This morning I went back into Kombinat, an old, old industrial part of Tirana. There I picked up the galvanized frame and hood for our outdoor water pump at the church. While boarding the already crowded orange bus to head into Kombinat from the center today, I had to settle for a place on the steps of the bus, right next to the folding doors. At least I had a secure place to hold onto while we traveled. I would have gone onto the bus proper, but there wasn’t enough room. We must have taken on an additional 20 passengers after that. I have heard rumblings about a pending hike in the Tirana bus fare. Maybe its time.
From the factory in Kombinat I had to hire a dumdum to transport the steel and myself to Zogu i Zi. Dumdums are three-wheeled light trucks with cabs like miniature Isuzu cabs and hauling beds about the size of a large kitchen table. They are the life blood of small construction projects in Albania. At Zogu i Zi, I had to purchase four seats for myself and the mercury triangle. It is nice to have the funds to convince a driver to accept work he would otherwise refuse. On the way out of town I took note of all of the red which is enriching the color of buildings, cars and people. We are four days from celebrating 100 years of Albanian independence from the Ottomans.
At the church project, I was surprised to see Pastor Alban there with Visi and Fatjon. He had brought Fatima along for a bible study and prayer meeting. Wherever two or more people are joined in the name of Jesus, there He is also, and so I am going to say that today was the first meeting in the new church. I feel like the church in Fushekruje will be doing God’s work for generations to come. It is nice to be a part of something that is sure to outlive me.
albaniacalling 