We had our first encounter with a public hospital. We have been to the Greek Hospital which is private and one you could feel safe in, but last Sunday night we went with the Zone Leaders to Mother Theresa's Hospital to visit an investigator's brother. Margareta said it would mean a lot to her brother if we went to visit him. So we did. There were no lights on the stairs, the hallways were dimly lit and dirty, the rooms weren't much better. It was hard for us to see the conditions the "common" people have to endure. He had a blessing from the Elders before his surgery, and we just had to have faith and trust in the Lord, knowing His will would be done. These are the things that are really hard for us. Most of the people are so poor, they cannot afford the kind of care they need. The medications are almost useless, yet most people when they are sick want to go to the hospital because they think they will be helped there. It is just sad to watch. Luckily he is home now and doing better. We think Margareta will be baptized next week and hopefully the Elders will be able to teach the rest of her family.
We went on an appointment with the Laprakë Elders Thursday night to very humble people. They are Romas, which are a form of gypsies here in Albania. They live on $30.00 a month, eat one meal a day, the kids can't go to school because they can't afford to buy the books, the father is out of work (as are most of the investigators in Laprakë), but you could feel the Spirit and know they really want to learn about the gospel. Because they have no money, it is hard to know how to handle things. The Elders brought the older son to Institute Wednesday night and he enjoyed it very much. It costs 60 cents to take the bus round trip, and of course they can't afford to let him come. Sixty cents!!! It is hard to imagine when we have so much, they struggle with so little. It would be so easy for us to give him the money to come, but sometimes we just don't know what is right. When members and investigators realize they can get help from the Church, it becomes the first thing they go to. Then word spreads and pretty soon more and more are asking. It is a hard life here, but the Church is not to be taken advantage of either.
One of the customs in Albania is when people come to your home, you give them refreshments. This family bought wrapped chocolate candy, and juice to feed us. Of course, they don't eat or drink any of it, but would feel insulted if you refused. Before we left, they asked if we would come back and visit. It is hard to say no, but it is also hard to go when you know their circumstances. After we left them, we went to the Balas' home so Glen could to see if she would accept a calling. Now the Balas do not have money problems, and just kept bringing out food and drinks. You go from one extreme to the other and just accept what is offered. I was glad the Elders were there so I could give some of my treats to them.
We have had a few elders and one sister go home for sickness and other reasons. It is hard to lose anyone because we have so few missionaries. We will be uneven until July which is a long time. Pres. Ford is working on getting some mini missionaries (missionaries called for a short time that live in Albania) to help out until then so the areas won't have to be closed. We will be having major changes in April which we know will affect our District greatly. We have been so spoiled by having the cream of the crop in our District, at least we feel we do. However, if Laprakë Anderson gets transferred, our food bill will decrease dramatically. He knows how to eat. We will have one last meal together next Sunday, celebrating Glen's and Zone Leader Anderson's birthdays, then we will just see what happens. We love the missionaries and they are very good to us.
We are always learning new things in Albania, some good, some not so good. Glen continues to drive like an Albanian. He will have some nasty habits when we return home. We have started to take road trips just to see some more of the country (with the President's approval, of course). We can now go to three other countries which we intend to do in the next few months. The Center is doing great, and the weather is warming up. So life is good and the gospel is true. What more could we ask.
