tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45897422794846935372024-03-13T09:44:25.580-07:00Living in the Land of EaglesHayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-64250963794190272612012-09-18T13:21:00.000-07:002012-09-18T13:21:58.803-07:00ReflectionSince I arrived home from Albania I have been trying to write a concluding post, something I could say to wrap up my trip and summarize what I learned. For months, I've been trying to think of what to write. But how can I possibly summarize eight months of life-changing experience? It's not easy.<br />
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The trip was certainly different than I had expected. Before I left home, I knew better than to set expectations because I had no idea what life would be like in Albania. But in my mind, I suppose I over-glamorized missions a little bit. I pictured myself working hard every day, accomplishing great things for God. But a lot of the trip consisted of me staying around the house, waiting and praying for opportunities to serve. My lack of busyness certainly wasn't for lack of trying! There were many ministries I tried to be involved in, many people I tried to build relationships with, but a lot of it didn't work out. I often wondered how that could be God's plan. Didn't He want me to do great things for Him? Sometimes I would be discouraged and even a little disappointed with myself about how little i thought I had accomplished. Although these feelings hardly ever lasted long, the devil would definitely use those discouraging moments to make me feel like I had accomplished nothing.<br />
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In the middle of such times God always reminded me, not of what I accomplished, but what <em>He</em> accomplished through me. I may not have been involved in the kind of opportunities I picture, but God had so many other wonderful ministries in store for me! And though I may not have learned the lessons I expected to learn, I certainly learned many things I didn't plan on. God helped me stretch and grow in ways that I wouldn't have anticipated. Through my experience in Albania, I learned how to adjust to a new culture and a new language. I learned my own insignificance. I learned the importance of building relationships to bring people to the Lord. I learned patience. I learned to be dependent on my Redeemer. I learned to work with unpredictable situations and to expect the unexpected. I learned that God works in ways that i can't imagine.<br />
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Coming home after such a life-changing experience was both easier and harder than I would have imagined. It's a strange feeling to try and fall back into a normal pattern of life while maintaining the changes of heart that I experienced. To be honest, the first few weeks I was home from Albania were very difficult. I would find myself sitting in church on Sunday on the verge of tears because I wanted nothing more than to be worshipping with the Albanians. I would look at the cushy lives we live, the facades we wear, and wish i was back among people who lived out their faith boldly in the face of persecution. A lot of times my daily life felt, well...<em>wrong.</em> Sometimes it still feels wrong.<br />
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I have adjusted back to American life again, though I am still learning how to apply my changed outlook to the way I live on a regular basis. My prayer is that I would not get <em>too</em> adjusted. I don't ever want to lose the passion that God has given me for reaching those who do not know Him. Albania is always in the back of my mind, and I pray that it will always be so. It is a constant reminder that my purpose in this life is to serve Him and Him alone. I look back on my time in Albania and realize how truly blessed I am to have experienced the things I experienced.<br />
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People often ask me if I want to go back. <strong>My answer is a definite "Yes!"</strong><br />
HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-64317610918697256342012-05-23T11:36:00.000-07:002013-05-28T10:12:37.516-07:00Something to Think AboutFor some time now, I've been rather disenchanted with the way Americans typically practice Christianity. And after eight months of observing Albanian Christians, I have begun to notice even more ways that we, as American Christians, often fall short. I grew up in the church, blessed with Christian parents, so my faith has always been a part of my life. And I think that's the problem with many of us. We take our faith for granted, and because of that we often lose sight of what a relationship with God is supposed to look like.<br />
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Albanian Christians have been so fascinating to me. Many of them are first-generation believers. For them, putting their trust in the Lord involved a complete change of their hearts and their actions. Many of them are rejected and even persecuted by their families for their faith. They rise above the social and cultural norms that most Albanians practice and choose a life of servitude to the Lord and to His people. Because many of them did not grow up in Christian households, it is a difficult decision to abandon the lives that they choose to leave behind. For them, it is not as simple as saying a prayer and attending church - they often must forsake family, friends, and tradition to follow the Lord. The change that takes place in their hearts is so drastic that other people can't help but notice the difference.<br />
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The church that I attend here often reminds me of the early church in the book of Acts. The faith that they practice is so pure, so genuine. Their worship is heartfelt; their preaching is taken straight from the Bible and does not require embellishment to make it entertaining to them - they simply love to hear the Word of the Lord. They do not need flashing lights or exciting social events to keep them interested in going to church. To them, choosing to accept Christ doesn't mean saying a prayer and then continuing to live their lives as they did before - in fact, they would probably be utterly shocked to hear that that is how many Americans treat their Christianity.<br />
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These observations have led me to consider how the American church is falling short. In comparison with the Albanians, and ultimately, with the believers of the church in the New Testament, I have begun to see how watered-down our religion is. Do we have an all-consuming passion for the truth? Do our choices reflect God, or the world? Is a deeper relationship with God our biggest desire? Do we let our faith define us? Or are we just content to let him be an accessory, only a small part of our life that we take out and use on occasions that suit our purpose?HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-78284786261062015972012-03-19T14:51:00.001-07:002012-09-18T12:55:09.725-07:00Dita e VeresLast Wednesday was Dita e Veres, or "Spring Day," here in Albania. On Dita e Veres, all the schools have the day off, and everyone congregates in the center of town to celebrate. I went out with some friends to join in the festivities. One of the main streets of Tirana was decorated with garlands of large, brightly-colored plastic flowers strung over the road, and there were booths set up to sell food and traditional crafts. On street corners, people sold yellow mimosa flowers, which grow all over Albania in the spring and make the air smell wonderful.<br />
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My friends and I wandered through the crowded streets, stopping to watch a traditional dance and to drink thick Turkish coffee. We ate akullore (ice cream) and admired the beautiful hand-made traditional crafts that people were selling in booths on the side of the road. I got to try ballokume, a large cookie made of corn meal that is traditionally eaten on Dita e Veres. I also got to climb the pyramid, a monument in the center of town that was constructed to honor the death of Albania's communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, in 1985. The walls of the pyramid are very steep, and I was absolutely terrified to climb it! But the view from the top was wonderful. We could look down on all the festivities below us, and the crowd was so thick that we could barely see the ground.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ballokume</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">With two of my friends, Edi and Jozi</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">At the top of the pyramid</span></div>
