The Albania Camp 2 this week is taking place in the village of Kastriot, just a few miles outside the town of Peshkopi, where Camp 1 took place last week at Alpha Omega Church. Kastriot village is where Alpha Omega pastor, Ermal Lushi, was born. This is a beautiful place, located on the western slopes of a mountain range that borders with North Macedonia. Looking west, the slope continues into the Black Drin River valley and leads up to another mountain range. Did I say this is a beautiful place?! It is, indeed!

The place of ministry this week is called Center for Hope in Diber (picture below), and a Bible verse from Jeremiah 29 is written on the wall in the entry: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Those words were brought to the Israelites during their Babylonian Captivity by the prophet Jeremiah, but certainly speak to the people in this place, and it is the American team’s privilege, along with our wonderful Albanian partners, to convey this message to the children God is bringing to the camp. We are doing this as we teach the children English by emphasizing God’s power to heal (the theme), using several healing stories from the Bible – the healing of Naaman the Syrian Commander, the healing of the ten lepers, the healing of the invalid by the Pool of Bethesda, the parable of the Prodigal Son, and Mary meeting the resurrected Jesus in the garden. These are great stories, and the children are responding with interest and curiosity. We continue to pray that their English will improve and that their hearts will be open to the good news of Jesus Christ.

the American team selfie – from New Mexico, Ohio, Latvia, and Washington state

Center for Hope in Kastriot

the area around the Center for Hope/Outreach Center

just down the road from the Center for Hope/Outreach Center

also just down the road from the Center for Hope/Outreach Center

English language learning – with a lot of chatter and laughter!

updated picture of Carolyn’s class – Ina, far left, is the translator