with Lisbeth Leis. Lisbeth was one of the early church members in the Stuttgart church and has faithfully prayed for our family and church planting work in Aalen for all these years. It was a day to renew many old friendships and to bring back to mind lots of good memories
In the picture is Lisbeth's son, Rainer and grandson, Stefan

Visitor from Africa

Our friend, Francois Ngoumape from the Central African Republic turned out to be the lone representative from his country to the festivities in Germany. We had anticipated hosting 4 men from the CAR, but at the last minute three of them were refused entrance visas. It was nice catching up with Francois and getting updated on the status of things in his country and in his family. He preached in our church on Sunday and gave a moving report to our church after a pot-luck meal

"Heritage Tour" visit

A group of 21 Americans, the Grace Brethren "Heritage Tour" made an overnight stop in Aalen. We served them a "Schwäbisch" meal of Maultaschen and Kartoffelsalat and otherwise spent a very pleasant evening with them in our church facility. They were at the 300 year celebration in Schwarzenau the weekend before visiting us and afterwards headed to Switzerland and were to end up in Paris for several days. It was good to see familiar faces!

Pastor Dave and Ginni Plaster of the GBC Columbus/Worthington, OH

Dana and Bill Muncie, also from the GBC Columbus/Worthington
Dana is the sister of missionary Mark Sims from France

On the left is Janice Burkholder from the Epharta, PA Grace Brethren Church
Janice is church secretary and long-time friend
Across from Janice is her daughter Dawn
Wilfried is telling about his plans to go the the Central African Republic

Two Grace Brethren Pastors, Ray Feather and Tod Scoles in animated discussion

It was a special treat for us to reconnect with Margaret Zook
She and her husband, Loren, were on a short-term team that visited Aalen some 11 years ago

Most surprising to me was seeing Peter again
He is Dutch and was the bus driver for a Grace College music team that visited us several years ago
It just so happens that he was driving the bus for this group as well. We were both surprised to see and recognize one another again!

Several from our church joined with us for a pleasant German-American evening

Schwarzenau, Germany - 300 years later

On Sunday, August 3rd several from the Aalen church traveled to Schwarzenau for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the "Brethren Movement" begun by Alexander Mack. In August of 1708 Mack was baptized in the Eder river and then he baptized 7 other believers. This was a bold and courageous step at that time, was seen as a challenge to the prevailing religious and political powers and resulted eventually in pressure on the group leading to their move to Pennsylvania. In the New World, with guarantees of religious freedom, the movement grew and spread rapidly.

Our early morning departure (5:30 a.m.) guaranteed a timely arrival for the 10:00 a.m. church service

A brief pit and coffee stop along the Autobahn
The once voluntary contribution has become a mandatory 50 cent charge for use of the rest rooms (check out the sign in the background)!!!

Just one km to the Brethren "Mecca"

On the banks of the Eder river where the 8 believers were baptized

A transformed horse arena provided a very pleasant setting for the several hundred attendees from around the world - mostly USA with representatives from Philippines, Central Asia, Germany, England, Argentina, Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, etc.

Nice to see a familiar face - Steve Kern, presently from Wooster, OH, former colleague on our missionary team in Germany

A "private" tour of the Alexander Mack museum

A final "gathering at the river" with a short address, a song and a prayer

Commemorative plaque near the river (click for close-up)

Part of the Aalen contingent just before heading back home

Zach on the road again

Zach's new wheels - a "cross" bike, between a mountain bike and a trekking bike
We even found a used one that was just what we were looking for

When Zach grows a couple more inches it will be a perfect fit

Getting the hang of 27 speeds!

A little different than the ones we were used to as kids

With shock absorbers on the front fork

Precision mechanics

Daniel, you'll recognize this - it's the one I'm riding now
I told Zach not to feel too bad with his bike, not everybody can have a custom made beauty like this one

This puts new meaning to the term "multi-tasking"
Optimal use of time, Lucky Luke comics and computer game -
at the same time

Even though our flowers in front of the house aren't as nice this year,
we really like the color of this geranium
(click for full impact)

Nothing earthshaking!

Some mid-summer images from our neck of the woods
The obligatory sunsets taken from our balcony - who needs to go on vacation?

