Thursday, July 2, 2009

Summer Update from Fresno

Dear Friends,

July 4th…Happy Birthday America! As we celebrate this 233rd founding of our country we think about the freedoms we enjoy and the privilege it is to be an American citizen. “God Bless America”

We returned to Fresno in mid April and have enjoyed seeing friends and getting reacquainted at church. There always seems to be many new faces and people we don’t know … this growth is a wonderful blessing for our church family. We love getting back and sharing about our time in Albania with everyone. “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

On our agenda each Spring is a list of doctors and dentists and other appointments we need to accomplish so we can plan to return in September again. This year is no different! We’ve been busy with appointments and continue to be given good reports. We are praising God that Bob continues to be cancer-free1 Linda will be having some arthroscopic work on her left knee this month but everything else is good. "Grace Like Rain”

We are planning to return to Albania, on the 4th of September to once again be the house parents for the Torchbearers International Bible School. When we left in April there were already a few enrolled and we pray more will be led to seek out this opportunity. The school actually begins at the end of Sept but by going early we can attend the annual conference for foreign missionaries held in Durres, which is on the Adriatic coast. Here we can once again meet people from all over the world who are serving Christ in Albania. “In Christ There Is No East or West”

Summer camps are just beginning in Erseke and all the indications are that this will once again be a very busy summer both at the camp in town and the wilderness camp in the mountains. Please pray for the staff, the programs, but especially the children who will be attending. They can affect great change in the entire country as the Lord touches these little ones. “It Only Takes A Spark to Get a Fire Going…Pass It On”



Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda

Thursday, March 5, 2009

CHANGING SEASONS

March 4, 2009

Dear Friends ~

March has arrived with Spring-like weather and we relish the sunshine, although we know there is snow still in the forecast. As we look out our kitchen window at the snow covered mountains and the frozen waterfalls we are reminded of how the seasons of the year resemble the seasons of our lives. Just like the melting snow and thawing waterfalls, our lives have seasons where situations come and go; things don’t stay the same forever. What a valuable lesson to understand when we are going thru illness, grief, despair or loneliness. Our Lord is with us and knows and understands the deepest things of our hearts and minds; He will turn one season into another if we allow Him.

During this first week of March our students are on their outreach week. This is an opportunity for them to experience another ministry in Albania. Being in a different town exploring and participating in what God is doing there. This week they are in the city of Elbasan serving at the House of Hope, which is a Christian orphanage. Our students have planned a variety of lessons, games and activities that we pray will be a blessing for these little ones. Please pray that this week is one where these students will be able to express their love and faith and that the Lord would bless their time.

We are all very excited about the addition of Josiah John Gundy on February 27th to the Gundy family and our family of faith here in Erseke. He was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece. As of this date we haven’t seen him yet because Eric & Kathy need to receive his passport from the American consulate to re-enter Albania. We are praying this process will only take a couple of weeks as we are all anxious to hold this precious child. Please pray for Eric & Kathy, Andrew and Abi as they rejoice over their new family member.

The 8th of March is the day set aside to honor women in Albania. It’s much like our Mother’s Day…although this day isn’t restricted to only mothers, but for all women. As a way to celebrate this special day we are looking forward to presenting the Campus Crusade film, “Magdalena”, which tells women they are loved and valued by God as expressed through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. Please pray for the women who will attend that the love of Christ would touch their hearts and minds.

We are continually reminded of your support as you pray for us, send us encouragements, provide for our needs and love us so lavishly. We are thankful for you and for this season of our life here in Erseke. May God bless you .

Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda

Wednesday, February 18, 2009















February Happenings

Dear Friends,
We have just returned from Thessaloniki where Bob has had his 3 month chest x-ray and visit with the oncologist. We are returning with very good news and joyful spirits as we report that his x-ray was clear and the doctor said it seemed that this one was even clearer than the last one in November! What an amazing God we have! Thank you for your prayers on Bob’s behalf.

The Torchbearers Bible School here in Erseke continues to be a blessing for the students, staff, the church and the whole town. The students are eager to learn more from God’s Word and they approach each class with seeking hearts. The staff is blessed by working with one another in an atmosphere of cooperation and love for each other. The church is blessed as our students join in the activities and help with the children’s program on Saturdays. They also go to Lescovik and support the missionaries there. The town is blessed by our students wanting to interact with them as they try out a new language and new customs. Isn’t our God amazing at how so many can be blessed by even just a few students? It has a loaves and fishes flavor, huh?

In this month we will have teachings on 1 & 2 Peter, Matthew, James as well as classes on The Holy Spirit, Natural Church Development, The Names and Attributes of God, and preparation for the upcoming outreach week in late February. It’s a full month with lots of input and times of practical application as we live in community and serve others. Please pray for these students as they take in and reach out that this will become a life pattern for them, just like breathing!

We’re all looking forward to the student travel weekend, which begins this Friday. This time we’re off to Saranda which is on the Adriatic coast in southern Albania. The drive there from Erseke has spectacular scenery and interesting sites. We’ll also visit Butrint which is an archeological dig located on the Straits of Corfu. This has been a 12 year dig that has uncovered remains of the various occupying civilizations of this area dating back to the 12th century. On Sunday we will return to Erseke stopping in the city of Gjirokaster for worship at the evangelical church. Please pray for our safety and our time together exploring this wonderful country.

We thank you for your continued love and support of us here. You are the team members that allow us to serve in this way and we’re very grateful.
We wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Welcome to 2009

It’s already mid January of 2009 and we’re just saying Happy New Year to you…my, oh my how the days are flying by. Following a month long break between the semesters here at Udhekryq Bible School we’re just beginning the 2nd semester. We have two new students for this semester; 1 from Canada and 1 from America…they join the 3 Albanian returning students. This is a small group, but one that is eager to learn what God has for them in these next 3 months. One of the opportunities we have with a smaller group is inviting guests to come experience the life and teaching for a week or two throughout the semester. Please pray for our students and those who will attend classes as visitors.

We’ve had some challenges as this 2nd semester begins with our heating system for the facility, which is now fixed and warming the building. We’ve also had interruption with our phone service, internet service and our water supply….all of these dilemmas are being remedied but certainly cause us to turn to the Lord. Please pray for us not to become discouraged and for the facility to operate free of problems.

The work on the building continues at the school. They are working on the new lower bathroom facilities and want to have them in working order for the summer camps. It’s a bit difficult working around the weather conditions, but they are finishing the construction of the brick outer walls never-the-less. There is also work being done in the main hall upstairs where 2 more dorm rooms and a bathroom are being constructed. This will add more dorm space for both camps and school in the years to come. Above the kitchen is also an area being worked on which will provide more space for activities. Please pray for these expansions in process and for the workers who are diligently working in very cold weather.

We are so blessed to be serving here and praise God for His call on our lives as well as your support and encouragement. What a great team we have! Thank you so much for the many ways you express love and care to us.

Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda

Monday, December 22, 2008


Everyday the shepherds come with their flocks of sheep...and we see them
right outside our windows. What a reminder of God's shepherding us, the sheep of His pasture.


Wonderful rainbows landing right on our town! God's promise

of His continuing presence with us.