Settling in Once Again

The flight went very well, and it's great to be back.  Our luggage arrived with us, and Kathy and Gjergi from GDQ School met us at the airport.  We and bags were loaded in 95 degree heat, only to find that the van wouldn't start.  We looked at each other, laughed, and said silently, "Welcome to Albania!"  Bob got behind the wheel, and Gjiergi pushed from behind.  With a little help from strangers and much perspiration, the clutch was popped, and we were on our way to the new apartment.  On the way, Kathy said, "Oh, by the way, the elevator to your 7th floor apartment isn't finished yet."  And another silent look passed between us.  We're so thankful for Kathy and Gjergi, as  muscling 250 pounds of luggage up 134 (I counted them) steps would have been next to impossible for us, given the heat and jet lag...to say nothing of our age.

Since then the days have been filled with shopping to outfit the apartment, on foot and by bus and by SUV driven by a helpful friend.  We have perspired copiously and are drinking lots of water.  Carrying 3 gallon bottles and groceries and supplies up to the 7th floor in upper 90's heat is giving our hearts great challenge.  In the States most people would be complaining about not having an elevator that had been promised, and our American and European friends duly commiserate with us.  (Although we haven't really complained.)  But Albanians hear about it and give a big smile, saying, "So, you'll get some great exercise!"  That's the way they handle most challenges, with acceptance, a smile, and a mind-set to do the best they can.  Today we tried our washing machine for the first time, and it leaked all over the floor.  So, the landlord came immediately and replaced the broken washer with a rubber band, promising to come tomorrow with the right washer.  And we've been able to finish 2 loads of laundry using that rubber band.  They are resourceful people.

We are very thankful the the air conditioner in the living room works, and that's where we sleep.  When temps moderate in a few weeks we'll move to the bedroom.  The apartment is spacious and comfortable, and the landlord's family very friendly and helpful.

On Monday, work begins with teacher in-service and prep time.  Students begin the following Monday.  We're looking forward to being in the classroom again, although feeling a bit apprehensive about new subject matter and a school atmosphere completely different from what we're used to.  Please pray for our trust in God to enable as He promises.

This is longer than most of our blogs (partly because Judy is writing), but we want to share a bit of our life in Albania.  Future blogs will not focus so much on us, I promise.  We miss you, family and friends, but God is taking great care of us, and there are many dear ones here who are helping us get settled.  I'll try to attach a few photos.  If it works, you'll see a sunset view from our apartment balcony (huge Catholic church across the street from us), the entrance to GDQ International Christian School, and our bus stop in 98 degree heat.

Zoti ju bekofte!  (God bless you!)      Judy and Bob

Our Little Church

In 1992, just 2 years after collapse of the communist dictatorship, the work was started by Church of the Nazarene missionary volunteers. The Gorre church was organized in 1995, and Pastor Landi has faithfully served since 1997.

Although he lives in a nearby village and not in Gorre, Landi has invested much effort over the years in getting to know the villagers. One reason for starting our pre-school and housing it in the church complex was to help parents and others feel comfortable coming onto church grounds. Apparently, early on, the church became known as a church just for young people, and adults felt it was not a place for them. In addition, the Orthodox tradition of most people in this area was severely and brutally squelched under communism. (Albania was the first country ever to officially declare itself an atheistic nation.) People who lived in that era are not used to practicing their faith or speaking of it. They appear to be comfortable with calling themselves Christians but not actively practicing their faith.

Because of the pre-school, people are now more relaxed about setting foot on church grounds. Unfortunately, we remain a tiny congregation (by US standards), and only a handful of people attend Sunday services. But God works in their hearts, and they try to reach out to the villagers by special programs and providing food and other necessities to the very poor and needy.

There are many nearby villages, and some have (or had at one time) their own similar small churches. A few believers are scattered around. We asked about gathering these faithful together in one village church. In the US, we think nothing of traveling miles to a church we love. But in rural Albania, few people have their own transportation, so even a couple of miles is a difficult distance. The church, therefore, must go to them, rather than expecting them to do the footwork.

