Jesus gave the command to go into all the world to EVERY Christian. For close to ten years we have been following His command in Bulgaria first and then Albania. But our obedience to that command began long before we stepped out and became full time cross-cultural missionaries.

In recent months many people have asked us just how we do what we do. "How can you leave your families and Church to go 1/2 way around the world to share Jesus with people who often do not seem to really care?"

I am reminded of the portion of scripture that tells me that Jesus died for me before I even knew Him, and even while I was yet His enemy.

For 2 weeks in May we were blessed to have a couple from "Church on Fire" our home church in Harrison, Ohio come to visit us. Terry and Doreen have been feeling that God wants them to become full time missionaries, they came here to give themselves an opportunity to see, and experience the ministry, to hear clearly the voice of God on a foreign field. Their time here was blessed and as they shared with us on their last night here God had touched them in many ways while here. We continue to pray that He reveal clearly to them His will regarding the timing and placement of their call.

In June Dan went for 2 weeks to Bulgaria where we began our missionary work. Spending a week with Pastors Simeon & Diana and the church in Dolno Ezeravo. Ministering in 4 services we saw the manifest power of God heal, and save souls.  

Then a week in Shuman with Pastors Victor & Vasilka at a Gypsy church ministering 3 more nights as well, God through His Word and the Holy Spirit manifest many healings and deliverance. These nightly meetings are held in the home of one of the Gypsy Christians.

A woman came into the Wednesday night meeting depressed and crying... she sat through the entire service respectfully as I preached about the joy of the Lord being our strength in life. If we are to have successes and victory on this earth then we MUST walk in His joy. At the end of the message she quickly asked that I pray for her 17-year-old daughter who had been missing for close to 3 months. For over 2 months she had been faithfully telling anyone who would listen that God was going to return her daughter and soon because she, the Church and the Pastor had prayed for it to be so...... as I began to pray for here I felt the anointing of God flow through me like I have not felt in many years..... Her faith was sucking the life giving joy and Holy Spirit power from me as I prayed for her.... I spoke as if my mouth was being moved by God Himself..... Your little Girl will contact you within 2 days and by the grace of God she has been kept from serious harm and death.....

WELL she came late to the meeting on Thursday jumping and praising God because she had been at the police station picking up her daughter who had just been found that morning in a remote corner of a southern city. From there her kidnappers had planned to take her and others on to Italy to work as an imprisoned prostitute.

The past 2 months has been summer vacation for the kids. It was intended for the school to continue through the summer, but in May Ellen injured her lower back and was "forced" to stay home and undergo physical therapy for 6 weeks. She is now 99% so in two weeks we will be at full pace once again.

Just before our 'summer break' Flora, and Stephen and I took all the kids to the park here in Tirana for a game of football (soccer). The kids had a wonderful day. We played football for a few hours and then Dan delivered 7 pizzas and drinks for all the kids. What a fun day it was.

The children continue to learn and more families have asked if their children may begin school with us. At this time we can only take 30 students and we are already at that number. The need is for more support for a larger building at this time.

In October, Flora will be married to Stephen Robbins. He is from England and has helped us at the school several times. Stephen will then be a full-time part of the ministry team, in October! God is always faithful.

The summers here very hot and with very few air conditioners, many people spend their weekends at the seaside. So, we see the attendance go down once again.

However, at New Life Church in Paskuqan, the children's ministry continues to grow. Each Sunday morning there are about 150 children. The adult service continues strong despite the drop in attendance. The church is made up of young people who are very young in the Lord. The past three weeks they have been learning about the Holy Spirit and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. There have been many questions after church these past few weeks, and much ministry as well.

Please continue to keep this young church in your prayers, especially their need for a full time pastor. There is great potential in the church in Paskuqan; it is just a matter of discipling and mentoring the people.

Rachel leads the dance team "Miriam" at the AoG church here in Tirana. At the beginning of June they had their first ministry outside their home church. They ministered to children and then adults at Sunday morning services. God was present, and their dancing sparked a fire in the young and old alike. Praising God with dance and leading people to Jesus with dance is quite new to the Albanians and is a very effective form of evangelistic ministry.

1. "Your House" school for the gypsy kids.

2. Flora and Steven as they wed beginning their new live together.

3. Albanian national pastors as they mature in their ministries.

4. Holy Spirit anointing and protection on each one of the ministries.

http://www.pobox.com/~albania

fitch@pobox.com

churchonfire@iol21.com