We (Jared, Brad, Judy, Kristie, Doug and me) went to Albania to serve, pray and encourage those that are planting churches in Albania. This took us to Durrës and Elbasan to work with Arvid, Kujtim, Besmir, and Kristian. Durres is an urban and village setting near the Adriatic Sea and Elbasan is in central Albania, a very rural setting.

What our brothers and sisters in Christ are doing to meet God in His work was both encouraging and humbling for us all. They are joyfully laboring.

Ps 128:2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

We planned and prayed before our trip, but indeed we trusted that the Lord would use us to His glory in some way.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We were blessed as we served promoting events on the streets, praying and encouraging leaders and staff, playing soccer and games with the youth, preaching (Jared), cleaning, weeding, cleaning up trash, ministering to the women (Judy and Kristie), worshipping, giving testimony (Brad), meeting with other pastors and church planters, fellowshipping over meals, spending one on one time, hosting a youth night, registering youth for English classes and more. We return renewed.

Ps 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Thank you for your support and prayers. They were welcomed and desired.

Numbers 6:24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Dave