February '02

Dear friends of the misson,
we are glad to inform you about the recent developments of the work i n Albania. Besides the little surgery that Sandro was forced to undergo on his back, because of a cyst and besides a dental problem that lasted almost two weeks, the Church of the Lord is progressing. Luciana, Carlo and Ester are well and are looking forward to return to Italy for the "National Convention". This will be a joyfull occassion to meet many of you. We are going to visit some dictricts (Puglia, Rome, Verona and Turin) accompagnied this time by two Albanian brothers, Ardi and Nardi, both cooworkers in the apostolic mission.
We had some big difficulties lately becaouse of one of our boys (Gerti) who was in the Bible School in Pogradec. His family facing many difficulties, wanted that he didn't attend this school anymore.This was very sad. However the good news is that he continues to come to our meetings, eventhough he is forced to find a job in Greece.
The two other boys in the Bible School (Rudi and Sokol), on the contrary are doing great. Having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit a few months ago, now are experiencing wonderful things in the fire of the Lord. These days there were two preachers in the Bible School who taught on how a believer can use the power and the authority in the name of Jesus. There were many manifestations of the Holy Spirit and healings during these meetings, but the most amizing was what our boys experienced personally: " While going to a village to make a children's meeting, a desperate girl stoped them on the way in this village to come to her home and pray for her almost dying mother. This woman was paralized, lying immobile on her bed and couldn't open her eyes, nor could she talk. After one hour of prayer this woman began to move, to speak and jumped out of bed." Wow ! How great is our Lord !
The Lord is preparing his servats here in Albania, but even more through a prophecy the Lord spoke that he will send missionaries abroad from this nation, and I believe it.
We are also having wonderful services in the churches and some other new people are coming to the meetings in Stropcke, Çerrave and Pogradec. In the village Bratomire, we are having some difficulties with the owner of the house where we have our meetings. However, we believe that (as always) they wil be solved, thanks to your contribution in prayer as well.
We would like to ask your prayer even for the Albanian government, that is going through a grave crisis in between the majority, caused also by serious problems of the extremely cold and dry winter, that has worsen the already fragile situation of the country. In fact electricity is missing about 10 hours a day.

Another good news is the official engagement of Ardi and Linda. We believe it is the first of many other couples that the Lord will use in the work in Albania and further.

Our desire for this year is to reach several important objectives:

The baptisms in the water, in summer (there are already some candidates, pray that there might be more).
To organize special meetings for co-workers and expectation meetings
Increasing in number of the new church in Pogradec and town evangelisation.
To bring through the project for the construction of a small center in Stropcke that will function as a church and as a facility for social activities.

We will have the support of Nehemia Foundation (these days they are celebrating their 10th anniversary of activity in Albania) for this last objective, but we would also need your spiritual and financial support.
In closing we couldn't forget to thank for your collaboration in this missionary work. We are very encouraged by the fact that all of you from different nations (Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, England, America and other) are supporting us in your prayers.

An embrace in the love of Christ
Sandro, Luciana, Carlo and Ester