Enri & Sylvia Nase
We would like to thank all those who have prayed for and supported us in the work here over the past six months and trust that as you read the update, you will be encouraged to pray more intelligently.
Albania has just celebrated the ninety-ninth anniversary of independence. Thousands of people gave their lives to set us free from the long ruled Ottoman Islamic empire and, after almost one hundred years, their blood was not shed in vain. However, we want to consider our state under a more crueller ruler in a darker kingdom and be thankful to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, for the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of the martyrs (cfr Heb. 12:24).
Emmaus/Publication: The translation and proofreading work continues. In the age of internet we are trying to build up a website for the Emmaus courses, to have them available online and which we feel will reach a much wider audience. Currently there are eleven correspondence courses in Albanian which we look forward to seeing published online in 2012. We have also compiled an introduction brochure outlining the available courses and a little about each, which have been given out to most of the assemblies. Although we long to have many more courses available, the lack of volunteers to help in this work remains a problem so progress is rather slow as it is only part of our ministry.
As we have done over the past few years in preparation for the annual book fair, a new Gospel tract was written, this time regarding the ancient manuscripts of the NT discovered here in Albania in 1969. They had been in the secret possession of the monks until then, when the son of the last remaining monk, who was aware of their location and their importance, informed the authorities. They were sent to China for restoration work before returning a few years later to the possession of the state where they remain in archives.
Prison ministry: We continue to travel to the prison in Lezha every Thursday, visiting cells and teaching English. The inmates understand that our main reason for being there is not the English classes but the Gospel. More than once the class has been abandoned and the whole time has been spent around the Word, discussing and debating with the inmates who have many questions about Christianity. On one occasion an imam was there and left the room pensive as he had been clearly moved by what he had heard. In October we were able to distribute six-hundred parcels that had been donated for the prison work. There was one for every inmate, and along with them we gave the Emmaus course, “Born to Win.” It took a series of Thursdays to complete the task as we personally met with each individual. Since then we have received several completed exam booklets and requests for further courses.
Outreach/New Assembly: At the beginning of November it was our great privilege to have the first baptism at our little assembly. Anisa (25), was saved two years ago when her father died of cancer. On the night of her baptism, all of her family were there to witness the happy occasion including her mother and twin brother who are still unsaved. There were around fifty present with quite a few of Anisa’s unsaved friends and another unsaved girl who came because of social network advertising! Anisa is already giving some help with the children’s meetings and we hope that her decision may embolden others to take a step for Christ. Klajdi has been saved for some years but lost contact with Christians after he came back from his studies in France. I have been doing weekly follow-up studies since we made contact at Easter. Just a few weeks ago he also was received into fellowship and we trust that these new additions will feel the burden of their responsibility within the assembly and be involved in helping us reach out to others with the Gospel.
Over the summer we were engaged with tract distribution on one of the main boulevards in Tirana. Many passersby stopped to converse and the literature was very well received. A man involved with Moonism, stopped for a long chat and later came along to the Sunday night meeting.
The numbers at the Saturday morning children’s meeting are growing, for which we are thankful. We need more volunteers to help with keeping discipline and with the lessons. As a group of them are now in their teens, we are considering the possibility of dividing them to accommodate the large age difference and the challenges that brings, as well as getting closer to them on an individual basis.
In September we restarted the English classes which are biweekly. There are around fifteen and, while they are free, the main purpose is to make meaningful contacts and exposure to the gospel. Following last semester we now have several students taking part in one-to-one Bible studies and intermittently coming to the Gospel meetings. In November we were present again at the National Book Fair in Tirana, with our stall and sharing the Gospel. We had designed and printed 3,500 calendars for 2012, along with other Christian literature and two girls from N.I. helped us with the display and distribution. The five days passed quickly as we talked from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and had so many conversations with Muslims, Orthodox, Catholics, atheists and many others. Some conversations took up to one hour and we trust that the Lord will work in the hearts of those who conversed and took literature. On Sunday evening we organized a special outreach night presenting the ancient NT manuscripts, concluding with the message of salvation. There were four men present for the very first time, which was encouraging. Please pray for the thousands of calendars and tracts distributed, that the word of God may bear fruit.
Children’s home: We try to visit the children’s home in Gjirokaster two to three times a year, although it is a five-hour drive. We usually bring our children with us as it is good to see them making friends with the children there. At our last board meeting, some important decisions were taken for the future of the house and the children. We continue to pray for a committed couple with a call to serve these disadvantaged children, who would initially work alongside Marijan and the local staff and then become Marijan’s replacement.
Various: Although most of our effort is con- centrated with the little Assembly here, we are still involved with visiting other Assemblies for Bible teaching. Recently we had the national annual conference when the believers renew fellowship with one another and listen to the ministry. Unfortunately it has become difficult to find a venue to accommodate us all so for many it was standing room only. Tirana is the most central place for a conference and many feel that it is time to buy land and build our own facility. This would also facilitate more frequent meetings of the believers.
December was calendar distribution month. We received another six thousand from the Albanian Christian Fund. We also prepared flyers which we hung on door handles in our area, with an invitation to ask for a daily calendar. We received around eight-hundred of these from a German brethren printing press and were pleasantly surprised when people came asking for one. Among them was a well-known surgeon with whom I was able to have some discussion. Another gentleman who came, also came the following week to the special outreach meeting on Christmas Day. We also advertised on one of the social network sites and had many more requests from Albania and Kosovo. We were glad to post these, along with an Emmaus course and pray that not only the Word may be read but that hearts will respond to the Saviour. We were also able to give inmates a copy for their prison walls. On December 24th we had a special Christmas meeting for the children and gave prizes for attendance. We were surprised to see thirty-one children.
Presently I am involved in further publishing work. A Bible will be printed for the major cities with a local picture of each city on the front. We will add an evangelistic explanation as an introduction. Another book request is from a German brother, targeting youth, regarding moral issues.
Family: Luke is in 3rd class for preschoolers while Benjamin is in 2nd class. Esther is on her feet and cruising around the furniture. My Mum attends the Sunday evening meetings - pray for her salvation.
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