The Lord provided delicious refreshment and needed rest to the Albania team upon arrival in Durres on Saturday evening. Arvid led us on the short walk from the hotel, down city streets to the church, in its recently rented and renovated space just a few feet from the main promenade along the Adriatic Sea. We were blessed to see and hear testimony of all the work that had been achieved, and also that there were still many work projects that needed some planning, preparation, and, well…work. Being a brand new church, loose plans for ministry were reviewed but we had no set expectations for how those plans would actually unfold. Flexibility and willingness were emphasized.

The loose plan for Sunday included a children’s program at 10 a.m. 10 a.m. came and went without any children showing up, other than Arvid and Rudi’s two beautiful boys. So all of the ladies hit the streets in search of more children to invite. We prayed while we walked and handed out several invitations. By the time we returned to the building, there was one younger boy named “Ray” and five college age young ladies, only two of which are affiliated with the church. In the way only God can do, He used the prepared children’s coloring activity and story time for good gospel conversation on all levels. Ray and all the girls then joined the group for lunch. Testimony and good news continued as we got to know one another better.

We joined the young church plant for their regular Sunday worship at 5 pm. We sang in Albanian and English simultaneously, knowing God could sort it out. Pete gave his testimony and retired pastor Joe Bubar with Radstock delivered the message. Galatians 3:26-28 describes for us the amazing work of the Spirit that always accompanies the gatherings of the Lord’s people across borders: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Would you please pray with us now that more children would attend the daily program that has been prepared for them; that the three young ladies who are not believers but have shown great interest would come to a complete understanding and acceptance of salvation; that our team would be bold in prayer, and diligent in work?

May God be Glorified in Albania!

Carla, for the Team in Albania