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.
Monday, December 22, 2008
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Winter views in Erseke, Albania
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This is Gramozi, the mountians surrounding our town of Erseke. From our kitchen window we have this great view!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Merry Christmas from Erseke
Christmas Greetings Dear Friends,
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened…” John 2:15
For many of you this has been a reality, to go to Bethlehem. For others of you, maybe you’ve not physically been there. But for this holiday season we’d like to encourage all of us to “go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Let’s travel with the shepherds as they follow the star… seeing anew the bright light of Christ in our lives; walking in that light with a hope and purpose and ready with our hands to reach out to others in love. This is a wonderful season… “Let’s go…”
We are in the midst of Winter break…the 1st semester ended last Friday, the 12th of December and the 2nd semester begins on January 9th. We said our goodbyes to all 4 of the Canadian students (Jenna, Jordan, Sherdan and Josh) and the German student (Manuel). The Albanian students (Albana, Niko and Loli) will be back for the second semester as well as some new incoming students from here in Albania, America and Canada. Please pray for all those who are making decisions about coming next semester to Udhekryq (Crossroads) Torchbearers Bible School. Crossroads is certainly an appropriate name for this school as each of these young people find themselves in just such a place…a life full of decisions for school, work, dating, marriage, lifestyle…all come during these 20-something years. We pray for each of them as they pursue different avenues that they will trust the Lord’s leading and know His ways are for their best.
We’re not missing the continual buzz of Christmas commercials that flood your radios and televisions during this time of year, because here it is much simpler. The town is decorated with lights and Christmas trees and we’re slowly getting our apartment decorated including listening to the music of Christmas. The main hall at the Bible school is decorated and there is a fresh tree from the forest that now has ornaments and lights. We will be using the hall for a woman’s gathering next Saturday and an all-church fellowship time on Christmas Day. Our times together are mostly about being with each other…eating, games, watching a movie, making crafts, singing carols. This makes for a very slowed down Christmas season, and one we love.
Our winter here in Erseke has been windy and cold, some rain, but very little snow. The locals say snow will come later in January and February. We find ourselves bundled up in 2 or 3 layers and very comfortable as we go to town for shopping. Everyone scurries and they tend not to linger outdoors too long…but nevertheless there’s always time for a greeting. This is a very relational culture and the weather doesn’t change that wonderful part of it.
We pray you find this Christmas season a true blessing. May the star that led the shepherds to the Christ child be a light unto your feet as you travel to Bethlehem and into your Christmas celebrations. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened…” John 2:15
For many of you this has been a reality, to go to Bethlehem. For others of you, maybe you’ve not physically been there. But for this holiday season we’d like to encourage all of us to “go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Let’s travel with the shepherds as they follow the star… seeing anew the bright light of Christ in our lives; walking in that light with a hope and purpose and ready with our hands to reach out to others in love. This is a wonderful season… “Let’s go…”
We are in the midst of Winter break…the 1st semester ended last Friday, the 12th of December and the 2nd semester begins on January 9th. We said our goodbyes to all 4 of the Canadian students (Jenna, Jordan, Sherdan and Josh) and the German student (Manuel). The Albanian students (Albana, Niko and Loli) will be back for the second semester as well as some new incoming students from here in Albania, America and Canada. Please pray for all those who are making decisions about coming next semester to Udhekryq (Crossroads) Torchbearers Bible School. Crossroads is certainly an appropriate name for this school as each of these young people find themselves in just such a place…a life full of decisions for school, work, dating, marriage, lifestyle…all come during these 20-something years. We pray for each of them as they pursue different avenues that they will trust the Lord’s leading and know His ways are for their best.
We’re not missing the continual buzz of Christmas commercials that flood your radios and televisions during this time of year, because here it is much simpler. The town is decorated with lights and Christmas trees and we’re slowly getting our apartment decorated including listening to the music of Christmas. The main hall at the Bible school is decorated and there is a fresh tree from the forest that now has ornaments and lights. We will be using the hall for a woman’s gathering next Saturday and an all-church fellowship time on Christmas Day. Our times together are mostly about being with each other…eating, games, watching a movie, making crafts, singing carols. This makes for a very slowed down Christmas season, and one we love.
Our winter here in Erseke has been windy and cold, some rain, but very little snow. The locals say snow will come later in January and February. We find ourselves bundled up in 2 or 3 layers and very comfortable as we go to town for shopping. Everyone scurries and they tend not to linger outdoors too long…but nevertheless there’s always time for a greeting. This is a very relational culture and the weather doesn’t change that wonderful part of it.
