Our Mission/Ministry Field

     Since our purpose in coming to Albania has been to fill a short-term gap in the teaching staff at GDQ International Christian School, maybe it's time to "advertise" the school a bit and send a few pics of where we spend most of our time.
     

     The school opened 21 years ago (just after the fall of Albanian communism) with just a handful of students and an even smaller handful of teachers (6 pre-schoolers and one teacher, to be exact).  Its purpose was to serve missionary families.  Now we have 100 plus students in grades K-12, 30 plus teachers, several support staff, and over 20 different passports represented among this group.  Most of the students are from missionary families, but some are from business and embassy families.  

     What do the letters GDQ stand for?  Here is a paragraph from the student yearbook.

     "GDQ is proud to take its name from Gjerasim D. Qiriazi, an influential Albanian patriot and evangelical Christian of the late 19th century.  He established the first school for girls in Albania, seeking to build Christian principles into the next generation of mothers, whom he regarded the most influential people in Albanian society.  Qiriazi (1858-94) endured political and spiritual persecution but remained faithful to his convictions."  

    GDQ's mission: "Educating international children to have maximum influence for the glory of God in their lifetime."

     It has been a great joy and pleasure to teach in this school in this environment, seeking to fulfill this mission and provide excellent education.  You are aware that the challenges have been great for us, and we have at times felt overwhelmed and wholly inadequate to the task, but the over-all impact has been the joy and pleasure just mentioned.

     For 3 months we have been "teaming" together as science teachers for grades 6, 7, and 8.  Actually, Bob is the teacher, Judy is the "secretary", (copier, filer, organizer, recorder...), and these roles have worked well.  "Doing" ministry together has been our desire, and this has been about as together as we can get in terms of ministry.  It has been enjoyable and rewarding.  We have a total of 19 students, many of whom were our students 2 years ago.  Seeing how they have grown and matured has been a great gift to us.  They are amazing young men and women, hard-working students, respectful, and very much fun.

     Just this past week a teacher from Alberta, CA has agreed to step in to replace us when school resumes after Christmas break.  This is a huge relief for us and everyone at the school.  So, our last day of teaching will be Dec. 19, after which we'll stick around for a while to help the new teacher get settled in.

     Several of you have asked for more pics, especially some of us.  We're quite camera shy, but here are a few to show you our school and our students. You'll see us in a couple of them.

     Before trying to organize the photos (always a challenge for me), we'll sign off with warm wishes for a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to you. We'll have a couple of days off from school and will travel down to Gorre, the village where we were 4 years ago.  It will be wonderful to see our village friends again.

     We thank you for your prayers.

     Love to you and God's blessings, Judy and Bob

grade 7

hard at work in our tiny workroom

parents and students on first day of school

gr. 8 and models of cross-section of a leaf

Drita and Spresa are part of the foundation of the school.  Their names

mean "light" and "hope", and they more than live up to those names with

the help, encouragement, and sense of humor that they share.

 

Han-hee and her digestive model

gr. 7

lunch in the "penthouse"

grade 6

And at the end of a full week, we relax by going out to at one 

of Tirana's fabulous restaurants.

more gr. 7, with lab asst. Erjona

Striking It Rich in Albania

The mother lode, a winning lottery ticket, jewels of the Nile, a huge monetary inheritance: none of these comes close to the experience of striking it rich in Albania.  All metaphors aside, we continue to marvel at, as well as celebrate, the many Albanians who have come to know, accept, and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Indeed, the riches of the world pale in comparison to the spiritual wealth available to those who trust the Lord.

Since returning to Tirana, the capital city of Albania, we have been richly blessed ourselves while reuniting with brothers and sisters in Christ.  Now, as we encounter new relationships and witness new Christians, new ministries, and new missionaries, our treasure chest continues to sparkle.

It is our desire to share some of these sparkling gems with you.  Following are just a few examples of people who have truly struck it rich in Albania.

This young Albanian couple (not the old folks) are in training to move beyond Albania.  It is only recently that Albanians have begun to consider this, and Toni and Ida are among the first to go.

 In our small church there are 7 young doctors serving in various capacities, all seeking to deliver excellent medical care from a Biblical perspective.  Albanian doctors are paid a small salary by the government, which they subsidize by charging extra fees and refusing to treat people who can't pay that extra.  These doctors do not follow that practice, consequently they earn only the meager governmental salary.  Some of them also endure rejection by their family because they have become Christians.

