Ken and Ann's Blog

Postscript to the Youth Camp

2011-08-09T20:55:00.014+01:00

Vera and Mira, Ida's mother and sister.

Now back home I thought just to round it off I would add a postscript. The team all got home safely and some shared on the Sunday. I believe there will be a brief article about the Youth Camp in our next Link magazine.

On the Sunday I spoke at the Elbasan church who with our help have installed a good screen for worships songs, and we also left with them a computer with song software on as well as the usual programmes. All this adds quality to what they are able to produce and reflects well on them as a local church and on God's Kingdom.

Monday we had coffee with Ilir and Aryana in Elbasan, then followed by lunch with Ilir and Rudina the church leaders, followed by another coffee with Ilir and Donika the leaders from Librazhd followed in the evening with crepes and coffee with Blerim and Rudina whose apartment we rented for the team. You can see Albania is a coffee culture!!

On Tuesday morning we had a call from Besnik (who comes to our church) and Valentina, and whose wedding we attended, saying could they have coffee with us? So at 9 in the morning we were sitting outside the Skampa Theatre talking about their wedding. We mentioned that we were then on our way to Tirana by minibus. A few minutes later Besnik had arranged for a friend Alex, who we met at the wedding and who has been to the Kerith Centre once, to give us a lift to the capital. Alex was driving back to the UK. Alex took us to our hotel in Tirana. We were met there by Berti who took us to his home in Kruje to meet his wife Ema and their 2 children and have lunch together. Berti used to run a small church in Kruje and I wanted to catch up with him. Then back to Tirana by local minibus and on to meet Shaban and Elvira who lead a church in Tirana. After a while with them we went see Xhelal and Vera, the parents of Ida, the Albanian young woman in our church, and her sister Mira. (See photo above) As you may imagine there were hugs all round, and we were treated to Albanian hospitality in the house followed by being taken to a fish restaurant for a wonderful meal.

On Wednesday we met with Peter, a Dutchman, who is working at getting the Freedom in Christ course translated into Albanian. In the evening we met with Ladi and Ornela, Ornela came to the REAL conference last year. They took us out for yet another meal whilst we talked about their gathering of young people from Librazhd who have come to Tirana to the University.

In virtually every conversation we were hearing good feedback about the lives of young people changed at the Youth Camp, and of how we will need 2 Camps next year and ideas as to how this might happen. All very exciting and very challenging as we look forward to next year!

Ken and Ann

Youth Camp, Pogradec

2011-07-31T13:23:00.034+01:00

Our Youth Camp began on Tuesday at lunchtime as the young people arrived from 6 churches in Albania. From Burrel, Lezhe, Tirana, Elbasan, Librazhd and Korca. Our team left Elbasan in good time on Tuesday morning with Ann to be able to greet all those coming. Meanwhile I travelled with Ilir Qelemeni from Librazhd to Rinas Airport to meet Helen Cottee. When we arrived the flight was posted as being 30 minutes late, so we went for lunch . On return it was posted as being 2 hours late. Uhm! Then I had a call from Helen to say she was back at Gatwick! The plane had developed a crack in the windscreen and had turned back to the UK. They were all offloaded, given a meal voucher, had something to eat and then loaded onto a different plane that planned to arrive at 7pm! Life doesn't always go to plan does it? What to do? Ilir and I thought the best thing to do was to go to the beach! Not a bad idea! So off we went and whiled away our time on the sun loungers. They also have like four poster beds on the beach you can hire! An interesting idea! I won't show you the photos. Time soon went and we headed back to the airport to greet a somewhat tired but joyful Helen.

Then on our way, a 4 hour journey, that sadly for Helen was in the dark, so she was unable to see the wonderful mountainous countryside we passed through. At midnight we arrived at the Camp and Helen was united with the girls from our team.

This years Camp was more full on than those previously. Not only were there drama, and leadership sessions in the morning but those really interested could enjoy a further deeper session in the afternoon from our team. This meant their own afternoon free time was much reduced and seldom was the whole team freed up together. Here is a photo from a fun game session led by Tom that all the young people really enjoyed. A quick way to break down any barriers and shyness and get people going!

Robert Cook from Lezhe led the first teaching session and then it was lunch. This has been our biggest Camp to date. 80 the first year, 120 last year and 160 this year. This definitely was pushing the Camp site facilities provided by the Nehemiah Centre to the limits. Lili the administrator tells me how she lies awake at night thinking how she is going to cope with us all! Camps for them are usually for 60 people and again normally for children not teenagers and students. Here are our guys tucking in...

and Amy and Stuart.

Here are some of the youngsters from Korca. You will not be surprised to know that young men can get through quite a lot of food!

Just one of many shots I could give you of the main sessions

We had several drama slots in the sessions. here is one performed by the young people from Tirana where they draw the head, hands and feet of Christ. At the back are a couple of guys who attend a Music Academy in Tirana who sang with voices as you would in opera. They were just amazing to hear, stunning in fact. That coupled with what was drawn had huge impact and was loudly applauded.

Liam led a couple of excellent sessions on the Holy Spirit and on Relationships. Both occasions led to people being prayed for. I know several have become Christians and others have definitely had their lives changed.

Amy praying with some of the girls

Here is a shot of Helen and Matt in a worship session with our band.

There were break sessions when many played volleyball, which is the most popular sport in Albania.

One of the great things about the Camp is hearing peoples stories. This is Elona from Lezhe in the north of Albania. When she told me her story my heart went out to her. Having finished her exams she wanted to study course 174, Law in Tirana, not far from here home. Her teacher by mistake wrote 147! She is now in Gjirokaster, in the south of Albania studying Information Technology! At times like this it is helpful to believe in the sovereignty of God.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday flew by! Helen felt she had been there ages though it had only been days. Sadly all too soon we had to say some farewells after the last session on Friday night.

Group photos a plenty were taken, e-mail addresses and facebook contacts made. And Saturday morning saw our guys with bags packed in good time ready for their minibus to arrive and take them back to the airport.

But leaving after such a brilliant time is never a short business, certainly not in Albania, so there were hugs all round again before the team were on their way.

No sooner had our team left than Tamara's parents from Skopje, Macedonia arrived to take her home. Some of you will know Marija and Tamara who came to the Ladies REAL Conference. They, and Tamara, were delighted that Tamara was able to be with us and knowing Tamara she talked about the Camp the whole way home!!

By the time you read this the team will be back in Bracknell, recovering from a wonderfully effective week serving the purposes of God.

Ann and I stay on another 6 days, speaking at church in Elbasan this morning and then seeing leaders from 4 churches and some new people we haven't met before in Tirana. Next year there will definitely have to be 2 Camps as the Nehemiah site, and it is the biggest Camp in Albania, is not big enough to hold anymore. Exciting! Lots of love...

e papershkrueshme...

2011-07-26T09:01:00.019+01:00

I thought it was time for another Albanian lesson! This means "indescribable" in a good way! Yesterday after a chill out session at the local swimming pool, we all travelled 30 minutes to the town of Librazhd to hold a Concert in their Culture Centre. Here are some of the guys in front of the poster advertising the concert in Elbasan.

Here are Becca, Natalie and Amy. If you wonder how we do all our travelling then it is this minibus with Elmaz our driver. He collected us from the airport and takes us where ever we need to go.

Flori was with us for the Librazhd Concert in fact he starts us off. He sings "seranade Korcare", Korca (the city he comes from) love songs. these are known through Albania and everyone joins in so you are guaranteed audience participation from the start. Then he goes on to sing Christian songs in his style which always is greeted with huge appreciation. He raises the atmosphere right from the off! Then Matt and the band step on stage and take it from there.

Here are Matt and the guys. The audience in Librazhd just like last year is different from Elbasan. It is is virtually totally young people 13-22 say and all engaged with what is going on. The noise of the response from clapping, cheering is very loud!

Again this was followed by Liam who last night had at least 20 people respond to what he said. Liam said he felt totally in his element with such a crowd and it showed.

Here is Donika talking to a couple of the girls afterwards. Donika and Ilir lead the church here.

Liam was amazed to see so many people out on the street in the evening and for a a guy who likes to reach people this was a wonderful sight.

There were so many young people at the Concert one cannot help but think nearly all the youth of Librazhd will hear ab out this if they don't already know. Several of them said they would like to come to Camp with us, but it is not possible. I got a call during the Concert to say the Camp is full, full, full! We really cannot take any more , we have no where to sleep them!!

Now this morning after breakfast it was time to move on again, now to the Camp in Pogradec several hundred feet higher up, so cooler and next to Lake Ohrid.

Here we are loading up and time for a few last photos before the journey

and I travel back to the airport to meet Helen Cottee. Lots of love from us all and thank you for your prayers! Next blog will be from the Camp..

Back in Albania...

2011-07-25T12:24:00.045+01:00

After a good journey to Gatwick last Friday morning, kindly taken there by Karen Mehta, we checked in our not inconsiderable luggage including 4 guitars, a keyboard and two pedal boards, just had time to have some breakfast before getting on board our BA flight to Tirana.

On arrival we were met by Elmaz who met us last year and he brought us straight to Elbasan in his minibus. Robert Cook was also there and the mixing desk from his church was also loaded on board. This time we were travelling in daylight, so much better, as BA have changed their flight times. Over the mountains then to Elbasan, to the same apartment we had last year for our guys and then our girls and Ann and me were taken to our hotel. By now it was early evening and everyone was really hungry so off to the Real Skampis where we had our first meal. This restaurant is inside the walls of an old Turkish fort.

As a free starter we were given the Albanian version of spinach pie, cream cheese and spinach in layers of filo pastry. This is when we begin to learn from the team who doesn't like cheese, and then who doesn't like tomato and so on. The meal ended with plates of watermelon, melon and grapes. Very refreshing in the heat.

However the menu is extensive enough with pasta, pizza, risotto, salads, chips and meat for everyone to eat their fill.

This shows part of the walls of the fort and gives an idea of the setting. Some of the team of course eat anything that is going, and Sam is one of them! Sam will not go hungry! It takes really energy to play drums you know!

Saturday morning gave time for us to sort our selves and then prepare for the Concert in the Skampa Theatre. We met with Elsa again who took Matt, Stuart, Anna and Dave to the local radio station Radio Kleo, to do a live broadcast. Flori from Korca arrived in the afternoon. You may recall that Flori came second in the Albania has got talent TV show here. So it makes him pretty famous in Albania. Some people recognize him in the street! Elsa gave the introductions then Flori started the Concert and this was followed by our band. Here is Matt and the guys doing their stuff!

They were followed by Liam who had arrived only an hour or so beforehand coming straight from the airport. He gave a powerful talk involving the whole audience, and 2 guys in particular. He asked then "Had they ever lied?" and then What does this make them feel? and Do they like this? This led to God's plan to deal with this. Liam was very clear, good with the people and challenging all at the same time.

This photo shows you that watermelons are in! By the truck load.

Then on Sunday the team went to the Elbasan church where Liam spoke and the band played. Ann and I went to the nearby village of Hotolisht to attend the wedding of Valentina to Besnik. Besnik comes regularly to our church and Valentina was at our Ladies REAL conference in July. This is Besnik and Valentina with Ann and myself. There were something like 350 guests to this second day of the wedding. Yesterday was the Bride's day now it was the turn of all of Besnik's family and friends and people from the village to celebrate. There was music and dancing from 12 noon until about 5.30, 2 tables at a time taking it in turn to lead the dancing. Yes I had to get on my feet and join in! It is like Greek dancing all linking hands and going round in a circle. Besnik and Valentina have to stand most of the time and eat very little as they are standing to honour all those who have come. During the dancing people are giving and throwing money, paper money, at the lead dancer! This is collected off the floor by young boys who give the money to the band. As it is a village we were told that the music and dancing was very traditional. It certainly was very noisy and everyone was involved. I can see how just like Biblical times one could run out of food and wine!

Towards the end then Besnik and Valentina are hoisted on friends shoulders and dance round in a circle. Finally, finally the couple leave but not to go on honeymoon! I think Besnik and Valentina will be at the Concert we are giving in Librazhd tonight, Monday!

I leave you with a picture of us at the wedding!

Lunch now and then get ready for us all to go to Librazhd for this evening! And tomorrow the guys all go off to Pogradec to the Youth Camp and I will go and meet Helen Cottee at the airport. Hope you like the heat Helen!

Shoffing, shopping and farewells...

2011-04-20T14:43:00.012+01:00

As Monday would be Lydia's last full day in Elbasan and Albania Lydia had a look at some of the sights of Elbasan. We went to the Ethnographic Museum, which sounds a bit dry, but is in fact a wonderful old Ottoman house that would have been lived in by a wealthy family. The ground floor was used for making crafts such as weaving carpets or clothes as on this loom.

The house has several large rooms on the first floor, a mans room, the womens room, the main bedroom and also this large airy balcony where the family would sit out during the summer heat.

This beautiful silk blouse with silver thread patterns is one of the many items on display. It is every bit as beautiful as it looks and is very fine to feel.

This baby's cradle indicates you are in the womens room with low seating all round the room as you can see behind the cradle.

Here are Lydia and Ann looking out from the balcony. They both thought they could happily own a house like this as a summer residence!

I should have reaslised from the outset that with 2 women there would bound to be some (a lot)of shoffing and shopping! Shoffing is the Albanian word for window shopping.

Lydia and Ann would disappear only to be found in yet another bag/shoe/jewellery/clothes shop. Here we are in a coffee shop, selling ground coffee, that only opened that morning! We were offered a cup of Turkish coffee each, to taste the coffee, before we duly bought some at a fraction of the cost in the UK. The young woman serving us had just returned from 4 years in Campden, London.

The evening was spent having a wonderful meal at the home of Ilir and Rudina and their 3 daughters. We talked and talked as Rudina and Ilir prepared the meal.