Accordingly, Landi has just begun to work on a dream he's had for years to serve in another village. On Friday afternoons he holds a class there for children of all ages, introducing them to the Bible and God's love. The combination of lively teaching and fun games is drawing 25-30 children weekly. Children who have not lived under the fear of communism seem to be more open to the Gospel than their parents and grandparents, and they are the future church in Albania.

In this same village, Juli plans to offer English classes for a group of interested women, who may be open to Bible study at the same time. Will a church eventually form there? Only God knows. But we do know He continues to capture the hearts of people all over Albania, and for that we give Him praise!

WE'RE BACK IN GORRE

Shume shume ftohte! That's "very very cold" in Albanian. We have arrived safely back in Gorre after 2 weeks at home in WI where temps bottomed out at -40 F. Since the cold seems to be a hot topic in much of the world (nice break from all that global warming talk) this winter, we thought we'd share a bit of our experience with Albanian cold.

While outside temps typically fall nowhere nearly as low as they do in WI, this year it seemed to begin with a day of snowfall (the first time in at least 10 years here in Gorre!) Unseasonably low temps (30's & 40's daytime) were coupled with several days of long power outages. Buildings here are constructed of concrete and ceramic tile with no insulation or central heating. Power outages obviously render electric space heaters useless. So interior temps soon matched outside temps in our apartment, and we could frequently see our breath inside. Layers of clothing, afghans, and gloves were our wardrobe. One night, when Christmas cookies had to be baked for a church party, we resorted to rolling them out in the bedroom---the one room we try to keep heated.

It was quite a shock for those of us used to entering a house where all the rooms are warm, even if it's -40 outside. Here people generally heat one small room with a space heater, and that's where the family congregates for the winter.

Schools and public buildings are not heated either. Thankfully we acquired enough heaters for each pre-school class, and the children and teacher gathered around its warmth for lessons, huddled up in their winter jackets.

As soon as we left WI last week, temps there rose into the +40's. And we are enjoying daytime highs in the mid-60's here now. The apartment still retains its winter chill, but spring is in the air. Gardeners and produce growers have planted tomatoes and peppers in their greenhouses, and the longer daylight hours are one of God's special blessings. In all things we give thanks!
for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come. Song of Solomon 2:11

Intermission

We will now interrupt this blog site with a brief intermission. On the 29th of January, Lord willing, we'll llift off from Tirana's international airport. Our round trip ticket schedules a February 12 return to Albania.

A two week respite will pass quickly. We do hope to soak up much love via the grandchildren as well as the possibility of squeezing in brief visits with nearby family and friends.

When we arrive back here in Gorre we will continue with our local routine and also plan for a transition of mission service which we'll tell you about later.

Til then, may God richly bless your lives. He is the source of all blessings and the One who provides amazing grace. May you choose to enter His gates with thanksgiving and approach His court with praise.

An overnight Guest

Life goes on in the village of Gorre. Thinking that we were back into our "normal" routine after the holiday season, we were surprised one evening with a gentle knock on our door. Our good friend Ermal, whom you've met before, stood at our entrance with another young man whom we did not recognize.

Ermal introduced the young man as David Graeser, currently from Istanbul, Turkey. "Could you put David up for the night? He is here for a visit and needs a bed and a meal or two." Yes, we scrambled to get one of the icy cold rooms set up with linens, copious blankets and one of our small electric heaters.

We soon learned that David had previously visited Gorre (about 3 years ago) while on a short term mission trip. He managed to befriend Ermal as well as other local villagers at that time. Now, he was back in the area to visit those previous acquaintances.

It happens that David is a very gifted young man. Along with several other members of his group, he uses his musical talents, dancing abilities and other drama related skills to communicate the Gospel among the Turkish populace. An Atlanta, Georgia native, David has committed two years, at least, with the Operation Mobilization mission.

How exciting to witness a young man devote his life in this way to serve the Lord. We enjoyed our visit with David. After a hot shower, a warm meal, a good night's rest and breakfast, David left our village to make other visits in Albania. We trust that he is now back in Istanbul preparing for his group's next performance for Jesus.

