October 12, 2016
Lee Allen, WEI Director of Development and Teacher Support, spent two weeks in Albania late last summer and came home floating “on cloud nine.”
Lee later sent an e-mail that pulsates with excitement and inspiration.
Lee says, “One of those special moments in the life of a WEI teacher is when you get an opportunity to meet one of your precious students face-to-face. I was blessed to meet and spend time with Aurela Kola and her family during this past summer while I was in Tirana, Albania. Tonight, I want to share the following e-mail I received from Aurela on October 12th.”
These are some excerpts from her e-mail: “The best things sometimes happen just by coincidence, and that’s how I found WEI. As time passed, I realized that a very special someone planned this special gift for me.”
“I never thought a website could change my life in such a great way. This awesome course has given me the opportunity to learn so much about the English language. But there is one thing I’ve learned in this course that is way more important than any other lesson. This ‘something’ is our relationship with God, which should be the main thing in our life. I mean, is there something more important than our relationship with God? Of course not! I can say without a doubt that this course is amazing! It has become a part of my daily routine. Reading the Bible and studying God’s Word has made me reflect a lot about my life-style, my attitude, and the way I face problems.”
“I’ve become a better person who wants to do what is right. The Bible has taught me to forgive, to care more about others, and the most important thing, to love each other more and more. I never imagined that the day I enrolled in this course, an ordinary afternoon, that I was beginning a wonderful journey and that the destination would be awesome.”
“God never forgets us! His love for us never fails! God gave me the chance to become a part of WEI. Thank you, God!!! Thank you, WEI!!!”
On October 24th, Lee received another e-mail from Aurela saying, “I want to be baptized as soon as possible.” During the next several days, Lee and Aurela had several lengthy discussions and Bible studies via Viper, a service that allows Albanians to make free Internet calls to any country. Later, Lee virtually shouted, “I am very excited to share that Aurela confessed her faith and was baptized this past Sunday morning at the Tirana Church of Christ with all of her family present. I asked my brother and best friend, Erik Qirjaqi [cheer ee ah′ chi], to baptize her. Erik also happens to be the WEI Director of Albania.”
Then, Lee said, “There is more exciting news! Her parents are very interested in becoming Christians, too. In fact, her dad is a WEI student. Erik and his wife, Anila, will begin studying with them very soon. I will also begin online studies with her brother. Isn’t God awesome and great?”
“Remember Aurela and her precious family in your daily prayers.”
Following the baptism, Erik wrote to Lee, “Brother, this is a great day! Anila and I are on fire! The Tirana church of Christ is on fire, too, brother! Thank you Lord for blessing us on this Lord’s Day in this very special way.”
“Brother, thank you so much for your encouraging words! Thank you again and again for allowing me to be a part of your WEI team. It truly is a tremendous blessing.”
It works both ways, Brother Erik. You are also a tremendous blessing to WEI.