Sadly time comes for farewells, and after the meal Lydia said her goodbyes and away we returned to our apartment. A sound nights sleep, if one is not woken by the call to prayer at 5.20 am from the mosque next to the apartment, and then time for Lydia to pack her bags and us get the furgon for Tirana. Shaban, ever graciously, met us in Tirana and took us to the airport. Here we meet with Robert Cook from Lezhe also returning to the UK to see his parents over Easter. We all had lunch together and caught up on news and then it was time for us to say goodbye to Lydia and express our real heartfelt thanks for her coming to Albania. I know Lydia has made many friends here already even in so short a time.

For us, then back the way we came over the mountains to Elbasan with another exciting week ahead of us.

Love to you all,

Ken and Ann

Another full day

2011-04-17T21:02:00.007+01:00

Sunday morning saw us at the church we go to in Elbasan. Lydia spent time with the children whilst I spoke with the rest of the church. Here are Ann, Lydia, Keta and Rudina. Rudina with her husband Ilir lead the church. We have invited Rudina to the Ladies REAL conference at Bracknell in July. Keta is studying at university in Elbasan and came to the first Alpha course the church ran that started last November. Keta and 3 of her friends became followers of Jesus through the course and are now involved in the life of the church. You have seen the room they use at present in yesterday's blog when Robert was speaking. Their building is a work in progress! Here is what will become the main hall. All four walls are up and the roof on! The rest will come. The church building in Elbasan is already something of a centre that other churches gather to because of the city's strategic position and the quality of the building they have. We are helping to equip their kitchens. After the meeting we headed here for coffee. This is known as Skampini which is a restaurant and coffee bar and hotel inside the old walls of the original Turkish fort built on this site. It is stunningly attractive especially when all the flowers are in full colour and it is decked out for a wedding! This afternoon Lydia and Ann met for 2 hours with six ladies from the church who are involved in the Children's ministry. Lydia has the photos of them all together. From what I hear it was a very worthwhile and enjoyable time that left Lydia excited at the prospect of all that could happen. Then a walk through town to the home of Beni and Bardha who now have 2 children, Joel and Jeremiah who was born on 30th December last year. Some of you may remember Bardha who came last year to the REAL conference. Another wonderful Albanian meal and now to the Internet Cafe to write this up and bring another busy day to an end at now 10.25

Back in Albania

2011-04-16T13:45:00.031+01:00

Lydia Harris Lane who heads the 0-5's in our church, Ann and I flew into Albania last Wednesday afternoon. We were met by Shaban Hoxha who leads a church in Tirane the capital. He took us to our hotel. Some of you will know we have some Albanians in our church including Ida. The very first thing we then wanted to do was to see Ida's parents, Ida's mum is above, and give our greetings to them from Ida. Ida has not seen her parents in the flesh for 7 years. So giving our greetings and talking with them and telling them about their precious daughter is an emotional and wonderful time. After talking a while they invited us out to a meal with Ida's sister Mira. Here is Ann and Mira, below. The restaurant was like a very large English pub that served a huge arrange of different meats. We had a wonderful meal and time together. Lydia had a brilliant introduction to Albania! After breakfast on Thursday we then went to see the work that Shaban and his wife Elvira have with Roma children. It is a simple school where local children are taught to read and write and play together all preparing them for State school. Whilst they should all go to State school most schools shun them, indeed refuse to have them and so they are marginalised from the outset. Teaching them the basics means they will be accepted at school and into the larger society. Here is a lad playing a recorder. Many Roma are musical. The music scale he uses is completely different from ours though. As soon as he plays the kids want to dance! Some of the class. Ann with the Roma lady who leads the class... and Lydia with a number of the children. The girl who Lydia has her arm round came to our Youth Camp last year. This was an enormous thing for this girl. To go to a normal young peoples event outside of her home town was just unbelievable for her! Our visit to these Roma children was a very moving time. Lydia is well used to seeing the poverty and very basic conditions found in her home country of South Africa, but this is Europe and it came as a bit of a surprise. Thursday afternoon saw us catch the furgon (minibus) for the 90 minute ride over the mountains to Elbasan. You can see the snow still on the surrounding mountain tops. Beautiful. And the main street of Elbasan, Boulevard Qemel Stafa. No sooner had we unpacked in our apartment we set off to see the people at the second Alpha course that the church we go to in Elbasan is running. Over 30 people were there. Some were from the church and attending the course others were completely new friends who had come along. There was a very good atmosphere and excellent for us to meet people who we know as friends. Then onto see a family Ann and I know and greet them and their daughters. Lydia was introduced to the obligatory Turkish coffee and glass of raki! Friday morning we took Lydia to see the local market, pazaar, and have coffee. In the afternoon there was a Word Plus teaching time to the leaders of the 6 Newfrontiers churches in Albania when Robert from Lezhe and I spoke. When this had finished Lydia had chance to meet 2 of the Children's workers from Edi and Artina's church in Korca. Here they are having a good talk whilst music and Albanian style dancing is going on in the background. We had more teaching sessions this morning, Saturday, when Robert, Edi from Korca and I spoke followed by lunch of guess what?! This was just part of the 35 large pizzas we got through! Another session from me and Robert and then we were finished this Word Plus training . Ann and Lydia are now on their way to Librazhd with Ilir Qelemeni, as I write this, to meet with the girls there who run their Children's work. Then tomorrow Lydia will see the Children's work here in Elbasan and in the evening meet all the Children's Ministry workers. Below is a photo of Robert speaking to some of the 35 people at the training sessions. We brought out a projector that has already been put to good use and a MP3 recorder to record all the teaching that then can be made available to everyone. As I write this I reflect on what a full and exciting time it has already been and there is more to come. Love from Ann, Lydia and me.

Varazdin, Hrvatska

2011-03-29T12:38:00.057+01:00

I have just returned from a wonderful weekend visiting a small church in the town of Varazdin, Croatia. I travelled with Martyn Dunsford from Hedge End, Southampton and Sean Green from Reading. Some of you will remember Sean who was part of our church until he planted a church almost 10 years ago in Reading that has grown successfully.

It was my first visit to Croatia, Hrvatska in Croatian, and what a joy it has been. We were treated and fed like royalty the whole time. The church is led by Zdenko and Ivanova, above, who had arranged evangelistic meetings on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday morning. Here is the poster advertising the meetings that caused us to smile with Martyn's name changed to suit Croatian...Martinom Dunsfordom! Svjetlo Svijeta means Light of the World, the name of the church.

The church hire this room for their regular meetings. It is very nice, modern bright and fully equipped. Here is Sean speaking on the Saturday evening with Ivanova translating. Sean spoke about how he became a Christian, of God's love for us and price Jesus has paid for us. Many people responded to what he said and Sean prayed with them.

Martyn spoke on the Friday evening about the unique Jesus. Then on the Saturday morning Zdenko and Ivanova showed us round their town. Varazdin used to be the capital city of Croatia and has many fine Baroque buildings. Here are 4 of us, Sean, Zdenko, Martyn and Ivanova.

My blog would not be complete without giving you some idea of what we ate and drank! Restaurants and cafes were very stylish as indicated by this cup of tea I am about to have. Croats are a Slav people and I know they serve wonderful soups, but here was a treat I had not had before. Horseradish and nettle soup with a drop of green olive oil! It was wonderful, far better tasting then the name might suggest.

Our Saturday lunch table at a local restaurant heaved with food including this dish. Potatoes bottom left, then beef stew with mushrooms, then turkey topped with cheese, a few vegetables and then beef topped with goose livers! There were 2 dishes like this for 6 of us. Another treat cooked for us by Zdenko's mother Melita, was this squid risotto made with the ink from the squid which gives it the dark colour.

And the Sunday evening meal in Zdenko and Ivanova's house began with this tray of antipasti. A hard cheese like Parmesan, home made sausage made by Zdenko's father Robert and then prosciutto.

All washed down with coffee with cream!! It is definitely back to the diet after a weekend like this!

Sunday morning saw us in a neighbouring town where they hold meetings and again Martyn spoke before we prayed for the church members individually. The whole weekend was spent getting to know this young couple, their parents Robert and Melita and the people they are gathering. Their worship was vibrant and lively and one could sence a good spirit amongst them and most importantly God's Spirit moving in them. Questions were being asked back and forth the whole tme as we got to know one another and began building a relationship that we look to continue. All this relationship building was done over seemingly countless wonderful meals we enjoyed and many cups of coffee. What a joy and a privilege to be in Croatia and be involved in the life of this fledgling church.

Sevastopol continued

2011-01-28T14:51:00.025Z

I mentioned in the previous blog that we went to a Tatar church in Simferopol. Well here are the photos at last! This is Martyn Dunsford on the right, from Hedge End, Southampton with the leader of the church. It is their custom to wear traditional dress if they speak or are involved in the worship. The 14 year old girl in blue, below, danced during the worship.

Here are some of the other youngsters who were in the meeting.

On returning from Simferopol we headed straight for McDonald's! We loved it!

, After a full day on Sunday I had an opportunity on Monday morning to write a blog at an Internet cafe then see some of Sevastopol. It was bitterly cold and everyone is well wrapped up. Full length coats to within a few inches of the ground are common, as are fur coats with fur hoods. Part of the Russian fleet is based here.

And reminders of the liberation of Sevastopol from the Germans in the 2nd World War are to be seen in several places.

Since the fall of communism, consumerism has grown apace. Here is a supermarket similar say to Asda, in a shopping mall that we walked through. Warmer than being outside!

We have the inevitable meetings. Here we are on Tuesday morning with Sergei the leader of the Sevastopol church in his church office in the basement of his home. Alexander, in the middle, is our main translator. Very few people we met spoke English other than to say "Good morning" or "God is good all the time!" Still, what Russian do I know? Sputnik, bistro, cosmonaut, czar, dobra utro (good morning) and vodka! Note the box of chocolates on the table!

During our meeting I had opportunity to talk about our church in particular our youth and children's work. This was followed by a superb lunch provided by Sergei's wife. The salmon roe on bread as the starter below, caught my eye! The round black things are not small plums but olives! The biggest I have ever seen. This was followed by creamed mashed potato with big chunks of beef, grated cabbage with sour cream, gherkins etc. Wonderful!

Then off to Balaklava, the place of the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade. If you love your history it is a great place to be to bring to life the Crimean War 1854-56. We pass through Inkerman on the way to Sevastopol. It was because of the many British deaths through frostbite and illness that Florence Nightingale came, the Medical Corps was established, the first prefabricated hospital was built by Brunel and the first hospital train was run.

But we had come to Balaklava see Michael and his wife who are the leaders of a church and run a mobile phone shop to provide an income.

Now it was getting dark and it was time to return to our apartment followed by an evening meeting with the Sevastopol church. Again, wonderful worship with God evidently present.

Then to bed and up at 3.30 am for the start of our journey through the flat, snow covered Crimean countryside to our flight from Simferopol to Kiev and then home. What a privilege to see and hear of God on the move in another country!

Ken

Republic of Krim

2011-01-24T08:07:00.009Z

Oh the joys of writing a blog in an internet cafe here in Sevastopol! All instructions on screen come up in Russian so if I get anything wrong, like having no photos, then you know why!
I flew out on Saturday afternoon with Martyn Dunsford and a colleague of his, Martin, both from Hedge End to Kiev capital of the Ukraine. We went via Vienna. On the first leg of the journey I was seated next to 2 women schoolteachers from Kosovo, so they were Albanian speaking.
We arrived after 11pm and then by taxi straight to our hotel where we tried to get some sleep for 4 hours before waking at 4am to sort ourselves before catching an early morning flight with the Germen Wizz air to Simferopol the capital of the Crimea region. We call it the Crimea, and people here call it the Republic of Krim.
It was all go. Met at the airport, we then travelled by car with Adrain Birks from Woking to Sevastopol the main sea port in the Ukraine that the Russians use as a navy base. The people in the Crimea are all Russian speaking. This was all part of Stalin and other communist leaders plan to keep the Crimea with its ports and access to the Black Sea and then the Mediterranean under Russian control.
We went straight straight into a morning meeting held in a theatre hired from the local council. I had been here once before, 4 years ago. The worship was as wonderful now as then! Whilst everything is sung and spoken in Russian, when they sing their own Russian songs there is something special rather more than when they sing the songs we know that have been translated from English. Martyn spoke on the grace of God and then prayed for many people to be healed.
We left straightaway to be whisked away back to Simferopol for a meeting there.
The plans are not always clear rather one has to be happy with "going with the flow". We arrived in Simferopol and got into a lift to to a flat for a lunch before the meeting. The lift doors locked closed and the lights went out and we didn't move! I thought it was a power outage, a fairly common thing in some countries, but no. The power didn't come on and we were stuck in the lift, 5 of us like sardines in a can. It was a jam and none of us are small! In the movies James Bond forces open the doors with his fingers. We tried that but they were well and truly locked shut. Pitch black and all crammmed together remember, and one of the guys said he wanted the toilet! Fortunately our Russian driver was with us and he could read the emergency notice and phone for help. 5 minutes they said. It was a long 5 minutes. In fact it weas a lot longer. We phoned again. 5 minutes they said again! They we heard a voice in English with a South African accent. "I used to work with the Christan organisation Open Doors, he said, "but I don't work with them anymore!" We laughed. Fortunately the engineer did turn up and we were released from our "prison"
This was follwed by a wonderful lunch of what I have come to know as Slavic food. Grated cabbage, onion and cucumber with sour cream, grated carrot and other vegetables etc and then meat in small pastry parcels. I like it. The family who hosted us are the leaders of the church Yuri aand Vika. They are Tartars and gather a Tatar church. Now I wish I could up load the photos! It is their custom for their singers and the preacher to wear Tatar costume. And when worship started a 14 yr old girl dressed in her costume started to dance. Worship was in Tatar which is written in a version of the Russian alphabet. God was evidently present. Martyn dressed in a Tatar robe, preached, then again we prayed and prophesied over the leaders of the church and the people.
Yuri told us of a remarkable story how God has started a revival in a Tatar village. A Tatar lady was in hospital due to give birth to her 6th child by Caesarian. They gave her too much anasthetic and she went into a coma. They tried to revive her and in so doing broke 2 of her ribs that then pierced her lung. They started to fill with blood. By now they had put her on a life support machine. Still in her coma she saw a man with a long white beard and white hair come to her and tell her not to fear for she would be healed. She came round and began to disconnect herself from the life support machine. The nurses were horrified and said "What are doing? They said if you ever leave here alive it will only ever be with you on a life support system. She began to be afraid again. But once more the man with the white hair came to her and said "Don't be afraid you will be healed. She said this to the nurses who thought that she was losing here mind. Then some Russian people went by the end of the room one of them with an icon like picture of Jesus. She saw it and said that is the man who said he would heal me. At that moment she realised that it was Jesus who had come to her and she believed Him and was healed.
She also prayed for her a son of hers to be healed who had a physical disability and had never walked. He moved about shuffling on his bottom which caused him pain and many sores. In the night at home, the father heard a noise outside his bedroom of footsteps and wondered who it could be. It was his son who had never walked now walking! Just amazing what God does!
As a result the whole family have become Christians and 20 other families in the village have become Christains too. I wish you could have been there to hear it being told first hand and to meet the people. God is doing something remarkable with them.
I look forward with anticipation to the next couple of days.
Ken

Skopje and 490 Christian Centre

2010-11-15T10:21:00.013Z

On Friday evening the 490 Christian centre runs a bible training school that Marija teaches at. Here is Marija with a couple of the students Trieche and Oliver.