Also at our church are several young men who are standing firm in their faith and growing under the discipleship of Pastor Dennis (in the suit).  While the more "mature" gentlemen in the photo are precious, it's the young men who can change the face of gender norms in Albania in positive ways.  Unfortunately, this can require sacrifice, as they endure ridicule and sometimes rejection for their faith and their humble, loving ways.

 Vero is 20 years old, and to hear him preach is an amazing blessing.  He also has a gift for evangelizing and now heads up the church's outreach efforts to share the Gospel with Albanians. Just to look this young man in the eye is to know that he loves Jesus with joy and lives to share this love with others.





Among the missionaries we know are many who come to the field at a very young age, forgoing stable and lucrative jobs wherever "home" is to serve in whatever way necessary here.  These are just 3 of GDQ's teachers who came here for their first full-time teaching positions.  They are brave, independent, committed, and fun-loving, and we find their willingness to "go ye therefore" inspiring.

Your prayers add to our treasury, and we ask you to pray for:

*more Albanian hearts to open to the Lord's entrance into their lives

*encouragement for all local Albanian Christians, along with foreign missionaries, to    continue their efforts in witnessing and discipling

*safety and health for us as we pass the half-way mark of our time here in Tirana

We send our love and pray God is blessing you these days,

Bob and Judy

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.    Matthew 6:19-21

Another Safe Arrival, Another Warm and Loving Welcome, Another Challenge in the Classroom

A Room with a View

Settling In
Once Again

How time flies when you're having fun...and when you're challenged with a new job!  We apologize to any who might have been checking our blog site now and then, looking for a new post.  Even though we're somewhat familiar with Tirana and, of course, GDQ School, things change rapidly here, and returning always involves a big adjustment.

God blessed us with safe and smooth travel and a comfortable apartment to immediately occupy.  Those at the school whom we knew before have welcomed us back heartily and warmly, as have Albanian friends, and we certainly do not have opportunity to feel lonely.

Learning the ropes of a new teaching position (middle school science for grades 6-8) initially made our heads spin, but little by little, we're figuring things out. Team teaching (with each other) works well...apparently it takes both our brains and energy levels to accomplish what a single younger teacher could.  Bob does the bulk of the teaching, and Judy tries to organize files, copy copious documents/worksheets, and keep records.  Climbing the stairs to the 3rd floor science classroom takes its toll at our age.  For a few days I (Judy) tallied the number of trips up and down to the ground floor copier, averaging 8-10 a day.  Obviously my organizational skills need some honing; but, there's no need to head to the gym for exercise!

Working with several of the students we had 2 years ago is a joy.  They're wonderful young people, with a healthy balance of fun and willingness to study. Korea, Albania, England, Germany, USA, India, and Finland are the passports represented in our classes.  Many are missionary kids, but not all, as the school also serves internationals in Albania for business or embassy purposes.

The few photos we've tried to attach are generic pics of our Tirana, with views from our balcony and from the street.  You can see it's surrounded by small mountains, placing us in a basin, "perfect" for settling pollution.  We don't want to know how much work our respiratory systems are doing to deal with that! The government is clearly trying to clean up parts of the city, and there is definitely beauty to be found, but there is still much trash and crumbling infrastructure also.  Given all of that, we have found a lot to love, and we are enjoying the life we have here.

We miss all of you and love to hear from you, so keep those emails coming.  Of course we appreciate, so much, all your prayers; we do sense the Lord working in our lives....and throughout Albania.  Please pray specifically...

-for continued health for us, that we may complete the term

-that we may grow in trusting the Lord to enable us to teach as He wants

-that GDQ School will find a replacement for us in a timely manner

-In fact, pray for the school in all its recruitment needs, as this is a continuing    concern year in and year out.  If you know of anyone who might feel called to
 teach at an international Christian school, please direct them to us, and we'll 
 help them get connected.

Our love to you, and may God bless you,
B and J

                                                           We love those Albanian beans!

Catching up with visiting, as well as shopping

Mediterranean Beauty

No helmets or biking leather here!

