Do you remember me asking you to pray for Violca, the widow with two children who is part of the Family Care
project I am involved in? Well, Violca with her children have been regularly joining us for Sunday church services,
our midweek Bible study and weekly women’s meetings. It has been great to watch her and her daughters becoming an active part in the church family here. A beautiful transformation has been seen in Violca and her daughters as they are finding true hope and joy in Christ. Thank you to those who committed to pray for them!
SUMMER IN BRIEF
This summer has been quite different from all the others I have spent in Albania. Now that I have moved here to Korce, my time is primarily focused on the church and ministry here, whereas in previous years I regularly helped all of our churches throughout the country. I have also been “learning the ropes” of leading the Family Care project. During the summer months we focus on the much needed house repairs for the families in the project.
I would like to share with you a special story of one particular family, which we started working with this summer. The mother, who is mentally ill, abandoned her 2 children because she no longer wanted to care for them. The father, because of the difficulty in finding employment, took a job as a shepherd and lives almost full time in the mountains, thus leaving the children to care for themselves. The son, Sokol (15 yrs old) and his sister, Vasilika (12 yrs old) were living in the remains of their burnt down house. Because of the severe abuse they endured from their sick mother, the children are now mentally ill themselves. They speak but a few words, and both were living in conditions and acting in ways most westerners would not wish for their pet dog. Through the help of a missions team from Holland, a wonderful work was done for this needy family.
They helped tear down the remains of the old house, the property was cleaned of enormous amounts of trash that surrounded it and the foundation for a new house was prepared. We then hired some workers and built a one-room house for the family, which is almost completed.
Vasilika (more ill than her brother) has since been accepted into a home for special needs children, which is run by Catholic nuns, where she will receive the special care and love she needs. The father will soon return from the mountains to live and care for his son, Sokol. More than all the physical work that was accomplished for this family, it was beautiful to see the spiritual and emotional work that took place with the children. When we arrived they were very closed and afraid to associate with people. They would shake, make noises like animals and behave bizarrely. In just about a week’s time they changed dramatically and began to calm down and respond with great joy to the love and care shown them. Sokol has changed so much; now each time we go and visit him it is like meeting an entirely new child! He leaps with joy and excitement when he sees us drive up in the vehicle. He is also more responsive and focused. Working with this family showed the awesome effect the love that Jesus places in our hearts can have on people. As Christians our command from Jesus is to love Him and love people. True and genuine love, which is birthed through a life of knowing Jesus Christ, changes people and brings healing.
The story doesn’t stop there! Members from our church (the majority of whom are poor and struggle themselves) have taken it upon themselves to care for this family. Each week members of the church take food and clothes and spend time with Sokol. This is what Christianity is about!
A DEEPER LOOK
It has been about six months since I moved here to Korce and it has been an awesome experience and time of learning. As is true with most new seasons or transitions in life, I have been faced with new challenges but also
with many newfound joys. In a practical sense, the work has been difficult, as I do not have much experience in leading or organizing such a project. In addition, constantly being surrounded by such great need can be quite emotionally draining. I have been learning to balance the high and low emotions involved in such work, and the importance of understanding when it is appropriate and how to respond to those emotions. On the other hand there is great joy and satisfaction in working with these needy people. I have a great passion for the poor and am thankful for this opportunity to reach out to a small portion of those here in the Korce region. I also have found great joy living with the Baraku Family. They have brought me in and shown me love as if I was one of the family, not to mention I get to eat great home cooked meals! They are my “Albanian” family. Preaching and teaching, although very challenging, have also been a great joy for me. Often when I speak, I am blessed by the positive response I get from the people. I am humbled to think that the King uses me as his instrument to impart His love and life to others!
The stories and tales of my experiences, challenges and joys will continue – and I hope that this short newsletter is an encouragement to you.
Thank you for your commitment to pray and support Albania Missions!
Much love!