We pray you find this Christmas season a true blessing. May the star that led the shepherds to the Christ child be a light unto your feet as you travel to Bethlehem and into your Christmas celebrations. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda
Friday, August 1, 2008
Closing In On A Month to D-day
Hi All ~
It's Friday afternoon, August 1st, and here I sit at the computer! Now I should be thinking about our leaving on Sept 3rd...but no, I've been playing games and checking Facebook...shame of all shames! I have been trying to do a few things everyday and I'm not too overwhelmed right now...but the day will soon come when I'm frantic about my "to do" list.
What's to do?
1. Well, I've got to make sure all our bills and banking stuff is up to date and correct cuz I'm sure not going to get any bills in Erseke in a timely fashion...altho Redi would phone me about any problems. Oh, yeah I need to tell you that Redi Gjoshe will be staying in our home again. That makes it so nice for us and for him too...as it's like his "other" home anyway. I don't have to do too much arranging on the homefront with him here.
2. Next comes the mailing of boxes...books, stuff we don't want in our suitcases,
the things folks in Erseke have asked us to get for them (which isn't much, just more books!), etc.
3. Getting our clothes ready...fall, winter, spring all in the suitcases. Most of our winter things are in our storage closet in our apartment...but I brought some back with me in Feb to be dry cleaned. Also Bob seemed to be so cold after his rounds of chemo that I brought some of his sweaters and a bulky jacket home too. I've just got to get it together and ready for the packing.
4. We are working in the yard a bit (when it's below 95, that is) trying to get it very simple to care for..moving potted plants together on the patio, weeding and raking up leaves, etc. Redi doesn't mind watering for us and if he'll mow once in awhile that's enough.
5. We're working on language again. These "old dogs" have just gotta be better with Shqip...so we trudge on. It's the conjugation that's the hardest for us. But every year we seem to do better and know more...and just talk away as people smile and shake their heads...oh, that's po not yo???
Well, now I've got to figure out dinner. Another thing we're trying to accomplish is seeing friends before we leave. So tomorrow night we're at the Franz's with the Sells'...which will be fun. And the following Sat night we're at the Baker's with the Hatcher's and maybe the Wrightson's too? Some of our dearest friends who've walked many miles of life with us.
Rrofsh...
Linda
It's Friday afternoon, August 1st, and here I sit at the computer! Now I should be thinking about our leaving on Sept 3rd...but no, I've been playing games and checking Facebook...shame of all shames! I have been trying to do a few things everyday and I'm not too overwhelmed right now...but the day will soon come when I'm frantic about my "to do" list.
What's to do?
1. Well, I've got to make sure all our bills and banking stuff is up to date and correct cuz I'm sure not going to get any bills in Erseke in a timely fashion...altho Redi would phone me about any problems. Oh, yeah I need to tell you that Redi Gjoshe will be staying in our home again. That makes it so nice for us and for him too...as it's like his "other" home anyway. I don't have to do too much arranging on the homefront with him here.
2. Next comes the mailing of boxes...books, stuff we don't want in our suitcases,
the things folks in Erseke have asked us to get for them (which isn't much, just more books!), etc.
3. Getting our clothes ready...fall, winter, spring all in the suitcases. Most of our winter things are in our storage closet in our apartment...but I brought some back with me in Feb to be dry cleaned. Also Bob seemed to be so cold after his rounds of chemo that I brought some of his sweaters and a bulky jacket home too. I've just got to get it together and ready for the packing.
4. We are working in the yard a bit (when it's below 95, that is) trying to get it very simple to care for..moving potted plants together on the patio, weeding and raking up leaves, etc. Redi doesn't mind watering for us and if he'll mow once in awhile that's enough.
5. We're working on language again. These "old dogs" have just gotta be better with Shqip...so we trudge on. It's the conjugation that's the hardest for us. But every year we seem to do better and know more...and just talk away as people smile and shake their heads...oh, that's po not yo???
Well, now I've got to figure out dinner. Another thing we're trying to accomplish is seeing friends before we leave. So tomorrow night we're at the Franz's with the Sells'...which will be fun. And the following Sat night we're at the Baker's with the Hatcher's and maybe the Wrightson's too? Some of our dearest friends who've walked many miles of life with us.
Rrofsh...
Linda
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Getting Ready to Go.....
Well, it's seems like the days are flying by and we're slowly getting our minds wrapped around the idea that we'll be leaving Sept 3rd for about 7 months...in other words there's lots to be done and we're not moving very fast....
And first off is our week long trip to Santa Cruz!! Gotta vacation first, right?? Our friends Merle & Benita invited us to come and stay in their home for a week. Not a hard choice when it's 100+ in Fresno! We're leaving on Sat and Kelly & Sandi are going with us and staying until Tuesday...then on Thursday Paul & Karon are coming over and we'll come back with them the following Saturday. It's always so relaxing there...sleep in, late breakfasts...sunny beach, a movie...read for awhile or nap...stroll around downtown and thru the bookstores. Just fun!
