The mission field in Albania is wide open, and we have been impressed with 2 aspects of it: the variety types of ministry and the spirit of unity within which they generally seem to work. And so, with many of our posts, we would like to introduce you to a few of the people we've met who are putting their lives on the line here.
A Heart for the Sick
Dr. Guy and Carolyn Eshelman have been serving here since 2001. We know Carolyn as a colleague at GDQ School, and we have been so blessed to have received top-notch health care from Dr. Guy at the ABC Health Center. Here is their story.
What brought you to Albania? Well, the short answer is, of course, God. He brought us here, and He has sustained us. We have experienced many difficulties and trials, along the way, but we can truly say that Albania has become our home. We are grateful for the opportunity God has given us to live with and work among the Albanian people and the international community in this country.
Family members and their roles in your overall mission:
*Guy teaches and models medicine from a biblical model at ABC Family Health Center. You can learn more at: http://www.abchealth.org/en
*Carolyn is a middle school science teacher at GDQ International Christian School
*Ryan, 19, is a sophomore at Cairn University, Philadelphia, PA; he is pursuing a career in computer technology
*Philip, 18, Katie, 15, and Aubrey, 13, are students at the GDQ International Christian School
What are your American ties/roots? Guy and I both grew up in Lancaster County, PA
The role for me was less clear. I came to Albania as a mother of four with a previous career as a family nurse practitioner. I knew that if God had a role for me in medicine, I would happily step into it. But I also knew He might have something else in store for me, and I would also happily step into that role as well. It never entered my mind that I might become a teacher!
Near the end of our first term, a teammate who taught grades 3 and 4 (we had many combined grades at that time), had a request. She was looking for someone who could look at the Science curriculum and gather together supplies for the activities. I said I would do it. As I looked at the curriculum, I figured out that I could do more than just gather supplies, so I made an offer. "Grace, if it would help you out, I could probably teach this to grade 4." She didn't even hesitate. That is how I started my ministry at the GDQ, and I am now the science teacher for grades 6, 7, and 8.
Where do you envision your family in five years? In 5 years, our youngest, Aubrey, will graduate from high school. We hope to take our first ever year-long furlough at that time. Then we envision returning to Albania to resume our ministries. But we know that we are in the hands of our Almighty God. He may have a completely different plan for our lives!
Dr.Guy still serves and teaches at the ABC Health Center. Many Albanian doctors and nurses have served and learned under his leadership and are now providing quality, compassionate care to the Albanian people. In addition to offering a setting for Albanian doctors to learn how to provide excellent care from a biblical perspective, the center serves patients at low cost, provides home health care, and offers community outreach programs to the Albanian people. It is an amazing ministry. For those of you interested in medical missions, we recommend checking out their website, mentioned above.
As we progress through this year, we thank you for your support and prayers. It is encouraging to stay connected with family and friends from home and from all the various places we have called home over the last several years. You are a blessing!
