It's unbelievable that we are already half way through month 6 of the world race. Month 6 has brought a new country and a new continent. Here's a bit about where we are this month and what we are doing.
Albania is a small country in the Balkans, surrounded by Kosovo, Greece, Macedonia, and Montenegro.
Your Albania history lesson:
Following the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of World War II, a Communist government was established, presided over by resistance leader Enver Hoxha. Albania became famous for its isolation, not just from the market-run democracies of Western Europe, but from the Soviet Union, China, and even neighboring Yugoslavia. Even as the Iron Curtain came down and Communists lost power throughout Eastern Europe, Albania seemed intent on staying the course, alone. In 1992 the Communist party relinquished power and Albania established a multi-party democracy.
It is obvious by the time I have already spent here that the transition has not been easy. There is a high rate of unemployment and poverty. Many people that we have met are living on next to nothing, there is a lack of jobs, and even opportunity for a choice of higher education. Families in many cases have only one person that works and provides for sometimes not only the immediate family but extended family. This young democracy has a long ways to go in order for things to change.
(the street where the church we work with is located0
Ministry:
We are partnering this month with a church plant led by a local pastor. Our focus is the youth from the church, and the surrounding area. We spend our days teaching English, Spending time with the youth: hanging out, drinking coffee (Albanians love coffee) and going on adventures.
We have also be able to do some exploring, Albania is a very old place, in the bible it is known as Illyricum. Mentioned in Romans 15:19
"In the power of signs and wonders in in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."
The pastor we are working with has been very kind and taken us to visit Durres on the Adriatic Sea
(the Adriatic Sea)
and Berat, a 2600 year old city.
(In Berat exploring)
This month has been blessed!!! Albania is a gem and I love my new friends that have made here.
Please keep Albania in your prayers it is a very dark place and the people here need to know who Jesus is.
Also keep our Pastor, and the missionary families here in prayer as they continue to faithfully reach out to the communities and plant churches.
And continue to pray for as God takes me through this journey and for the provision of funds. I am $1170 (counting monthly donations) away from being fully funded.
Thank you all so much for joining with me on this journey!!!
God Bless You!!
