Bible Exhibition
Assembly and Outreach In September we had our yearly weekend retreat with the assembly and this time we were in Vlore. As a change for the believers and ourselves, we invited brother Pasquale, an esteemed Italian brother among the assemblies in Italy, who has been involved in the work here in Albania since 1993. The subject he dealt with was "God's purpose for the local Church". He discussed relevant topics such as "Fellowship," "Service," "Mission," "Prayer" and "Worship". The time spent together was profitable and helped prepare each of us for the recommencement of our regular assembly activities following the summer break as well as encouraging us to press on in our service for the Master while looking for opportunities to witness for Him wherever possible. There are a good number of children and teenagers present again at their respective meetings on Saturday morning and following these, Sylvia, and I meet with a small group of young ladies who are showing interest in spiritual matters for a regular Bible Study. Meanwhile, I continue to have a Bible study with a young man who trusted Christ earlier in the year, and he has now asked for baptism. He has some personal issues, but we trust and pray that the Lord will help him to overcome these challenges.
Two or three brethren from the assembly have dedicated their Saturday mornings to give out tracts on the streets surrounding our meeting place. They have a small portable stand with a variety of literature and New Testaments for those who express an interest. The 2017 calendars were printed last week and are already being distributed. Again these are fully funded by the Albanian Christian Fund though we now design and print them here.
Bible Exhibition I have just returned from a week in the South east of the country, a 5 hour drive from Tirana, with the Bible exhibition. The exhibit was displayed at the library in the civic centre and the reception was really encouraging.
Unemployment is a constant challenge for several of our families. Some have been without work now for two years. This brings many difficulties and frustrations. Where possible we try to help with practical assistance though this is not a long-term solution. The threat of becoming unemployed hangs over other families, and the uncertainty fuels thoughts of migrating.
Prison ministry The visits to prison had been curtailed by the Central Prison Authority for a couple of months as all permissions to visit Albanian prisons were suspended. They have now re-started, and I am there on Thursday mornings. Besides the regular meetings in cells, we plan to visit some of the families of the inmates with food and other aid for the cold winter months which have already commenced.
Spring 2017 Written by Enri & Sylvia Nase - Albania enris.nase@gmail.com