Dear Friends, 

We are in a crisis, a good crisis but a crisis, we have started a church in Tirana, and amazingly it has grown from nothing to a solid group of young adults, almost over night. The first meeting had over 100, the next three meetings have had about 30-40 regulars. A worship group has formed and they are already discussing outreach, both short-term and long-term projects that they would like to do to reach the community around them.

When we started this we expected it to take some time, to move to the next level, but we are praising God that we are here so quickly, but this brings expenses, the church plant desperately needs some equipment: like a projector and sound equipment (nothing fancy but it is a need).  We currently meet in a small hotel function room which is working, but we would really like to get the worship up and running well.  Many Albanians when they talk about their testimony say that it was the worship that drew them into the services, and then through the worship and teaching they came to know the Lord.

We need the Lord to provide around 7,000 US$ or 5,000 UKL for this project, could you help?

On another theme: things are going well in the other church plants each is growing in number and depth.  The young pastors meet on a Monday where we pray, share and study together. There is always a lot to do when you are overseeing 8 church plants!

The other news is huge! Many years ago when we started the church plant in Pogradec, I remember walking around the town with Erion Dielli and some others talking about the future, Lord willing, and saying "this town desperately needs a good church in the centre of town, similar to the Korca church, at that point we only had a few young boys gathered in a group.

Those few boys have grown over the years into a large dynamic and vibrant church, with a desperate need for a permanent building. 

About 9 months ago an organization which has partnered with us in this church plant, felt challenged to help us purchase a building in the very centre of town, a large property with space for a great size sanctuary and 8 smaller properties that could be rented out, to provide an income for the church, and care for the up keep of the building. 

The owners were looking for 1,300,000 US$.

To be honest, my position was one of: "this is a huge project and unless God is in it, it is not possible!" I said to our partners that if this was from God I needed to see the first payment deposit 700,000 US$ come from them.

I am amazed to report to you that God provided this last week and the property is now in the hands of the church in Pogradec!

We now have 4 years to pay of the outstanding 600,000 in yearly installments.

The next installment is 150,000 US$ which needs to be paid next year. The fourth and final payment has already been pledged by one the churches that helped with the first, would you like to join us in this adventure? 

We praise God for this incredible miracle and ask you to pray with us for this next payment.

The church social projects are doing well, we praise God for this, although the end of the year crunch is always a challenge.

(Above: a newer couple who now live at Vila Kenedi, Vait and Sabire Azisllari, the Lord has turned their tears of sadness into joy, as they came out of a very sad situation and now are believers and have recently asked to be baptized!)