Today marked a turning point for me in Albania. In Fushekruje I met with the plumber, the electrician, the tile-man, the engineer, and my crew. In the States we call a person who performs that combination of tasks a superintendent. If we can consider the Plagenhoef’s the clients for this project, then I am also an engineer. Today I was honored to hear Pastor Kurt say “we certainly couldn’t be moving forward on this project the way we are without you here. Having you has been a blessing at the right time for us.” I am always up for that kind of criticism. I am honored to be thought of as a blessing by any person, but especially to people who have dedicated their lives to the service of others in the name of Jesus.
My crew and I celebrated the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress 236 years ago the way Albania celebrates July 4th every year. Ervis, Siamir, Fatjon, Egim and I installed the next runs in the rain-handling system. I was able to capture something of note in the following photograph.
In the foreground on the left is Fatjon. Siamir and Ervis are farther away putting the drain pipe to its proper height. You can see Egim in the foreground on the right. Age is difficult for me to gauge here in Albania. Often times someone in their late twenties might appear to be in their early forties, the reverse of which is never true. I’m going to put Egim at forty-five going on sixty. He is Ervis’ uncle and the most reliable parishioner in our church. He is a sweet man. You can see here that Egim has one hand on the shovel and the other in a fist near his mouth. Egim is always watching to see if I am watching, and when I am he promptly spits into his palm to reinvigorate his hands for work. I can be certain that for the next twenty to thirty seconds he will be working himself into an honest, heart-pounding sweat. He is the most quiet person on the crew, and he is a delight for me to see each morning.
Head down, honest wage earner Egim, you bless me.
albaniacalling 