August 11, 2010
This year marked the nineteenth consecutive WEI short-term mission effort in Tirana, Albania. We had 12 teachers and 49 students. Sixty additional students registered but were not able to study because they had no teacher.
Three students were baptized during the Tirana summer session, and another student, Flaviana Laci (Bledi Valca’s sister-in-law), was baptized at camp the following week. Thirteen teen-age campers were baptized this year.
Çimi and Anila Kafexhiu report several baptisms in Central Durrës.
Alfred and Diana Zike also report baptisms at the Adriatic Church of Christ in the beach area in South Durrës. God is at work in Albania.
Art Hitt, an elder of the Peninsula Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon, spent ten weeks in Tirana this summer. Listen to Art’s report:
“In 2008, Dick Ady studied with a young Albanian lady by the name of Françeska Malaj. The following year, I was asked to study the WEI lessons with Françeska’s mother, Laureta (Laura). Following those weeks of study, and to the joy of all of us, both mother and daughter made the decision to be baptized into Christ. They have since been active in the Tirana congregation.
“During that time, Laura was working hard to qualify for a job in security at the American Embassy. Ultimately, she was chosen for this position and was assisted and encouraged by another employee, Anjeza Gjokrosa. In their developing friendship, Laura referred Anjeza to the Tirana congregation and the WEI teaching program. Anjeza (33) in turn informed two of her cousins, Ela Qoku (25) and Herta Toska (24). As a result, I had the joy and honor to have these very special young ladies among my students this summer. After 10+ weeks of study, Anjeza and Ela dedicated their lives to their Savior in baptism. What joy and excitement!”