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HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-88337172825881124702012-03-14T10:15:00.000-07:002012-03-14T10:15:46.892-07:00God Is The Only Thing That Can "Mbush"I met with my friend last Wednesday evening to discuss what she had been learning from her Bible. She told me that she has been reading her Bible for several hours each evening, and that she has started praying and asking God for help. She talked about how she realizes her sin and has repented of it, and how she told God that she wants to follow Him. She has been excitedly telling her friends and family about her new faith. In her own words, "Everyone wants money, possessions, and relationships, but it's all 'kot' [vain] and God is the only thing that can 'mbush' [fill]. People don't say thank-you to God enough." She also said that she has always been different from her friends because she wants to know why we're here, what the point of life is. She had gotten a philosophy book from her school library in an attempt to answer her questions. But when she began reading the Bible, she returned the philosophy book because she knew she had found the truth she was looking for.<br />
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I am still completely in awe of the faith God has given her. Her understanding and insight put me to shame. I often feel like she is teaching me more than I am teaching her!HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-56869588373858041322012-03-05T12:37:00.003-08:002012-03-14T10:17:19.577-07:00God is Doing Amazing Things!I just spoke on the phone with my friend again today, and what she said is exciting enough to warrant another post!<br />
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When she called, she asked for an explanation of a verse, and then told me that she has continued to read through the Bible and has been learning so much. She said that she's been "asking Jesus for help." She is so enthralled in the Word of God, and is so excited about all that she is learning. I am completely in awe of how God is working in her life! His Word is alive and powerful, and it is speaking to her heart. Other than bringing her to church and giving her the Bible, I haven't really had any serious discussions with her about what it means to have faith in God. But He has really been working in her and preparing her. It just shows how powerful He is, and how little He needs my help! His Word speaks for itself! I feel like she has learned more from reading the Bible on her own the past two days than many people have learned about God in their whole lives.<br />
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I am going to meet with her on Wednesday to talk about it all, which will hopefully lead to her making a decision for Christ. Although, she may have already made the decision herself! I don't think she has ever heard salvation and faith in Christ spelled out the way I would like explain it to her, but she certainly believes in God and sees her need for Him. I may be able to explain some things to her, but God has already done the most important work. He has gotten a hold of her heart in a way that I cannot even understand!<br />
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</div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-41343148177068633162012-03-05T07:42:00.007-08:002012-03-19T14:57:52.531-07:00His Word is Alive and Powerful!While living in Albania, one of my biggest problems has been not knowing how to communicate with other people about my faith. Telling someone about Christ is a daunting task in itself, but add to that the confusion of a language barrier and it sometimes seems impossible! I have been learning as much Albanian as I can pick up without taking lessons, but by now my vocabulary is only that of a two-year-old. And most of the young Albanians that I have met know a good amount of English, but it's not enough to speak fluently on important topics. (You know, how the God who created the Universe sent his son in human form to save us from our sin and depravity, and stuff like that.) With such an obstacle, fear of miscommunication seems like a very legitimate concern. But how can I do what I feel God has called me to do when I am so afraid to speak to others about Him?<br />
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Recently, I have been reading through Isaiah and Jeremiah. Several verses jumped out at me and, like a slap in the face, showed me how ridiculous I have been:<br />
<ul><li>Isaiah 50:4 - "<strong>The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, </strong>so that I know how to comfort the weary..."</li>
<li>Isaiah 51:16 - "<strong>And I have put my words in your mouth</strong> and hidden you safely in my hand..."</li>
<li>Isaiah 59:21 - "'And this is my covenant with them,' says the Lord. "My Spirit will not leave them, and <strong>neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children forever.</strong> I, the Lord, have spoken."</li>
<li>Jeremiah 1:7-9 - "The Lord replied, 'Don't say "I'm too young," for you must go wherever I send you and <strong>say whatever I tell you. </strong>And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!' Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, <strong>'Look, I have put my words in your mouth!</strong>'"</li>
</ul>God gave His prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, the right words to say because He knew they could not do it alone. I realize now that my worry is completely unfounded. When God gives us a job, He also provides us with what we need to do it. And not only will He give us the words to say, but He has also provided us with the Bible, which is powerful enough to speak for itself! Now, I have a new found confidence that God will provide me with His words. After all, I am nothing more than His instrument. I cannot accomplish anything on my own, but He will provide what I need to bring Him glory.<br />
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I have continued to build a relationship with an Albanian friend. She speaks enough English that we can communicate fairly well, although we often end up laughing over the misunderstandings that the language barrier creates. I often go to her house for lunch and to help her with her English homework. She has also been coming to church with me almost every Sunday for the past two months. She enjoys the service, and I know that she pays attention because she often comments about the message and tells me that it really made her think. She is very open and receptive to the Gospel. Yesterday, I gave her an Albanian Bible and a pamphlet about eternal life. Later that day, she called me to tell me that she had spent the past few hours reading them, and that it's been making her think about her life. She said it made her realize that she does wrong things, and she told me over and over how much she loved the books.<br />
