The help is so impactful to the community that the word has gotten out and other people have started to show up looking for food on the monthly day. The country is still trying to stand up from the control of communism and the jobs are slow to appear. There were a couple families I approach hopefully and leave shortly after because they learned that the families were all being sponsored and this wasn’t just extra food A2B had laying around. Each of the families goes through an application process where they are partnered with a sponsor willing to support them. Leaders had to tell people there was no food for them while there was plenty for others. It was difficult to look on as the volunteers at A2B gave their all to help the community but there were still families in need. It seemed like they thought their efforts were, “Almost, but not close enoughâ€� Keta, the main leader at A2B, and I had the chance to talk afterward; to hear the thoughts in her heart. In short she told me with a smile that, ‘it’s not defeat, its direction… there’s ALWAYS HOPE WITH JESUS’ This new, Christ lead, organization just wants to help the community any way it can. In spirit of that they’re brainstorming other ways to help while they wait for sponsors. This last month was the first month they held class for the kids from the area on the distribution day and then it went so well yesterday they’ve decided to tell the community to kids to come every week for these VBS-like classes. A2B isn’t just for food, but is here to help empower the people of Albania so that they are leaving a lasting impact which will grow into healthy relationships to shape the future. If A2B sounds like something you’d like to become involved in please email Keta at: [email protected] PS: All of us are getting excited for the upcoming month in Romania that we leave for tomorrow. The plan is spend 3-4 days in Bucharest and then move on to the city of Arad in the Northwest along the border of Hungary. So for now I’ll say ‘mire pacim’ (goodbye) from Albania and look forward to ‘Salut!’ (hello) in Romania. Love you all, Joshua
Hello All,
Yesterday we spent the morning arranging free food at one of the other ministry sites for the month. 23 boxes and 2-3 hours later we had packed enough food for 23 local families in Elbasan area to eat every day this month. Each of the families are supported through ‘A2B’ or ‘Aid to the Balkans’ by families, individuals, or groups in the UK. And they have been connected one way or another through the network of believers to help each of these families. While Aid to the Balkans hasn’t been our main focus ministry this month we have taken quite a liking to them. Living Liberation (our new team name) has gone to help at A2B on several occasions, when there’s not much to do with Campus Crusade. This usually looked like helping to get the food served for lunch at their daily food center. But yesterday was different. Once a month they help to distribute the food that’s been paid for from across the world and this is what we had the opportunity to do. How Cool!
Hold on to hope
