From the time we first arrived we have been working on finding a new Center. Now that that has become a reality, it is hard to put into words the difference it makes in our YA's. They are so excited to have "their" place, where they don't have to share it with any one else. We had our grand opening Friday, Feb. 17 with a short program, then dinner and dance. We had 85 people there, which was standing room only. Glen spoke and told of Elder Perry's vision, Pres. Kashari (District Pres.) said a few words and Pres. Ford (mission pres.) also. We fed them sloppy joes, Greek salad, rice with corn, and drinks with cookies and brownies for dessert. It always amazes me how much food they can eat. It is fun to have a workable kitchen and rooms for recreation and institute, plus library and computer room. It will take us a few weeks to get the walls with pictures and make things really workable. We have a big screen TV, new ping pong table and a Foosball table. If we could find an air hockey table, we would get that also. All in all we are pleased and excited to see how happy the YA's are with their Center.
It seems for the last few weeks all I have done is cook. We had Zone Conference with Elder Kopechke and the AP's asked for my advice on what to have for lunch and hinted it would be nice if I would cook. Plus Pres. Ford had already asked if I would prepare the lunch for the visitors, mission presidency and the district presidency the next day. I am tired of cooking and hope we don't have any more big events for a while. We were well taught by Elder Kopechke and of all the Area Presidency, he has been the best to lift the missionaries. Because he came, they decided to have District Conference which was a disaster. There were no venues available at such short notice, so Fahti got involved and we rented the Millennium movie theater. Well, the seating was for 250 and we needed at least 400 hundred seats. They brought in chairs from everywhere, the sound system didn't work in the back, very little lighting, and too many speakers. The president of the Frankfurt Temple and his wife came also and they spoke for 20 and 27 minutes. That left Elder Kopechke about 10 minutes. Of course, he blamed it on the Albanians taking too much time (there was one Albanian speaker, Pres. Kashari). It just goes to show you how Germany looks upon Albania. It kind of left the whole weekend on a sour note.
We have been doing a lot of visiting with the Elders to investigators and members. It is always a wake-up call to see how some members have been baptized without really understanding the principles of the gospel. One member we will visit again tonight, has a cross on her wall, believes all churches are true, but likes our Church best because of the Holy Ghost. The missionaries are starting from scratch teaching her and her family the gospel. Glen and I had a picture of Christ framed today to take to her in hopes she understands it is the risen Lord we reverence. We want to get that cross off the wall, out of her ears, and off her neck. We had a great baptism last Saturday of Jenny (15), James (17) and their mother. James was so ready to be baptized and we can see a future missionary in him. Jenny is quiet, but we know she has a testimony also. Their mother is very happy and their father showed up for the baptism. It is hard to convince newly baptized members that our meetings last three hours. This is always a work in progress.
Things are going good. We are now in the Adriatic South Mission which includes Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. The headquarters will still be in Tirana, but it is exciting to see all the Balkins now part of missions. Since we are supposed to stay within our mission boundaries, our boundaries have now been enlarged and we can go a lot further. Of course, I am sure we will still need permission, but it is exciting nonetheless. It is our year mark today and we are looking forward to our next six months and the opportunities we will have with the Center.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Ramazan & Silva, Trip, Catch-up
The other day we took some food out to Ramazan and Silva who live in the most humblest of circumstances. Ramazan's pension hasn't come for five months and they are really struggling right now. Ramazan is partially crippled, has asthma and terrible headaches. He asked for a blessing from Glen (the Elders had to interpret) and the minute the blessing was over, Ramazan felt peace and started breathing better. Silva was baptized about six months ago and is a faithful member. Ramazan knew the gospel is true but because of his problems cannot come to church very often. Pres. Ford went to see him with the Elders and gave permission for Ramazan to be baptized. They all felt he should not be denied any of the blessings of the gospel. It was the most wonderful experience. It took both Elders to hold and baptize him and he was so happy. They both have such great faith. They love having us come to visit them and always ask how our family is doing. They don't speak a word of English and we don't speak Shqip, but we communicate through love.