Five Smooth Stones

                            

                                    FIVE SMOOTH STONES    

 A recent worship service at a small Bible-believing church, led by an American pastor, left us incredulous and blessed.  At the service, four young Albanian men, ages 18 to early 20's, were installed as deacons.  Behind the scenes were five young Albanian women, all highly educated (2 medical doctors, 2 business women and 1 teacher), who have been devoted stalwarts of the fledgling congregation for the past several years. Indeed, they kept it alive for two years while waiting for a new pastor to choose to come to them.
     As young (pre-king) David chose his weapons for his no-contest encounter with the Philistine giant, he carefully selected five smooth stones from a nearby stream.  The stones had been tumbled for years by the steadily moving currents.  All rough edges were worn away over time, leaving them smooth and perfectly shaped for their intended purpose.  Of course, David needed only one of those stones to carry out God's providential plan of bringing down Goliath.
     The faith of five young Albanian women has been shaped, honed and smoothed out by the Lord over time, and like the five smooth stones, they are being used as instruments in God's hands to take down the strongholds of this world.  It is with courage and conviction that these young ladies are using every opportunity to bring the Gospel message to whomever they encounter.
     While working for government wages (equivalent of $500-600/month), the two doctors never fail to pray with their patients, and in many cases, facilitate Bible studies and follow-up discipling sessions with those who are interested.  Currently, they are working on a church plant in a small village 1 1/2 hours from Tirana.  After a grueling day of medical practice, the ladies often spend several additional hours at the church helping out with youth meetings, study groups and other church-related ministry.
     The young Albanian men spend many days doing street evangelism.  They are jeopardizing family relationships (most families have Muslim tradition) while they try to draw their family members into accepting the truth of Jesus.

     Praise God, there is progress being made in Albania.  We continue to meet young people of deep faith who are willing to put their jobs, their friendships, and their family relationships on the line in order to serve the Lord, relying on His provision to meet their needs.  It is both humbling and encouraging to get to know them.

Merry Christmas from Albania!

Dear Friends and Family,

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

A Heart for the Sick

Yes, we are still here, busy at school.  In fact, probably 80% of our time is focused on school, and the rest on basic survival in Albania.  Do we relax?  Of course, now and then.  It is good work that we're involved in here, and so we don't mind having it consume most of our time.  God is providing abundantly, both physically and spiritually, and we are grateful to Him.


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

 How has your ministry changed/grown over the years?  Our first term in Albania was spent in full-time language and culture study.  Almost from the beginning, Guy knew he would be working with ABC Family Health Center.  Shortly after our arrival, he became the medical director when the then-current directors left Albania.  Recently, he has been relieved (physically and emotionally!) of his position as the executive director when the board hired a new director.  Now Guy is more free to pursue his passion of teaching and modeling how to do medicine according to a biblical model.

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!

Pastor Ermal, Nertila, Emanuel, and ?

Two years ago on our blog we featured the Gjermeni family while serving in the small rural village of Gorre.  How exciting it is to see the results of prayer and the ministry of these faithful followers of Jesus.  How gratifying it is to have spent this past Sunday worshiping with newly designated Pastor Ermal.

Ermal and his family are living in the apartment that we previously set up and lived in during our six month mission two years ago.  To visit them there was truly like coming home.  The Gjermenis are doing well, but they are experiencing many struggles.  Life is harsh for most Albanians.  Jobs are scarce, especially in rural areas. 

    

Pastor Ermal and Nertila are working hard to evangelize the village of Gorre. They focus on youth, as the adult population is very resistant to our Christian faith.  They also work closely with rural churches of many denominations to share the Gospel and to meet physical needs (food, medical care, etc.) of hurting village people.  There is no work (paying job) for Ermal, and the small church family is unable to offer any financial support.  They currently receive $100/month from a Dutch Christian group.  Both Nertila and Ermal are taking Bible classes, and much of the $100 pays their tuition.

Nertila is pregnant, due to deliver sometime in March.  Her health is at risk, and medical care is limited.  They live at the end of the village water line and are without water many days.  An old washing machine is no longer working, so Nertila must wash out clothing by hand, when water is available.  Of course, frequent power outages remain problematic also.  Soon there will be baby diapers to contend with. 

A new well could be drilled for around $2000.  A new washing machine would run about $500.  Many people suffer throughout the world, and many are far worse off than Pastor Ermal's family.  However, what a blessing it would be for them to be able to rely on a clean source of water and the means to clean their clothes.  Their hearts are devoted to our Lord, and they remain grateful to Him for all He does provide.  Please pray for these dear ones.

    

 

In the photos you see the Gjermeni family; our gathering around their lunch table; Ermal and Aurora, who pastors another small village church nearby; and the guys hanging out in front of the church...with cake.