Saturday morning saw me on a walking tour of Skopje with Aleksander. First to the main Orthodox church and then onto the old fortress walls called Kale, with the river Varder in front of it.

We walked through the old part of the town that was built in the Ottoman period and now is the home to the small stalls and markets like any souk or bazaar and sells amongst many things unusually for nowadays real fur coats and jackets. Then having toured the castle walls we walked through the town centre in warm autumn sunshine to the old railway Station where the clock stopped at 5.17 pm on 26th July 1963 when a major earthquake shook Skopje. Over 1,000 people died and over 200,000 were made homeless. The Railway building was never repaired and stands now as a museum.

We stopped for a much needed coffee along the way as many others were doing too.

Where we were was right next to the Mother Teresa monument house. She was born here in Skopje. The architecture of the house is strange to say the least and has been built it seems to me like a almost a idol to her.

Then onto a wonderful meal at Aleksander and Elena's home, where we caught up on the news of each other. This is when I really wished that Ann was with me as Elena really enjoys Ann's company.

Sunday morning saw us getting a taxi to the 490 Christian Centre church who hold their meetings in a rented hall with theatre style seating. The preacher was a visiting Kosovo Albanian from Gjakove! (the 490 comes from How many times must I forgive my brother? 70x70). Then for a fish a chip lunch Macedonian style. A wonderful big salad followed by chunky chips, not french fries, which is what you find nearly everywhere here, followed by the fresh fish excellently cooked.

After a brief respite it was off again to Naomi's, the 4 yr old daughter, birthday party in a nearby hall. It was all kitted out as these places are with the music and games and food to suit the children whilst the parents sat in a side room in quieter surroundings and fed good Macedonian fare. There I had chance to talk to Zoran, one of the church leaders, and hear about the history and leadership structure of the church.

Time to move on this time to "Glasnost", their youth church; but not really youth rather 18-28's. What started as a youth church has of course grown older! This operates quite separately it seems from the main church and is planting churches in other parts of Macedonia. An interesting chat with one of the leaders Alpin, afterwards over kebabs was called for until late. Then home and to bed.

Now time on Monday morning to write up this blog, post some cards to my family, pack my case and in a few minutes they will come to take me away! To the Aleksander the Great Airport and home via Budapest. So interesting to see how God is yet again at work in a very different culture from home. Lets see what doors God will open from these last two and a half weeks in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.

Ken

Добредојдовте во Скопје

2010-11-12T13:17:00.013Z

Yes it's confusing isn't it? It actually says "Welcome to Skopje" in Macedonian. I could also have entitled this page as How time flies! Wednesday morning saw Lee and Tom up in good time for Shpendi to take them down town to the local bus station to get the bus to Pristina, the capital. Then a taxi ride would take them to the airport for the British Airways flight home. I know they got there alright as Lee sent me a text to that effect. And now they will have had a couple of nights in their own beds. Always a wonderful feeling!

I spent a time out day walking round Skopje looking at the sites as described in the Bradt guide, the only guide I know that has a book wholly devoted to Kosovo. I like to do this as it feeds me history, what has changed, how people dress, what they eat and a clue as to what goes on in their culture.

In the evening Liridoni, Shpendi's brother had his future mother in law call round with his fiancee Fitore and her sister. Below is a photo of Fitore, Shpendi, his wife Linda and Shpendi's sister Liradona.

It was so interesting to see what happened. It was just like home! Shpendi's wife Linda and his sister Liradona set too and cleaned the place from top to toe, the floor, the kitchen, we were moved off the settee so it could be straightened etc. This was obviously an important occasion. I later learned they had also come to see me, the Englishman. They told me that only ten years ago just before the Kosovo war, the men and women would have sat in separate rooms Turkish and Muslim style but the war changed all that.

Now it was my turn on Thursday to pack my case, say my farewells and go to the bus station after a very worthwhile time with Shpeni and Linda. At the bus station there is minimal information available to the traveller so it is important to keep ones wits about you. Bus stop 6, my bus stop, would either take me east 3.5 hours to Skopje, Macedonia or west 3.5 hours to Ulcinj in Montenegro. Lesson....get on the right bus!

We left on time in a comfortable modern bus, soon climbing into the mountains. Vines and orange orchards were quickly replaced with roadside stalls piled high with leeks and winter cabbages. Snow had already settled on the mountain tops. One brief "comfort break" and then onto the Macedonian border. I won't describe or show you a photo of the "comfort break". It could put you off international travel for life. Lets just say Ann would not have enjoyed it.

And then over the border having had my passport duly stamped and the bus searched by customs. Over the border into a totally different alphabet and language, which I cannot read apart from a few words, and into Slav culture which is very different from Albanian culture. Importantly Marija was there to great me at the bus station and then taxi to their home. Marija came to our Ladies REAL Conference.

Sasha and Marija have three children. Their youngest daughter Naomi aged 4, wanted to know if Uncle Ken had got his pyjamas with him. If I had then obviously I am staying the night. They were so excited to see me. They reminded me of my own grandchildren. Luka aged 4 wanted me to play football in the house with him, a soft ball of course and look at his model cars. It was great. After something to eat, and in Slav culture that means soup to start, I was then put on a bus, told how the ticket system works and packed off to the other side of the city where I was assured I would be met at the final bus stop to go to a Lifegroup meeting. And true enough there was Aleskander, the first Macedonian I had met some 3 years ago in Struga, now waiting for me. Aleksander and his wife Elena have kept in contact with Ann and me since then.

Life group was excellent. They like us went through the previous weeks sermon, theirs had been part of a series on the grace of God, and the leader Nikola wanted us to tell examples of God's grace in our lives and to give actual examples where we had known God humbling us as we had learnt humility from Christ. Here is Nikola and Maya who led the group.

And three of the guys and the wonderful pear soft drink Gasosa I have had.

The biscuits, crisps, fruit, drinks could have been served at any one of our groups. Fortunately there was a taxi driver in the Lifegroup and he took me home. Finding the way home from the bus stop in the dark would have been fun!

A nights rest and then this morning we travelled across town to see the work the church does amongst Roma children. Skopje has the largest Roma community on the world 50-70,000. Having heard and read about it I was nothing like as daunting as I thought it might be and doesn't compare size wise with say Garbage City in Cairo.

I was impressed with the facility the church has here standing on land bought for them by an American Assemblies of God church. They run a preschool and a soup kitchen. The preschool is bright, colourful with clearly dedicated staff and all the equipment one would want. All they get taught alphabet, counting, numbers etc is linked in one way or another to the Bible. Because they teach values like kindness, patience, helping each other, orderliness, in addition to helping clothe and feed them the local schools snap up these children when it is time for them to move on to infant school.

Other children who are in need of food are feed Monday to Friday at their soup kitchen that is in the same large building. This is run by Tom the pastor of the church here with volunteer help including a young woman from Virginia, USA. They are given a huge chunk of bread and a bowl of soup and a coke like drink. They sing a worship song, shout it would be a better description, but brilliant to hear, have a brief prayer then tuck in. Tom is clearly the man for the job and has everyones respect. Children who need food for the weekend are given some after the Friday session.

Photos of the childrens work were taken by one of the church members rather than me and will be sent me later. Now tomorrow, Saturday I get a personal guided tour of Skopje with Aleksander and then a meal cooked for me us by Elena. I look forward to it!

Ken

Prizren

2010-11-09T11:32:00.021Z

Well here is Lee and Tom in the centre of Prizren this morning, Tuesday.

Historically there were many trades carried on in Prizren and some of them like this one, a metal worker, still continue.

There are 3 languages in use in Prizren, Albanian, Serbian and Turkish.

This is what we had for breakfast.

Lee and Tom with Shpendi outside the family home.

We had coffee out first thing this morning Tuesday, then returned home to a breakfast cooked by Shpendi's mother. It was a pancake mixture dropped into hot fat, cooked and then folded in half and eaten with jam or honey. It was like a light fluffy pancake. We had several of these!! We talked all last evening and over coffee this morning about the Youth Camp and how church life is for them in this city that has a very strong Turkish influence. This is seen not only in the number of mosques, over 25 in Prizren, but also in the amount of rebuilding that is Turkish financed and the amount of Turkish spoken on the street. Already I feel that we have achieved a great deal and that our friendship is growing. I won't give the details here but our journey with all the problems at the border has proved worthwhile. It is just so good to travel with Lee and Tom, and to have their contributions. It has proved completely appropriate and worthwhile to have Lee as Youth Pastor travel with me. He naturally develops his own relationships with people and is a key person when so many of the churches we meet have a high percentage of youth.

Please keep praying for Lee and Tom as their time here draws to a close and they travel home tomorrow. I am here another day and then travel onto Skopje by bus to see Aleksander and Elena and Marija and their church. The church here needs your prayer too as yet again I hear the calls of the muezzins from the mosques. All our love,

Ken

Sunday in Elbasan and onto Prizren, Kosovo

2010-11-06T13:04:00.025Z

On Sunday morning most of the church from Librazhd travelled the 25 minutes to Elbasan to join us there. I brought a message to the people and then spoke to the leaders of the Librazhd church and their people about being part of Newfrontiers. Here is a photo of Ladi and Ornela, Ilir and Donika and Samuel, the leaders in Librazhd. Some of you will remember that Ornela and Donika came to the Ladies Real conference and that Ilir and Donika came to the Willow Creek DVD Conference. Below the photo shows some of the Librazhd folks in the Elbasan building whose ground floor meeting hall is nearing completion.

Monday morning early saw us catching a furgon from Elbasan to travel over the mountains to Tirane, the capital of Albania. So it is goodbye to Elbasan from us until next Spring. In Tirane we were met by Shaban at the furgon "terminal". Actually they just drop you off in the street near a building called the Pyramid because of its shape. Then all aboard Shaban's car heading for Prizren in Kosovo. This entails driving along a wonderful new piece of road from Milot, a few miles from Tirane, past Kukes to the Albania/Kosovo border, and thereby making the journey much shorter. The journey to Kosovo was usually by an overnight bus leaving at 10pm and arriving in Prizren at 4am. It never appealed to me! One Albanian church leader who did the journey was picked up in Prizren by the Kosovon Police wanting to know why he was roaming the streets at 4am. You can imagine Ann liking that can't you?

All went well until we reached to Kosovo entry border, when the Police would not let Shaban enter Kosovo. Albanians have an Identity Card and they travel across borders with that but they were clearly unhappy with Shabans and I don't know why. In the end we had to say cheerio to Shaban at the border and walk through the crossing to a nearby taxi. We called Shpendi our friend in Prizren, and took the taxi to the bus station in Prizren, where Shpendi and his wife Linda met us. They have brought us to the family home, a four storey house on the outskirts of Prizren. Now that means mum and dad, his brother and his brothers wife, they and their 2 children and sister live altogether under one roof.

We have been introduced to all the family, photos to follow, and had our lunch of local sausage, chips and salad. Now we are swapping stories and getting ready to eat again. Here is just a bit of background that will interest some of you.

The history of Kosovo needs a book in itself. Let's just say that Prizren pretty well escaped damage in the 1989-1999 war, but when the Albanians returned in 1999 a considerable number of Serbian homes were looted and burnt. Prizren suffered the most material damage in the riots of March 2004 with 55 houses and and 8 Orthodox sites damaged. Many of the these houses remain burnt out shells. Kosovo declared Independence from Serbia on 17th February 2008. To help maintain security and order there are KFOR soldiers (Kosovon Forces) , mainly American, British, German round Prizren, Italian and French troops who patrol, though this is low key.

However, many would say that Prizren is the jewel in the crown of Kosovo from an architectural point of view. It has the highest number of preserved Ottoman buildings with their upper storeys jutting out into the narrow cobbled streets. Prizren is the only municipality in Europe outside of Turkey where Turkish is an official language, a hangover from the Ottoman Empire. So many road signs are in 3 languages, Albanian, Serbian and Turkish. The town has 200,000 people and has a high youth population. Schools operate 3 shifts a day with up to 50 in a class.

Tomorrow we will talk more with Shpendi and Linda and go into Prizren and see some of the sites. Love from Lee and Tom and me.

onto Pogradec and the 2011 Youth Camp

2010-11-05T18:45:00.011Z

After Wednesday and Thursday afternoons in Librazhd with their youth, today it was all aboard a furgon, minibus, for a 90 minute ride to Pogradec by Lake Ohrid. This is the city where we hold the Youth Camp. And what more could you ask for? Here it is the first week of November and the temperature is 21-22C and dead calm. The mountains of Macedonia are in the background.

You can see Lee is in his short sleeve T shirt!