We took a trip up through Montenegro into Croatia (Dubrovnik) for an S & I Workshop. We were given special permission by Germany and Pres. Ford to go. It was absolutely beautiful. We went with the Prestons who are the CES couple and had a wonderful time. It is amazing when you get out of Albania how nice and clean other countries are. The horns didn't honk, there was no garbage on the ground, the sea was clean, the colors of the sea were just unique. We also stopped to look at the oldest olive tree in Europe which is over 2000 years old. We know there are some older in Israel, but it was really neat to see this one. When we got to Dubrovnik which is right on the sea, we went to an old walled-in city. You would look down the little alley ways and see steps go up five stories high to each level of living. In 1991 the Serbs in their ships bombed Dubrovnik and destroyed many buildings and rooftops. These have all been repaired in the old city, but in the rest of the town you can still see the destruction. There were 14 S & I teachers at the workshop and all of them YA's. As we listened to them we knew these were the strength of the Church in Albania. Their testimonies are so strong and their willingness to serve is amazing. I wish I had been that strong when I was 18 or so years of age.
The Center will be up and going next week. We get the keys on Monday, then we will start moving the furniture in. We will have our grand opening on Feb. 17, when the YA's will celebrate Valentine's Day. The YA's from the whole district will be invited plus Kosovo, and we will have an Institute Seminar on Saturday with Elder Fingerly and a few others from Germany. It should be a "grand" occasion and we are all looking forward to it.
Just a follow-up on things I wrote in my last Blog. I talked about Fahti and the problems we were having with him. Well there are always two sides to every story, and we found that Fahti was also a victim as well as stocking Majlinda. She had not been completely honest with her accusations. Glen and the Elders were able to teach him about forgiveness and true repentance, and he made some great changes. He was baptized Dec. 24, and has been a wonderful addition to our membership. He asked Glen to confer the Aaronic Priesthood on him Sunday. He bought a suit, white shirts and ties, and comes to church every Sunday dressed to worship. He has been amazing.
All in all things are going good. We are excited about our calling and what lies before us. We have a new YA Council Presidency and committee and they are excited about their callings. The Branch Presidency is doing well also, every time Pres. Beleshi doesn't want to deal with something, he turns it over to Glen. Changes are taking place and we see good things happening in the Branch. Always remember life is good and the gospel is true.
We took a trip up through Montenegro into Croatia (Dubrovnik) for an S & I Workshop. We were given special permission by Germany and Pres. Ford to go. It was absolutely beautiful. We went with the Prestons who are the CES couple and had a wonderful time. It is amazing when you get out of Albania how nice and clean other countries are. The horns didn't honk, there was no garbage on the ground, the sea was clean, the colors of the sea were just unique. We also stopped to look at the oldest olive tree in Europe which is over 2000 years old. We know there are some older in Israel, but it was really neat to see this one. When we got to Dubrovnik which is right on the sea, we went to an old walled-in city. You would look down the little alley ways and see steps go up five stories high to each level of living. In 1991 the Serbs in their ships bombed Dubrovnik and destroyed many buildings and rooftops. These have all been repaired in the old city, but in the rest of the town you can still see the destruction. There were 14 S & I teachers at the workshop and all of them YA's. As we listened to them we knew these were the strength of the Church in Albania. Their testimonies are so strong and their willingness to serve is amazing. I wish I had been that strong when I was 18 or so years of age.
The Center will be up and going next week. We get the keys on Monday, then we will start moving the furniture in. We will have our grand opening on Feb. 17, when the YA's will celebrate Valentine's Day. The YA's from the whole district will be invited plus Kosovo, and we will have an Institute Seminar on Saturday with Elder Fingerly and a few others from Germany. It should be a "grand" occasion and we are all looking forward to it.
Just a follow-up on things I wrote in my last Blog. I talked about Fahti and the problems we were having with him. Well there are always two sides to every story, and we found that Fahti was also a victim as well as stocking Majlinda. She had not been completely honest with her accusations. Glen and the Elders were able to teach him about forgiveness and true repentance, and he made some great changes. He was baptized Dec. 24, and has been a wonderful addition to our membership. He asked Glen to confer the Aaronic Priesthood on him Sunday. He bought a suit, white shirts and ties, and comes to church every Sunday dressed to worship. He has been amazing.
