Still Students

This week we have a huge project due for the class we're taking from NTS.  We have visited museums this week to help us along in the process of finishing it.  I think its been a great thing since often times to understand who we are now, we must look back to who we were and what has shaped us.  Of course looking at old artifacts and reading descriptions of history dating back to the 12th century to present can be a lot, it helps to see broad strokes of the complex history that has shaped present day Croatia.  It helps me to remember there is a greater picture than what is right in front of me.  Cultures, towns, people--all have been shaped by different things.  Who is this other person? 

Its been interesting to hear different perspectives from people we've talked to.  Emily and I talked with a "priest of students" on Wednesday morning.  He is a passionate man ready to stand for the truth.  Another man at one of the museums who worked there saw us examining a picture of Ban Jelačič's wife in which he began a long explanation of their marriage.  You could hear in his voice the great interest he had in the subject.  I think he may have felt like he took too much time when he finished because he said, "Sorry to keep you."  It wasn't keeping us at all!  It was great.  Another guy who I play frisbee with teaches here in Zagreb at the university level (he actually lived in Seattle for a long  time--you wouldn't guess he's Croatian by his American English accent) has written a lot about topics of Croatian issues.  In fact he told me he was invited to a party with the president last week.  He laughed and said, "There was the president, about 300 or so famous people....and me."  I can tell in his attitude when I begin to ask him questions, or say things like "I have to sit down and just listen to you sometime" that his apprecation for a shared interest comes out. 

I say all of this to say simply that Croatia is a small country, but there is such diversity of where people are at, what they are passionate about and how that shapes a greater community.  We have only begun scratching the surfaces of the rich diversity of Croatia.  It is our honor to continue to interact within this history presently.  We tread gently as we hope to continue to learn what it means to be God's people here within this broader scope.  Thanks to all for your prayers and support, and I ask that you would continue to come along side us on this exciting adventure.  Have a great day!

Jerry