Friends and Cherries

    While working on Steve's new house, I decided to take a break. All the men were carrying heavy loads, and I was of no use. So I took a little walk down the road. As I went, I ran into some children. Of course they knew little to no English, but I thought I'd see what we could communicate without words. Next thing I  know one of the little boys runs out of his house with a book in hand. It was an English to Serbian dictionary. The kids started pointing and yelling out words. They taught me so many random vocab words. Kids are the best teachers of foreign language. They are so patient. Also, they speak slowly, simply and repetitive.
     There were six children all between ages 6-11. They were just neighborhood friends. They knew Steve, so I told them I was moving in...This may have been a mistake as now they all come knocking on the door begging Steve to let "KC" as they say, come play. They are all on Facebook too and asked for my name right away so they could look me up!
     They drug me to their backyard where three little kittens were tied to a string to a tree. Apparently, the kids didn't want them to run away. They were only 9 weeks old I'd say. So precious. They gave me tours of their yards, let a giant dog jump all over me, play on their swings, teach me parkour.  Yes, little kids in Serbia do parkour! So cute! They were doing flips and hanging from garage doorways.
     Then one of the little girl's grandma came out. She invited me to have juice with them. So the seven of us sat out around the patio table sipping cherry juice she had freshly squeezed. Of course she didn't speak English but pointed at her cherry tree so many times so that I knew she made it! Then she brought out cherry cake she just made. The children kept feeding me cherries off the tree too! Next thing I knew the parents came out inviting me in to see the house. So I toured the home. The dad actually spoke fairly fluent English, so we were able to communicate. The little girls wanted me to see their princess room. Everyone wanted to chat with me at once. The father wanted me to help teach his daughter English as she is going to English lessons each week to learn.
     When I said I needed to get going, all were so sad. I have been invited back anytime. I couldn't believe the hospitality and eagerness to chat with an American. Serbians are so welcoming. There is no way I would have entered a home like that in America. It is way inappropriate culturally. Very interesting. I am hoping to stay in contact with this family and invite them to Steve's church. You never know how God works. It was just a fun experience and hopefully a opportunity to spread God's love!