9 November - The least of these!

Katie H. took this photo
which says it all.

Have I told you about Krystal?  She is an amazing lady with whom Debbie and I have spent a lot of time. Remember Don?  Well, Krystal is his wife. So, while Don wiles away his days building stoves, modeling a work ethic and building relationships with men (targeting the Roma), Krystal is demonstrating God's infinite love for the Roma children and their families who live close-by.  She has help from some other full-time missionaries... Pam, Marcella, Julee and others... who fill in when they can, and she hosts itinerant teams like those GBC stragglers from the English Camp last summer.  

Visiting

Have you ever thought about when someone is most receptive to the Gospel?  I would have to say that, in my experience, it is in childhood and young adulthood.  How many of my friends have told me that they came to know Christ when they were young?  With many of my Albanian friends, they were the first in their families to believe, and, in many instances, have led their families to salvation.

Hearing the story of Creation in
Krystal's living room

Homework help at the
kitchen table

There are so many ways to introduce Jesus.  We can stand on a street corner, proclaim the Gospel at "events," develop friendships with those outside the church.... you've heard the many ways. Krystal just strives to love these children... among the most un-lovable, according to the world.  And is she ever creative!  She hosts English clubs, Bible clubs, homework help, whatever she can!  I've helped her with a sewing club before... and one of those children has professed faith.  Unfortunately, she recently lost her "ministry center" which was perfectly located in the Roma neighborhood.... she didn't have to pay rent because it was left-over space from Don's factory before he lost the lease and had to move.  Don's move and the loss of his "extra space" has greatly diminished Krystal's ability to reach children.  She is now limited to hosting these clubs and groups at her kitchen table.

Inviting entrance and
large wooden porch

Large inside area that could
be divided for different activities

Down the street, right on the pedestrian route from local schools, and on a corner that their parents must also pass to get to town, there is a coffee bar for rent that would be just perfect (in my opinion).  It would provide room for the sewing club she started but has had to suspend, for cooking and health lessons for the young girls (or boys), for homework help, and a myriad of other things, including just plain fun times.  There is even a little play area for toddlers, so it would be a good location for gathering moms together, too.  All she needs is $500 each month for rent, and right now she doesn't have funding for it.  I will shamelessly tell you that investing in her ministry would be an incredible way to reach these children.  Please know that there are kids who have already professed faith in our Savior (I hate counting so I won't give numbers, but believe me it is a fruitful ministry). While Krystal and her friends are carefully mentoring these new believers, she yearns for the opportunity to reach more.  Would you consider joining me in a commitment to her ministry?  Can you visualize what Krystal could do with this place?  I can!  If God leads you in this direction, I will put you in touch with her sending ministry.

An area for the little ones

Krystal is such an ambassador for our Lord... she loves these little kids in all their poverty!   She remembers birthdays, finds ways to help girls yearning to learn, but whose family situation keeps them from going to school.  I know that heaven will be populated by some of these Roma children... and I pray that there will be so many more!

So, this is my last day at the Qendra Stefan... I am so sad to leave. The last 24 hours have been such a blur... making sure everything gets to the right place (including some sewing machines I've "found" for Krystal), making sure that Debbie is winging her way west, saying my good-byes to such good friends that I have here, and finally packing... I can't imagine how difficult it must be for full-time missionaries who have spent years here, have even more friends who must pack up and go home for a furlough or for good.  Albania has become home to them.  There are some who will not be here when I return... please pray with me that God would show them His limitless mercy, give them His bottomless peace, and that He is, even today, saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!!!"

See you soon!  Bekime!

A set of teeth and a new bicycle - 2 November

So, if someone asked you the question, “What is evanglism?”...  how would you respond?  Is it a large crowd, lots of lights and music, the laying on of hands?  Or, alternatively, is it true that evanglism isn’t an event, but a lifestyle?  Krystal and Don moved from South Carolina to Tirana some years ago with a desire to share Christ with people who have had little chance to hear of Him.  They work with Albanian Roma... some of the hardest people groups to reach.  

Roma are... well, how to describe?  Although most Roma would probably say that they are “Muslim by tradition,” I have been told that most actually live under the oppressive weight of animism and a cultural brokenness that seems impossible “to fix.”   Not only do their traditions and cultural “habits” work “against” them (they don’t send their children to school, for instance), their approach to life is very “in the moment” with little regard for what might be needed tomorrow or, even less important to them, next winter or eternity.  How does one reach these people?  There are many ways... 

New teeth will also
help him eat better

One way to reach them might be to provide a platform to befriend, train and enrich their lives through a commercial venture... to teach them the value of responsibility such as showing up for work every day... and then helping them to reap the rewards!  When a man can provide for his family it sets an example for others.  When a person is at work every day, there is a platform for friendship and, guess what, evangelism and then mentoring.  This is exactly what Don has worked to do... and it is finally becoming a reality.  And don't forget the "business park" neighbors, landlord, vendors, clients and others that will interact with Don during the work day.

Don inspects the new bike...
braking will make the commute safer
for his employee

Starting a business in Albania is no a small thing.  There are reams of papers... permits, taxes, insurance, etc... that need to be completed.  Interesting here is that the biggest onus that a new business faces is what happens if it fails... to close a business is even more difficult, prolonged, and quite expensive.  With the help of a new mission organization, Don has been able to navigate all of this in such a way that he is able to actually develop, produce and sell a product... wood stoves... for a reasonable price that the poor are better able to afford.  He currently has three employees... one came to work today with a new set of teeth (hallelujah!), another’s wife went to the ABC clinic today which she is able to access because of his private health insurance, and a third bought a new bike that actually has brakes!  Making a difference?  I think so... and providing an example.  Today I was lucky enough to see the factory.

(NOTE:  Please forgive the long pause in posting blogposts.  I haven't been in Albania long enough to become adept at working around internet/computer problems that occur due to be located in Albania. Thankfully, Krystal is quite adept at solving problems.)