Dear Praying Friends
Pray also for (us), that whenever (we) open
(our) mouths,
words may be given (us) so that (we) will fearlessly make
known
the mystery of the gospel. Eph 6:19
Thank you for your
continued support in prayer and finance. We are coming to the end of a long hot
(38 degrees normal) summer and we’re waiting expectantly for the LORD to direct,
teach and counsel us in the way we should go. (Ps 32:8)
The highlight of
the summer was the Summer Bible School. 24 Koreans came and over three sessions
at the beginning of July, sowed gospel seeds amongst the children and other
listeners.
- Thank the LORD for their servant hearts and their example
- Please pray that the seeds would come to fruition and bear fruit one day
soon.
On the 6th of July , 7 people were baptized in the local river.
Buqe (one of the ladies), four teenage lads and Naomi and Tilly. Since that
time sadly we’ve seen very little of them. The daily agricultural work in the
village takes its toll in the heat.
- Please pray that as the academic year starts again and things resume to
another pattern of living, that Gjergji and I will rise up and know how to
disciple them.
In May, I went to a ‘Yippee’ Seminar, a Finnish
Christian songs for children, translated into lots of languages. Over the summer
I’ve been teaching some of the songs to the children that come to the children’s
meeting. The idea is that different children’s choirs come together, creating a
big choir, then the big choir will go to a place and evangelise. This excites
me! But I can see it’ll be lots of work.
Please pray that if it is from
the LORD, other people would come and that we’d be able to work
together.
After much prayer over a number of years – a unity between our
church and two others in Berat, is forming. We’ve started having a meal together
once a month in our homes and the Lord is at work because of our unity.
- Please pray as we continue to seek the LORD as to how we can serve Him
better together.
- Pastor Klodi has asked me to help with his church’s children’s meetings.
I’m awaiting a briefing from the church so I know what they want me to do,
before I begin.
Pastor Tani Rista, from Berat, has been helping us with
the legal documents to register the church. We’re hoping that within a few weeks
this should be finished.
- Please thank the LORD for Tani’s help
- Please pray that as we enter this new phase of ‘being official’ that the
church (as a foundation) would play an important role of giving hope to the
people of Morave.
Dawlish Christian Fellowship are sending a team of 6,
from the 29th Sept – 4th Oct. Their mandate is to envisage and encourage the
church. It is certainly a pressing need.
- Please thank the LORD that DCF have answered the call and are coming.
- Please pray that apathy amongst church folk, would turn into a passion as
they hear and answer the call.
Naomi and Tilly have spent two months
with Grandma and Grandad ‘England.’ They return on the 9th September with Mark
Styants, Pastor at Bovey Tracey Baptist. Mark is coming to get a feel for what
we’re involved with. On Monday the 14th the twins will start school at a private
school in Berat.
- Please pray for them as they come to terms with being in Albania again and
changing schools.
The Ladies Meeting over the summer has had a break –
but I’ve not seen the ladies at all. I think we’ve all been busy in our own
homes, but it’s still a concern.
- Please pray that we’d resume as soon as school starts.
I’ve enjoyed
reading and being challenged by Richard Webster’s book, ‘Tearing Down
Strongholds.’ It has challenged me to pray more fervently and specifically as I
realize once again that it is His work.
Thank you for taking time to pray
over these joys and concerns.
Continuing on for Him.
Gjergji,
Esther, Naomi, Tilly and Lidia.