We're leaving for Albania Labor day weekend, and we want you to come with us!
We're going because Klara desperately needs to be reminded of God's abiding love. Her burdens are staggering: an abusive husband, a daughter who lives far away, and a son enmeshed in addictive behaviors. Unemployed most of the time, Klara struggles with various physical challenges and trying to make ends meet. Yet this precious woman is tenacious in her faith as she looks to the Lord for rescue.
We long to be burden-lifters for her and the other women who will be gathering for the "Abiding Love" Women's Conference, September 7-10, in Erseka, Albania, where we will minister love, courage, and hope to our sisters in Christ.
We're also going in order to be an encouragement to Doni and Gail Lilo, St. Giles-sponsored missionaries and dear friends serving the Lord in Erseka. Since marrying Doni and settling permanently in Albania in 2007, Gail has been eager for a team of St. Giles women to come and minister. When we asked Gail, "Why do you want us to come?" she responded...
"I see Albania women saved from sin but not fully experiencing the Lord's freedom, power, and hope in the midst of their struggles. Cynicism and fatalism permeate the air we breathe here. The Gospel is about binding up, freeing releasing, healing, comforting, and bringing these women into the favor, joy, and beauty that are theirs in Christ (Isaiah 61). I yearn for the deep places of their hearts to be ministered to in a context of safety and love at this fall's women's conference and for them to be refreshed in God's presence."
"I believe the Lord wants to work through you in these women's lives, even if you've never met them. St. Giles is our sending church. You pray and support us, yet you have not seen this land with your own eyes. If you come, you will be able to take back word of what you've seen and heard here, which will make your prayers and advocacy even more effective. On a personal note, I can hardly contact the ache of anticipation to talk and pray face-to-face with St. Giles women for whom I'm not a leader, teacher, or missionary."
So we are going... and we want you to come with us!
While it may be impossible for you to actually board a plane for the 30 hour journey to Erseka, if you send us, we will carry you with us in our hearts and prayers as we minister to these heart-hungry women...to Doni and Gail...and to those with whom they are serving in the Albanian harvest field.
Just as the Lord asked Isaiah, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?" (Isaiah 6:8) and Isaiah responded, "Here am I! Send me," so are the four of us saying to you,
"Here we are! Send us!"
If the Lord is leading you to be a part of the Albanian "Sending Team," you can mail your tax-deductible check to St. Giles Presbyterian Church (2027 Emerywood Dr., Charlotte, 28217). If you prefer, you also may give your gift online by going to www.stgilesepc.org and clicking on "giving". Please be sure and designate your gift "Albanian Women's Conference."
Our heart's desire is for the Lord to send us to bring life-giving, Spirit-refreshing messages to these spiritually, emotionally and physically weary women. When we return, we look forward to testifying to you of God's goodness, faithfulness, and power among His people in Albania.
With joy!!
We're going because Klara desperately needs to be reminded of God's abiding love. Her burdens are staggering: an abusive husband, a daughter who lives far away, and a son enmeshed in addictive behaviors. Unemployed most of the time, Klara struggles with various physical challenges and trying to make ends meet. Yet this precious woman is tenacious in her faith as she looks to the Lord for rescue.
We long to be burden-lifters for her and the other women who will be gathering for the "Abiding Love" Women's Conference, September 7-10, in Erseka, Albania, where we will minister love, courage, and hope to our sisters in Christ.
We're also going in order to be an encouragement to Doni and Gail Lilo, St. Giles-sponsored missionaries and dear friends serving the Lord in Erseka. Since marrying Doni and settling permanently in Albania in 2007, Gail has been eager for a team of St. Giles women to come and minister. When we asked Gail, "Why do you want us to come?" she responded...
"I see Albania women saved from sin but not fully experiencing the Lord's freedom, power, and hope in the midst of their struggles. Cynicism and fatalism permeate the air we breathe here. The Gospel is about binding up, freeing releasing, healing, comforting, and bringing these women into the favor, joy, and beauty that are theirs in Christ (Isaiah 61). I yearn for the deep places of their hearts to be ministered to in a context of safety and love at this fall's women's conference and for them to be refreshed in God's presence."
"I believe the Lord wants to work through you in these women's lives, even if you've never met them. St. Giles is our sending church. You pray and support us, yet you have not seen this land with your own eyes. If you come, you will be able to take back word of what you've seen and heard here, which will make your prayers and advocacy even more effective. On a personal note, I can hardly contact the ache of anticipation to talk and pray face-to-face with St. Giles women for whom I'm not a leader, teacher, or missionary."
So we are going... and we want you to come with us!
While it may be impossible for you to actually board a plane for the 30 hour journey to Erseka, if you send us, we will carry you with us in our hearts and prayers as we minister to these heart-hungry women...to Doni and Gail...and to those with whom they are serving in the Albanian harvest field.
Just as the Lord asked Isaiah, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?" (Isaiah 6:8) and Isaiah responded, "Here am I! Send me," so are the four of us saying to you,
"Here we are! Send us!"
If the Lord is leading you to be a part of the Albanian "Sending Team," you can mail your tax-deductible check to St. Giles Presbyterian Church (2027 Emerywood Dr., Charlotte, 28217). If you prefer, you also may give your gift online by going to www.stgilesepc.org and clicking on "giving". Please be sure and designate your gift "Albanian Women's Conference."
Our heart's desire is for the Lord to send us to bring life-giving, Spirit-refreshing messages to these spiritually, emotionally and physically weary women. When we return, we look forward to testifying to you of God's goodness, faithfulness, and power among His people in Albania.
With joy!!
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