Culture shock of the day... all greetings include generous kisses! We gave and received many over the last 24 hours as we closed the retreat and said sad farewells.
We know we have been quiet - but we have had very little downtime as the pace of the conference quickened. As the women grew more comfortable with us they were eager for us to be with them and pray for them. They wanted to tell us of their joys and struggles; embrace us and share their dreams for their families and for the things God was faithfully doing in their hearts. We made many deep connections with these precious women and prepare to leave knowing they will be our sisters for eternity.
Tonight we celebrated with the leadership team by enjoying a traditional Albanian feast at a beautiful restaurant in a neighboring village. To put things in perspective. The village was about 5 miles out of town and had one road in and out. For us it was as inconvenient as going to the grocery store, but for a town where owning a vehicle is a luxury, it was VERY FAR!
We relaxed, laughed and shared gifts with one another as we rejoiced together over what the Lord had accomplished in the hearts of these dear women over the last 4 days. Ps 126:3 came to mind... "The Lord has done great things for us and our hearts are filled with Joy!" We are believing together that the effects of the weekend will strengthen the local church and the church in Albania at large as the women return built up by their fellowship, the word of God and the Love of Jesus.
We will attend the one and only church in Erseke tomorrow. The leadership of the church is also the leadership at the Bible School where the conference was held. The skit put on by three of the youth at our conference will be performed again at church. We will reconnect with many of the women we ministered to and have a chance to pray for the leadership before we head out of town.
After lunch we reboard the taxi van for the BUMPY, narrow, windy 5/6 hour trip back to Tirana. Our faithful translator Blerta will travel with us to help us arrive safely. On our trip here, she assisted by using strong Albania words to tell our zealous driver to SLOW DOWN! We still giggle about how miraculous it was that we arrived in one piece! We were so delirious that we didn't even know!
We will spend a quick evening in Tirana before heading to the airport bright and early Monday morning for the last leg of our trip. We appreciate your prayers as we begin the travel home.
We have much more to share. We find we are at a loss for word for the many things we tasted, touched, SMELLED and shared. We look forward to passing on the good news of the faithfulness of our God in Albania and sending many of you that may want to come and build on this good work.
A staff member, Beta, helping the women with one of the crafts. They made bracelets with heart bangles on them to remind them of the abiding love of our God.
Many women participated in the ropes course on campus. This was a hightlight for all the women, no matter how old...
Swinging free!!
Marlise and Missy sharing a POWERFUL message on the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We ended by offering an opportunity for the women to pray to receive this fullness.
Marlise delivering a life changing message entitled "No Longer Unloved." She shared on how God wants to heal our image of Him so that we can trust and abide in his unfailing love for us.
We shared a precious common bond - taking communion together. Karen reminded us that no matter our differences, cultural, theological, etc., we were one because of the body of Christ broken for us.
Kathy and Karen sharing on hearing God's voice.
Kathy wrapping up our conference with a life changing reminder that God has a call and destiny for each of our lives! We are his master piece! Created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
The conference ended with Albania folk dancing that went well in to the night. The women could not get enough. They showed us a thing or two.
Dinner with the leadership team tonight. Special time with the families of the women that made things happen throughout the conference. They have poured their lives in to this nation for many years and we are grateful!
We know we have been quiet - but we have had very little downtime as the pace of the conference quickened. As the women grew more comfortable with us they were eager for us to be with them and pray for them. They wanted to tell us of their joys and struggles; embrace us and share their dreams for their families and for the things God was faithfully doing in their hearts. We made many deep connections with these precious women and prepare to leave knowing they will be our sisters for eternity.
Tonight we celebrated with the leadership team by enjoying a traditional Albanian feast at a beautiful restaurant in a neighboring village. To put things in perspective. The village was about 5 miles out of town and had one road in and out. For us it was as inconvenient as going to the grocery store, but for a town where owning a vehicle is a luxury, it was VERY FAR!
We relaxed, laughed and shared gifts with one another as we rejoiced together over what the Lord had accomplished in the hearts of these dear women over the last 4 days. Ps 126:3 came to mind... "The Lord has done great things for us and our hearts are filled with Joy!" We are believing together that the effects of the weekend will strengthen the local church and the church in Albania at large as the women return built up by their fellowship, the word of God and the Love of Jesus.
We will attend the one and only church in Erseke tomorrow. The leadership of the church is also the leadership at the Bible School where the conference was held. The skit put on by three of the youth at our conference will be performed again at church. We will reconnect with many of the women we ministered to and have a chance to pray for the leadership before we head out of town.
After lunch we reboard the taxi van for the BUMPY, narrow, windy 5/6 hour trip back to Tirana. Our faithful translator Blerta will travel with us to help us arrive safely. On our trip here, she assisted by using strong Albania words to tell our zealous driver to SLOW DOWN! We still giggle about how miraculous it was that we arrived in one piece! We were so delirious that we didn't even know!
We will spend a quick evening in Tirana before heading to the airport bright and early Monday morning for the last leg of our trip. We appreciate your prayers as we begin the travel home.
We have much more to share. We find we are at a loss for word for the many things we tasted, touched, SMELLED and shared. We look forward to passing on the good news of the faithfulness of our God in Albania and sending many of you that may want to come and build on this good work.
Thank you all for sharing with us - sounds like you saw the fruit of your labor immediately and I'm praying for continuing and lasting fruit to come...
ReplyDeletelove, julie K.