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
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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
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