I nearly always take time to speak to young people like these teenagers we met by the lakeside. It improves my Albanian and you never know what friends you will make or how God will use the conversation.

Autumn is coming though and this tree was a magnificent sight against the cloudless blue sky. God is a wonderful creator. Lili the administrator greeted us at the Nehemiah Centre and showed us the new building they have finished that we will be able to use next year. It will provide bedroom space, showers, break out rooms and has a wonderfully equipped kitchen and dining room that comfortably seats over 100. Here are just a handful of the 300 children and teenagers they teach at the school, having their lunch.

And the photo below shows part of the new kitchens. The Centre is German owned and all the doors, windows down to the kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery etc come by truck from Germany. The kitchen staff had a German lady train them for 2 weeks on how to use the new equipment!!

Now here is a photo Ann, who is at home in Bracknell, is waiting to see. Edi and Artina (Arta) with their first baby, Michael who was born in September. Edi and Arta lead a church in Korca. They had travelled from Korca to meet us and see the new facilities at the Nehemiah Centre and talk through some of the plans for next years Youth Camp.

And here is Lili, the administrator, admiring Michael as any mum would.

After our time at the Centre, I returned to Elbasan by furgon and Edi and Arta took Lee and Tom to their home in Korca. So tonight, Friday, Lee will be meeting their young people and again tomorrow and speaking at their church on Sunday morning. I am meeting some of the church people in Elbasan tomorrow and then speaking at the Elbasan church on Sunday when we will be joined by the church from Librazhd and I will bring them into Newfrontiers.

What a privilege to be here and to be able to share this with you!

Ken

Youth in Librazhd

2010-11-04T10:29:00.013Z

When Ilir and Donika were with us for the Willow Creek DVD Conference they said they wanted Lee to come to Librazhd and encourage them in their Youth work. So after lunch yesterday we went to Librazhd where many of their young people were gathered in a cafe, including several teenagers we had not met before. Here are Armo, Irina and Yetmiri above and Arselda and Denisa below.

After the inevitable coffee or drinks, Tom introduced them to some icebreaker games! They definitely broke any ice there was. It was a good cultural experience for Tom, who thought they would know the games he knows! They now know about Zip, Zap, Bong in Librazhd!

You may know that we took out some guitars to Librazhd when we came to the Youth Camp in July. Well they have made a start and so we were treated to a playing from from Paola. We are back in Librazhd this afternoon, Thursday, when Lee will speak about Youth work and I am sure we will have some more icebreakers.

The young people here have just started (two weeks ago) a childrens work after the Sunday meeting mainly for children who do not come to their church. Last week they had 17 children. Wow!

And finally, this is what we had for breakfast this morning, an Elbasan speciality that is only made here in Elbasan. Simite me bugace! A round bread bun, filled with thin pancakes with melted butter poured over it and then sprinkled with salt. Healthy eh! But I didn't feel hungry after it.

Please keep us in mind and pray as we are with the youngsters in Librazhd this afternoon and then travel on to Korca tomorrow and over the weekend when Lee and Tom will again speak to the young people Edi and Artina have gathered in Korca.

All our love, Ken and Lee and Tom

Elbasan at last...and Alpha

2010-11-02T13:45:00.014Z

Here are 4 of the girls on the Alpha course, mentioned below, Alketa, Dorina, Florinda and Sejada.

Lee spoke to about 50 youth at Bethel Church, Tirana on Saturday night. Sunday morning Shaban and Tani took Lee and Tom to Kruje, the most touristy place in Albania, the only place really where you can buy souvenirs. Then after lunch they spoke at a Sunday meeting in the afternoon at Shaban's church. I spoke at Rob and Mira's church on Sunday morning and then prayed over everyone present.

I spent part of the afternoon being educated in billiards Albania style! The balls are numbered 1 to 15 and the winner is the first to score 61. You hit the balls hard as you can and there are no penalties!! No points deducted or given to your opponent if the ball goes off the table or you hit the wrong ball first! It is just brute force!

We have a young lady in our church in Bracknell from Albania called Ida. Ida had asked me to see her sister and parents as she has not seen them face to face for 6 years. So on Monday morning I went to see them in Tirana with Rob who acted as translator. As you might imagine it was an emotional occasion. So for an hour or more I was privileged to be the human link to their much loved daughter. We all shed more than a few tears. Love and greetings were exchanged. I wont show you any photos here. I think it is right for Ida to see them first when I get home. Needless to say I was privileged to receive lavish Albanian hospitality including lovely fresh fruit and a glass or was it two?, of raki.

Then onto a centre on the coast near Durres that might possibly be a place for next years Youth Camp. Now we had said farewell to Rob and Shaban and were travelling with Edi who had come from Korca. We looked round the centre and talked this through, the pros and cons. Time again to move on so farewell to Edi until we will see him on Friday, and for us to clamber aboard the first minibus, furgon, we could catch by the roadside going to Elbasan. We arrived in Elbasan almost as the sun was setting at 5 pm. Straight to the apartment where the guys stayed last August to drop off our luggage, and from that to a Youth Alpha planning meeting with the team from the church in Elbasan led by Ilir. Tom and I left Lee talking to the team planning this, and we headed off to buy our food and water for breakfast and the days we are here. An evening meal and then we all dropped into our beds at 8pm completely tired out. I couldn't tell you the last time I went to bed at 8pm. But it had been one of the most tiring, perhaps emotionally draining days I have had in a long while. A 6 am start, 6 hours of travelling on poor roads, and 4 meetings with nothing to eat until we stopped in the evening. No wonder we were tired.

But it is amazing what a good nights rest can do! We were new men yesterday morning! We had a planning time and prayed and then headed off to the pazaar to buy fresh new seasons mandarins and white grapes. And then lunch. Qofte, Greek salad and chips. Then to catch up on e-mails in the Internet cafe before going off to the first evening of the Youth Alpha that started last night. A number of students from the University turned up and Lee led the session. Questions flowed at the end and it had definitely been a worthwhile evening. This is the first time they have run a Alpha course here in Elbasan and is a direct follow on from the Youth Camp.

Here is Ilir, on the right who leads the church in Elbasan, with a couple of guys on the Alpha course. The guy on the left is Mundi who came off the street to hear Ethos play in the Skampa Theatre last July. As a result he came to the Youth Camp, got born again and is coming regularly to the church in Elbasan. That is brilliant isn't it?

I have included this photo of Tom just to show he is thriving here!

Finally for now, do you remember the incident of Andy Jackson and choosing the wrong door back in May? As a result they kindly painted a warning on the door "Danger Dog", in Albanian of course. Would have Andy known the difference?

Love to you all from Lee, Tom and me

Back in the land of the Eagles

2010-10-30T19:35:00.007+01:00

Lee Layton Matthews our Youth Pastor, Tom Klitgaard and me flew from Gatwick yesterday to Albania, the Land of the Eagles. On arrival we were met by Shaban, who leads Bethel Church in Tirana, and his son Tani. Lee and Tom are spending the weekend in Tirana with them helping to encourage the youth work that already exists in the church. Many of their young people came to the Youth Camp in July.

I travelled north to Lezhe with Robert above, to spend the weekend with Robert and Mira. Mira has taken this photo of Rob and me on the beach at Shengjin today just before eating lunch in a restaurant overlooking the sea! Its not all hard work! We spent the afternoon talking through a number of issues, including next years Youth Camp and some teaching we will be doing next April to the leaders of churches here.

On the way home we saw this sight which may not seem too unusual until I tell you that this car

with its bonnet up is being driven along the road! My camera skills were not good enough to catch the driver as well as the bonnet.

Tomorrow will see Lee speaking in Tirana and me here in Lezhe before we meet up again in Tirana on Monday where we will go to see a venue that might be a possibility for next years Youth Camp. Do pray for us especially for Lee who has a busy schedule encouraging and helping develop the youth work in each of the 5 churches we will go to here in Albania.

Lots of love,
Ken

A few video clips from our time in Albania

2010-08-02T12:05:00.006+01:00

"After the show is over"...still wanting to worship when most have left!

The young people from Librazhd show us how to dance

Youth Camp continued..

2010-08-02T11:07:00.017+01:00

After the worship on Thursday evening three of the churches performed in different ways. Here are the group from Librazhd about to dance. On Friday evening the team performed the "Everyone" drama, the drama that they had done at the theatres in Elbasan and Librazhd and that had spoken so powerfully to many people. It had the same effect on Friday evening. Lee called for a response after the drama and several young people put their hands up to say they wanted to be Christ followers. This was followed by Lee speaking on the Holy Spirit. Again many young people came forward to receive the Holy Spirit.

Here you will some us praying for people who responded.

On Saturday morning Edi Morava from Korca, lead the session on praying for each of the churches represented and then sending us out.

Here are the group from Tirana. The young girl speaking told us how the session on forgiveness had spoken to her about some of her family she needs to forgive.

Ilir Koci, the leader of the Elbasan group introduced Mundi. Mundi was one of the guys that the drama in Elbasan spoke so powerfully to and who then asked to come to the Camp. Mundi said he knows he is a step nearer knowing God. Many of the young people expressed that they had never known such love before. Love from God in the worship and love from the other young people at the Camp. And they are looking forward to next year...

And Saturday saw us saying our goodbyes. This is never done in a few minutes in Albania. It is always hugs and kisses all round. Photographs taken and then more hugs and kisses. Here is Natalie with four of the girls from Librazhd.

Our guys with some of the girls from Tirana.

And our team with Librazhd.

Finally we were on our way to Elbasan. Lunch in an open air restaurant, of grilled meat, Greek salad and chips. Then to the local swimming pool to freshen up followed by the final journey in Albania back to the airport at Rinas and home to a cooler, greener England after an amazing, profitable and powerful time in Albania.

Youth Camp Pogradec Life in Victory

2010-07-29T15:29:00.016+01:00

Wednesday morning saw the band setting up their equipment and doing sound checks with plenty of time and no problems like lack of electricity. The photo below gives you some idea of the main meeting hall with just the band in it.

Late morning saw people begin to arrive firstly from Librazhd

and then from Elbasan

quickly followed by Burrel and Korca, Lezhe and Tirana. Last year we had about 80-90 at Camp. This year we are nearer to 140, so the numbers have increased significantly. If you saw the bedrooms you would see bunk beds everywhere!
The afternoon began with lunch, here it is at 2pm, followed by free time and then the evening meeting. Below are Amy, Natalie and Heather all set to greet people, hand them their bangle with our slogan on it Jeta ne Fitore...Life in Victory just before the evening meeting when the first session began.

Worship was followed by a clear, well illustrated and powerful talk from Liam about the chains of sin that hang round us but have been put on Jesus in our place. Many people responded to what he said and several young people became followers of Jesus for the first time

Here is Amy praying with one of the girls..

and here are some from Librazhd responding

and others from Elbasan, with tears.

Thus morning Thursday, saw Robert from Lezhe talk about what the Bible says about living in victory. Robert was relevant, humourous and powerful.

Thus was followed by a break, and then a couple of seminar sessions which all our team were involved in leading before lunch. Here is Amy with some of her girls leading a seminar on prayer.

This afternoon the team are having some down time. This is there 6th day on the go and Lee thought it good to take them just a few miles away across the border into Macedonia to Sveti Naum, Saint Naum, a world away from the conference and its intensity.

Finally a word about posting comments. You may not know, but you can send us comments and we read them and then decide whether we publish them publicly or not. My sister from New Zealand for example sent me some personal comments, that I didn't make public. We love to receive your comments as it tells us at least someone is reading this! Lots of love, Ken and Ann

Librazhd and onto Pogradec

2010-07-27T17:33:00.012+01:00

This is Monday morning and some of the guys tucking into breakfast. It is a case of stretch or starve but I think they all manage to eat well.

It is a time of impromptu fun, praying for the day and Matt singing worship songs to us.

Later on Monday morning we headed off, just half an hour down the road, to Librazhd, where Ilir and Donika lead the church with Ladi and Ornela. Some of you girls may remember Donika and Ornela being with us for the REAL conference. As soon as we arrived a thunderstorm broke, and it absolutely poured with rain. So we had our drinks in a cafe owned by Tani, a guy in the church who is involved in the worship. He sang to us and then Flori from Korca, who travelled with us. When the storm abated we went to the Culture Centre, pictured above, and installed our equipment. This is when we found out there was no electric power at all, and wouldn't be until 3pm. So we went and had lunch. The guys did their best late afternoon to set up as there was still no power! This was getting outside every one's comfort zone! Lee was beginning to make plans as to how we could hold the concert outside. We had given out leaflets earlier in the afternoon and young people were turning up for the concert, but still no electricity! At last at 6.45, 15 minutes before we were due to start power was restored! All the guys were now rushing around getting everything done and trying to do a sound check as youngsters poured in.

Here they are sorting things before the concert got underway at 7.30. A minor miracle! There were about 150 or more teenagers there which gave it a very different feel from the concert on the Saturday night. There was lots more noise from the crowd, but this time with a smoke machine and coloured and flashing lights! Again the whole concert was very well received.
The drama was powerful, the band was great and Lee spoke excellently. many came forward to talk with our people at the end and one guy prayed to be a follower of Jesus. There were lots of good conversations and one could tell the concert would be a talking point amongst the youth of Librazhd for quite a while. A meal afterwards and then back to Elbasan at 11pm.

This morning, Tuesday, it was time to leave Elbasan, load up the minibus and head off for Pogradec where we will hold our Youth Camp. Here we are about to set off, team, suitcases and equipment.

After 2 hours this is where we have come to! Pogradec beside Lake Ohrid. On the far side of the lake is Macedonia. The guys have unloaded all the kit, found their sleeping spaces and walked into town and had lunch. Now it is set up time, then an evening meal and pray for tomorrow. I am excited but also my heart aches as I think of 130 young people who tomorrow will begin their journeys from all over Albania and some from Macedonia and Kosova, to a Camp where God can change their life! Some will have their lives changed eternally and for others it will be another step along the path to knowing Him better.

