Time has flown by, and with our intense focus on teaching responsibilities, too much time has elapsed between blog posts. There is truly much to share about this unique country/culture, how God is working here, and the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Of course, now our minds and hearts are on Christmas, and it is with that in mind that we write. I (Judy) must begin by apologizing for the drab appearance of this post. Our camera was recently miss-placed and hasn't revealed itself yet. (Care to guess which one of us forgot where she last put it?) Consequently we have no pictures appropriate to Christmas. Give your imagination some exercise as you try to picture what is described.
In Skenderbeg Square in the Tirana city center stands an enormous tree covered with lights and ornaments. Smaller trees throughout the square are also decked with lights, and shops display a few ornaments. No music for the season can be heard, except for an occasional secular song about Santa. Children are excited for the New Year celebration, when Santa arrives to bring gifts. That will be the biggest feasting and partying of the year, followed by enormous fireworks displays from the smallest of back yards to the main city square. Just 3 weeks ago, in recognizing 100 years of independence from the Ottoman Empire, all of Albania held one gigantic party, with great pride and festivity. And between those two rousing, joyful events, Christmas will slip quietly by, un-noticed by most, just as Jesus is un-noticed by most here.
But this most indescribable and valuable gift of all, Jesus with us, is here! He lives in the hearts of many Albanians, and is entering the hearts of more and more all the time. The evangelical church is reaching out, ecumenically, to attempt to meet some of the great physical needs caused by poverty and corruption and to lift spiritual burdens by sharing the love of Christ. In Tirana there are many small churches, pastored and led by missionaries, but the number of churches pastored and led by Albanian Christians is growing. In greater Albania the same is true, and it is in the outlying areas where some of the greatest heart change is happening. While the task of carrying the Good News to all seems daunting, God is working, and people's lives and hearts are being changed.
We will be arriving home Christmas Eve for a short break and will return to Albania Jan. 5 to finish out the school year at GDQ International Christian School. It will be a busy time, but we are very excited about being back in Wisconsin.
As we ponder God's great love and His willingness become a baby covered in skin to walk and live among us...His willingness to come to us since we so resisted going to Him...we say "Thanks be to God!" And we pray you will know the indescribable peace available in a relationship with Him.
Merry Christmas, with love, Bob and Judy
hey, just checking in with you all. We are very cold here and tonight should the coldest -25. Keep safe and blessings to you both. Hugs, Earlene and Gordon
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