Dear Pastor Chang,
Greetings from Berat!
I have not written a prayer letter recently -
but the following are our prayer requests and points for praise.
Praise God that 'The Church of Hope, Morave,
Berat' is now registered with the Albanian state. By the end of February we
should be members of VUShi.(알바니아복음주의형제단으로 개신교회를 대표하는 기관에 등록함으로 정부인준의 공식교회가 된다는
의미입니다)
Praise God for a closer working relationship
with two other churches in Berat.
Praise God that through our unity with other
churches we have been given 129 shoeboxes, filled with presents, to give to the
children on Christmas Day!
Praise God that Naomi and Matilda (our twin
girls of 12) are attending a school in Berat and are doing well with their
studies.
Please pray that the people who attend the
church would have a deeper desire to walk more closely with the Lord
Jesus.
Please pray that the believers would be
knitted together as spiritual brothers and sisters.
Please pray that Gjergji and I would have a
real passion, and be being filled with the Holy Spirit, in order that the
children would long to be disciples of Jesus.
Please pray for Gjergji and I to plan and
prepare to the best of our ability, meetings in advance.
One idea that we are thinking about
starting, is a 'supporting school' for the Roma children. It could include a
free lunch and then support from paid Christian teachers for their homework from
the regular state school. In this way over a period of time, education should
be able to lift them from their poverty trap. (A program like this is already
being run in Durres and Pogradec.)
We are also starting to work on a cottage
industry project, which will employ women to knit socks, and then they will be
sold in UK churches. Please pray that this 'material' way of helping the poor
would lead them to know Jesus.
Thank you so much for your support in prayer
and finances.
May the Lord Jesus continue to lead you and
keep you.
With our love to you and Lidia,
Grace and Daniel.
Gjergji and Esther