Lots of love, Ken and Ann

So much to say

2010-07-26T16:58:00.013+01:00

Well there is just so much to say as we have been so busy in the last 3 days. Saturday morning was sorting ourselves out and then going to the Skampa Theatre to set up at 6.30. It was full on. There are always to language considerations, transporting the equipment from the apartment to the Theatre making sure nothing was left behind, setting it all up talking through the programme, meeting Flori from Korca who also sang and so on. Elsa, a friend of ours, arranged for Lee and some of the team to be interviewed on the local Radio Station and for them to play live in the studio!. The Radio Station said they were impressed.

Doors opened before 7pm and we had an excellent concert that was very well received. Ethos played, then Flori sang 3 songs in Albanian, then Lee spoke with the drama sketch as well. The drama was very powerful and applauded by everyone! The friends I spoke with thought Matt was great in leading the songs, the sound of the band was excellent and the words of the songs very powerful.
Lee, above, earned his money as we would say, and everyone was just so pleased he was with us to do what he does so well.

Sunday morning saw us at church with Sam here on drums,

and Matt leading in worship,

This morning, Monday saw Ann, Amy and Natalie on the way to the guys apartment for breakfast having bought the bread and milk.

At 11 am we loaded all the kit into the minibus and we were off again now to Librazhd and another concert tonight.

Here are Paola, Arselda and Nerila, 3 of the girls from Librazhd who were at the Youth Camp last year who became followers of Jesus. After a thunderstorm!! we went to the Culture centre and set up the equipment but there was no electric power at all! So time for lunch.

So here are Amy, Zak and Matt at lunch. Now we are about to go and hold the concert. Please God change peoples lives! Lots of love, Ken and Ann

A wall of heat...

2010-07-24T10:41:00.012+01:00

Well here we are all loaded up in the new minibus and ready for the off to Gatwick Airport. If it is not packed now it is too late! I almost lost count of the number of guitars we brought out here. Enough for the band plus 3 others for the church in Librazhd and one for Edi in Korca. Plus cymbals and when we arrived at the airport in Albania we added to our kit a keyboard and a mixing desk! We don't travel light. For some reason Ann and I were upgraded on the flight to Club Class. So we had the use of the Club Lounge and a wonderful meal and service on the flight. Some of you will know Ann is coeliac and for the first time she had a meal she could eat! But when we got off the plane in Tirana, we were met with a wall of heat!! I know it is coming but I still find it hard to believe it until you stand the top of the steps as you get off the plane and suddenly you are engulfed in the unrelenting heat.

It was really great to be greeted by Ilir from Librazhd who was there with Elmaz our minibus driver.

This is unloading at Gatwick.

After a 2 hour drive from Tirana to Elbasan we left the guys in their apartment and then Ann and me and the 3 girls went to a local hotel. We chose it because the bedrooms are air conditioned. Finally we got to bed at 1.30 am! Everyone must have slept okay as here are Dave, Stuart and Liam looking pretty okay this morning after breakfast..

and here are the girls Heather, Amy and Natalie

I called in on our friends Arti and Vali who insisted I had a glass of raki and a Turkish coffee, this is before breakfast! I went to meet Elsa, above, who has helped us advertise the concert we are holding tonight. She is phoning the radio station she runs a programme for and they agreed straightaway for Lee and some of the team to go and be interviewed live and to play some music. That is happening now as I write this blog.

Ann has just boiled herself an egg for breakfast with Sam..

and this is the theatre where we hold the concert tonight at 7pm. I am looking forward to an amazing time. Elbasan will have had nothing like this before, and I am thinking about all the good conversations and impact I am sure the team will have tonight and the life changing event it will be.

And here are some of the posters about the city that advertise the concert. Thank you Sarah!
Now it's lunchtime and then time to rest from the heat a bit and talk through the programme for this evening. We'll keep you posted. It is so good to be here again in Albania! All our love,
Ken and Ann

Keeping contact...

2010-05-09T13:10:00.008+01:00

The last couple of days has seen Ann and me visiting a whole number of people. We have been back to Librazhd to a prayer meeting where we met a number of ladies who we first met a year ago. It was at that first meeting we mentioned our Youth Camp. 5 lives were changed from this church because of it they look to have double the numbers go this time. Then a meal with Donika and Valentina. Here we are with Ilir. Both of these ladies look to be at our Ladies REAL Conference in July.

Saturday was cups of lemon tea then a visit to Luan and Yola who run a general store and a cafe. This was followed by a visit to Ardit and Violca and their family that led to us staying for lunch. Here is Violca with her little boy Kristian so named as he was born on Christmas Day, with Ester.

After a brief siesta, yes people here have lunch and then a rest, we went to see Ilir and Arjana. The photo is of Arjana with her little boy Mikea (Micah). Arjana was born in a Macedonian speaking area of Albania. There everyone speaks Macedonian and no Albanian is spoken at all. The villages get financial help from Macedonia not Albania! and so Arjana has a Macedonian passport.

This morning Ken spoke at the morning meeting here in Elbasan, when we remembered Simon and Andy running their half marathons in Bracknell. The church building here is coming on a pace with the basement almost finished, and with some tiling and the toilets to finish off on the ground floor. Another 4 weeks say and they will have the beginnings of an excellent facility. It was time to say farewell to almost 50 of our friends, write this blog and then have an evening meal out with another family tonight.

Tomorrow Lee will come from Korca, where he is in Edi's church today, we have a brief lunch, say cheerio to yet another family, and then head for the airport where we fly home volcanic ash permitting.

We will miss the people we know here in Albania, seeing first hand what God has done, new friends we have made, and the warmth! See you all again soon.

Love, Ken and Ann

Lee at last!

2010-05-08T21:28:00.007+01:00

It was so good to see Lee here in Albania after the disruptions of the Icelandic volcano. Lee has primarily come out to meet up with Edi, above, and talk through the details of the Youth Camp planned for July in Pogradec. After arriving late on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning was spent looking round some of Elbasan including the church building where the band will play at the Sunday meeting when they come out. Then to the local Teatri Skampa in the centre of the city, which is shown below.

Ilir the church leader discovered he knew the Theatre Director from High School days. We looked round the theatre, checking out the lighting and sound systems. Discussions continued as to how we advertise the band playing there at the end of July as all schools here close mid June. We are really excited about the possibility of reaching out to so many young people. The theatre is situated right in the middle of the city where everyone promenades in the evenings to escape the heat of their homes in the summer.
Thursday morning saw us catch a furgon, minibus, to Librazhd a smaller town just 30 minutes away. The church here is led by Ilir and Ladi and they had suggested to Simon the previous week that we could gather young people in their town's theatre. So we went and again checked out the theatre. It may look plainer than the theatre in Elbasan but the lighting and sound systems are probably better. Again we had discussions how we would involve Albanian singers as well as our band, what drama we could do etc. There is tremendous potential here to impact hundreds of young people.

Yet another furgon ride brought us to Pogradec and meeting Edi. A quick lunch and then onto the Nehemiah Centre where we were with Simon and Andy the previous week. This time though we had a long detailed meeting with the Centre leaders covering every aspect of our camp, dates, numbers, menu, use of sports activities and so on. Then time for Ann and me to head back on a furgon to Elbasan and for Edi and Lee to travel onto Edi's city of Korca. There Lee spoke with the young people in the evening before on Saturday heading off to Ohrid in Macedonia to meet some more young people. But that is Lee's story to tell!

Let me finish with this example of Albanian hospitality. On Lee's first evening with us AFTER a meal I went into a hotel to just check on the football scores. The chefi, the boss, spotted me and straightaway he ordered us some beers and fried whitebait for us and when the whitebait had been eaten they were followed by a plateful of mussels. I am sure the beer (this included beer for Ann!!) would have kept coming if we had not gently refused it! This is typical of Albanian hospitality from people we had not met before! Lee was impressed!

Bye for now and Naten i mire! Good night!
Ken and Ann

Which door would you choose?

2010-05-05T13:29:00.010+01:00

On Sunday Andy at one point needed the loo. He was pointed in the direction of these doors. Which door would you choose?

After leaving Artina in Korca on Saturday morning we travelled onto Pogradec to see the Nehemiah Centre where we held the Youth Camp last year and where we will be again in July. We wanted Simon and Andy to see where we go and how good the facilities are. Last year we gathered 85 youngsters and this year we would look for say 120. The Nehemiah Centre are erecting a further building so that the capacity will increase to 250. After a snack lunch in Pogradec we said our farewell to Edi and travelled by furgon back to Elbasan. On the way we saw a rare sight, an Albanian train! These are old Czech railway stock.

When we arrived in Elbasan, Simon and Andy heard the roar of the local football crowd. So of they went to see Elbasan beat their rivals 2-0. In the evening we had a wonderful meal in a Greek restaurant with Ilir and Rudina and Arjan and Blerina. Then afterwards we had ice creams. Here is Blerina and her daughter Orantia with Ann.

Sunday morning saw Simon preaching at the church in Elbasan followed by lunch with the leaders in a restaurant in a nearby village. I felt privileged to hear Simon speak to the leaders over the meal table and offer them such wise advice in such a good and easy spirit. Here are L-R Gazim, Arjan, Simon, Andy, Ilir and Ilir.

Well...which door would YOU choose? Andy chose the door on the right. WRONG! The toilet is the door on the left. The other side of the door on the right is the guard dog! Good job it wasn't a brown bear or wolf from the mountains! Then back to the home of Beni and Bartha who have looked after us so well, and for Simon and Andy to pack their bags, and begin the journey home. I believe it has been a hugely significant visit from two great guys who have been loved and appreciated where ever they have gone in Albania. And now a break for a day and then we eagerly await Lee's arrival! Lots of love, Ken and Ann

Friday, so it must be Korca...

2010-05-04T10:37:00.008+01:00

Here we are at the furgon, minibus, station in Elbasan waiting to fill up the minibus before we set off. Simon, not one to waste a minute, is busy twittering! Korca is a 3 hour drive away travelling in the heat. I find just travelling here can be tiring. It is not a relaxing experience, but it is an opportunity to talk with people on the minibus who speak some English. Simon had a small photograph album with him of his family and church events which proved very helpful in breaking the ice. Was this Catrina's brilliant idea?

You may rememeber Artina and Edi who lead the church in Korca, here with Simon. They came to us in 2009. Arta has been invited to our Ladies REAL conference.

Korca is considered Albania's city of culture and has an area called Little Paris with cobbled streets. Enver Hoxha was educated at the Sorbonne in Paris and even in communist times he allowed French to be taught at a lycee only in Korca.

The Orthodox Cathedral is in the centre of Korca. Whilst Simon and Edi had coffee and talked we went for a wander through some of the old back streets behind the Cathedral. After this we went to the building that Edi rents for his church. The young people were preparing for a wedding on the Sunday. Preparations included dancing!

So we all had a go! I've got some video clips to up load next time! Then a meal in the evening together and back to our hotel.

Librazhd

2010-05-04T10:02:00.005+01:00

Last Thursday saw us travel to Librazhd where we met the leaders of the church Ilir and Donika and Ladi and Ornela. We had coffee together outside in a cafe. Here is Simon with Ornela on the right and Valentina on the left, and us. Some of you will know we have an Albanian guy Besnik who comes to our church. Valentina is Besnik's fiancee. Donika, not in the photo, and Ornela and Valentina have been invited to the Ladies REAL Conference in July. Please pray they get their visas.

Here is Andy and Simon with Ladi and Ornela. As we talked Ladi suggested that our band plays in the local theatre when we come in July before we hold the Youth Camp. So we are looking into this. Lee, our Youth Pastor, will see the theatre and talk this through with Ladi.

And really I should have put this photo first. Here is Besnik with Valentina! They look a happy, lovely couple don't they? After a truly amazing meal together in the evening, when Andy and Simon ate a sheep's head!? Ilir drove us back home to Elbasan. A really wonderful and profitable evening together.

With love from Albania...

2010-04-29T14:13:00.008+01:00

Andy about to tuck into roast lamb, chips and Greek salad with Shaban and Elvira. All very healthy!

We met some of the folks from the church in Elbasan when we arrived and had coffee together in the basement of their new church building.

It is just so good to meet old friends again. Here is Ann with Arjana and her little boy Mikah.

This is Ann and Andy having just had a simple lunch of Greek salad and chips! Weightwatchers would approve!!

Wednesday morning saw us catching the bus from Lezhe saying our farewells to Rob and Mira and heading to Tirana the capital. Here we met with Shaban and Elvira and had coffee together from the lovely cups as in the photo. We met too their son Tani who leads worship in the church and then...surprise , surprise.. it was time to eat again. This time it was mish xengji heli me patate, roast lamb on the spit with chips and salad. As honoured guests Simon and Andy were offered the sheep's head sliced in two, that had also been roasted, of course, and they helped themselves from this first! Brave men! Then too soon we had to say our farewells and catch a furgon, minibus, to Elbasan. Here we were met by Bardha, married to Beni, whose home we are staying in. Then to the church building where we meet some of their people and had coffee. We spent some time with Ilir and Rudina who lead the church then there was time enough to watch the Barcelona v Inter Milan football match! Guys here are big fans of Inter. Then today we have seem some of the sights of Elbasan including the Ethnographic Museum, and now we must move on again this time to Librazhd. We will meet Besnik who is part of our church and Ilir and Donika who were with us last November. We must fly and we send our love,

So good to be back in Albania....

2010-04-27T17:28:00.011+01:00

Simon, Andy and Ann on arrival at Rinas airport with Rob, complete with guitars

Rob and Mira who lead the church in Lezhe

Andy outside the fish restaurant in Shengjin. Andy was quite taken with the colour scheme!

And here is Lili from Burrel, in the middle, with Ann and Mira.

And all of us including Klodhi, Lili's brother on the beach at Shengjin.