PS: An up-date on the revenge killing of Pastor Dritan that we reported on earlier in the fall: Praise the Lord that Dritan's family has decided not to continue the feud...what a courageous, yet humble stand, for a Christian family to take. Prayer is still necessary for the 1500 men we have been told live in hiding because of similar threats on their lives.

Turkey Mania

Since our arrival here in rural Albania, we have been intrigued by a common and pervasive scene: turkey shepherds watching their flocks by day and ostensibly penning them up by night. While spending a few of the holidays and nights in Tirana, we witnessed the climax of the turkey drama. Shackled together or hobbled in some similar fashion, huge numbers of turkeys brought the streets and sidewalks of the big city alive with feathered islands and their shepherds now turned merchants (a scene repeated in most settlements throughout the country). Having cared for their feathered friends for several months now, just days prior to the new year, the local merchants spend the hours from early sun-up to after sunset hawking (no pun here) their big birds. Life is now short for thousands of innocent turkeys as they are soon to have their heads severed so the lady of the house can prepare the year's most highly celebrated meal.
Fortunately for us, Pastor Landi and Juli invited us to their home, where we shared the much anticipated Albanian New Year's feast. What a delectable experience for us, as we were treated to beautiful side dishes in addition to hormone-free turkey meat. Our pictures show the effort and beauty of the festive meal, but only our taste buds and stretched stomachs can attest to the delightful experience.
Sadly, however, while the locals spend weeks, even months, preparing the the New Year's bash, the blessings of Christmas barely get noticed. The festivities, including turkey feasts, flashing lights, fireworks and even some decorated evergreen trees, all culminate in the celebration of the new year, to the exclusion of Jesus' birth. Pray with us that this trend will be reversed as more and more people accept the reality of the Christ Child.
May God richly bless you with His love in this new year!

Christmas in Gorre

Oh, the immeasurable love of God, that He would leave His glory and come to live among us! Oh, the creativity of God, that He would arrive in the tender skin of an innocent baby, appearing first to lowly shepherds, who alone were treated to a choir of angels! We pray YOU have a sense of Christmas wonder as you go through the busy-ness of Christmas traditions this year.
The season is unique for us, as we long to be with our family and friends. God will help us through the lonesome moments...and skype will help, too.
Gorre and most of Albania puts very little focus on Christmas. During the communist era, which ended in 1991, any religious expression was so strictly forbidden that people stopped virtually all religious activity. Outward expression of faith is still rare, although in this area there is some connection to the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Evangelical Christians make up only 1% of the population, and even they are not used to much Christmas celebration.
Many people do decorate trees, as we do, but they are New Year's trees, and New Year's Eve is when the greatest celebrating of the year occurs. We're told the fireworks in the capitol city of Tirana out-"shine" any displays you'll ever see in the US. Santa suits and ornaments can be bought in shops, and a few lights twinkle in some shop windows. Bur we hear no Christmas music and see no holiday foods (definitely no lefse or lutefisk!)
So, these are quiet days here. We have decorated our apartment with bay leaf boughs and wreaths and copious candles, and it's very festive. The pre-school children are practicing for a program for parents. We hear "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in their sweet voices, sometimes in Albanian, sometimes in English. The area Nazarene churches gathered for worship, fun, and food Saturday. And the women of all churches in one neighboring town invited all area women to a Christmas party. It was wonderful to be part of so many Albanian women celebrating God's love at Christmas. We have baked a few favorite cookies, thanks to a care package containing American ingredients. It's always fun to share those with curious Albanian friends.
Last Thursday it snowed in Gorre...for the first time in about 10 years! It was beautiful, and fun to watch children experience snow for the first time in their lives.
As much as we miss our family and treasure the traditions of Christmas at home, we are blessed with reminders that it's not the traditions that make the holiday. Jesus came in such a beautiful way...for us...He lived and died...for us...and He rose again...for us and for God's glory. And He is the source of our joy and peace this season. Our prayer is that you have His joy and peace also.

Gezuar Krishtlindjen! Merry Christmas!
Much love to you all, Bob and Judy