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It's truly incredible how God has been working in<span style="background-color: white;"> her</span>! To her, the Word of God is like a mirror, showing her sin and her need for Christ. No one had to tell her these things - she learned them on her own by listening in church, and now by reading the Bible. Her simple acceptance of the truth reflects the child-like faith that the Bible says we should have. I plan on meeting with her sometime this week to talk about the Gospel. Please pray that God would give me the words to say, and that He would continue to give her a soft heart that is receptive to His salvation.HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-4130447966193301532012-02-20T02:47:00.001-08:002012-02-26T09:14:59.520-08:00Bethany OrphanageFor the past few months, I have been volunteering at Bethany Orphanage with my aunt, Kristi, and my cousin, Sofi. We go for a few hours on Tuesday mornings to play with the toddlers there. Many orphanages in Albania are dreary places to live, and the children are not always properly taken care of. However, Bethany is a wonderful orphanage with beautiful facilities and workers who truly care about the children. There are about twenty toddlers that we play with, and they are all so precious! Many of these children lived in awful situations and witnessed horrific events before coming to live at the orphanage, and as a result, some of them are very emotionally scarred. They receive wonderful care at Bethany, but it is still a hard life to live in a home with twenty other toddlers and only a few workers to share between them, without a family and without one-on-one attention. It has been a wonderful experience to be able to go for a few hours a week and love on these little ones.HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-78798952009542566762012-02-16T06:08:00.001-08:002012-03-06T12:16:28.288-08:00Snow!For the past few weeks, it's been snowing a lot here. It's warmer in Tirana than in the rest of the country, so we've gotten nothing but rain and a few snow flurries yesterday morning. But Mount Dajti, which is a fifteen-minute cable car ride from Tirana, is absolutely covered in snow. On Monday, we went up to Dajti with some friends and spent the day playing in the snow.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, other areas of Albania haven't been having so much fun with the snow. It's one of the coldest winters that has struck Albania in a very long time, and most areas up north are covered in snow. Several of our friends who live in Tropoja in the far north of Albania are trapped in their houses under several feet of snow, and a few people have even died in the bad weather. We frequently hear helicopters leaving the capitol to take supplies to those who are trapped. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the boarder of Kosovo, very near Tropoja, an avalanche crushed several houses and killed ten people from one family. Only one five-year-old girl was pulled from the rubble alive and unharmed. Her parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles are all dead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pray for this little girl, as well as all the others in the north who are trapped in their houses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-35219962221147025272012-01-26T01:12:00.002-08:002012-03-14T10:20:44.692-07:00My FriendIn the past few weeks, my uncle has been making friends with our mailman. He discovered that our mailman's first wife was a Christian, and when she died he married a woman who is Muslim by tradition, though not in practice. He is very open to discussion of Christianity, and has many questions about our faith. His fifteen-year-old neice has been living with him and his wife for the past few years. Two Sundays ago, they came to church with us. They both enjoyed it, and would like to continue coming. I was also able to spend some time at their house last week, to help the girl with English homework and to get to know her and her aunt. She speaks only a little English, and her aunt speaks none at all, so trying to communicate is often very comical. But both of them are very kind and welcoming, and I enjoyed the time I spent with them. My friend and I plan to continue spending time together, and I am praying that she will keep coming to church with me. Please pray that she and I would be able to develop a good friendship, and that she would come to know the Lord.HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-40445406243547138142012-01-23T11:54:00.001-08:002012-03-02T04:26:10.203-08:00Life in Albania<ul><li>An estimated 70% of Albanians are Muslim, though many follow Islam only by tradition and do not practice it devoutly. Other prominent religions include Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox. </li>
<li>The mountains are truly stunning. My cousin likes to say that if all the mountains in Albania were ironed out, the country would be the size of Russia.</li>
<li>Albania has a rich history that goes back thousands and thousands of years. It's so different from America, which is a relatively new country! There are many historical sites from as far back as before Greek and Roman times, and I would love to know what history is buried beneath some of the major cities.</li>
<li>The story behind the two-headed eagle on the Albanian flag can be found <a href="http://www.hosaflook.info/theHosaflooks/ourField_Eagle.html" target="_blank">here</a>:</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z28TFdrW3Y0/Tx2pTLIOlnI/AAAAAAAAAEk/hQjcS4yjkC8/s1600/Albanian+flag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z28TFdrW3Y0/Tx2pTLIOlnI/AAAAAAAAAEk/hQjcS4yjkC8/s200/Albanian+flag.png" width="200" /></a></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very few people obey the traffic laws. Stoplights are irrelevant, everyone makes their own lanes, and the policemen who stand on the side of the road and wave their arms are almost completely ineffective.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Albania is known as the most hospitable country in Europe.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have to filter all the drinking water so we don't get parasites.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone throws their trash in the streets. Several times, we've passed a huge trash pile on the ground...right next to an empty dumpster.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Crossing the streets is like being in a game of Frogger.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We bleach all the fruits and vegetables that we buy from open markets because it's hard to know how clean they are. My aunt once saw a rat crawling over all the tomatoes.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One word: "Opa!"</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kolonat is the Albanian equivalent of McDonald's, and AFC is the Albanian knock-off of KFC.</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OetHR0BiHNY/Tx2qhFfm55I/AAAAAAAAAEs/K3JrOMXhIog/s1600/55952930_d642ee15de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OetHR0BiHNY/Tx2qhFfm55I/AAAAAAAAAEs/K3JrOMXhIog/s200/55952930_d642ee15de.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_wE42EO7fk/Tx2qihqp8rI/AAAAAAAAAE0/m9wrZ4vbJGc/s1600/1_1314675722_albanian-fried-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_wE42EO7fk/Tx2qihqp8rI/AAAAAAAAAE0/m9wrZ4vbJGc/s200/1_1314675722_albanian-fried-chicken.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Personal space does not exist.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Albanian cuisine can be summed up in three words: kos (yogurt), olives, lamb.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shaking your head side to side means "yes."</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you meet elderly ladies, they like to pinch your cheeks and then plan your wedding with their son.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Castles, castles, castles!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New Year's is the most celebrated holiday. Christmas was not celebrated in Albanian during communism, and, though it is celebrated now, is not as big of a deal as New Year's Eve. It is when they give gifts, visit family, and shoot off millions of fireworks that would be illegal in the States.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In most cities, the Muslim Call to Prayer can clearly be heard. </div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone you meet invites you out for coffee. In fact, we drink so much coffee that if I were to get cut, I'm sure I would bleed coffee.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Skanderbeg is the most famous national hero in Albania. He is known for fighting off the invading Ottoman Turks in the 1400's. His statues stands in the center of Tirana, the capitol. Kolonat even has a burger named after him: the Skanderburger!</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UJmirntzFo/Tx2tGzTlUtI/AAAAAAAAAE8/7bURO3Gy0WQ/s1600/Skanderbeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UJmirntzFo/Tx2tGzTlUtI/AAAAAAAAAE8/7bURO3Gy0WQ/s320/Skanderbeg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><ul><li> NUTELLA. </li>
<li>There are 36 letters in the Albanian alphabet. However, reading Albanian is relatively simple - each letter always makes the same sound, very much unlike English! </li>
