Rasa & Vytautas KTU faculties flags.
Celebrating Independence Day in another country is a very interesting experience. For example it was not my plan to go out to celebrate the day as I had made plans to practice Lithuanian language with my friend Rasa. We did get to practicing language, but not until after the morning festivities.
The celebration for Independence took place in Freedom Square. Freedom square is like a central meeting place where the history and art museum are located. The square was filled with people by noon that had come marching with their flags. The flags signify political parties, student faculty groups, and more. There will be local voting coming soon. Once everyone arrived, even the Mayor of Kaunas, there was the hanging of a flag (a red and black flag), singing the national anthem amongst other songs, listening to various speakers, watching fighter jets fly overhead, listening to a professor play the bells and a moment of silence. The most interesting part of this celebration was the fact that Lithuanians were simply being Lithuanians. Singing, rejoicing, and even a few were dancing. At the end of the ceremony a man holding a couple hundred balloons let them go into the sky. The balloons were the same colors as the Lithuanian flag. They signified the freedom and the cost that many had to pay for their freedom. Watching them let go was really amazing to see.
Sometimes this is the best part and the most challenging part of ministry here in Kaunas. That being that you really don’t know what you are getting yourself into. While I had thought I was going to language, I was getting into a celebration. Life is a little bit different than what we often expect it to be and many of us can relate to that. The biggest question is how will we respond? In faith? In doing life my own way? Even the little things in life here count! I count it a blessing to be reminded of the little things and of the big things that God is doing in and through our ministry.
Celebrating Independence Day in another country is a very interesting experience. For example it was not my plan to go out to celebrate the day as I had made plans to practice Lithuanian language with my friend Rasa. We did get to practicing language, but not until after the morning festivities.
The celebration for Independence took place in Freedom Square. Freedom square is like a central meeting place where the history and art museum are located. The square was filled with people by noon that had come marching with their flags. The flags signify political parties, student faculty groups, and more. There will be local voting coming soon. Once everyone arrived, even the Mayor of Kaunas, there was the hanging of a flag (a red and black flag), singing the national anthem amongst other songs, listening to various speakers, watching fighter jets fly overhead, listening to a professor play the bells and a moment of silence. The most interesting part of this celebration was the fact that Lithuanians were simply being Lithuanians. Singing, rejoicing, and even a few were dancing. At the end of the ceremony a man holding a couple hundred balloons let them go into the sky. The balloons were the same colors as the Lithuanian flag. They signified the freedom and the cost that many had to pay for their freedom. Watching them let go was really amazing to see.
Sometimes this is the best part and the most challenging part of ministry here in Kaunas. That being that you really don’t know what you are getting yourself into. While I had thought I was going to language, I was getting into a celebration. Life is a little bit different than what we often expect it to be and many of us can relate to that. The biggest question is how will we respond? In faith? In doing life my own way? Even the little things in life here count! I count it a blessing to be reminded of the little things and of the big things that God is doing in and through our ministry.
2 comments:
I love those moments/days when you get to see another country's pure energy and excitement at just being a country! Thanks for sharing! I continue to be in prayer for you all.
Happy Independance day Lituania!! i know how importaint it is to remember your freedom.. wait until you celebrate your freedom from the bondage of the devil when you accept what my friends are sharing about Jesus to you.
my love to you all and prayers!! God bless always!!
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