It was a crisp walk home last night as the full moon was waning and the streetlights hadn’t yet been lit. As we sat down for dinner, we both noticed the boy at the next table who had two Halloween balloons on sticks... the first Halloween decorations I think either of us has seen here. It reminded us of the preparations at GBC for the “big bash” last night and we prayed for a dynamite outreach! How did it go?
Yesterday was an early morning, we had to be the first to order breakfast in order to wend our way to Zoguze (“Black Bird”) by 8... no, it’s not the circle that actually has the black bird (double headed eagle) in the center, that is Dogana. I’m sure I have been told why this particular circle is called “Black Bird” but for the life of me I can’t remember right now. We found a mini-van idling shortly after 8 slated to head north to Shkodra. Ahhhh, sweet success... we were on schedule! But, it didn’t leave for 45 minutes until every last seat was filled. Well, that made us late...
We were meeting our friends at a church in Shkodra to spend some time
with the ladies there and then the children in their new children’s
center. There were the yummiest looking cream puffs on serving plates
tempting us as we sat down. Debbie gave a brief account to the women
about what she would be doing with the children later including the
creation story, then we talked briefly about why God made Eden. Have
you ever thought about it? A perfect place, made by God for the purpose
of visiting the only creatures He made in His image and which were, as
yet, perfect. Picture that for a moment... speaking with your Creator,
the Holy and Just God of the Universe, easily and casually about the
day’s events or even just about random thoughts. In the field over
there are many others of His creatures, creatures over which you have
been given dominion, enjoying the afternoon sun as it begins to slip
towards the horizon. Savor that. No predators, no sex shops, no
pollution... idyllic.
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| Our hostess, Voska, and her children |
Why did God make the garden perfect? Why
were the people who lived there perfect? Because God is Holy, He cannot
tolerate imperfection... sin. Well, we surely deserve to enjoy the
garden, don’t we? Why, aren’t we perfect? That is I was perfect until
this morning when I... there was discussion around the table, then
laughter as the point was made. OK, now we have a problem. God desires
to spend time with us in the Garden, but how to become perfect again in
Creator’s eyes? If God is Holy and also Just, then what should happen
to imperfection? It must be banished - "the wages of sin is death...",
but there is a solution "... the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ." After discussing our loving God's solution to this
conundrum... that is our perfect Savior who sacrificed Himself for each
of us... we made Christmas tree ornaments designed to reiterate this
truth through colors. It just so happens the colors work well with
Christmas!
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| Opening the center |
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| In honor of the pastor murdered in blood feud |
A leisurely walk around Shkoder followed, lunch on the
walking street, then to the brand new children’s center for its
inaugural event. We felt privileged. The children’s center is intended
to enrich the lives of children, particularly those caught up in the
whole “blood feud” mess. Many of these children live in homes where
stress is an understatement, where their fathers are furtively looking
through the window curtains just waiting for the horrible moment when
the bullet might find its target.
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| "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" |
Combine this with some somewhat
oppressive traditions, particularly for girls, and the center becomes a
welcome relief. The children of two families finally arrived...
transportation is a problem. After songs, Debbie masterfully presented
the creation story, supervised a torn paper craft, then treats and
finally a reinforcement of the creation story through a second craft.
Even the oldest seemed to enjoy the festivity.
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| Creation |
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| Paper craft making things created |
Oops! We must
hurriedly find a van before it is too late. We did, it was leaving
almost as we stepped in. Back to Tirana, a slow walk home in the crisp
air and thoughts of home. Please know that you guys are in our thoughts
and prayers while we are here, despite our activities and the
excitement of new places, people, and challenges.
Bekime (“Blessings”)
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