November 2010

The Wagging Has Finally Stopped

     All of you Americans who read this will probably be familiar with the expression "The tail is wagging the dog".  For those not familiar with the expression, it means that what one is supposed to be controlling is actually doing the controlling.  In my case, over the past several months, the "tail" has been a 40' container of medical equipment and supplies delivered to Albania, for which I was the consignee (the dog).

     When I was in the U.S. in December/January I met with our brothers at Global Samaritan Resources, of Abilene, Texas, regarding the possibility of a container being shipped here.  There is a group of Albanians and Kosovars of Albanian descent who are living in Texas.  They had an interest in sending some aid to benefit the northern part of Albania, which was devastated by flooding last winter.  One of those Albanians lives in Abilene, and he had begun discussion with GSR about this possibility.  I was able to connect with him at a meeting with the GSR representatives, and offered to help in whatever way I could.  Little did I know!!

Unloading the container

     I met with officials at the Ministry of Health here in Albania and received agreement from them to work with us in getting the things distributed.  Alfred Zike, who serves the Lord through the Adriatic congregation of Durrës, was a great help in finally getting things approved to receive the container.  I won't go into detail, but just ask you to rejoice with me that the project is finished, and I am able to get back to the work I normally do.  You might also pray that I will be reimbursed about $2,000 that I paid out of my pocket to the shipping company to effect the completion of this endeavor.

Alfred Zike (l), Lodovik Tetaj (r),
Tom Bonner(rear), surrounded by
container contents

Angels Sing

     The highlight of the period since the last newsletter has to have been the baptism of Era Met-Hoxha, a very pleasant sixteen-year old, on March 28.  Era has been studying with us, and faithfully attending worship, for a couple of years now.  Her mother also attends worship with us, and I am working with her on "beginners" English.  Era is a real joy with her upbeat personality and "can-do" attitude.  I am so pleased that she has made the decision to become part of God's family.

     Two van-loads of people went to Durrës for Era's baptism.  I had asked Era to be ready to share her concept of who Jesus is prior to her baptism.  Among other things, she said that this was for her a life-long decision; that she does not plan to follow in any other way than with her whole heart.  

     After her baptism she asked if she could make another statement.  In it she shared that she had lost her father about ten years ago, whom she loved very much, and had not had the comfort of a father in her life since.  She went on to say, through her tears, that now she has our God as her Father, and she feels very blessed.  See for yourself the joy in her face.

Group that attended Era's baptism

Grandson Visits

     Brendin Williamson, the oldest son of my daughter Tami and her husband Jack, spent last school year in Heidelberg, Germany.  He is a student at Pepperdine University, and was participating in their Year In Europe program.  During his time "on the continent" he was able to see most of Europe, including spending five days with me in Albania.  We traveled together through most of the country (it's not that big) and saw many of the historical sites, some dating back almost 2000 years.  One such site is a bridge that tradition says Paul crossed when he came through Illyricum, of which Albania was a part (Rom.15:19).  What a blessing to my life was Brendin's visit.  He is the only person from my family who has been able to make it here to Albania, hopefully not the last.

Brendin and I-Forget-Who

Brendin on Paul's Bridge

The Long, Loving Arm of the Lord

     In July I, along with  the Bledi Valça family,  made a trip into Montenegro to meet with, and assist in her entrance into the Kingdom, Marsida Bobaj.  Marsida had been studying the World English Institute materials with an internet teacher, Jo Byrd Huddleston, of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Marsida wanted to be baptized, but since there was no church in her town, she had been doing some talking with the Catholic priest about performing the baptism.  Sister Huddleston contacated Bledi, and he enlisted my assistance to go along and provide transportation.

     It was very interesting to learn "the rest of the story".  Marsida's father had studied the WEI materials before moving to Montenegro from Albania some thirteen years before.  Marsida won a competition at her school, the prize for which was a computer.  Her parents gifted her with internet connection, and her father asked her to see if she could find out anything about WEI on the internet.  She did, became a student, and is now our sister.  About two weeks after her baptism she was able to travel to Albania and participate in the rejuvenated Christian camp.

     How great is our God!!??

Buried with Christ. . .