All in all things are going good. We are excited about our calling and what lies before us. We have a new YA Council Presidency and committee and they are excited about their callings. The Branch Presidency is doing well also, every time Pres. Beleshi doesn't want to deal with something, he turns it over to Glen. Changes are taking place and we see good things happening in the Branch. Always remember life is good and the gospel is true.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Ups and Downs; Life goes on.
It seems the time goes by faster than I remember. It has been five weeks since we last sent out a blog. I will try and repent and make them more often. We have been up and down about our Center. Last week, it was a for sure, then the next day the wheels came off again. It seems we started at the top getting permission, instead of going through the ranks. That didn't set well with the ranks and they have put us through a week of torture. When the Area Presidency says yes, then sends it to the Presiding Bishopric for there stamp of approval, then they send it to someone else, then the FM Department gets hold of it and wants to know why they were not in the loop. Anyway we have learned quite a lot about the bureaucracy of the Church, and hope we don't have to experience this again. We haven't heard from Pres. Ford yet, but the contract was supposed to be signed today. Anyway, I hope I don't need to retract all this information. Glen and I are wore out with all the red tape. But it will be wonderful when (not if) it happens.
We had a wonderful investigator named Fati. He has been coming to church for months. He pays his tithing faithfully (with special permission), and is always smiling. He asked me to speak at his baptism in Shqip, which the Elders were going to translate for me. Anyway last week in a meeting with the Elders his true character came out. It seems he had a 13 year live in affair with our R.S. President (before she was R.S. Pres.), she broke it off, he began to stalk her, even coming to church to keep an eye on her. When the missionaries started giving him the lessons, he became very interested in the gospel. The problem is, he is still stalking her and it has gotten out of hand. So he has been forbidden to come to our branch, which he ignored. Pres. Ford met with him which went way bad, and Pres. Belishi (our branch pres.) has tried to talk to him, but he won't listen. Tonight Glen has an appointment with him, and we will see what happens. It breaks our heart because we really like Fati, but his actions go against everything we believe in. Have I ever told you about the Albanian temper! Fati was so mad, his nose started to bleed.
I have been baking cookies for Christmas. Since there are no chocolate chips, I cut up candy bars. Since the shortening is in short supply, I use a lot of butter. One cup (1/2lb) of butter, is $2.25. These are very expensive cookies. Of course, you can't get good brown sugar in the market, you have to go to the American store, so these cookies are like buying gold. When I am baking for the Center, I use the dark brown sugar which you can buy in some stores here. This is just a whole new cooking experience for me. The missionaries don't care, they just like homemade items. The Y.A. don't care, they just like my homemade cookies. Pres. Ford has a new rule that more than one companionship cannot be in a home at a time, which makes Sunday dinner a day long affair. He is afraid they will stop acting like missionaries, which does have a lot of merit. But Elder Warburton made the comment that he didn't know Sister Stacey very well, because she makes us act like missionaries. I think that was a compliment.
Now that Glen is in the Branch Presidency, we see good changes taking place. He is able to teach and train. Callings are being issued and Pres. Beleshi is anxious to have things done right. Bro. Topi is the 1st counselor and he speaks very good English, so he translates for Glen and Pres. Beleshi. Christmas will be very different for us, but we will be more focused on the Savior which is good. We have a little tree all decorated, and I love to sit and enjoy Christmas music while enjoying the tree. It calms my soul and helps me feel peace. We love the gospel and are grateful to be able to serve. There is much to learn when you are in a foreign country, and everyday we try to be more accepting of their ways. But one thing we aren't accepting of is the lack of respect for the gospel. Members need to learn and understand the teachings of the gospel, to strengthen their testimonies, and to help build His kingdom. The Church will not grow if the members are not strong. We see great potential, and just hope and pray someday they will understand the purpose of life.