Oh! it is just so good to be back in Albania! It seems ages since Ann and I were here and indeed it is! Last July was when we were here with our Youth in Pogradec. Now we are here with Simon Benham our Senior Pastor and Andy Jackson who heads up the CAP (Christians against poverty) ministries in our church. We flew in late on Monday evening to be met by Rob who with his wife Mira lead a church in Lezhe an hours journey north of the airport. Simon and Andy booked into a local hotel and then we all ate a meal that Mira had prepared. After catching up on news and talking until late we then turned in for the night.
This morning saw us wake to bright blue sky and warmth. After breakfast and yet more talking we headed off for coffee by the river where we met up with Lili and her brother Klodhi who come from Burrel, a town in the mountains, and with Gezim, a member of Rob's church. We have invited Lili to come to the Ladies Real conference. Klodhi gets married in August to a Ewa from Belgium. Then to Shengjin, it simply means St John, which is a small port and has an excellent fish restaurant. There we tucked in to cooked fresh fish, chips and salad. Klodhi opted for the grilled eel. I tried it and it was really tasty. What all this eating is doing for Simon's Bracknell half marathon training I'm not sure! Then to meet up with Rachel a children's worker from the UK who heads up her own ministry here and then a brief stroll on the beach with the warm water of the Adriatic lapping it and the sun beating down on us! Then we dragged ourselves away to go and see Rob and Mira's church building where we prayed with them for God to fill every seat. Rob went off to take an English class and Simon and Andy strolled back to the hotel and Ann and me with Mira to their home. So chance now to top up my Albanian SIM card and write this blog. Now evening time it is still light and really warm with children playing the usual kids games in the street.
Tomorrow sees us catch a bus to Tirana to meet Shaban and Elvira who lead a church in the capital city and have lunch with them, and then on to Elbasan.
Oh well, I must finish Mira has prepared another meal for us to eat!!
Love to you all, Ken and Ann

Kalamata!

2010-01-28T14:11:00.005Z

Well we may have expected a number of things when we came to Greece, but we weren't expecting snow! Here we are stopping half way from Athens on the way to to Kalamata and I think you can just see the snow on the bushes and the ground behind Ann. Mind you, we were at 2000 metres in the mountains so perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised to have snow for this part of the journey. Now by the sea in Kalamata it is much warmer, 15C right now, though still cloudy but the sun is breaking through. We are staying with a lovely couple, Paul and Kathleen, who are key people amongst a number of English speakers here.

Just to prove we are in Greece I thought you would like to see the Estiatorio or Restaurant next door in fact to the place where we have just had a wonderful truly Greek lunch. If you have ever been to Greece on holiday you will know the kind of good family cooking I mean. Beef stew with onions, fresh fish and horta (like spinach) with garlic and potato mash, and so on. Kathleen works as a schoolteacher teaching English, and Paul is a businessman. After lunch we went for a drive along the coast, all the time talking away about the people here, their spiritual life and life in Greece. Good beginnings...and we look forward to the next few days!
Lots of love,
Ken and Ann

Mosaics

2009-11-08T09:08:00.011Z

Ever wondered what the church building in Antioch in Paul's day ever looked like? Well yesterday we went to see the cave where it is believed the early church met. Nothing impressive at all really. It is said to be built by St Luke but is called St Peter's Grotto! ! Now it has been taken over by the Catholic Capuchin monks, the Pope has visited it and now that I have too, I can claim an indulgence from my time in purgatory!!?? Antakya is known for its mosaics and in the local museum is one of the best collections of mosaics from around the time of Christ to be found anywhere. Room after room of huge, say 30 ft x 30 ft, beautiful and impressive mosaics, either abstract patterns or of people and animals. We all went shopping in the bazaar for pipes to connect to the stove in the house...nothing exotic! The smells of spices and cooked food fill the air. Don't think of small narrow streets like some Arab bazaars you may have been to, these are wide, clean broad streets with sizeable shops selling absolutely everything. The atmosphere is good and friendly not threatening in any way.

Josef and Elin are in the process of building friendships here all the time. I have never "walked across the room" so many times in such short space of time. Usually it is a walk across the street, a talk with a barber, a restaurant owner, a shopkeeper, boys we meet in the street, officials at the museum, stallholders in the bazaar and so on. Conversation is a wonderful mixture of Turkish, English and sign language. They have only been here really since the summer and have already made an amazing number of friends. People are easily and eagerly invited round to visit or to a meal or meet up again. Last night two Filipino ladies came round with their daughter as they are helping arrange a Karaoke evening, all part of reaching more people.

Between times and in the evenings we talk together about how to develop things, reaching people, the needs they have, clarity of vision, and what to put in place.

As I write this yet again the call of the muezzin goes out across the city from the many mosques. We are impressed with what we have seen of Antakya. The streets are really clean, the streets in the bazaar are swept clean all the time. Even on the small minibuses (dolmus) that run round the city carry a brush inside them and the conductor who takes your money keeps it spotless. It is a modern city in every way with latest cars available, traffic jams, and all that goes to make a modern Mediterranean city. Because of the wonderful climate there are solar panels and water tanks on every roof.

Antakya is near the Syrian border and between the 1st and 2nd World wars was run by the French. So in food and buildings there is a wonderful mixture of French colonial style, Arabic and Turkish with other influences like Armenian thrown in.

This afternoon we met with about 25 friends and I spoke with them, and then we ate together. It was great to meet people, especially 2 men who came for the first time, and hear their stories. Now sadly we must leave our new friends and tomorrow morning early, 3.45 am, get up and fly back to Istanbul. We will see you soon!

Turkish delight!

2009-11-03T11:24:00.020Z

Well folks we are now ın Antakya! We are on our fourth day in Turkey having slept in 3 different beds in 3 consecutive nights. Don't worry, I won't show you a photo of the beds! On our first evening in Istanbul on Monday, we caught up with a friend who told us much of what he ıs doıng and plannıng. Tuesday we then flew on here to Antakya, formerly Antioch, a city of 180,000 people. We are staying with Josef and Elin who invited us here when we met last July. Antakya is in Hatay province next to Syria. The weather has just changed from the heat of summer to the rain and mildness of winter, though still warm when the sun comes out. After catching up with each other on Wednesday morning we then went to a friends house in the afternoon and helped them install a sob, a stove that warms the house. As more and more people came so we shared some things with the them that are on our heart. Later in the afternoon we went onto a sea side town called Cevlik which was formerly Seleucia, where the Apostle Paul set sail for Cyprus, Acts 13 v 4. There we met some more friends from a number of different countries and had a meal together. We all stayed overnight, and then spent Thursday until mid afternoon talking, singing, praying and encouraging each other. Four of our friends were baptised in cold water as the sea was too rough! It was great to make new friends and a challenge at times to communicate with many different languages being spoken. After this Ann and I did a spot of sight seeing! In Roman times Emperor Vespasian ordered a tunnel to be cut through solid rock to divert flood water from Seleucia to the sea. It was finished by his son Titus, hence Titus's tunnel. It is 1,500 yards long, 23 ft high and 20 ft wide and is impressive. We walked part of the way up the tunnel cum cutting clambering over boulders and rocks which are strewn all along the tunnel floor. This is not Ann's favourite cup of tea! Back then to Antakya, supper and bed. Now, Friday, we are about to go to the local bazaar. Will be in touch soon.

And finally...for now...

2009-08-02T22:18:00.014+01:00

Ann and I thought it would be good to round off this series of blogs with some further information. We have focused quite rightly on Ethos playing at the Youth Camp. But we want you to know there were many other things going at the same time.

On our first day there, Ann and I had lunch with some friends Aleksander and Elena from Macedonia. They had come over the border with two of their friends to see us and catch up with what we are doing. The photo shows us having lunch together. Soon they will move to a church in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, and they have asked us to go and see them there. Aleksander is an evangelist and we have already met the senior pastor of their new church.

Not only did we transport our own guitar cases and equipment to Albania, but we took out two pieces of equipment that we left there. Edi and Artina from Korca had asked our church to provide them with a laptop computer with the usual software and some song software too. Colin Boyle our Fine Arts Director sorted the song software for them. This will be a huge help to them and raise the quality and capability of what they can do. The only computer they have had the use of was one they borrowed from Artina's workplace.

We also paid for and flew out a 16 input mixer desk for Roberti and Mira's church in Lezhe. Roberti (Robert is English, but a male name in Albanian usually ends in the letter i ) not only plays keyboard in his own church but usually at all the church gatherings in Albania he attends. They don't have a mixer desk and anyway cannot get one of the quality that we are used to here in the UK.

We also took out face paints for the children's work in Elbasan, as well as children's medicines and 4 rolls of wallpaper and wallpaper paste! You wouldn't believe what we have in our suitcases sometimes!

At the Youth Camp Roberti suggested to the other church leaders that the musicians from the churches get together soon. Not all churches know the same songs, which is the same here of course, and many of the songs that were originally written in English, have been translated differently by different people. The Albanians also want to write their own songs and encourage one another in this and maybe also use Albanian musical instruments! That will be exciting and a different sound.

When will we next go to Albania? We are not sure, maybe in the late autumn. Meanwhile we are planning for church leaders Roberti and Mira and Ilir and Donika to come to the Willow DVD conference here in Bracknell. It is so exciting to be part of building the Kingdom of God.

Thank you for your comments and e-mails. They are a huge encouragement to us. With much love,

Ken and Ann

Ethos returning

2009-08-02T08:43:00.008+01:00

On Saturday morning we worshipped God and then we prayed in turn for each church represented at the Youth Camp. Finally we prayed for Ethos. There were many words of encouragement for people personally and for churches as a whole.

Edi Morava from Korca, who had the desire and vision in the first place for this Youth Camp, then called for people to respond to God's call to them to give their life to Him. Eleven girls and nine guys responded. Here are some of the girls who came forward...

and here are some of the guys. The guy on the right is jumping for joy!

Then sadly it was time to say our farewells. This is never done quickly in Albania! But at last we got on our way to Elbasan for lunch. As we travelled we were able to enjoy the amazing mountainous countryside. It had been dark when we arrived 5 days earlier and we had not seen just how stunnung it is. Lunch was whole roast lamb, head and everything, (yes you can eat the brains if you wish), Greek salad and chips. It went down well. It certainly got eaten quickly. Then a walk to the swimming pool to chill out.

It is not just that there is blue, blue sky and real heat, but again one is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is such an attractive setting. As I was swimming in the pool, I met Ilir the leader of the church from Librazhd. He was amazed to see me and I him. Librazhd is where the 4 girls and 1 guy came from. (Photo on the first blog). He told me they talked none stop about the camp on the way home. All four girls have became Christians and they experienced the Holy Spirit in their life! They had read about this in their Alpha course they had been doing, but now they said we have experienced Him for ourselves. Wow! Ann and I chatted to Ilir and Donika who would like to come to the Willow Creek DVD conference.

After a swim it was definitely chill out time!

Then into yet another furgon (minibus), and on our way to Rinas airport near Tirana. A good flight home, a few slept, and then into Gatwick, collect our bags and Mick Wade met us at 11pm. Was it worth it? All that energy, planning, money, time, perspiration, preparation? Absolutely!! I am sure the guys will tell you for themselves, but for me I would do that all again any day!

Ethos were excellent, not just in their musical ability, but in their humility, openness, friendliness, kindness and giving of themselves. They were a credit not only to themselves but to their families, to our church and above all to God himself.

We have already been invited back for next year! And we look forward to catching up with you personally.

Lots of love,

Ken and Ann

Ethos on song

2009-07-31T16:29:00.016+01:00

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...

2009-07-30T13:38:00.011+01:00

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

Final bits and pieces

2009-05-27T11:33:00.013+01:00

Thank you so much for your comments. They have encouraged us in our time here. It is amazing who our blog reaches. My sister and brother in law in NZ read it. They told me that when they saw the photo of mushmula they recognised it as is kumquat. Indeed it seems that mushmula is the Russian word for the fruit.
We read Simon and Catriona's blog of Serenje and feel the same, namely that we are in a completely different culture even though we are in Europe, with different ways of thinking let alone different climate. We have been to Greece before on holiday at this time of the year, but to live in the heat week after week, to work and think and operate in the heat with no air conditioning in our rooms and live at a different pace of life and try and ensure that we keep understanding and communicating well with all the people we meet is a challenge.
Last night I had a good time with the main church leader here talking several things through. Tonight will be a Q and A with some of the guys followed by the Champions League football final! Whilst Ann will meet with the pastors wife Rudina and their 3 girls Sara, Eliada and Abigaila and they will go out for coffee and ice cream and chat. The streets are almost completely empty mid afternoon but are brimming with people, children included, in the evening all out walking and talking until late.
Some other differences. There are so few schools that a school will have 3 or even 4 lots of children per day in 3 or 4 hour batches from say 7.30 am to 7.30 pm. It is strange to see crocodile lines of children during school time walking somewhere at 5.30pm say. They have lots of homework with school time spent mainly checking homework.
Notices of deaths are posted in the street, see photo above.
Very few people have gardens as they live in apartments and so help themselves to flowers growing in public parks! Sellers set up their stalls under any available tree in the park or street to set out their wares whether shoes, second hand clothes, food and fruit, pots and kitchen implements, raki and even holly leaves! I asked what they were selling the dried holly leaves for and the answer?....as back scratchers! Ouch! Anything to get a living!
Do you ever wonder where all the Ford transit vans, cars, buses and lorries go to die? Well here in Albania. Without being critical 90% of all vehicles here would instantly fail an MOT. Driving standards are slowly improving as more younger people who have had driving lessons and a test take to the road. Several years ago drivers needed no test and it shows. It is hair raising at times as you sit in a minibus with other vehicles headed straight for you playing the game of who will give way first.
Washing up! Afterwards we put the pots and pans etc into cupboards that contain drying racks. The air is so dry that even in winter things dry quickly.
We could give you photo after photo of ponies and traps, three wheeled motorcycles that have been converted to carry clothes, rubbish, fruit and veg etc. And litter not just paper, but clothes and shoes no longer wanted by the sellers just left anywhere for someone else one day to clear away. Meanwhile the piles get bigger and the smell increases. Keeping the law? I am writing this in a non smoking Internet cafe, only it isn't! Every restaurant like the UK is non smoking only they aren't. Apparently they kept the law for a month and then nobody bothered. People drive the wrong way up one way streets all the time!
But there are many joys. The friendliness of the people is one. We have just had an off the cuff conversation with 4 young women in the park, top photo, who are all studying Social Work at University. We could talk all day as they practice their English on us. Tonight we say our farewells to many friends here in Elbasani.
On Friday we travel to Lezhe to see Robert and Mira again, and on Sunday go to a March for Jesus in Fushe Arrez and talk to leaders of another church before heading off to the airport and back to cooler climes where our son Simon will meet us at Gatwick.
The whole time has been worthwhile and valuable as we see churches, leaders and people, strengthened and encouraged. God has been very good to us. See you soon.
Ken and Ann