<li>Popular foods include byrek, sufflaqe, fli, and lamb head roasted on a spit (You don't eat no meat?! Ok, I make lamb :)</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-365VrkAMExE/Tx2tefEUg9I/AAAAAAAAAFE/BaSfwsplCRw/s1600/49827544_4c9bc8fb65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-365VrkAMExE/Tx2tefEUg9I/AAAAAAAAAFE/BaSfwsplCRw/s200/49827544_4c9bc8fb65.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fMtprY4DEOw/Tx2tfeGJdDI/AAAAAAAAAFM/NaXSMQh8I3Q/s1600/40794_152715431406178_152469301430791_478222_1818994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fMtprY4DEOw/Tx2tfeGJdDI/AAAAAAAAAFM/NaXSMQh8I3Q/s200/40794_152715431406178_152469301430791_478222_1818994_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msq4lP1jw2Q/Tx2tjRgSW3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/ktzJaemlVfU/s1600/tumblr_lte034MjmU1qm6v50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msq4lP1jw2Q/Tx2tjRgSW3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/ktzJaemlVfU/s200/tumblr_lte034MjmU1qm6v50.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DlurGl6O2w/Tx2tkeaVtjI/AAAAAAAAAFc/UAocopElXic/s1600/Tirana%252520chicken%252520and%252520lamb%252520heads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DlurGl6O2w/Tx2tkeaVtjI/AAAAAAAAAFc/UAocopElXic/s200/Tirana%252520chicken%252520and%252520lamb%252520heads.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In fact, watch "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." That pretty much sums it all up.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Albanian culture includes a myriad of blessings and curses ("bless your hands," "may you have a long life," etc.) One curse is literally translated as "May the skin on your elbows dry up!"</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Leke </em>is the currency used. It's easy to convert: 100 leke almost exactly equals $1. So a cheeseburger at Kolonat is about 200 leke.</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5Qb_svSfQY/Tx2vzu6952I/AAAAAAAAAFk/4bFPOmwWq44/s1600/2001-1000-leke-taka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5Qb_svSfQY/Tx2vzu6952I/AAAAAAAAAFk/4bFPOmwWq44/s200/2001-1000-leke-taka.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZm9qMJFuac/Tx2wDIpIofI/AAAAAAAAAFs/A0jr-u7Yk_k/s1600/al200naimfrasheri_2159_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZm9qMJFuac/Tx2wDIpIofI/AAAAAAAAAFs/A0jr-u7Yk_k/s200/al200naimfrasheri_2159_0.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the Bible, "Illyricm" was ancient Albania. Romans 15:19, "They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum." </div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-58313011804069647912012-01-17T13:40:00.000-08:002012-01-17T13:40:24.870-08:00VersesPsalm 90:12, 14-15"Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts...Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days. Make us rejoice for as many years as we have seen adversity."<br />
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Psalm 119:96<br />
"I have see n a limit to all perfection, but Your command is without limit."<br />
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2 Corinthians 10:3-5<br />
"We are human, but don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldy weapons to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps us from knowing God. We capture every rebellious thought and teach them to obey Christ."<br />
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Jeremiah 6:16-17<br />
"This is what the Lord says: Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel it's path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!" I posted watchmen over you who said, 'Listen for the sound of the alarm.' But you replied, 'No, we won't pay attention!'"HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-41499175827897941662012-01-16T03:22:00.000-08:002012-01-17T13:44:25.966-08:00English Lessons<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week, we began making arrangements for different ministry opportunities that I am going to be involved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to begin giving English lessons, so that I can make friends with Albanian girls of high-school and college age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Albanian students know at least a little English because they are required to learn it in school, so I’ll offer tutoring to help girls with conversational skills. We spoke with a school across the street from where we live about how I can help their English students, and I hope to begin working with them by next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also been arranging to work with Hope for the World at a home for Albanian orphans between the ages of 15 and 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, I will help the girls with their English studies by hanging out with them and teaching them conversational skills.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have continued to get to know the families of Denisa and Valbona, the gypsy girls we befriended on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, we went to visit Valbona’s older sister, Rukia, who was in the hospital to have her appendix taken out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a precious girl with a beautiful smile, and she beamed as my uncle read to her from Psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope to be able to continue to build relationships with her family, as well as with Denisa’s family. </span></div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-16869899378903980042011-12-23T06:09:00.000-08:002012-01-17T13:45:11.820-08:00Recent HappeningsThis post is a much-needed update on all that has occurred the past few weeks. So many exciting things have happened since my trip to Tropoja! I am happy to say that Iam learning to feel very much at home here in Albania. I am falling in love with the country, the culture, and the people. I am making an attempt to learn the language, but so far I can only understand a little, and I can't speak very much at all.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Adjusting to Life in Albania</span></strong><br />
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Last week, I went Christmas shopping with my aunt. As we were walking all over the city, I came to an astonishing realization. Walking around the crowded, dirty sidewalks of Tirana, crossing the dangerous streets, passing fruit stands and butcher shops with whole sheep hanging in the window, seeing beggars on the side of the road - it's all become so normal to me. I was not very culture shocked when I first arrived here - mostly because Tirana is much more modern than the rest of the country, so I was more gradually introduced to the poverty and corruption that permeates most of the country. However, for a while everything did seem very strange and different. Now, it seems so normal! I am excited to know that I am learning to be comfortable and to feel at home here in a foreign country.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jozi</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Jozi is a young Albanian woman who has been a good friend of the Hosaflooks for years. She has befriended me, and has been taking me all around Tirana to teach me more about the culture. We have gone to several historical landmarks together, including the <a href="http://www.touristspots.org/et%E2%80%99hem-bey-mosque-in-tirana-albania/" target="_blank">18th-century mosque</a> in the town center, where we were asked to take off our shoes and cover our heads in order to go inside! We have also been to the art gallery, the <a href="http://www.inyourpocket.com/albania/tirana/sightseeing/Ottoman-Tirana/Clock-Tower_2513v" target="_blank">19th-century clock tower</a>, and to the lake, a popular place for Albanians to hang out on weekends and holidays. Jozi has been wonderful in teaching me about Albanian history, culture, and language. Her younger sister, Frida, is very good at doing traditional Albanian dances. Once day when I went to their house for lunch, Frida showed me her beautiful <a href="http://www.albania.8m.com/folk.html" target="_blank">traditional costume</a> and taught me how to do basic dances steps. (Click on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl2ssrn-vRs" target="_blank">this link</a> for a video of Albanian folk music and dance.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">For the past few weeks, I have been going to church with Jozi at Kisha Biblika Baptiste Tirana (Tirana Bible Baptist Church). My aunt, uncle, and cousins attend Grace, a church with a congregation that constists half of Albanians and half of missionaries. It is a wonderful church with a good kids' program for my cousins, but I feel that God has called me to attend KBBT, where there are no other missionaries. At KBBT, I will be able to make Albanian friends and hopefully learn more of the language. The services are entirely in Albanian, but Jozi translates for me a little and helps me to learn frequently used Albanian words.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIS6S9geS4E/TvSHWjC9UvI/AAAAAAAAAEY/et0W6Mj8bf4/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIS6S9geS4E/TvSHWjC9UvI/AAAAAAAAAEY/et0W6Mj8bf4/s320/052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Inside the mosque in Tirana</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Bridge</span></strong><br />
