Peace is in the air and I know we are all praying that it will come soon. Still, we will not loose sight of our goals: Help the poor and needy refugees and preach Jesus to the lost. Whatever happens, we fully expect to have to help the refugees from Kosovo through the winter in Albania. We just pray that they will begin to go home soon.
In the midst of war and personal tragedy there is great opportunity to share Jesus with many people. Since the beginning of this disaster we have talked about how to plant churches in Kosovo and perhaps other Balkan countries or provinces as well. If peace actually comes, we will need to accelerate our work. There are many churches, several brotherhood organizations and a number of missionaries who are dreaming dreams. We need your prayers asking for God's guidance and blessings.
Don Yelton
The following are quotes from several reports:
From: Report of Kosovari refuges in Albania, from
Dear brothers, sisters and friends,
There doesn't seem to be an end to the hostility. New refugees are always arriving in need of many things, above all else – comfort from their distress. We are trying provide and encourage them. The pain is much too great to be consoled with words. When we talk with them, they are often brought to tears. There are children who do not know where their mothers are – they are completely alone. Many women can't find their children, husbands, and other members of their families. The majority of the refugees are women and children. Only God can help this people group, only He can give them not only the peace that they had before, but His peace that passes understanding. Because of us, seeds from God's Word have been planted in their hearts that can be cultivated and can produce a great harvest.
Brothers and sisters, pray for this until it happens! Pray for them until they find Jesus that they can be able to withstand every loss, every affliction, every pain, and every tear! Pray until the fields are ripe from these seeds planted from the Good News.
We built a strong relationship with these refugees, especially the young people and children. Without speaking the same language, we taught them how to sing "I love you with the love of the Lord" in Italian.
Now, when they see us, they call us by name and immediately begin singing "I love you with the love of the Lord." Thanks to you, thanks to your contributions that allow us to be there to distribute food, both material and spiritual. Glory be to God!
To help these people the city government has opened a daily soup kitchen using the schools kitchen and the food offered by a relief organization. With the help of the brothers and sisters in Vlore,
About 18 Relief Organizations are working with the many camps of refugees in Vlore. We have a meeting every week with all those Relief Organizations, to talk about the things that each one is doing. In this way we can know where is more need, and be sure that more organization don't give the same things at the same people, while other people are forgotten. The last week I was in Vlore, I talked with a friend from a Relief Organization, that offered a great quantity of pasta, flour, sugar, fruit juice, peaches in syrup and many other relief supplies. For now our deposit is full, however daily we have to buy things that we don't have. We want to share these experiences and news with all of you. You have demonstrated your love in your contributions to the benefit of this people. Above all else, we want to give thanks, first to God, then to you personally.
We ask you to continue to keep us in your prayers, all the Kosovari and the brethren from Albania that are working on duty to help us daily with the distribution of milk and other supplies. May God will bless you.
In Christian Love
Stefanop Spina
and
Vito Ligorio
On Friday Beki Samara arranged for us to receive 10 tons of various food items from TroCaire for free and the warehouse is overflowing. There are thousands of canned items to be sorted out for distribution. Tom is checking with the owner about renting the adjoining room. We only need to cut a doorway in the wall to gain access. In addition to the food from TroCaire, Randy signed papers with an organization called "Food For The Hungry" in which we will be receiving 200 loaves of free bread every week.
Gary Zito and Giuseppe DeMarco arrived here from Italy on Wednesday evening and spent the next 2 days putting in a bathroom at the warehouse. We are very thankful for their talents and help. Now we need to hire to someone to put in a water source and we'll be set!
Two pregnant women who are registered with us gave birth to their babies last week. We purchased RhoGam for one of them and it was administered by one of Doris' students who is a doctor. Emily received a donation to be used for a special purpose, so several of the women went shopping and put together a beautiful layette for the two new mothers. They bought them each traditional Kosovar cradles and filled them with baby clothes, diapers, baby shampoo, beanie babies, a nightgown and dress for the mothers, personal items, and some flannel fabric so the mothers could make blankets, etc. They looked so beautiful when they were finished. Then they delivered them to the mothers and babies. They were thrilled to receive them. One of the mother's husband was shot by the Serbs and she, along with the 4 year old daughter for whom they also purchased some items, was staying at the Bethany orphanage for two weeks. At the same time the ladies were able to tour the orphanage.
It has been another busy, but rewarding week. The Kosovars have even pitched in to help while unloading the trucks. One man showed his appreciation by buying all of us Coke! There are still many refugees coming to the various Bible classes so we continue to pray that many will obey the gospel.
For the Church of Christ in Tirana,
The Refugee Crisis Committee,
Artan, Tom, Artan, and Randy