Newsletter January 2005

On the first at midnight the citizens of Pogradec with rockets, mortars, roman candles, sparklers and ground flowers put on a spectacular fire works show. Nothing was organized; people bought their own fireworks and set them off from apartments, homes, or city streets. We went to the city square and were literally surrounded by fireworks and sounds.  It was an exciting night and a must-see!  However, on January 30, 2005 something more spectacular occurred. Xhumert had the privilege of baptizing his wife, Irena, into Christ, definitely more spectacular. 

Irena, who grew up Orthodox, expressed that the Bible and faith were more important than traditions and superstitions, which are a major part of the Orthodox faith.  She made the decision to be baptized, and invited her relatives to witness the event. Two of Irena’s sisters traveled from their village for the baptism. She also had two relatives come from Tushemisht, a village nearby. We were happy that some of her family could attend worship and see a baptism modeled after the biblical example. We hope that this planted some seeds.       

Winter truly began in Pogradec this month. For a city that is know for snow and winter weather, Pogradec had not been living up to the stories. Though we had experienced cold weather (below freezing over night and in the low 40’s during the day) the last week of the month brought our first snowstorm. The city was not accessible from the western parts of Albania without zinxhirë për gomat e makinës (tire chains). Pogradec was by no means hardest hit by the snow, and we still had access to trade routes with Macedonia and Greece, and did not have the food shortages experienced in the north of the country which was totally isolated for several days. We had fewer students this month because of the winter weather, but many of our students are very hearty and took the weather in stride.

In mid-January Allison visited Bukurosha and Magda. Burkurosha is not working right now because it is too cold to be outside selling bananas, but Magda is teaching five days per week. On the weekends she teaches piano, and she teaches music to Rom (gypsy) children at a school near her home. The ladies seem to be doing well and Magda hopes that she will be able to branch out into flute lessons soon.

At the end of the January the Nuros and Morrills went to visit Landro’s family for his 18^th Birthday. This was by no means the first time that either couple had visited this family, but for some reason it was a little different. Landro’s father, who is a professed Muslim, decided to accompany his son to worship the following Sunday. We hope that this can become a habit. 

Attached to this e-mail is a letter about summer campaign and long-term work from the church in Pogradec. We encourage you to read this letter and consider coming here. This is an amazing place, and it will be an experience you will never forget.

The website was updated this month to include pictures from both Idajet’s and Irena’s baptisms. There is also a new picture page called fellowship. If you would like to see these pictures click on this hyperlink: http://www.geocites.com/weipogradec/index.html and then go to the Baptisms and Fellowship link found on the left of the screen.

Prayer Requests:

• Irena Nuro as she begins her walk with Christ
• The church in Pogradec that it will grow and mature in faith and knowledge of the Bible.
• Kandita Hasa that she will continue her walk with Christ and make worship a habit. (She did come to worship once this month, but she still has a long way to go.)

Xhumert and Irena Nuro  January 30, 2005

  His Servants,

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