Sunday, June 28, 2026

In Acts 2 we read that on the day of Pentecost a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where Jesus’ followers had gathered.  They saw tongues of fire that ame to rest on each of them, and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  Peter stood up and explained: “These people are not drunk, as you suppose.  It’s only nine in the morning!  No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Just a few days ago, at the new start-up church in Morave (55 miles south of Peshkopi), we were together with predominately Roma Christians, and I was in the middle of a 20-minute presentation on the birth of Jesus when suddenly there was a rush of wind, accompanied by rain and thunder.  It even blew down the tents where Carolyn, Denise and some others were doing crafts with the kids, reminding us of the powerful presence of the Spirit of God. 

This morning, we gathered in worship at the Alpha Omega Church in Peshkopi, Albania, “ground zero” for our mission work.  There was no violent wind, no tongues of fire, and the singing, praying, and preaching were all done in a language very different than our own.  And, I assure you there was no alcohol involved!  As usual, I understood very little of it, nor did the American team, but the Holy Spirit was present, calling and gathering us together with our Albanian friends to worship God who has revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ. 

As I write this on Sunday afternoon, the American team is down the street, setting up classrooms we will be using at a local school so we’ll be ready to go tomorrow morning.  We will focus on the story of Jonah throughout the week to help teach English to the local students – we’re expecting 65 kids for the English language camp and about 30 for the teen camp.  It’s going to be a busy week!  All prayers from our mission Senders are deeply appreciated.