We had a wonderful investigator named Fati. He has been coming to church for months. He pays his tithing faithfully (with special permission), and is always smiling. He asked me to speak at his baptism in Shqip, which the Elders were going to translate for me. Anyway last week in a meeting with the Elders his true character came out. It seems he had a 13 year live in affair with our R.S. President (before she was R.S. Pres.), she broke it off, he began to stalk her, even coming to church to keep an eye on her. When the missionaries started giving him the lessons, he became very interested in the gospel. The problem is, he is still stalking her and it has gotten out of hand. So he has been forbidden to come to our branch, which he ignored. Pres. Ford met with him which went way bad, and Pres. Belishi (our branch pres.) has tried to talk to him, but he won't listen. Tonight Glen has an appointment with him, and we will see what happens. It breaks our heart because we really like Fati, but his actions go against everything we believe in. Have I ever told you about the Albanian temper! Fati was so mad, his nose started to bleed.
I have been baking cookies for Christmas. Since there are no chocolate chips, I cut up candy bars. Since the shortening is in short supply, I use a lot of butter. One cup (1/2lb) of butter, is $2.25. These are very expensive cookies. Of course, you can't get good brown sugar in the market, you have to go to the American store, so these cookies are like buying gold. When I am baking for the Center, I use the dark brown sugar which you can buy in some stores here. This is just a whole new cooking experience for me. The missionaries don't care, they just like homemade items. The Y.A. don't care, they just like my homemade cookies. Pres. Ford has a new rule that more than one companionship cannot be in a home at a time, which makes Sunday dinner a day long affair. He is afraid they will stop acting like missionaries, which does have a lot of merit. But Elder Warburton made the comment that he didn't know Sister Stacey very well, because she makes us act like missionaries. I think that was a compliment.
Now that Glen is in the Branch Presidency, we see good changes taking place. He is able to teach and train. Callings are being issued and Pres. Beleshi is anxious to have things done right. Bro. Topi is the 1st counselor and he speaks very good English, so he translates for Glen and Pres. Beleshi. Christmas will be very different for us, but we will be more focused on the Savior which is good. We have a little tree all decorated, and I love to sit and enjoy Christmas music while enjoying the tree. It calms my soul and helps me feel peace. We love the gospel and are grateful to be able to serve. There is much to learn when you are in a foreign country, and everyday we try to be more accepting of their ways. But one thing we aren't accepting of is the lack of respect for the gospel. Members need to learn and understand the teachings of the gospel, to strengthen their testimonies, and to help build His kingdom. The Church will not grow if the members are not strong. We see great potential, and just hope and pray someday they will understand the purpose of life.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Life is Good, the Gospel is true
We have just returned from almost finalizing arrangements for our center. YES, WE HAVE FOUND A CENTER!!! We are so excited and happy. Of course, Germany has yet to stamp their endorsement, but according to Pres. Ford, all the stars are aligned in our favor. So by the end of this week, all news should be good - we hope. You can tell there is still a little uncertainty, but we feel very good about it.
It has been quite some time since I have written in the blog. This past month has just sailed by, and now we are in the throws of planning our Thanksgiving feast. Pres. Ford has asked me to organize it, but if they had their way, they would go to a restaurant. Can you imagine taking 50 people to an Albanian restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner, when all but three are Americans. That would be sinful. Yesterday at dinner, I asked the missionaries if they thought 75 lbs. of turkey would be enough for them and 50 lbs. of potatoes. You can't believe how much they can eat. I made two large lasagnas, three loaves of garlic bread, peas and carrots, Greek salad and for dessert, banana and coconut cream pies. They cleaned the lot. Two ate so much they could hardly breathe. But it was fun. We feed four elders and two sisters every Fast Sunday.
The YA's had a Halloween party which was very successful. We had between 60 - 70 people there. There were prizes for the best costumes, they did karaoke , made a pinata and filled it with candy, and, of course, ate all the food prepared. Then danced afterward. They really get into Halloween. We even carved pumpkins and used them for some of the decorations. We also had District Conference that weekend so it was a very busy weekend. Elder Wright, an Area Seventy, came and gave some great talks. He is a close friend to Pres. Ford as they are both from England. We took him to see a couple of the places for a Center and he was very favorable to us having a stand alone Center. The Church really doesn't like stand alone Centers, and will only approve five of them for next year. Elder Wright told us ours would be one of them.