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On Saturdays, we host a youth group for middle school aged kids in Tirana's missionary community. We hold it on the third story of my aunt and uncle's house (which my five-year-old cousin has nicknamed "The Fluff." My aunt has named this youth group "The Bridge" because the missionary kids who attend represent a bridge between cultures, and because they are at an age that is a bridge between childhood and adulthood. About twenty kids attend, all between the ages of 12 and 14. They are a fun, precious group, and the first two weeks of The Bridge have been a wonderful time of fellowship and growing in the Lord.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Valbona</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Since arriving in Albania, we have often seen two gypsy girls washing car windows on the side of the road to make money for their families. We befriended them, and found out that their names are Denisa and Valbona. We only ever see them when we are in the car stuck in traffic, so we've only been able to talk to them for a few minutes at a time, but we wanted to be able to make friends with them and their families. So last Friday evening, my aunt, two of my cousins, and I took a walk to see if we could find one of them. We met Valbona and her mother, Sonila, on the intersection where they usually work. Her mother was very kind, and she invited us to come to their house for a visit.</span><br />
Last Sunday after church, we picked up Valbona and Sonila, and went to their house. They live in a tiny, run-down house that has a leaky roof, smells horribly of mold, and has a bathroom that doubles as their kitchen. Outside their house in an enormous trash pile, with a dead dog lying nearby As sad as it was, these are actually comparatively good living conditions for gypsies (more politely called Roma), who are incredibly poor and looked down upon by other Albanians. We were greeted at their door with hugs and kisses from Valbona's younger brother and sister, Raulf and Majlinda. My cousins had brought the children gifts, and they quickly became friends.<br />
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At Valbona's house we also met Rukia, the oldest daughter, who is thirteen years old. Rukia is a Christian, and loves the Lord so passionately that it shines on her face. We don't know how she came to know Christ or if she is being discipled by anyone, and we didn't want to pry on our first visit, especially since the rest of the family is not saved. But Sonila told us that one day, when she was begging on the side of the road, someone gave her a Bible. She brought it home and gave it to Rukia, who now reads it all the time and often shares the stories with the rest of her family. Rukia writes beautiful poetry, most of which is about Christ and His love and sacrifice. Her poems are full of such deep understanding and such fervent love for the Lord that we were almost driven to tears as she read them aloud. It was truly incredible to see how God is working in her life.<br />
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We are very excited to have made friends with this family, and we would like to be able to visit them often. In fact, we are hoping to visit them on Christmas Day Please pray that we would be able to establish a good relationship with them so that we can tell them about the Lord. Also pray for Rukia, that God would keep her strong in Him, as she is the only one in her family who is a believer.HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-6901536391859436982011-12-09T07:32:00.000-08:002011-12-09T07:33:27.935-08:00Bajram CurriLast week, I went to Bajram Curri in the district of Tropoja with Theresa Weaver, a pioneering missionary who has been in Albania about as long as my aunt and uncle have. It was an incredible opportunity, and God used the time to teach me many things about missions.<br />
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We traveled to Bajram Curri with Astrit, the pastor of the church there, and his wife and three precious children. On the long journey, I got to know his kids, who enjoyed teaching me how to count and say the colors in Albanian. Astrit's land rover broke down on the way, and we were able to make it to a tiny mountain village not far from the road. There, we found a mechanic, who worked in a metal lean-to and who miraculously happened to have the bolt we needed to fix the car. As we sat waiting for the mechanic to finish, we watched villagers walk by with their donkeys and cows. It was my first time being in an Albanian village.<br />
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On my first day in Bajram Curri, I went grocery shopping with Theresa and Rakaela, Astrit's twelve-year-old daughter. The town is so different from Tirana! It is in the far north of Albania, so the winter is bitterly cold and dreary. Theresa said that the mountains surrounding Bajram Curri are stunning, but we couldn't see them through all the fog! Over 70% of Bajram Curri's population is Muslim, and the people think with a very backwards and old-fashioned mindset. Most of the people who live there were originally from villages, so they live very simply and do not enjoy many modern conveniences. The stores there sell only a small variety of necessities, so Theresa often has to cross the boarder into Kosovo to do her grocery shopping. Human trafficking is such a threat in Bajram Curri that young girls mostly stay in the house, and NEVER go out alone. In fact, trafficking is so common in north Albania that members of the Albanian mob from Tropoja were depicted in the movie <em>Taken</em>. It is very difficult to live there, and even more difficult to carry out effective ministry. Astrit certainly has his work cut out for him as the pastor there!<br />
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I spent the week helping Theresa with her various ministries. She, Astrit, and Violca, Astrit's wife, are involved in the Manna Program, feeding children who live in poverty. Every day after school, about a dozen children come to the Manna Center for a nourishing lunch. Violca, a remarkable woman, cooks for them every day, and Theresa teaches them Bible stories. One morning, we realized that the Manna Center had flooded because someone had left the water on in the bathroom. No one had used the facilities since the weekend before, so the water had sat for several days and done damage to the walls and doorways. We waded through an inch of icy cold water to remove the furniture from all the rooms. Then we swept away the water, dried the floor with towels, and replaced all the furniture. By 11:30, we had the Center cleaned up and prepared for the first group of kids to come for lunch. I loved meeting the children, and it was a wonderful experienced to be involved with the feeding program.<br />
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My favorite part of the trip was helping Theresa teach her English class. On Mondays and Wednesdays, she teaches about sixteen Albanians, ranging in age from 12-15. I helped her prepare and teach the lesson about how to describe feelings in English. We played games with them, and it was fun to get to know some of the girls in the class. They were all friendly and eager to learn, and they all adored Theresa. On Thursday, six of the girls came over for lunch. Theresa and I made them lasagna because she likes to introduce them to American food. We also helped them make bracelets that tell the story of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. Theresa is involved in such a wonderful ministry with these girls, and it is amazing that their parents allow them to come to lunch with a Christian woman. As a single, Christian woman who works hard and travels alone, Theresa is not looked upon well in the primarily-Muslim community. Yet she has won the respect of many Tropojans, and, miraculously, they allow their daughters to spend time with her.<br />
