Answers to prayer
Thanks for those of you who prayed for the trip to Fushbardhe. Both Petrit and I felt encouraged by this trip. We gave out gospel newspapers to nearly every house and had conversations with several people. By a remarkable providence I met the woman who I'd witnessed to before (whom I've mentioned) and had another good talk with her (She doesn't live in that village anymore but comes once in a while to collect herbs and tea from the mountain - she had come the day before and was leaving the next).
Thanks also for those of you who prayed for Alba. I'm glad to say that she has attended meetings of a Christian students union in Tirana (the capital of Albania). Pray that she continues to go to these and attends a church next! Thanks for praying for the other teenagers I mentioned in the last bulletin too. At this stage their situations remain the same as far as I know. It also seems that some of their parents have been discouraging them from coming to meetings.
Thanks for those who prayed for Albina (sorry that names are so similar here). Her parents still will not allow her to come to church or to have a Bible. One day she had printed some pages from the Bible off the internet and her when her mum found them she burnt them. But recently I asked her how things were and she said that she feels a great need for teaching but that she has faith in Jesus.
Thanks also for those who prayed for my preaching. I ended up preaching at the church in Gjirokaster, in a nearby church in Memeliaj and giving a talk at the students meeting. It all makes me feel out of my depth, but I'm sure it's good!
Weekend Camp
A church in Delvina (a town further south) organized a weekend camp for young people which included evangelistic talks. We sent some young people from Tepelena and Gjirokaster and they all seemed to enjoy the weekend. Perhaps more than ever, young Albanians are being exposed to Western culture - both the positive and the negative aspects of it. Sadly the negatives seem to be more appealing. In this climate this sort of evangelistic activity for young people really seems like a 'candle in the dark. Pray that many would see Christ's light and believe.
Teenage lads
We had to change strategy with regards to the teenage lads in Gjirokaster. At the beginning of the academic year we decided to begin a short Bible study on Saturday nights for them. Sadly attendance was very low - sometimes with only one boy turning up. So we decided simply to have a social evening on Saturday nights instead, which would simply be a way of meeting young men. Attendance at these have been good, sometimes with 15 boys turning up. We've then been able to invite these lads to church and to other activities like the weekend camp mentioned above and have had good opportunities to present Christ to them. I long to be able to move forward with these lads and to see them coming simply out of a desire to read God's word, but maybe this is not the time. On a positive note, one young man who used to come to the lads meeting a couple of years ago became a Christian whilst at university in Tirana. He has been professing faith for a while now and takes an active part in a church there.
Family News
Lori is well and enjoying being a Mum although it is tiring at times! She's enjoying doing a little bit of English teaching and is currently doing some translation work. Little John is finding his feet but is not quite able to walk yet. My mum will be coming over in December for a long visit. She always enjoys being here and is a great help. She'll be here for Christmas and New Year which will be a great blessing - especially as she will be able to help with the Christmas roast potatoes! At 27 years old I bought my first car this month - a 1989 VW Golf Mk 2 (nearly as old as me!). Although it won't be able to get to the most remote villages, it will certainly help to get to places that I couldn't get to before. I've already used it to makes some visits for witnessing.
What's coming up..
In December we'll be going around towns, villages and markets with the Gospel newspaper once again. As a church we'll also be putting on a big Christmas event on 24th to which many non-Christians will be invited. I'll hope to invite some people along to this who have never been to a church service or anything before. I'll also be doing some more preaching.
Prayer Points:
Thanks for answers to prayer
For continued progress of the Gospel amongst young people.
For outreach over Christmas.
Thank you again to all who support us.
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