Terry & I worked on a few upcoming dates we needed to schedule...a prayer/sendoff which will be at their home on the 28th of August and August 31st for Bob & I to share the SS hour with the returning Albania team. It's good to nail those dates down and now we'll have to work on something meaningful to share.
The Lord is blessing us over and over as our supporters send in $$ for our flight and stay in Erseke. What an amazing journey it is to trust God's call and then believe that He'll pull it off! It's also great confirmation and we take it to mean must that. He still wants us to go and serve at the Bible school and support the missionary team in Erseke. Isn't that amazing that He says in Jeremiah that He has plans for our life that are good...and in Psalms it says that He will give us the desires of our heart when we are in Him. And He does just that...places dreams in our heart and then fulfills them for our good and His praise. How much He loves us!
We're not in Erseke yet, but we'll get there...just hang around and listen.
I'll be back later.
And first off is our week long trip to Santa Cruz!! Gotta vacation first, right?? Our friends Merle & Benita invited us to come and stay in their home for a week. Not a hard choice when it's 100+ in Fresno! We're leaving on Sat and Kelly & Sandi are going with us and staying until Tuesday...then on Thursday Paul & Karon are coming over and we'll come back with them the following Saturday. It's always so relaxing there...sleep in, late breakfasts...sunny beach, a movie...read for awhile or nap...stroll around downtown and thru the bookstores. Just fun!
Terry & I worked on a few upcoming dates we needed to schedule...a prayer/sendoff which will be at their home on the 28th of August and August 31st for Bob & I to share the SS hour with the returning Albania team. It's good to nail those dates down and now we'll have to work on something meaningful to share.
The Lord is blessing us over and over as our supporters send in $$ for our flight and stay in Erseke. What an amazing journey it is to trust God's call and then believe that He'll pull it off! It's also great confirmation and we take it to mean must that. He still wants us to go and serve at the Bible school and support the missionary team in Erseke. Isn't that amazing that He says in Jeremiah that He has plans for our life that are good...and in Psalms it says that He will give us the desires of our heart when we are in Him. And He does just that...places dreams in our heart and then fulfills them for our good and His praise. How much He loves us!
We're not in Erseke yet, but we'll get there...just hang around and listen.
I'll be back later.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Beginning Steps 2008
Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
And his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations
July 1, 2008
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
And his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations
July 1, 2008
Dear Friends ~
What powerful words these are and they express our hearts joy as the Lord has healed Bob of lung cancer, restored his knee to full use and given Linda good sight once again. Thus, this year of remaining in Fresno has proven to be a good thing and now we can once again return to Albania and the Torchbearers Bible School in Erseke as houseparents. God’s call to us didn’t change over the past year and in fact we feel very strongly that His call remains the same to us…”Go, Serve, Love in my name” the students, visiting teachers, staff, missionary families and the townspeople of Erseke.
Our plans are to arrive in Albania in early September in time to help get the school set up for the student’s arrival on the 26th. We’ll also need to settle into our apartment and meet with the staff team. Following the orientation weekend, classes begin on
the 29th.
We value your prayers for our preparations and travel, for the students seeking what God has for them at the Bible School, and for Eric Gundy as he serves as Interim Principal as well as the entire staff of the school. We will have some one time expenses for travel estimated at $4,000. For the seven months of living expenses (September to April) we are budgeting $2,000/month, $14,000 for the school year. Your support and love enables us to serve the Lord in this way… at this time… in this place.
We are so thankful for God’s abundant mercy and grace and we are grateful for each of you; for your prayers, your financial support and your encouraging love. We are called by God to go, we are sent by you, our partners in faith.
Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda
What powerful words these are and they express our hearts joy as the Lord has healed Bob of lung cancer, restored his knee to full use and given Linda good sight once again. Thus, this year of remaining in Fresno has proven to be a good thing and now we can once again return to Albania and the Torchbearers Bible School in Erseke as houseparents. God’s call to us didn’t change over the past year and in fact we feel very strongly that His call remains the same to us…”Go, Serve, Love in my name” the students, visiting teachers, staff, missionary families and the townspeople of Erseke.
Our plans are to arrive in Albania in early September in time to help get the school set up for the student’s arrival on the 26th. We’ll also need to settle into our apartment and meet with the staff team. Following the orientation weekend, classes begin on
the 29th.
We value your prayers for our preparations and travel, for the students seeking what God has for them at the Bible School, and for Eric Gundy as he serves as Interim Principal as well as the entire staff of the school. We will have some one time expenses for travel estimated at $4,000. For the seven months of living expenses (September to April) we are budgeting $2,000/month, $14,000 for the school year. Your support and love enables us to serve the Lord in this way… at this time… in this place.
We are so thankful for God’s abundant mercy and grace and we are grateful for each of you; for your prayers, your financial support and your encouraging love. We are called by God to go, we are sent by you, our partners in faith.
Blessings & Love,
Bob & Linda
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