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I learned so much from Theresa during that week. She is so full of joy, so strong in the Lord. She wakes up early every morning infuriatingly cheerful, and throughout the day she continually thanks God for simple things that people usually take for granted. Each night before she goes to bed, she thanks God for how he blessed her that day. She is involved in some of the hardest ministries in one of the harshest regions of Albania, but she faces the challenges with steadfast persistence. Not to mention, she taught me many useful things about being a missionary, such as how to understand the culture, how to cook with staple foods, and how to use a Turkish toilet. <br />
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Bajram Curri may be a depressing place, but it was enlightening for me to see what the more rural areas of Albania are really like. I am grateful that I got to experience a little bit of what life is like there. It was encouraging to hear the stories of some of the believers there, and sobering to hear the backgrounds of the children who come to the Manna Program. What a tough place to be a missionary in!<br />
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*Pray for:<br />
<ul><li>The small church in Bajram Curri - that the believers would stay strong in the Lord, and that more people would come to know Him.</li>
<li>The Manna Program - that the children who come for lunch would learn to love the Lord.</li>
<li>Theresa's ministry to middle school girls - that more of the girls would become believers, and that their parents would continue to allow them to spend time with Theresa</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNg9PxIEjDI/TuIom46RsEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/WtCSAmATMRY/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNg9PxIEjDI/TuIom46RsEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/WtCSAmATMRY/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-54674393719316255492011-11-22T13:17:00.002-08:002012-03-05T07:43:25.510-08:00Southern Albania<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past weekend we took a tour of southern Albania. My aunt stayed behind to organize the attic, but I went with my uncle and cousins and a missionary friend, Ben Walker. It was an incredible week! The things we saw on the trip were truly astounding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our first stop was </span><a href="http://albania.curtprins.com/apollonia.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Apollonia</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, one of the most famous places in Albania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got out of the car at the walls of an orthodox monastery from the 1200’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thick wooden gates opened into a beautiful courtyard, surrounded by old walls lined with Greek statues and other ancient relics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the monastery was an empty, antique chapel painted with frescoes of the saints, as well as another chapel that is still used for services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After exploring the monastery, we walked up a hill to see the ruins of Apollonia, an ancient Greek city dating back to the 5<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> century BC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remains of Apollonia consist of the stately columns of an old senate building, an impressive amphitheater, and stones that marked the boundaries of a promenade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hiked further up to the peak of the hill to explore a maze of underground bunkers, built during Albania’s communist era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this hill, we found pieces of pottery that may have been from the ancient Greek city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is incredible to think about what other ruins could lay buried under the communist bunkers!</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5_azD1O2Oc/Tsv9UjVGw8I/AAAAAAAAACY/_YstZk1mytE/s1600/DSCN1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5_azD1O2Oc/Tsv9UjVGw8I/AAAAAAAAACY/_YstZk1mytE/s200/DSCN1250.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_shU6BF9sOA/Tsv-9ZbNwbI/AAAAAAAAACg/waiw6bXyo40/s1600/DSCN1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_shU6BF9sOA/Tsv-9ZbNwbI/AAAAAAAAACg/waiw6bXyo40/s200/DSCN1303.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">That night we stayed at a hotel in Orikum, a beach-side town that overlooks the Adriatic Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were driving to the hotel, we stopped on the side of the road in Vlora to watch the sun sink over the Adriatic in one of the most incredible sunsets I have ever seen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The next day,</span> we drove through the mountains<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> on a winding road called Llegora Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the top of a mountain we had a stunning view of the Adriatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way the light played on the water made it look as though the sky and sea blended together seamlessly. We stopped in the seaside village of Dhermi, where my uncle found an Albanian man named Ashir to take us to a pirate's cave. We all climbed into Ashir's tiny boat, and we rode to the cave, an opening on the face of a cliff. <span style="line-height: 115%;">It was small, as a rockslide had closed off the deeper recesses of the cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water inside was turquoise, and the sun shone through a hole in the high ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We were all</span> in awe of the beauty. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After we had a good look around the cave, the man took us further down the shore to a small, secluded beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pebbly shore was surrounded on three sides by cliffs and opened to the clear, blue water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played there for an hour or two before Ashir took us back to Dhermi.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QgbCkFUvZc/TswCPkGm7-I/AAAAAAAAACo/HnvdrpDtPhg/s1600/311832_280637965309008_100000884212752_785891_261175708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QgbCkFUvZc/TswCPkGm7-I/AAAAAAAAACo/HnvdrpDtPhg/s200/311832_280637965309008_100000884212752_785891_261175708_n.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rOsHqGonW2s/TswCq4FGQII/AAAAAAAAAC4/Mfriaum44BI/s1600/IMG_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rOsHqGonW2s/TswCq4FGQII/AAAAAAAAAC4/Mfriaum44BI/s200/IMG_0350.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the evening, we went to the castle of <a href="http://www.frosina.org/about/infobits.asp?id=143">Ali Pasha Tepelena</a>, a tyrannical muslim warlord from the 1700’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He built the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porto_Palermo_Castle">castle</a> in the early 19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> century for his Christian wife – a mysterious story which we can't seem to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The castle was incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on an island, built in the shape of a triangle with three turrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls were over 5 feet thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost dusk, and we explored the dark recesses of the castle by the golden light that came through the small windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The castle was a maze of halls and arched doorways, and was exactly how I would have pictured a medieval castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We climbed a stone staircase and emerged on a rooftop courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, we sat on the thick walls and watched an incredible sunset. </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IB6JsM_ffGQ/TswE0fUpkmI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Brua1AWAfeM/s1600/IMG_0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IB6JsM_ffGQ/TswE0fUpkmI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Brua1AWAfeM/s200/IMG_0413.