June 20, 2002
In his May newsletter, Virgil Jackson, missionary in Vlore, tells of some exciting developments:
“This month, four precious young women were baptized into Christ.
“Aurora Merjo, 20, and her younger sister, Dezdemona, began studies last summer with Juanita Mansholt. We visited in their home, continued Bible lessons with them, and they became active in our church youth group. But traditional Muslim family ties held them back.
“During one of our youth meetings, we prayed specifically for the teenage Christians in Albania. At their next private Bible class, Aurora said that she felt hurt and left out. ‘We are Muslim teenagers. Who prays to God for us?’
“While we conscientiously avoid militant badgering of non-believers, it is critical that they hear that ‘salvation is found in no one else’ and that Jesus said, ‘No one comes to the Father except through me.’
“Eventually, the fellowship and our efforts at ‘speaking the truth in love’ won out. The girls invited their parents and a large group of friends to witness their baptism at a Friday afternoon teen meeting
“Jonida Mehmeti, 17, also began studies last summer with Juanita and continued to study with Jackie for the last nine months. She, too, was baptized at a youth meeting this month.
Aurora Rushiti was waiting for her 13th birthday to become the final member of her family to accept the Lord. She joined both her parents and her two older sisters, as her father baptized her this month. It was a special thing to see the look of love and pride in the eyes of her parents.