Over the border

2009-05-26T11:25:00.005+01:00

On Saturday we took a furgon, minibus, early to avoid the heat of the day, and got to Qafe e Thane the border point where we met Edi, Artina and Flori their worship leader, coming from Korca. Then we crossed the border out of Albania and into Macedonia. See photo above. Don't think of border crossings like traveling from France to Belgium, where you drive through the border in a moment or even England France where you have check points leaving and entering but close together. Here there are check points but they are a good walk apart, half a mile or in some places a mile apart. You cannot see one border crossing point to the next as it is round a bend in the road and out of sight. You could set up camp in no man's land! I have seen motorists changing their car number plates between leaving one country and entering the next and shepherds with flocks of sheep! Then a taxi ride to Ohrid. My guide book says Ohrid is the jewel in Macedonia's crown. It is their main lakeside resort, cultural centre and holiday destination especially to escape the heat of summer. It is an ancient city with a castle and has UNESCO heritage status.
We booked into the accommodation Edi and Arta often use, and then they took us on a long walk. We walked through the old town and upto the castle which I thought was just stunning with its view over the town and Lake Ohrid. Then back to town and a late lunch under the shade of a large tree. One way we can tell we are out of Albania is the food on offer. Gone are the salads with everything. We are now eating Slav food. (Russian, Polish, Bulgarian etc) Wonderful bowls of hot soup if you wish, even on a hot day, quantities of beer being drunk with gusto as in any northern European city on a hot day rather than wine, and huge platefuls of hearty food. Meat, sausages, boiled potatoes and vegetables, with sour cream! Then back for a lie down/sleep as it was so hot and we had got up at 5.30. A siesta is part of the daily routine here all year round. Then at 8pm we went our for a bite to eat and to meet up with the guys and girls Edi and Arta have gathered. They catch up on news and talk about the everyday and the serious, building relationships, and asking questions. We walk and talk and have coffee. Eventually we say our farewells at well past midnight. It is some of these young people who we look to have come to the Youth Camp in July and renew friendship with them.
Come the morning Edi, Arta and Flori pack their bags and head home for their own meetings on Sunday afternoon. We stay on as in the evening we are going to a Macedonian speaking church in a neighbouring town whose leaders we have met before. We knew it would be different as Macedonian is written in a version of the Russian Cyrillic alphabet and so totally incomprehensible to us!! We recognised some of the worship songs though and sang along in English! The meeting was translated for us by a wonderful young woman who was a delight to talk to. It is so interesting to see where they are as a church and hear what God is doing. Then they helped us get a local cheap taxi and we return to our room.
The next morning we travel amazingly well by taxis and furgon so that we are back in Elbasani 2 hours after leaving Ohrid. When you can wait an hour or more for a minibus this is no small miracle.
One of the challenges of Macedonia is that there are two main groups of people. The Macedonian speaking who are the great majority and who would automatically consider themselves Orthodox Christian, and the Albanian speaking who would automatically be considered Muslim. So the idea of being Albanian speaking and being a Christian is unthinkable and so is the one of being Macedonian speaking but a Christian who is not Orthodox.
Now we are into our last week here and final meetings with leaders here and in other towns. There are conversations to finish off, farewells to say, wisdom to give, questions to answer, experiences to share and love to give.
Finally for today. Remember the swimming pool we checked out? It is wonderful. We couldn't believe it! Now a bite of lunch and then time to cool down in the pool!
Ken and Ann

Mushmulla

2009-05-20T09:41:00.010+01:00

Just a few photos of some of the buildings here. First a traditional Turkish style home, now the Ethnographic Museum here in Elbasani. Traditionally Turkish homes were 2 or 3 storey buildings. Animals, storage and workshops on the ground floor with living space above. There are separate rooms for men and women to sit, entertain and eat, but a bedroom of course. And then a large wide airy balcony where one sits in the heat of the day. Turkish mosques are of similar design here that is to say they look like a house with no minarets. Minarets have been added only in recent years and look completely out of place in the overall design of the building.
Now pallati, multi storey high rise blocks of flats are going up everywhere. Sadly there seems to very little thought as to there positioning. It seems it is all about making as much money as possible out of one piece of land.
And then a photo of the church building that is going up. You are seeing part of the ground floor with windows, doors, electric fitments, plumbing, tiling and painting yet to be done. Work is done as money comes available, though they are hopeful it will be complete and ready to use by the end of the year if not sooner. The local cement factory has just donated several tons of cement that they will deliver! When I went yesterday they were fixing levels using the reliable but slow method of a plastic tube filled with water! No spirit levels or more modern means are available here. Credit to them though for working in the heat. It was 32C yesterday and humid with it. I spent time talking with the leaders about their building, some suggestions as things to think of, ways of doing things, keeping the vision before the people, praying for money and so on. They expressed their gratitude to me which I felt was entirely genuine.
I love new experiences! God is a God of surprises and freshness. New places, new people, new ways of doing things. Here is a new fruit we had never come across before. Mushmulla! We have no idea what it is called in English. It is fresh tasting and is available now at the same time as cherries. It has 2 or 3 quite big stones inside which I have kept to try and grow.
Now to try out the local swimming pool and cool down, if we can find it! We have been told it is very good.
Ken and Ann

The heat is on...

2009-05-19T11:09:00.006+01:00

The title was Ann's suggestion! We seem to spend our time buying bottles of water and trying to keep cool. The Italian ice cream here is wonderful 2 big cones for 70p!
On Sunday we were here in Elbasan. We had good worship led by Ilir above, and then I spoke again about Joseph and wearing the jacket/dress God has given us. Two guys in particular responded. They had both been working abroad and had almost as a consequence, (there are very few Albanian speaking churches in Italy or Greece), been away from God. They were pleased to be back with God's people and knowing again Gods love and restoration. They wanted to be the men God wants them to be. It was a good time.
Afterwards Ilir and Arjana, (Ariana), took us out for lunch. Ilir is one of the musicians I wanted to come to us but he was unable to get a visa. Arjana is involved in childrens work and works for a living with Home of Hope with 15 teenagers who live in and 20 day care children.
Then tea at the home of Gazim amd Adriana and their 3 children. It was hot in the house, vap as they call it here, whilst we had tea and Ann ate ballakuma, a cake that Adriana makes for Ann when we come. It is made with maize flour and something that traditionally is made only in Elbasan on 14th March. We feel it is a great privilege to be part of their lives and be in their homes and be called their friends. We love them lots.
The first photo shows the main street in Elbasan. Does it look different from Bracknell? It is now a paved pedestrian precinct and was formerly part of the via Egnatia, the Roman road from Rome to Constantinople, now Istanbul. The wall on the right is part of the remains of a Turkish fort. This is where people come in the evening when it is cooler for their giro, promenade, to walk and be seen and chat to friends. It is a deliberate daily social event, year round!
Now tonight I speak with the leaders about their church building and the plans for what they will do in it. Photos to follow...
Will keep in touch, Ken and Ann

Go with the flow...

2009-05-16T11:19:00.005+01:00

Back in Elbasan we really do notice the difference in temperature. It is hot by 10 am and soon after we are seeking shade rather than walking in the sun. It reminds us of when we went on holidays to Greece years ago. In case you wonder what we eat then let us say salads form a great part of the diet here and are presented at every meal. We headed off to the market on Thursday morning to get salatte jeshile which is lettuce, domato obviously tomatoes, presh which are giant spring onions about 18 inches high, qepe onions, and kastravets cucumber. Our Albanian is sufficient to order what weight we want or how many we want. Salads come in a variety of forms either sallate miks, your normal lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and cucumber or sallate fshati village salad that will have whatever is to hand but usually contains all the above with olives and white cheese like Greek feta cheese. This is our favourite. There is sallate turshi which has pickled white cabbage and pickled gerkins in it, sallate rus, Russian salad with cold vegetables in mayonnaise and so on. Salad is put on the table at every meal time. You can even get it for breakfast. The fruit is also wonderful because apart from bananas everything is fresh and local or grown say within 60 miles. Yesterday we had the first of the cherries, and bought some kiwi fruit. I don't go much on kiwi fruit usually but these are something else. They are really big and juicy and delightful. Together with strawberries these are the main fresh fruit available at the moment. June sees peaches and apricots and early apples, July brings the first big figs and grapes which continue through the summer and then autumn brings apples from the cooler mountains, pomegranates and citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons and the wonderful blood oranges.
We spend time then in the Internet cafe catching up on emails and sending some, and writing our blog. Whatever is happening in the UK could just as well be a million miles away! I phone my mother who tells me it is cold in the UK and she has had the heating on and it is pouring with rain. And we are doing our best to walk in the shade!
Just before 5pm we walk to Ilir and Rudinas, me to go for a walk with Ilir and talk whilst Ann goes to a women's Bible study come homegroup in the house. We are spotted in the street by Vali and Elsa, our former landlady and one her daughters and they invite us for coffee and raki later in the evening. By 7.30pm the ladies have finished and Ilir and I have covered all manner of topics concerning church life, so we go withe the flow and we head off at 8pm to the home of Arti and Vali, and Era and Elsa the two daughters aged 16 and 18 who both speak English. They are delighted to see us again and we drink Turkish coffee in small cups with a small glass of raki, the liqueur that Albanians drink. Elsa, who has designs on being either a politician or an actress, I tell her they are much the same, shows us a video of some acting she has done in the local theatre just a few days previously with her school. The programme is pulled together with the guy here who is the main host of Te Vlen, the Albanian version of Who's got talent? Finally we leave at 9pm to go home and then Ann prepares our evening meal in our basic kitchen. Basic means we have two rings but only one works, there is no work top, just use the table! what is the problem?, no real utensils other than what we buy, and one saucepan and low electric power. Turn the kettle on and the lights dim! I am serious. But Ann is wonderful as ever and by 10.30pm we are sitting down to a lovely meal including yet another salad! End of another wonderful day.

Korca part 2

2009-05-15T12:27:00.002+01:00

Sunday saw us go to the morning Youth Meeting with about 20 people. They led the whole time with worship and then two of them gave a short preach about prayer. I brought some application about praying and Edi wrapped the meeting up. He and Artina , Arta for short, have gathered a good group. They have 40 young people who want to come to the Youth Camp in July. Lunch with Edi and Arta and then back for the second meeting at 5pm. Most people here are self employed, there being no big companies to employ people other than the State for teachers, Police, hospital staff, civil servants etc. So they meet when people have finished work at 4pm. (Remember too that there is a mixture of Muslim, who have Friday as a day of rest if any, and Orthodox with Sunday off if any.) We had excellent worship with a number of Hillsong songs and others we know. Again I spoke about Joseph wearing his coat of many colours and that God has given us a coat to wear. Edi called for a response and we prayed for many. There were about 70 people in all. I find it moving when we are asked to pray for people who are sick where in the UK one would think to go to the doctor first. Then another time of worship after this as they feel God has so blessed them. Then back to Edi and Arta's to eat whilst all the while Edi is plying me with questions. Then a taxi back to the hotel as it was pouring with rain.
On Monday we went by furgon, minibus, to Pogradec an hour away. It is a town on the shores of Lake Ohrid, and near the Macedonian border. It is an old lake formed by the earth's crust moving and very deep with varieties of fish found no where else. A bit like Loch Ness without Nessie! We walked to the Nehemiah Centre a German evangelical centre used as a private school during the week and for youth events and conferences during weekends. Edi understood that we wanted to see the place but was unprepared for all the questions we asked. Do our team need to bring their own sheets, own towels, what food will be served, can we see the kitchens, what are the sleeping arrangements, and the toilets (they are Turkish!) and they double up as showers! so you can do both at the same time??! We saw the main meeting hall and checked on the availability of a drum kit, keyboard, mixing desk etc. Edi was stunned by all our questions! He clearly is not an administrator but thankfully Arta is. The place is well organised and really clean as you can imagine run by a German organisation. We look forward to our Youth Band being their in July and many lives being changed. The numbers wanting to come to the Camp, (they always use the term Camp rather than conference even though we are in permanent buildings) are increasing. Edi says he has 40 who want to come in addition to others from other churches in Albania, some of the guys he gathers in Ohrid, Macedonia and the youth from Kosova. The latter are in for a really long furgon journey. The direct route is through Macedonia but they have no passports being young and they are costly. However they can come straight into Albania on the Kosova/Albania border with their ID cards but it means a really long journey. It is at times like this when one appreciates the joys of having a UK/EU passport!
Then back to Korca grabbing a bite on the way of byrek, hot filo pastry filled with feta cheese. Ann had chips as she cannot eat bread, pastry, cakes or anything with flour! Then a meeting of workers at Edi and Arta's house at 6pm. They are called workers not leaders! I spoke to the group and and at Edi's request spoke to them about money! There's a surprise! I could have spoken all night, but we closed at 8pm. Then Arta cooked us a meal and we walked home through deserted dark streets! Everybody seems to be home with doors shut by 9pm and the streets become completely deserted. It is eerie! and street lighting is poor.
On Tuesday morning we went for a walk to look at some of the sites in Korca but they were shut! One was an art gallery in the former house of a painter of Albanian Impressionist Art, but it was closed for redecoration. So we had a coffee, them met with Edi to talk through the whole programme and arrangements for the Youth Camp. I think we did it to death but it was necessary. Edi wants Lee and Liam to speak at main sessions but also for Lee to speak to church leaders about Youth Work in a church setting. In the evening we had a meal out with Edi and Arta, partly to say thank you to them for inviting us, giving us so much time, and being so patient as we learn their culture and ways and as we teach them and give them ideas and bring Godly challenge. They are just such a brilliant couple who soak up all that we say. It is a joy to be with them and sad to leave them.
Wednesday we decided we must get a piece of paper from the Police for insurance purposes. So I went again with Edi to the Police. It was the same again with explanations all round at the entrance gate to the Police Station, but this time we got to speak to an Inspector who told us to come back in an hour and he would see what he could do. After walking away about 100 yards he calls Edi on his mobile and something could be done now. So back we go and eventually we see an man who types up my details with Edi 's help. What is my fathers name? my father is dead...Yes but what is his name? OK Frederick and so on until we get the printed signed letter. I have reported my belongings as lost. If I say they are stolen they must open a case and I must stay in Albania indefinitely at my cost until it is sorted. Not an option!
At last it is all sorted and then we pack our belongings and head for a furgon to Elbasan. Edi finds one and we get on board. We wait an hour and a quarter, as the driver tries to drum up other customers by touring the local streets in the minibus before we finally set off. Two and a half hours later we arrive in a really hot Elbasan! Korca is in the mountains so cooler by several degrees. But we are home and collapse on the bed, then make a drink and then go food shopping! Another chapter finished in our time here!
Ken and Ann