Two of our best friends in the YA's have left for jobs outside of Albania. Neti Lapi and Besmir Gjoni. Neti is trying to earn enough monies to help him on his mission, but Besmir is trying to earn enough monies to support himself and help his family. That is one of the greatest resources here for families in Albania. Their children go to other countries to earn monies and send them back to help the families. With all the problems in Europe, this may become a problem, because the job market is drying up. We see so many people just walking the streets, sitting in cafe's drinking coffee and smoking, and wondering where they get their money. We have learned it is from children working outside of Albania.
A few months ago I wrote about Bro. Lami being baptized and doing so well. Things have changed and he has gone back to drinking and abusing his family. Yesterday after church, Glen gave Sister Lami a blessing to give her strength to know what to do. Bro. Lami gets very violent and has physically abused the two older girls and Sister Lami. After dinner yesterday we got a call from Sister Lami asking for help, so Glen and the four Elders jumped in the car and drove out to their home. The police had been and taken Bro. Lami, so they had to go back down to the police department and fill out the forms. The Branch President met them there. He works for the police department and hoped they would keep him overnight (which they didn't). We will probably have to find a place for them to live here in town if Sister Lami decides to leave him. This has just broken our hearts because he was doing so good. Earlier in the week, we had given a lesson to Leta and her kids on families and temple marriage. She wanted to know if they could be sealed together without Tajipi. They all have a desire, but of course it won't happen now unless some miraculous changes take place. (This next is from Glen). It was a hoot listening to the Elders talk about what they were going to do if Tayipi was still there and was still in a drunken and violent condition. (I think they have watched too many movies.) Then, when the call came to the Elders that the police had arrived, their plans ran wild. We were going to arrive with our dark suits on. I would put on my sun glasses, and we would drive rapidly down the Lami's lane, slam on the brakes, jump out of the car and tell the police we were CIA and that we would take care of things now and that the police could go home. The elders were laughing so hard they could barely breath. WAY too many movies!!
Things like this always put a damper on our lives, but we know this is the Lord's work and He is very aware of the righteousness of His people. We love the gospel and are so grateful for our testimonies and the strength we feel from serving in the Lord's vineyard.
It has been quite some time since I have written in the blog. This past month has just sailed by, and now we are in the throws of planning our Thanksgiving feast. Pres. Ford has asked me to organize it, but if they had their way, they would go to a restaurant. Can you imagine taking 50 people to an Albanian restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner, when all but three are Americans. That would be sinful. Yesterday at dinner, I asked the missionaries if they thought 75 lbs. of turkey would be enough for them and 50 lbs. of potatoes. You can't believe how much they can eat. I made two large lasagnas, three loaves of garlic bread, peas and carrots, Greek salad and for dessert, banana and coconut cream pies. They cleaned the lot. Two ate so much they could hardly breathe. But it was fun. We feed four elders and two sisters every Fast Sunday.
The YA's had a Halloween party which was very successful. We had between 60 - 70 people there. There were prizes for the best costumes, they did karaoke , made a pinata and filled it with candy, and, of course, ate all the food prepared. Then danced afterward. They really get into Halloween. We even carved pumpkins and used them for some of the decorations. We also had District Conference that weekend so it was a very busy weekend. Elder Wright, an Area Seventy, came and gave some great talks. He is a close friend to Pres. Ford as they are both from England. We took him to see a couple of the places for a Center and he was very favorable to us having a stand alone Center. The Church really doesn't like stand alone Centers, and will only approve five of them for next year. Elder Wright told us ours would be one of them.
Two of our best friends in the YA's have left for jobs outside of Albania. Neti Lapi and Besmir Gjoni. Neti is trying to earn enough monies to help him on his mission, but Besmir is trying to earn enough monies to support himself and help his family. That is one of the greatest resources here for families in Albania. Their children go to other countries to earn monies and send them back to help the families. With all the problems in Europe, this may become a problem, because the job market is drying up. We see so many people just walking the streets, sitting in cafe's drinking coffee and smoking, and wondering where they get their money. We have learned it is from children working outside of Albania.