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yECm9z6X1m8/TswEjtEfr5I/AAAAAAAAADA/NDpaqxDONeE/s1600/IMG_0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yECm9z6X1m8/TswEjtEfr5I/AAAAAAAAADA/NDpaqxDONeE/s200/IMG_0454.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> We spent the night in Saranda, a charming city by the sea that is popular for tourists. The view from our balcony overlooked a bay, and across the water we could see the Greek island of Corfu.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Thursday we took another beautiful drive through the mountains, this time to the historical city of </span><a href="http://www.butrint.org/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Butrint</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butrint is an island that contains the incredible ruins of a Roman city that become prominent in the 4<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> century BC, but was built several hundred years before then. We wandered through the incredible ruins of an amphitheater, public baths, a private villa, insulae, and a temple complex to the god Asklepius.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we walked further up the path to a baptistery from the Byzantine period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The circular-shaped building was full of columns, and the floor was covered with gravel that had been laid down to preserve a beautiful mosaic beneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next was a Byzantine </span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">basilica, a large, majestic building with arched walls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Another thing I enjoyed seeing was a small gate in the city wall, which is commonly associated with the Scaean Gate mentioned in the Aenied. At the end of the path was a castle, which has been rebuilt and converted into a museum that held beautiful Greek statues and pottery.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Friday, the last day of our trip, we went to Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye) natural spring, a pool of water fed by an underground spring that is shaped like an eye. In the evening, we went to the historic town of </span><a href="http://www.gjirokastra.org/home.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gjirokastra</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I loved Gjirokastra, a picturesque little town with cobblestone streets and old-fashioned buildings. While there, we went to </span><a href="http://worldpics.com.au/Albania/gjirokastra/index.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gjirokastra castle</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, a massive fortress that we loved exploring. From the walls we had a wonderful view of the town, and we watched the sun set over the mountains.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8UoQXrh_gw/TswJ2JQvJfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/6nfdJo1wHiE/s1600/DSCN2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8UoQXrh_gw/TswJ2JQvJfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/6nfdJo1wHiE/s320/DSCN2051.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We had such a wonderful time on the trip, and I learned so much from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One thing I really enjoyed was getting to see more of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tirana may hold one-third of Albania’s population, but it is not a good representation of the rest of the country because it is much more modern in comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through many villages and small towns that were so different from the capitol, and I feel as though I now have a better understanding of what Albania is like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another thing that impacted me on our trip was seeing my uncle evangelize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He struck up a conversation and presented the gospel to almost everyone we came in contact with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me wish I could understand more Albanian!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people he spoke with were very receptive and seemed interested in what he had to say.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">After seeing the incredible things that we saw, I am completely in awe of God’s creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we watched so many sunrises and sunsets over the Albanian mountains and the Ionian sea, I was frequently reminded of </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalm 19:1 "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no words to describe the greatness of our God!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">**Pray for: Bajram, Veka, Ashir, Kosta, and the others that my uncle witnessed to. Pray</span> that their eyes would be opened and that they would receive the Gospel.</span></div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-17053832531906627862011-11-09T12:34:00.002-08:002012-02-26T08:55:34.815-08:00To be Honest....<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m beginning to realize how many challenges I have to overcome to be a missionary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, I am a young, single girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot go anywhere or do anything on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am completely dependent on other people for protection, transportation, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is somewhat frustrating to me, because I like to be independent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ll get over that frustration – the real problem is that doing ministry becomes a little harder since I can’t go anywhere on my own to figure out where I can serve.<o:p></o:p></span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second challenge is that I worry too much and I am afraid of many things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, the trip has been easier than I expected, and there have not been many challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I know that I will have to face many fears while I am here, and if I want to serve the Lord with my whole heart I cannot cower away from things I do not like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I have noticed that I tend to be less anxious when I am focused on God more than myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I continue doing His will and putting Him first, I know that I will be able to face anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The third major challenge is myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that missionaries are not perfect, but I struggle with so many things that I feel missionaries should not be tempted by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am impatient, but I need to be patient and wait on God to tell me what He wants me to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a control freak, but there’s no way this trip will be successful unless I let God have control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get angry easily, but I am here to show compassion to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My faith in God is weak, but it is impossible to be an effective missionary without a strong faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so much to learn!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe that’s what this waiting period has about: learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been frustrated that it has taken so long to get settled in and begin full-time ministry, but I have realized that God has so many things to show me while I wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a time for me to get my heart right before I endeavor to lead people to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here’s how you can pray for me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that I’ll get over the selfishness of my frustrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that God will give me the courage to face things that I am afraid of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally, pray that God will make His will apparent to me as I continue to find ways that I can serve Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-81815599281292668202011-11-03T11:25:00.000-07:002011-12-09T07:47:24.258-08:00Rozafa Castle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5ZZ1Qf9aRQ/TrJzmZhcp1I/AAAAAAAAABw/IWd1EXLpqx8/s1600/300PX-%257E1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5ZZ1Qf9aRQ/TrJzmZhcp1I/AAAAAAAAABw/IWd1EXLpqx8/s1600/300PX-%257E1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
