Ethos on song

We thought you would like to see where our guys are actually staying. So here is the accommodation and eating block. Ann and I have just put our heads in the room Ethos have and well... if you have a son you can imagine what the room after 2 days with 8 guys in it is looking like. I didn't take a photo!



This building holds the main hall on the first floor with sliding screens just as we have at the Kerith Centre, only more modern. The screens are white and magnetic so can be used as white boards and for fixing things to it easily.

Then the volleyball court which was used last night starting at 11pm! with a volleyball tournament between the six churches here. I think they all slept well afterwards.

Last night, Thursday, we had another great time of worship, then Lee spoke on how you can know Jesus for yourself if you do not know him. He also called for a response if one is already a Christian. Nearly all the young people responded openly to what was said. This was followed by praying with the young people for a quite a while.

Here is Arta (Artina) from Korce praying with one of the girls.

This morning, {I almost forgot to tell you that we wake each day to blue sky and warmth, with the mountains close by and the lakeside 200 metres away}, Liam spoke on the Holy Spirit. Here is Zak helping with an illustration.

And here are some of the young people listening to Liam speak. Liam also called for response and we spend time asking the Holy Spirit to come upon all of us. Words of encouragement were spoken to many. This time was followed by another session of workshops. Here is Emily and the girls who were with her.

Hudson and David spoke on worship to a very keen group of guys and girls who for the most part are already involved in worship in their local church. They were all still talking when everyone else had gone for lunch!

Liam and Zac followed their talk on the Holy Spirit by further session on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

This afternoon has been a free time, when some catch up on their sleep, others go for a swim in the lake, yet others walk into Pogradec itself, whilst others build friendships by sitting and talking. Young people and leaders alike are saying what an excellent time they are having. I think wonderful relationships are being built, church leaders with church leaders, young people from one church with others, our relationship with the churches in Albania but above all our personal realtionship with Jesus.

Another worship time this evening and then tomorrow, sadly we will have to pack our bags and be on our way home. We are organising a couple of treats for the team. Roast lamb on the spit with Greek salad with chips for lunch, then a time in a really nice swiming pool. I think they deserve it!

There may just be time for one more blog!

See you soon,

Ken and Ann

Ethos has landed...

in Albania! Here we are at the start of our journey on Tuesday at Gatwick airport. We got all our guitars transported for free, which was great. Then a 3 hour flight to Rinas airport in Albania. Vaso from Edi's church in Korca met us at the airport. A 2 hr journey over the mountains took us to Elbasan where we met Ilir, the church leader and Arjan. Elbasan is the city Ann and I spend most of our time in Albania. We had coffee and a bite to eat and then another 2 hrs to Pogradec arriving about 1am! A long day!


People started arriving on Wednesday morning from the 6 churches represented from all over Albania. Our first session together was in the afternoon followed by our evening meal, spaghetti Bolognaise, and then another worship session which really took off!


Our guys were brilliant to get it together technically when nearly everything they needed was not there on arrival. But the drum kit appeared, so did the microphones, a bass amp and so on. You can see they are a bit cramped for space and it is hot! Worship is in Albanian and English. Hudson has done really well in leading worship with this mixture.



Our guys travelled well, and ate well but sleep was a bit difficult the first night with the heat. But they went for a swim in the lake to cool down. This morning after our worship we had workshops all led by our team. Here is Emily with some of her group. She spoke on Pathways.

And here are Zac and Stuart with some of their group. They led a session on personal evangelism. Lee spoke on "Even though your group is small you can make a big difference" and Hudson on "Worship as a lifestyle". So you can see they are all getting stuck in.

Lastly, for the moment, here are a group from a small church in Librazhd that Ann and I visited in May. They were just starting an Alpha course in a house and they are with us today because we visited them and invited them. Pray it will be life changing for them and for all of us here.

Lots of love, and we will be in touch.

Ken and Ann