Korca part 1

2009-05-12T10:18:00.005+01:00

The reason you have heard nothing from us in the last few days is because we have been so busy. Last Friday we travelled to Korca by minibus about 2 and a half hours. It was marred by me having my shoulder bag stolen. Sadly this is a constant hazard in Albania. We were siting at the front of the minibus with my bag at my feet and 2 women behind me must have put their hand under the seat and took the bag which contained my camera and my ordinary glasses. I was wearing my sun glasses at the time and so at least I have them. I feel annoyed with myself for being so foolish when I know that travelling or even moving about here is a hazard with people pestering mainly children for money and pickpockets about the place. We physically stand out, not because we wish to but we do, me being taller than most and having a paler skin.
Anyway we met Edi and Artina who were delighted to see us. They took us straight to their youth meeting. They have an excellent rented building with space for young people to play table tennis as well as space for about 100 people. We spent a time in worship with these 20 or so young folks.
Saturday saw us travelling to Voskopoja, a village in the mountains which 300 years ago was the largest city in the Balkans with 35,000 people but now has just a handful. It is noted for a church with icon like paintings on the outside of the building as well as inside. The church was locked, and Edi fetched the priest to get the key. Then we had coffee at a hotel in the mountains. We were surrounded by stunning scenery. Mountains surround you wherever you go and the tops are still snow covered. Then we went to Arta's favourite restaurant beside a stream in the village of Boboshtica for a wonderful meal of roast lamb and offal with salad and chips.
Then to the Police Station in Korca to report my stolen bag. This is not as straight forward as you might think. There is hand shaking all round, this is at the gate to the Police Station, an explanation of what has happened to all and sundry, the Police Officers of various ranks and bystanders who are just curious. There is a lot of head shaking and talking and discussion and commiserations and more hand shaking but they are not willing to do anything but rather suggest that I report this to the Police in Elbasan where we came from. So reluctantly we call it a day.
There had been a family bereavement in the church so this meant Edi needed to go and see the family for an hour or two, then go later again that evening with Artina for a further 2 hours and then again the following day. Staying overnight with the family would not have been out of the question just to express support.
As we have not written for a while let me post this and write more later today about our time in Korca.
We are definitely in a different culture but the wonderful thing is God is everywhere!
Ken and Ann

Alpha

2009-05-06T10:10:00.008+01:00

Yesterday after 4 pm we went to a family home in a hamlet just outside Librazhd, where they were just starting an Alpha course Albanian style. By that they mean they do not call it a course, that would put people off, rather they say we are meeting to have coffee and talk about a topic then people are open to coming. The 2 leaders are Ilir, bottom left and Ladi, top right who lead several groups like this. The lady in the white headscarf Ruzhdie, aged 68, next to Ann was brought up Muslim. One time when she was in bed at night she was not able to move her arms at all, they were completely rigid. For the first time she prayed to Jesus to help her and immediately she was able to move her arms. She saw a beautiful face surrounded by light and a voice said I am Jesus follow me! So she has ever since. The lady sitting on the other side of Ann is Ruzhdie's daughter Mahie also a follower of Jesus and so is her son Sami who is bottom right in the photo. The young girls in the photo, Brisilda, Paola and Marcela have been invited to the Youth Camp in July that our Youth band are going to. Please pray that they want to go and that Jesus changes their lives.
After we went to Ilirs home, no apostrophes on this key board, where we met his wife Donika and family, and then ate a delicious meal with boiled potatoes for once. After the children were in bed we talked about many things including buildings and finances.

On Monday when we met with Ilir and Rudina they took us for coffee in a cafe 13 stories up that overlooks Elbasan. The video clip shows some of the mountains and hills overlooking the city and the number of apartments blocks, pallati, that have been built in recent years. Elbasan was built on the via Egnatia, the Roman road that led from Rome to Constantinople, now Istanbul. It has been and still is the main highway for traffic from Italy and Albania to Macedonia, northern Greece and Turkey. It follows the route of the Shkumbini river up into the mountains.

Today the weather has changed. Gone are the thunder clouds and it is blue sky and HOT. Local men still walk round with a thick shirt, pullover and a jacket on, where I am in my shirt sleeves.
Now off to the pazaar, get lunch, change money and then to a meeting to talk about the future of childrens work here. Another day here then off to Korca.
We will keep in touch
Ken and Ann

Onto Librazhd

2009-05-05T12:56:00.004+01:00

After work yesterday we had drinks out with Ilir and Rudina, pictured here, with their 3 daughters Sara, Eliada and Abigail. I had salep, a Turkish drink of a bulb of some sort that is crushed and mixed with hot milk. Nowadays people buy it in powder form just as we would make Horlicks. The cafe has a revolving coffee bar 13 storeys up so one has a wonderful view of the mountains that surround Elbasan. Whilst the girls were playing and dancing, we talked business. We spoke about their new church building and praying for money to come, building vision for it and many practical issues surrounding this. The we went for a giro, a walk round the town, along with half the population of Elbasan. This is an important part of the day and very sociable. People meet friends and talk, catch up on news, meet business acquaintances and arrange meetings, all done with much handshaking, kissing, and something new to me, a gentle pinching of children's cheeks, which conveys I love you!
This afternoon, we will travel half an hour to the neighbouring town of Librazhd where the leaders have said they would like to meet up with us. I guess it will be a getting to know you session with lots of questions and answers. We will stay in someones home overnight and then return by furgon, minibus tomorrow.
We will be in touch
Ken and Ann

Over the mountains to Elbasan

2009-05-03T14:58:00.005+01:00

Well here we are in Elbasan! Albania's 3rd largest city.
We had an excellent time in Tirana, meeting the leaders from the other churches, catching up on their news and praying with them. Ann was right, the downtown hotel was an experience with a Turkish toilet. When Albania became free and people got more money the first thing they did was to replace the Turkish toilet with a western one. Ann has given me permission to say that they are not her favourite experience but they do strengthen the leg muscles! I will say no more.
Another picture to convey that things are a bit different here is the photo taken on the way to the Internet cafe of Ann and the lady with the red wedding dress. There are lots and lots of wedding dress shops all in the same street and a huge variety of colours pink, purple, cream, etc all of course suit their dark hair and olive skin.
This morning we went to church here. There were loads of children. Many in the church are in their 30's and 40's so lots of their own children and they also run a Kids Club on Saturdays. It was good to be here again and meet many we know. Their church building is proceeding well. We have just given some money to it to enable them to install windows and doors etc. We prayed for our Youth band that comes out to Albania in July. In addition to the Albanians we are looking at them being joined by youth from Macedonia and Kosova.
We were at Arjan and Blerina's for a meal last night. Another wonderful meal with fresh fish, olive and orange salad and so on. Their children are learning English and already know how to ask for ice cream! The day is filled with bright sunshine getting hot midday say 25C then thunder clouds forming and down pours follow. From our apartment we can see snow still on the mountain tops about 6500-7000 ft.
Yesterday we went to the pazaar to buy our fruit and veg. Ann loves it. Lovely local cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes, (already) and peppers, oranges etc. It is a great experience.
Finally for today, the top photo. It is so Albanian to see men sitting in the park playing chess, backgammon, cards, talking and drinking coffee all day whilst their womenfolk clean the house and prepare the meals. Each village and town has an area like this called seshi burra, a flat area of land, in a very hilly country, where the men meet and used to resolve differences by fighting. Just to keep you learning Albanian burra is men and gra is women. We are now off to buy a colander and a bottle of fresh pasteurised milk. Milk is either UHT or bought from a farmer you know and you boil it yourself. We have found a shop that sells pasteurised fresh milk! Wow!
We will be in touch.
Ken and Ann

South to Tirana

2009-04-30T09:32:00.005+01:00

The last couple of days it has rained and it has been raining again so far this morning. We go for walks in between the down pours, talk with Robert and Mira about all manner of things, read books and keep learning Albanian.

We have just repacked our suitcases, as after an early lunch, (lunch here is normally at 2pm), we will travel south to Tirana the capital. There we will meet up with leaders from several cities. Greeting each other and having a coffee will easily take an hour. Then I guess a report back session followed by one of my favourite meals here in Albania.. mish qengji helli me patate me salad mix..whole roast lamb on the spit with potatoes, which always means chips, never boiled, roasted or baked potatoes, and a mixed salad.

Yesterday the water was off for the whole afternoon, which is particularly galling when it is raining outside.

Overnight we will stay in a 2 star down town hotel, which Ann says could be an experience. Another session together on Friday morning and then we are off again on a journey to Elbasan. where we will be over the weekend. There we will stay in a YWAM house. As I write this in the Internet cafe, outside are a whole number of pigs rooting around in the flower beds for whatever they can get. And nobody sees this as amusing only us!

We will of course catch up on the news from Elbasan and renew our friendships with Ilir and Arjan and Festim and many others we know. Next Monday is a National Holiday just as it is in the UK so we will probably have a day out with some of them on Monday.

We will keep in touch and nextime it will be from Elbasan.

Ken and Ann

North to Shkodra

2009-04-28T10:49:00.012+01:00

On Sunday morning we were with Robert and Mira at their church. I spoke from Genesis 37 about the mistakes Jacob and Joseph and his brothers made, but mainly that Joseph wore the coat he was given by his father and we need to wear "the coat" our Father God has given us.

Yesterday we travelled to Shkodra, the main city in the north of Albania. It is a university town, is surrounded by rivers on three sides and so historically has been easily defended by its huge hill top castle. It is the most Roman Catholic part of Albania and is also on the shores of Lake Shkodra, the largest lake in Albania and one of the biggest in the Balkans. Because the city is on flat land by the lake there are cyclists everywhere, even women cycling, which is something one doesn't see in the rest of Albania. Mira did not learn to ride a bike until she was 14. Robert met with friends whilst we walked with Mira who bumped into friends all the time as this was where she worked for 2 years.

I often think what images will convey to you that where we are is not like home. Well here, above, is a photo of the centre of Shkodra with the Abu Bekr mosque, which is front of the Orthodox cathedral which is close to the Catholic cathedral. There is also a photo of sheep on the main road into Lezhe.

We had lunch at a fish restaurant beside Lake Shkodra. My fish came cooked on ridge tile from a

roof! Getting this written up has taken time today...the electricity supply was cut off half way through doing this and then when it came back on no one could get the Internet!! Thanks for your comments...keep them coming.

Ken and Ann

Life in Lezhe..

2009-04-25T11:31:00.004+01:00

Well we are here in Lezhe! We flew here from Gatwick with Mira ,Robert's wife. With all of our suitcases and hers, I wondered how Robert would get us to their house, but not to worry, Sokol a Policeman in their church arrived with a minibus to take us to their apartment. We have had a day settling in, buying the fruit and veg; we have had an Albanian lesson Un Jam Ken, I am Ken etc and meeting Mira's brother Mundi who is studying journalism at university. We have already invited Robert and Mira to the Willow Creek Leadership conference as I know they would so benefit from it. We are catching up on the news of their church and other people we both know here in Albania and are talking future plans. Now we are heading off to Shengjin, St John, a small harbour and beach nearby to have a lunch of fresh fish in a small cafe overlooking the blue Aegean Sea! What a good beginning to our time here in Albania!

Thank you for your appreciative comments. When we read them the distance between here and home instantly disappears and it is though we are with you.

Ken and Ann

2009-04-10T16:10:00.001+01:00

After many promptings we thought it best to set up a blog to help many of our friends and family to follow us as we journey through the Balkans. Some of you will know that we have been travelling firstly to Albania and now later to Macedonia and Kosova. We will try to keep this up to date but not every town has an internet cafe, and in this part of the world even they can have their power supply cut off. This year we will not fly to Albania until Thursday 23rd April when we go direct with BA to Rinas, the village that gives it's name to Albania's airport.

We fly out with Mira, wife to Robert (photo) who lead a church in Lezhe some 30 miles north of Tirana the capital. We were invited to Robert and Mira's wedding in Vlora last August. It was our first experience of an Albanaian wedding which was absolutely wonderful. It is at least a 2 if not 3 day affair with meals and dancing first at the brides parents house and then at the bridegrooms. Only after everyone is exhausted and had their fill of food and dancing does the groom take his bride away. It is at this point, when the groom formally collects his wife from her parents' home, that they are married! Can you imagine the setting overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea and a temp of 37C, dancing until you wanted to drop, and food continuously being provided? Well it is to their new home that we will go and spend 4 or 5 days with Robert and Mira and people in their church.