A few months ago I wrote about Bro. Lami being baptized and doing so well. Things have changed and he has gone back to drinking and abusing his family. Yesterday after church, Glen gave Sister Lami a blessing to give her strength to know what to do. Bro. Lami gets very violent and has physically abused the two older girls and Sister Lami. After dinner yesterday we got a call from Sister Lami asking for help, so Glen and the four Elders jumped in the car and drove out to their home. The police had been and taken Bro. Lami, so they had to go back down to the police department and fill out the forms. The Branch President met them there. He works for the police department and hoped they would keep him overnight (which they didn't). We will probably have to find a place for them to live here in town if Sister Lami decides to leave him. This has just broken our hearts because he was doing so good. Earlier in the week, we had given a lesson to Leta and her kids on families and temple marriage. She wanted to know if they could be sealed together without Tajipi. They all have a desire, but of course it won't happen now unless some miraculous changes take place. (This next is from Glen). It was a hoot listening to the Elders talk about what they were going to do if Tayipi was still there and was still in a drunken and violent condition. (I think they have watched too many movies.) Then, when the call came to the Elders that the police had arrived, their plans ran wild. We were going to arrive with our dark suits on. I would put on my sun glasses, and we would drive rapidly down the Lami's lane, slam on the brakes, jump out of the car and tell the police we were CIA and that we would take care of things now and that the police could go home. The elders were laughing so hard they could barely breath. WAY too many movies!!
Things like this always put a damper on our lives, but we know this is the Lord's work and He is very aware of the righteousness of His people. We love the gospel and are so grateful for our testimonies and the strength we feel from serving in the Lord's vineyard.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Llogora, Apolonia, Street Vendors
These last two months have been very busy for us and we are glad things are settling down a little. On August 20 we were asked to pick up the presenters for EFY and take them down to Llogora, then wait until Wednesday and take them back. They came from Portugal, Holland, Germany and England. We borrowed the old blue van from the office elders since it held nine, and had so many different conversations going on in the van in different languages, it made us smile. We then went back down to Llogora on Monday, August 29, to the YA Conference which we were basically in charge of, and had a good time with them. We had 69 YA's go which was the biggest conference ever and except for a few encounters, most went really well. It is a little harder to chaperone YA's than it is seminary students and by midnight we just had to call it a night. We are glad it was only for three days because we were extremely tired by Wednesday night. We saw new members welcomed, testimonies strengthened, and friendships formed. We had a dance and they danced their native dances, it was so fun to watch. Albanians enjoy parties. I made over 400 cookies for family night up there and they ate almost every one. They love homemade cookies.
Elder Clayton from the First Quorum of Seventy visited and wanted to have a fireside with the YA's. We had a good turnout and the visitors wanted food after, so I fixed them food. The next morning they had a meeting with the missionaries in the Tirana area. As couples we usually don't go to these meetings, but for some reason they wanted the couples there also. Being obedient we went. The next week (last week) we had three men from BYU Idaho come to talk to the YA's , presenting a program for online courses at reduced costs, to give opportunities to these members they wouldn't have otherwise. There was a lot of interest in this and we are grateful for this opportunity. Of course, this was a fact-finding mission, but we feel it will happen. We also went to Apollonia last Tuesday, not Paul's Apollonia, but the Albanian Apollonia. At first we thought it was Paul's, but in doing research there was another Apollonia above the Black Sea and this was where Paul went. However, we did learn that the Greeks founded Apolonia in 620 BC, and the Romans conquered it after that. Festus and Agrippa visited around 34 AD, and Caesar visited in 48 BC. Pompey visited also. So many important events. Not much of the city remains, and the excavation is going very slowly, but is was still fun to see what we could. So much ancient history here in Albania.
