
The pandemic has gone on much longer than we anticipated. It has brought many challenges, but the Lord has been faithful throughout. In Albania, we are experiencing the second big wave of Covid-19 infections, and the death toll has reached almost 2000 since last March. As the government cannot offer financial assistance and political elections are approaching, it appears that we will not go into another lockdown despite the increasing number of cases.
Here in Tirana, we are still permitted to meet in person with some restrictions, so we enjoy being together on Lord's Day for the children's work on Saturdays and literature outreach. In contrast, we meet online Tuesday evenings for prayer and Thursday evenings for systematic Bible study. As intermittently believers are isolating due to being in close contact with someone or experiencing symptoms themselves, we provide a zoom link for them to follow along on Sunday mornings. During the week, we keep busy with visitation.
Some other assemblies in Albania cannot meet physically due to their venues' capacity and situation. Still, they continue their meetings on Zoom while the local elders visit believers at home for encouragement.
A high proportion of believers have contracted the virus over the past year. And unfortunately, a number have lost their lives. The government's lack of medical resources has constrained us all to care more for one another, which has produced a spirit of unity within each local assembly.
Benjamin and Esther continue to attend school, wearing masks being compulsory while Sylvia undertakes her regular sessions at the clinic. They have had many foreigners and missionaries attending for Covid assessment and treatment, along with local Albanians who have succumbed to the virus. The hospitals, both public and private, are riddled with Covid-19 and sick staff are expected to come to work, so for many, we are the safest option they have here. Thankfully, we have been preserved as a family until now and look to the Lord for the future. Many medical supplies are now running out in the country, and the prices of some have rocketed. Still, with the help of believers such as yourselves, we can help out with the funding of medicines for the believers in need.
Spring 2021
Written by Enri and Sylvia Nase - Albania