A Final Durres Sunset
January 2004 Update: Pogradec, Albania
God has really blessed us all this past month. It was a month of farewells and new beginnings. Following our visit to America our major focus was preparing for our move to Pogradec. On January 17th we were part of a group that helped Xhumert move into the apartment in Pogradec. The weather was beautiful and the trip to Pogradec uneventful, which is a great blessing because the mountain road has been closed due to landslides and snow this year. While Xhumert worked in Pogradec preparing the apartment and the school for our arrival at the end of the month, we worked in Durres organizing supplies and packing.
It was difficult to say goodbye to our students; but it was comforting to know that they were in the capable hands of the Durres team. It was also comforting to know that we are just a few hours away and we would see them again. On Sunday January 25 the Durres church had a fellowship meal, and we had the opportunity to say goodbye to many of the church members. Some of the church members have even promised to visit in the summer or on breaks.
On Tuesday January 27th, our van was packed, and we rode with our driver and his brother to Pogradec. There was some snow but mostly rain. The rain was a blessing because it melted the ice and snow clearing the roads. In Pogradec we were met by Xhumert and Dashi, our landlord, both of these men have made our move easier.
Over the course of the next few days we set up the school, and bought supplies. Pogradec is a small town, so we stood out as foreigners. Everywhere we went people asked why we were in Pogradec, and we would explain about the English and Bible classes. Our landlady, Dafina, owns a shop in town and she has taken it upon herself to tell her friends and costumers about the course.
For various reasons work has needed to be done on the front “fence” of the school and one of the bathrooms in the apartment. This has actually brought in students! The electrician has brought his daughter, and the plumber has brought his nephews to enroll in classes.
We are spending our “down” time studying Albanian. Xhumert has volunteered to work as our teacher. It will be very important to improve our Albanian so we will be able to speak with the people of Pogradec and to better relate with our students.
We want to thank everyone who has encouraged us to take this leap of faith. We really appreciate all of you who have kept, and are keeping, this new work in your prayers.
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A Final Durres Sunset |
In Him,
Xhumert and the Morrills