The school year is upon us here in Albania. Grade school children will be expected to appear at their desks promptly at 8AM tomorrow morning. The cost of school is prohibitive, even for the very young who are expected to purchase their textbooks besides all of the normal supplies needed for school. A benefactor from the States provided funding enough for about 35 bundles of books for poor students to be received through our church. The church in Fushekruje was crowded today with parents and children who had come for their books. It was a rare opportunity for Pastor Alban to reach new ears with the Gospel message.
Yesterday the Plagenhoefs and I took a break from our Fall cleaning of their home to interview a prospective student for the bible school in Sauk. School will begin here on the 17th. I am eager to see my friends again. I enjoyed connecting with the students immensely when I first arrived here in April. Five students will be returning for their second of two years of instruction. I am also excited to make connections with the first year students like the young woman we interviewed. After hearing her story I feel so blessed to be a part of the church here. Jesus has brought hope, love and joy to countless Albanian families over recent years.
The summer has been a challenging time for me. I am so very thankful that I did not arrive here in the summer to begin with. Having students living here at the school with me for the first two months made my transition from the States a smooth one. Being alone for the last three months has been a mixed blessing in and of itself. In Seattle companionship was never far away. I could always find someone to meet for a late night bite or conversation. At the end of the dial tone were numerous members of my natural and church family, any time of day. Living alone in a place where I was already very much alone has lent to adapting, and humans were made to adapt.
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