I thought it would be fun to tell you a little about the street vendors here in Tirana. You can buy everything on the street from underwear to jewelry, used shoes, cigarettes (most everyone smokes), plus all kinds of fruits and vegetables. On the busy streets they set up their areas around 9:00 a.m. and stay there until 9:00 p.m. They sit on boxes, foot stools, whatever they have all day long. It just amazes us to see so many of them. The sidewalks are very wide, and they are on both sides, leaving the middle to walk down. Then there are also the beggars, Romas (Gypsies) with young children, begging money. They keep their child covered and we believe drugged so they will sleep. It is a sad, sad thing to watch. Some are more industrious and when you stop for a traffic light, they run out and wash your window before you can tell them no. But at least they are giving a service for our dollar. What happens in the winter months we will soon find out, but we know there won't be nearly as many unless they are in a protected place. We have our favorite places to go to buy fruits and vegetables and our rolls and bread. We try and stay away from the yummy pastries, but every once in a while we can't resist. There is also a form of ice cream here that is really good. Each vendor makes his own, and we have a favorite place to stop for that also. We aren't suffering.
Glen got his time with Germany. Elder Fingerle who has been so against a stand alone Center for us, came with Elder Clayton. He asked Glen a question and for the next 40 minutes they were in deep conversation. We understand he looks more favorably on a Center now, so it is just a matter of finding the right place. Things are looking up and we are grateful for that.
GO UTES !!!!!!
Elder Clayton from the First Quorum of Seventy visited and wanted to have a fireside with the YA's. We had a good turnout and the visitors wanted food after, so I fixed them food. The next morning they had a meeting with the missionaries in the Tirana area. As couples we usually don't go to these meetings, but for some reason they wanted the couples there also. Being obedient we went. The next week (last week) we had three men from BYU Idaho come to talk to the YA's , presenting a program for online courses at reduced costs, to give opportunities to these members they wouldn't have otherwise. There was a lot of interest in this and we are grateful for this opportunity. Of course, this was a fact-finding mission, but we feel it will happen. We also went to Apollonia last Tuesday, not Paul's Apollonia, but the Albanian Apollonia. At first we thought it was Paul's, but in doing research there was another Apollonia above the Black Sea and this was where Paul went. However, we did learn that the Greeks founded Apolonia in 620 BC, and the Romans conquered it after that. Festus and Agrippa visited around 34 AD, and Caesar visited in 48 BC. Pompey visited also. So many important events. Not much of the city remains, and the excavation is going very slowly, but is was still fun to see what we could. So much ancient history here in Albania.
I thought it would be fun to tell you a little about the street vendors here in Tirana. You can buy everything on the street from underwear to jewelry, used shoes, cigarettes (most everyone smokes), plus all kinds of fruits and vegetables. On the busy streets they set up their areas around 9:00 a.m. and stay there until 9:00 p.m. They sit on boxes, foot stools, whatever they have all day long. It just amazes us to see so many of them. The sidewalks are very wide, and they are on both sides, leaving the middle to walk down. Then there are also the beggars, Romas (Gypsies) with young children, begging money. They keep their child covered and we believe drugged so they will sleep. It is a sad, sad thing to watch. Some are more industrious and when you stop for a traffic light, they run out and wash your window before you can tell them no. But at least they are giving a service for our dollar. What happens in the winter months we will soon find out, but we know there won't be nearly as many unless they are in a protected place. We have our favorite places to go to buy fruits and vegetables and our rolls and bread. We try and stay away from the yummy pastries, but every once in a while we can't resist. There is also a form of ice cream here that is really good. Each vendor makes his own, and we have a favorite place to stop for that also. We aren't suffering.
Glen got his time with Germany. Elder Fingerle who has been so against a stand alone Center for us, came with Elder Clayton. He asked Glen a question and for the next 40 minutes they were in deep conversation. We understand he looks more favorably on a Center now, so it is just a matter of finding the right place. Things are looking up and we are grateful for that.
GO UTES !!!!!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Life is interesting in Albania
It is hard to believe it has been six months since we left our home for the MTC. In some ways it has gone by very fast, and in other ways not so fast. But always interesting. Last night we got home from a place called Llogora which is down south not too far from the Greek Border. We were asked to pick up some presenters that had flown in from Germany, England, and Portugal and take them to Llogora for EFY. We stayed there (at the resort) until Wednesday and brought some of them back. This is the same place we are having our Young Adult Conference next week, so it was good to be there and have a look around. Our impressions were luke warm, but the Albanians think this is a great place to stay. We were very happy to come home and have a tuna fish sandwich today. The food was interesting!!! One thing we have learned is that Albanians eat anything and everything. (Well not quite anything, but definitely everything).
