NEWS

Dear brethren, it is a great pleasure to give you more information about the situation of the mission in Albania. After the time we spent in Italy, where we had the possibility to share our experiences with the students of the Bible School in Grosseto, we are back again to the Albanian daily routine. Unfortunately, it is a long time that it does not rain in this land for more than eight months. This has brought further problems to the already aggravated general situation. This has brought about that there is power six or seven hours in the night, only. But even worst is the problem of some villages where the few existing wells are going almost dry. We ask you that the entire church in Italy and in Europe could pray for this specific problem. As far as our mission is concerned, there are some interesting developments in the town Pogradec; we have started home meetings with an Albanian family, with who we have had good relationships in the past and to who we have witnessed about the Lord. There is also another family, that has come to live in the town from the village. We had our meetings in the village at their house, and they have also expressed the desire to start another meeting at their house. In the villages of Stropcke, Blace, Cerrave we have had regular meetings, but for the ugly events happened in the meeting room in Stropcka, Some boys have managed to enter into the room by the back windows, in the night and they have stolen several things in the church, among them to our pity the bonghis, donated from the community in Roma. Whereas in the village of Bratomire, to our glad we see some further interest from other women, there have been times where there were more 25 people and the children about forty. This is a great encouragement for us, because not longer than last year we were forced to almost forsake the work in this village, But the Lord in his geat mercy, has shown once more that he REIGNS: One of the pillars of Islamism is the "Holy" month of Ramadan. During this period all the Moslems fast from the morning to dusk. It is forbidden to do other actions such as getting angry, make-up, and even swallow the saliva. This fasting is a debt towards Allah, to pay for their sins, to become better people and to assure a place in heaven. During this month a lot of Christians pray even more intensely for the Islamic world, so that there may be a greater opening towards the gospel . We would ask you to remember this in your prayers, until the Lord can touch the hearts of many people in Albania as well as in many countries where Islam is even stronger, and that number of the missionaries working in the Moslem world may increase. There is more news from Arnold Geiger, of the Nehemia Foundation, that by the help of a German brother Alfred, who finances a lot od projects for this foundation, have put on disposition of our work a second-hand van. As matter of fact, at the moment of writing Sandro, accompanied by young Carlo, have gone to Germany. We are really grateful to Arnold and his Team, for their precious help in many aspects. More than that, Arnold is thinking of making projects with the missions working in the villages trying to raise founds to built churches, where there already is a solid group. This is not simply to help the missions in difficulties bur also as an answer to the advancing of Moslem sectarism, that are strengthening themselves through the mosques build in almost all the villages of Albania. We would also ask you to make this an object for your prayers. As you know, our spiritual coworker of faith, Ardi, is attending a Bible School here, in Pogradec (supported by an economical help of Tom Myers in California, U.S.A). Two days a week he is with us in the work in the villages and in the town. We are glad to see that the Lord is transforming him and we believe that he will be a key person for the Apostolic work in Albania. Following is a thought of his that he wanted to share with you, europian brethren; "When I read that verse in Genesis 1:2- And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved above the face of the waters.-I think of my nation, where sure the Spirit of the Lord moved above it, but because of our close down hearts fro more than fifty years, He did not have the possibility to came and change us. But I can affirm now that in our villages and towns there are people, like me, who started to seek the Lord so that He could find available hearts and souls and this just the first step towards the will of the Lord as the verse in 1 Chronicles 22:19 says that- Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God, arise therefore and build the sanctuary of the Lord God. - So we as Apostolic mission have started to move and walk according to this call to build His Sanctuary. I have no doubts that the Sanctuary will be built because we have answered affirmatively His first call to get closer to Him with all our hearts and souls. I am encouraged by God's Word in Isaia 55:1- So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.-We are walking in the firm belief that one day we will have an extraordinary Sanctuary with all the spiritual gifts in the work in Pogradec. We keep this faith firm because faithful is he who has called us. As far as we as family is concerned, we are all fine, eventhough there are days of influence . We are preparing to celebrate Christmas, together with all brothers,in the community of Stropckë this year. We want to thank you as always for your interest in the work in Albania. Please, do not forget to pray for us. Love in Christ, Sandro, Luciana, Carlo and Ester

for "Chiesa Apostolica in Italia" - "Fondo Missionario" - Via del Commendone, 35/ab - 58100 Grosseto

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For any contact about the mission, write to: Sandro Sardella

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The Apostolic Church in Albania is member of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance, and Foundation