Albania Team 2004 -- Third Report

10 Oct. 2004

- Greetings All -
What a wonderful day! We went to the International Church this morning...a different experience than last night, but still a great time.

This afternoon we hosted a picnic in the National Park in Tirana for 42 children from His Child. We ordered 25 pizzas and they were all eaten! The look on the faces on the children was absolutely priceless. They are dear children, from some very difficult, poor and sometimes tragic situations, but they are greatly loved by David and Nathan and others who are a part of the staff for months or years at a time. David, Chas and I had a great time playing with the children. The kids are fantastic! It was a long but amazing afternoon.

Tonight we went to a restaurant at the Hotel California. I taught Eli napkin tricks and how to hang a spoon on her nose. It is an important inter-cultural exchange.

Tomorrow, our work begins in earnest. I will be leading devotions at the Bible College. All three of us will be doing work at the church in Iba. David will be teaching a PowerPoint class at the Bible College in the afternoon. Chas will be working on computer systems at the school.

I am amazed at how this country has seized my heart. The church is only 14 years old. It has great promise and many challenges ahead, but the people are wonderful. They love their country and their church and they hope for and seek the best.

All three of us are doing well. We are having a great time together. We each have our own room, which apparently is a very good thing.

We are overwhemled by the experience and very grateful for the opportunity to be here again.

For the team....Kurt Fredrickson