A few weeks ago, our Center was broken into and our computers stolen. The police could find no forced entry, so that means someone had a key, or someone fixed a door so they could get in. It makes you feel violated to think this could happen, and by someone who has been to the Center and knows what we have there. They will never be found. The black market is alive and well here, and we probably will never know who did it. There are so many keys running around for the 2/4 building, and a set or two have been lost, so who knows. They left everything very neat for us though, like we are sorry to do this, but ----.
Glen has become an Albanian driver. We had to borrow the mission 9-passenger van to take everyone to Llogora, and he drove just like the locals, only he doesn't stop for the bumps and holes in the rode. As you are driving along the highway and there is a hole or bump, the cars in front you almost come to a complete stop so as not to damage their car. They go from 100 kph to 5 kph in seconds, and you are lucky not to ram the back of them. Glen doesn't mind playing chicken to get ahead of them so he won't have to stop when they slow down. I am surprised my foot hasn't gone through the floorboard by now.
Things are basically the same. Still no Center, but we continue to look for a place. We had a branch family night (on a Wednesday), and Pres. Beleshi asked us to furnish "a" game. When we got there, he thought we would be in charge of all the games!!! (Poor translation) We played musical chairs which they loved, and the sisters backed us up with the game of spoons. Albanians seem to be able to make their own fun and come up with things to do which is always fun to watch. The night was successful for those who came. We have been told the Yugoslav Embassy has been approved to buy, plus some additional property next to it for a church here. We are all very excited about this as the Church in Tirana needs ownership. This will make a great difference to the membership here in Tirana and we know will bring a greater Spirit to the members.
Sometimes I think our age is catching up to us as we never feel quite rested. But we know the Lord is watching over us and we will continue to work as hard as we can to accomplish his purpose for us here. We love the YA's and are grateful for our calling. Life is good, the gospel is true, and we are alive and well.
A few weeks ago, our Center was broken into and our computers stolen. The police could find no forced entry, so that means someone had a key, or someone fixed a door so they could get in. It makes you feel violated to think this could happen, and by someone who has been to the Center and knows what we have there. They will never be found. The black market is alive and well here, and we probably will never know who did it. There are so many keys running around for the 2/4 building, and a set or two have been lost, so who knows. They left everything very neat for us though, like we are sorry to do this, but ----.
Glen has become an Albanian driver. We had to borrow the mission 9-passenger van to take everyone to Llogora, and he drove just like the locals, only he doesn't stop for the bumps and holes in the rode. As you are driving along the highway and there is a hole or bump, the cars in front you almost come to a complete stop so as not to damage their car. They go from 100 kph to 5 kph in seconds, and you are lucky not to ram the back of them. Glen doesn't mind playing chicken to get ahead of them so he won't have to stop when they slow down. I am surprised my foot hasn't gone through the floorboard by now.
Things are basically the same. Still no Center, but we continue to look for a place. We had a branch family night (on a Wednesday), and Pres. Beleshi asked us to furnish "a" game. When we got there, he thought we would be in charge of all the games!!! (Poor translation) We played musical chairs which they loved, and the sisters backed us up with the game of spoons. Albanians seem to be able to make their own fun and come up with things to do which is always fun to watch. The night was successful for those who came. We have been told the Yugoslav Embassy has been approved to buy, plus some additional property next to it for a church here. We are all very excited about this as the Church in Tirana needs ownership. This will make a great difference to the membership here in Tirana and we know will bring a greater Spirit to the members.
Sometimes I think our age is catching up to us as we never feel quite rested. But we know the Lord is watching over us and we will continue to work as hard as we can to accomplish his purpose for us here. We love the YA's and are grateful for our calling. Life is good, the gospel is true, and we are alive and well.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Pictures
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