We start with the local cuisine - hotchapori - a meat dumpling that you pick up and the skilled person manages to suck the juice out before devouring the delicacy without it draining down your arms or leaking on the table.
Tbilisi is a beautiful city on a river surrounded by hills on both sides. It is a very historic city and the contrasts left you in awe and looking for more.
At times you could have been walking any city of the world and then you make interesting discoveries. The history in this place would take you a lifetime to discover.
Entry way to this ancient monastry on top of a hill in central Tbilisi. The history is amazing.
The architecture a mix of the cosmpolitan influences and in particular the turkish.
We visited 3 Corps and spent some time at each place trying to understand the difference coming from our western and influention army background to this very poor european culture.
Worship is part of each after school program and some good musicians have devloped. Here the Samgori kids practice for Sunday worship
After school program - lunch a plate of buckwheat, corn bread and biscuits and of course chai. We did eat with the kids - the pic was taken early. I could not come at the buck wheat though - But Ron put away his bowl full.
Rustavi hall a good worship centre - but very cold. The second building carrying water damage and needing reparations.
Samgori is the ground floor glass fronted building - good location on a main street.
Note the ancient seating and the cold marble foor.The Corps buildings were purchased with limited funds and the upgrade money is yet to be found. The three Corps we visited had properties that present exciting possibilities for program, but were in urgent need of renovation, repair or upgrade. We were blessed to see an enthusiastic army, working with limited budgets, in communities that desperately need Jesus. The challenge for us remains to shift our 'western' mindset and engage in their culture and discover how best we can help them in their journey of devlopment and discovery.
1 comment:
That challenge is very real. We naturally look through our western eyes and think of how we would want things to be and how we would improve them. I'm sure God will help you 'journey with them' instead.
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