MOVING FORWARD?

Did you hear that scream? It was me being pulled into the present, as I attempt create a blog and post my newsletters thereon. It has been suggested as the way to go to make it easier for people to read and to share with others. I did all of this setup once, and posted the newsletter, only to find that the format I had set up was not retained, and everything came out a complete jumble. So, with input from some great brothers and sisters, I am trying again on a different blog page.

SADNESS FOR ME
When I was working as a singles minister with churches in the Portland, OR area, Clinton Witter was one of the most consistent participants in things we were doing, though he was over eighty years old. When I made the decision to come to Albania, Clinton committed to helping financially, and has been doing so ever since. But last month, Clinton went home to be with the Lord. He had not long ago moved to Las Vegas, NV where he could be closer to his son and his family. Clinton had been a decorated soldier in WW II, his eyesight being greatly diminished as a result of his activities, and he was legally blind as a result. Though he always downplayed the heroics part, he is remembered fondly in his hometown of Gresham, OR. Clinton lived to the age of 89, and was studying spiritual subjects up until the hour of his passing. I will miss Clinton!!

NATIONAL YOUTH DAY
On April 26 the church in Tirana hosted the annual youth day for churches of Christ in Albania. We were able to take an almost-full van for that activity. The brothers and sisters in Tirana did a wonderful job of planning and carrying out the activities of the day. The three young men who graduated from the Bible training school in December were asked to do the speaking, and did a great job of it. Screen-printed T-shirts were given to all in attendance with the message "O sa mir' ne qën' Kristian" ("Oh how great it is to be a Christian"), and the church was given a banner with the same message on it. In excess of 130 people were in attendance. On the way home I challenged our youth to wear their shirts to school the next week. They were a little uneasy about committing to do so, but on Sunday some said that they would. Now I must educate myself on how to insert pictures of the group and event into the text. (Loooong pause)

The group, the shirts, the banner

Part of the group present for the youth day

Whew, made it through that. Now we'll have to see if it comes out right!

CHURCH LEADERS MEETING
On April 19 the church in Elbasan hosted a meeting of leaders and workers of the churches from throughout Albania. Twenty-two were present, and good fellowship was enjoyed by all. The ladies of the church provided a full Albanian meal for all present, and it was wonderful. Please pray that there can continue to be meetings of this sort, and that peace and harmony will prevail in the young church in Albania.

Church leaders and workers meeting in Elbasan

TIME TO REJOICE
Though it is an event from May, I want to include here the wonderful news about the birth into the kingdom of God of Inva Begolli. She has been studying English/Bible with me for some time now, and accepted the Lord's gift of forgiveness as she was baptized in the Adriatic Sea on May 3. Inva is a truly wonderful young lady, with a sensitive and teachable heart. We have talked often over the past months about this decision, and those discussions and her decision now bring joy to her heart, my heart, and the heart of God.

Inva, sadly, plans to leave in August to participate in a student exchange program in the U.S., if she secures her visa at the interview next week. She is assigned a host home in Woodland, WA. I have been in touch with the church in that area, and we hope to get her firmly and quickly connected. Currently, one of our other members, Bojkena Selmanaj, is finishing her last year of high school as she resides in Edmonds, WA. As a matter of fact, four young people who have been students with us are attempting to get visas to go to the U.S. at this time. That produces mixed feelings in me. I truly want to help the Albanian people improve their lot in life, and a chance at schooling in the U.S. seems to be a positive way to do so. Too often, however, the strangeness of their new situations maks it uncomfortable or difficult for them to search out involvement with a church in their area. Please pray that I will be given wisdom as I interact with my students of the future.

Preparing for the new birth

Covered in waves of love

Enjoyable Outing

Also during the month of April I was able to serve, and be blessed in doing so. Ellen Walker, who has been working with the church in Tirana for about ten years, called and asked if it would be possible for me to do a favor for her. An American couple, who have been here to work with the church at least two times, were again in Tirana for a few weeks, and Ellen wanted to make it possible for them to see some of the ancient ruins in the south of Albania. Her request was that I take our van and accompany them on this outing. So Ellen, Mike and Diana Folkerts (from Michigan) and I made a trip to the Saranda area, spent two nights, and were able to see some of the historical buildings in that area. At Butrint (Buthrotum is the more ancient name) we were able to spend several hours looking at the remains of buildings, some of which date back to the 4th century BC. We all enjoyed ourselves, in spite of the not-so-good road conditions as we returned up the coast route. I have to admit that it is awe-inspiring for me to stand in buildings that pre-date the formation of America by four millenia. Sacrifice has its blessings, and I am privileged that I was able to experience this.

5th century AD baptistery


Ellen and Diana walking Ancient path

The Ongoing Saga Of The Sag
For those of you who have been readers of this newsletter for a period of time, you know that I have had occasion to write about the declining value of the dollar, particularly in relation to the Albanian lek. Having just spent a couple of months in the U.S. I am aware that things are tightening up there, also, especially in regard to gas prices, from my experience. The van that we have for use with the church here has a diesel engine, and diesel fuel here is less expensive than gasoline. I did not know what to expect on my return to Albania, either in regards to the value of the dollar or the cost of fuel. As of today the dollar commands only 77 leke on the dollar. Five and a half years ago it was 135 leke to the dollar. I did some mathematical calculation (not an easy undertaking for me) and have arrived at the conclusion that diesel fuel here is now costing $7.66 per gallon. OUCH!! Thanks to all of you who are helping support the work here, but you may hear more OUCHING from me in the future. God is in control, however, and will provide for the things he feels are necessary. Thank you for your willingness to be used by our Lord in this ministry.

Where Do We Go From Here?
A real problem in planting a self-sustaining ongoing church in Albania, at least in Lushnja, is the lack of good jobs that pay a living wage. I spoke this week with a lady) not yet a member of the church) whose husband has worked on the same job for twelve years. He is actually doing three different jobs on his one job, and his pay is about the equivalent of $200 per month. He works seven days per week, ten-plus hours per day. One of our men in the church has been without work for some time, and cannot find any. The question arises "How then can people give of themselves or their finances to the church?" If they have work, it keeps them from involvement with the body. If they have no work, they have no means with which to support the work of the church.

What is the solution? I do not know, and I am open to suggestion. If we do not want to provide American dollars for support for men to work with the church, then it seems that we must figure out some way to provide them with marketable job skills. With the job market so weak, it is likely that they will need to have some help in getting a business of some sort started with whatever skills they obtain. It is a dilemma, and one to which we need to give some serious thought.

Once again, I thank you for your support in all the ways you give it, the most important of which is your prayers. May God be glorified as we partner together to bring the gospel back to this land through which the apostle Paul is said to have traveled.

Lifted by, and lifting high, Jesus

Tom