On the way to the conference last weekend, we stopped at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/RozafaCastle?sk=info">Rozafa Castle</a> in Shkodra. I have always wanted to see a real castle, so this was an exciting experience for me! My uncle is currently translating into English an Albanian work of literature about the castle. He is the expert on all things involving the castle and the Siege of Shkodra, so he gave us lots of interesting information as we toured the castle. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTggzEgQweY/TrJzxGvJN8I/AAAAAAAAAB4/07e7icHAct8/s1600/Rozafa%252520castle%252520near%252520Shkoder%252520%252520Albania%2525201162652933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTggzEgQweY/TrJzxGvJN8I/AAAAAAAAAB4/07e7icHAct8/s320/Rozafa%252520castle%252520near%252520Shkoder%252520%252520Albania%2525201162652933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Rozafa Castle is one of the most well-known and beloved landmarks in Albania. The original fortress is estimated to have been built around 350 B.C., and the castle as it stands today was built in the early Middle Ages. Rozafa Castle got it's name from a popular Albanian legend in which a woman named Rozafa allowed herself to be buried in the walls as a sacrifice so the fortress would stand strong and protect the city. Rozafa Castle is also well-known because of the siege that took place there in the 1500's.<br />
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To read more about Rozafa Castle:<br />
<a href="http://www.inyourpocket.com/albania/shkodra/rozafa-castle_56014f">http://www.inyourpocket.com/albania/shkodra/rozafa-castle_56014f</a>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-89381204729017441942011-11-02T05:43:00.000-07:002011-11-04T04:50:13.963-07:00Konferenca në Velipojë<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlk0qEb1SI0/TrE6kUpAbJI/AAAAAAAAABo/vlPQQkEj4fM/s1600/302039_10150444249266001_717981000_10550771_534131809_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlk0qEb1SI0/TrE6kUpAbJI/AAAAAAAAABo/vlPQQkEj4fM/s320/302039_10150444249266001_717981000_10550771_534131809_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last weekend, I attended a Conference at the beach town of Velipoje.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conference is held annually for all the extensions of Kisha Biblika Baptiste in Albania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such an uplifting time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Albanians love to worship, so at the beginning of each conference session we sang several songs, many of which are the Albanian translations of popular worship songs from America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church choirs took turns singing, and the youth put on skits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speaker was an American missionary to Peru, who preached from Acts and spoke about the urgency of the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so encouraging to see a gathering of believers passionate about their faith, despite the persecution they sometimes receive from their friends and even their families.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While at the conference, I met several Albanian girls around my age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy to make friends, because many of them are learning English and they love to practice with Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very encouraging to me to be received so welcomingly. I hope to eventually start a Bible study for girls here in Tirana, and my uncle tells me that it should be easy to get people to come if they know that I will be speaking to them in English.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jj08VUsCiYE/TrExHllhYfI/AAAAAAAAABQ/0mrsPpWZ0V8/s1600/beach+a+valipoje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jj08VUsCiYE/TrExHllhYfI/AAAAAAAAABQ/0mrsPpWZ0V8/s320/beach+a+valipoje.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The beach at Valipoje is so different from in Florida!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sand is dark brown, and the water is so calm and flat that it seems to stretch out endlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mountains wrap around the beach in a crescent, and everywhere there are beautiful, smooth stones in red, green, and black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of trash.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589742279484693537.post-42567917585930719072011-11-01T06:40:00.000-07:002011-11-01T06:40:22.706-07:00Greetings from Albania!<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the past month, I have been living in Tirana, Albania with my Aunt Kristi and <a href="http://www.missiomishmash.com/">Uncle David Hosaflook</a> and their children: Ben (12), Sofia (11), Adria (8), and Corban (5). I am really enjoying my stay here, and I am so excited to see what God is going to do!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have spent the past few weeks settling in – unpacking, cleaning, and getting the kids started on homeschool. There is still much paperwork to be done, and my aunt and uncle need to get a car before we are able to get around town easily. This has been a good time for me to adjust to the culture and to look for ministry opportunities to be involved in. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Albania is a fascinating place. Parts of it are very picturesque, but the land is so ill-used. Tirana is situated in a small valley, surrounded on all sides by beautiful, imposing mountains. The streets are filled with trash and manure, and the buildings are covered with graffiti. The air is heavy with smog and pollution. Many of the apartment buildings are painted with colorful patterns to brighten the city. There are several European stores and supermarkets, but most of our shopping is done in small shops and outdoor vendors. I enjoy walking to the stores and produce markets. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells to take in.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since arriving here, I have had the opportunity to meet many other missionary families living in Tirana. On Fridays we attend a co-op for the homeschooled children, and afterwards I go to a high school Bible study group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are lots of missionary girls close to my age that I have been able to meet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The first week I was here, we went to Grace Church, where several of the missionary families attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next two weeks we visited Kisha Biblika Baptiste in Tirana and in Shkodra, churches which my uncle helped to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The services are in Albanian, but my uncle translates for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Hosaflooks first moved to Albania, there were no churches and very few Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is amazing to see how the body of Christ has grown in Albania since then!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last week, I met with the vice principal of GDQ, the missions school in Tirana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to volunteer there on Mondays, and I hope to start by next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I meet new people and adjust to life in Tirana, I am continuing to look for other ministries that I can be involved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please pray for me as I learn what God wants me to do to serve Him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span>HayleeMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824169353393161258noreply@blogger.com1