Andi Schurr with two of his three sons, Lukas and Aaron
Andi and Annika, a young couple from our church
They just had their fourth child last Friday, a girl!!
Her name is Judith

and here's Micha

Quilting creations are beginning to proliferate around our house . . . more to come
(click to enlarge and check out the detail)

Matthias and Melina Ezel from Leonberg
They leave August 5 with three small children
for their next term of missionary service in Chad

Special visitor for the day - Anne Manduka
She spent a week in Schwäbisch Gmünd where she grew up and came to church last Sunday
Her last visit to the area before leaving from Basel to start college in Lancaster, PA this fall

Greeting committee as we returned from jogging this morning

Some early summer scenes

Some sunsets from our balcony

Anniversary roses!

In the middle of what used to be the sandbox

Baptism at the lake on June 22

Harald baptizing Simon

and then Robert

Dietmar baptizing Nico

and Wilfried doing the honors for Alexander

Theo Hausmann came along to enjoy the festivities

A beautiful day for an early morning balloon ride
(taken from our balcony)

The Aalen city gardeners outdid themselves again
this year with their floral decorations around the
downtown area of the city. Those of you who grew
up here will recognize several of the sites from
around the city.

"Our" three Czech students:
Veronika, Jirka and Katka

36 Years and Counting . . .

Here's where it all began

June 10, 1972
Grace Brethren Church
Worthington, Ohio

Heading off

Getting used to married life

Enjoying a few days at Virginia Beach . . .
until the money ran out

Memories forever!

"Normal" life and Helen's send-off

First official visit to Steffi's and Dietmar's apartment

Delicious Mexican meal

Time for a chemistry lesson - it paid off,
Helen finished the year with an A

Zach's lucky "Rook" day - he was charmed

One of Steffi's cake creations
We've learned to be very willing guinea pigs

Picking up Daniel and Nadine
after their return from 3 weeks in the States

Dramatic transformation in front of the house

The sandbox is gone - but we're not sure whether we've replaced it
with a flower bed or a graveyard - that's what Becky calls it

A few flower boxes to spruce up the front

The raspberries in back have also been resurrected

We're sure all the neighbors are heaving a collective sigh of relief

Getting Helen ready for her big summer

The new sewing machine got a big-time workout -
and passed with flying colors

And one last "fix" at McDonalds before heading to the airport

Final good-byes at the passport control

And Zach couldn't wait to get back to his chemistry -
he even brought it along in the car

Crete - Trip of a lifetime!

Here's where it all began - Nürnberg airport, May 2, 2008

Heraklion, largest city on Crete

Baggage claim in Heraklion

Picking up our rental car at the airport

Our first stop, the town of Vamos

We had an apartment in Villa Elianthos

The terrace where we had our breakfast

View from the terrace

Exploring the region


Checking out the harbor city of Chania,
Crete's second largest city








Street signs

Guten Appetit!


Evidences of the Orthodox religion abound





Serene wooded setting for a wonderful Greek meal

I even got to prepare my own Greek coffee

Visits to Georgios and Eleni Virirakis in the village of Armeni.
Eleni is my (John) father's first cousin,
whose father was my grandmother's brother.



And their daughter, Argentini, at her job in the city hall in nearby Kalives

Exploring one of the many gorges
cutting deep into the land . . .




. . . where trees and . . .

trashcans grow right out of the rocks!!

Crossing the high plateau amidst the mountains




Breathtaking views of the southern shore



Leaving "Elianthos" for our next
destination - the city of Rethymno

Stopping in at a familiar store
along the way for supplies

One night in a "noble" hotel in Rethymno





Exploring the fortress overlooking the harbor



Our last 5 days were spent in this rustic
"traditional Greek house" near the city
of Elounda











The mosquito netting was a life saver!

Our "outhouse" bathroom across the courtyard
to the left of the main entrance to the house


And the kitchen to the right


Roomy terrace with a fabulous view






Across the bay lies the island of Spinalonga
Settled by the Venetians from 13th to 17th century
Occupied by the Ottomans till 1900
Leper colony from 1904-1957









High above Elounda






Panagia, ancient Byzantine church
with frescoes from the 13th to 15th century



Lato, ruins of a city from the 7th to 4th centuries B.C.






Images from our last evening










Parting shots . . . Crete, a land of rugged beauty









Back home again!