. . .and raised to walk a new life

Christian Camp

     After a hiatus of several years a Christian camp organized by members of the church of Christ was held again this summer. Virgil and Jackie Jackson, longtime missionaries in Vlorë, had for several years sacrificially organized, constructed and overseen a summer camp in the south of Albania.  That effort ended a few years ago, and many had desired, prayed and worked for a rebirth of such an effort.
     This was the year of the resumption of such an effort.  Much work and prayer preceded the offering of three age-grouped sessions this summer.  Though I have had many years of experience in directing camps I opted to remain a consultant in this situation.  I did make myself available for whatever need might arise that I was capable of fulfilling.  It was, and is, my strong sense that what the Albanian church can do on its own, the better it is overall for the church.  Much of the funding for the effort came from U.S. congregations and individuals.  All we involved with the camp in any way offer our Thanks for the generosity of those of you who donated funds to help this prayed-for dream become a reality.
     The first week of camp was for ages 10-14; the second week for ages 15-18; the third week for ages 18+, as well as families.  Lushnja had representatives at all three sessions, not all of whom had had much, or any, connection with the church prior to the camp session.  Several of our members served as counselors, with each camp session being blessed with at least one of our members working in this capacity.  A total of about two hundred seventy people attended during the three sessions.
     In all, there were thirteen baptisms during the three sessions.  Three of the young people from Lushnja who were at camp, with whom I have been studying for some time, are currently in a process of "counting the cost", and will likely be baptized soon, the Lord willing.  Every person with whom I have spoken who attended any one of the three weeks, has indicated that their lives were greatly blessed by being able to participate.  Everyone is looking forward to next year's offering.

The campers/counselors from the youngest age group 

     Thank you again for your prayers and financial contributions, enabling this event to bless the lives of so many.  May the fruit from this effort continue to be realized throughout the coming year.

Making A Difference

     We do not have workers from the States come to join us in the work here every summer.  This year, however, we did, and were blessed to have Kay Banta, from Arkansas, and Danah Nelson, from California, with us.  Kay has made a number of trips (I forget the number) to Albania, including spending about a year in Tirana in 1998.  Danah made her eleventh trip to Albania this summer, during which times she has worked in a number of places.  This was her second year to partner with us in Lushnja, and Kay's first.

Danah Nelson with one of her students

     Early in our discussion, as the evaluation process about whether to come or not was going on, one of the ladies said that if they did come they wanted to be where they felt they could make a difference.  I assured them that I felt that their presence with us would indeed be a time of impact for the church.  When they came, they "hit the ground running", as far as the work was concerned.  Kay was only able to stay for three weeks, but she and Danah presented to our ladies and teenage girls, as well as some invited non-members, some teacher training sessions.  These included songs as well as Bible stories and teaching methods.  Before Kay left we launched a children's class, and it is now being taught by Era Met-Hoxha (mentioned above regarding her baptism) and Glenida Kajdo, both sixteen-year old young ladies.  Danah and Kay observed this "maiden voyage", and reported back with tears in their eyes about how beautiful a job these two young ladies did.  Danah reported that all of the children (ranging in age from three to twelve years old) were rapt with attention to the lesson being presented.

Kay Banta working with Era in the class

Glenida and Era teaching

     I can tell you that the ladies made a difference, a big difference!!  It is, however, always much better for me when I hear from others that they feel that their efforts have made a difference.  Danah said that she truly did feel that she and Kay made a difference, God working through them, during their presence.

Ladies Day

     Soon after the arrival of Kay and Danah we took a van load and a car load of ladies and teenaged girls to the annual ladies' day for the churches of Christ in Albania.  This year it was hosted , once again, by the church in Elbasan.  I was "blessed" to be able to serve those attending this event refreshments and their meal, as well as serving as "chauffeur".  It was a well-attended event, with representatives present from most of the congregations in the country.

Bible Bowl Competition

     Again this year  we took a van load from Lushnja to the Bible Bowl, hosted this year by the church in Korçë.  The competition was pretty stiff, and though our team did not finish in the top three, we were only a few points (8, I think) behind the first-place finishers.  It was disappointing, but we learned a great deal about the book of Romans as we studied for the competition.

"Paqe" (peace) is written on their thumbs

     Part of our team were Olti Mezini and Sojana Janku.  I had the privilege of baptizing each of them into Christ some time back, and both are young people who truly have a heart for the Lord.  They also have a heart for each other, and have become a married couple .  They are a wonderful young couple, and I hope and pray that their circumstances will allow them to remain in Lushnja when they have finished their university studies.  I have told them that they are B.B.'s for the church in Lushnja, i.e., building blocks.

Olti and Sojana Mezini

Assistance Sought

     One of the leaders of one of the newer congregations in Albania approached me some time back seeking my assistance in making known a desire to expand their ministry.  They have an active ministry to younger children, and are desiring to purchase a van to use in the endeavor.  They figure they will need about $10,000 to complete the purchase.
     The situation here in Lushnja has never been in extreme circumstances as far as need.  However, the worldwide economic situation is beginning to take its toll, and our "cushion" has gotten thinner.  The expenses for the church, as well as the English/Bible school, have been underwritten from the beginning by the working funds received from so many generous brothers and sisters.  We are working to change that, but for now outside help continues to be needed.
      It is not without awareness of worldwide economic turmoil that I include this information and these requests.  However, if the Lord has blessed you to be able to ride out this storm without much negative effect, please consider joining hands in the ministry of the church in Albania.  You can let me know if you desire more detailed information.  Any funds can be sent through the Metro church of Christ (address listed in the margin to the left), but please specify if you have a definite area where you want the funds to be applied, and I will see that they get into the proper hands.

Lifted by love,

Tom