Munich, an Ordination, and a Bishop

I have arrived to Giurjistan, safe and sound. The flight from Munich to Tiflis (Tbilisi) was somewhat eventful, not lending itself to a nap.

I arrived in the early morning, before dawn. Religious Xtremist Father Merab received me at the airport. He was wondering why I packed so much. I told him I was staying forever.

After my first day here, how can I deny my staying here forever? I've been accepted and praised (for the lack of a better, more humbler word). To my amazement, I've been confused for being German, Russian, Latvian, and Georgian. I've yet to be confused for an American.

I was virtually ordained in today's service, where we celebrated Jesus' Baptism. I was honored to be there. I was dubbed, in many occasions Father Peder "Mama Petre" (as an earlier post suggests). I felt very welcomed and could not imagine being in a better place. After I spoke, Merab leaned over to me and said, "this is the part where you will be ascended into heaven." Sure enough, everyone lifted their arms and prayed.

Bishop Malkhaz took me to dinner with a few other young adults, Benjamin, David, Rusudan, Nino, and Mikhail. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer. We toasted to peace, most importantly, to love, to the country of Georgia, to family, and to Mama Petre's arrival-- it was also referred to as "the Second Coming [of Peder]," as the Bishop announced.

I am at the Betheli Center now, there is a service for the elderly (who live at the Betheli Center's Old Folks' Home). I must rush to the service.

Nakhwamdis, Mshwidobisa,

Ghmerto da Glotsos,

mama petre