Straight Rows

Summer Camp

2008-08-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

Last week there were 6 youth from Vlashi that went to church camp in northern Albania. Genti and Shpresa organized these youth to attend the camp with other members from the church in Tirana plus with some visiting young people from Germany. Here are some pictures that Genti emailed today. Planters had a scholarship program for these youth so they would be able to stay for the week.

Summer Visit

2008-07-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Diane, from Florida, arrives with luggage missing.
packing gift bags for the home visits

on the village trails going to the home visits

Bukeria wouldn't let us leave without a gift of flowers from her front garden. She had a baby girl two days later.

having a Bible study with Bartha (center)

getting together with the girls from the girls training center

My intentions were to have this news sent while I was in Albania but there was trouble getting reconnected with the internet server. Also, most of my time was spent in the village and there is no internet in the village. I did arrive home in Illinois last night and so today I'm pretending it was last week and this is the news that I would have written then.

Village Summer Pics

2008-06-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Village School Games

2008-05-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

Last week Mandi organized a school game field day for several of the mountain villages. Darshen has a great game field and so the schools of Selbe and Shkalle joined for a day of fun and competetion hosted by Darshen. Games of volleyball and soccer were played. The winning school was Shkalle. The second place school was Darshen.

Springtime on the farm

2008-05-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Planting corn has been a sparce activity these days. Either it is too cold or too wet to put the planter in the ground. Now that we have turned May's calendar page over, time is not on the farmer's side anymore. The corn must go in even though conditions are not optimual. I took a picture of David as I delivered lunch to the field today. I also got to ride a couple of rounds with him and was introduced to his new on board "computer" touch screen monitor that tells him about anything he would like to know about the seeds that are going in the ground. David was getting concerned about row 2. It was planting doubles every once in a while.

Saying Goodbye

2008-05-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Goodbyes are never what we enjoy when it comes to very good friends. Lela and her son Xhulio (Julio) left Vlashi to go live in Italy with husband and Dad. They have been waiting for eight years to get papers for living there. They were the neighbors across the street from Genti and Shpresa. They were the neighbors that became the closest of commrades. Lela was a young woman who was distant and difficult to ever see smiling. Things changed after she met Shpresa. Little by little, mostly through their sons developing friendship, did the friendship grow and Lela began to trust Shpresa. After a short two years, Lela and Shpresa depended on one another from carrying for the other's son to guarding the house and to knowing what made each other laugh or cry. Lela left this past Sunday and will be missed by many of the young ladies in the village. We can be thrilled with one thing for sure. She has accepted Christ as her Savior. Our prayer is that she will find another good friend like Shpresa that will continue the mentoring and help Lela to live out her faith in her new home.

Kindergarten Class

2008-04-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

The village kindergarten moved in last week. So far it seems to be working out well for them. I like the one picture of the gender segragation. It starts at an early age.

Genti also wrote news that one of the Albanian TV channels, Top Channel, was holding a news special featuring the evangelicals and their aid to the people in Gerdec, the village where the explosion took place. VUSH, the evangelical consortium, asked to hold this interview at our ministry center in Vlashi. We'll update you as to what went on with this meeting.

Just a Bit of News

2008-04-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

Arjan sent some pictures this week of some of the clean up going still going on at the ministry center in Vlashi. The box that Mersin and Anselmo are carrying is filled with broken glass from windows and glass doors from inside the building. The broken slats of wood are off storage doors in the loft area on the second floor of the center. There are four doors that are going to have to be repaired.

Also, today I was reading from one of the articles listed on our side bar of "related articles" that said investigators that worked on 911 wreckage sites and also the team that worked at Oklahoma City are currently in Albania working at the blast site.

Lastly, in another article that I was reading, Albania was all excited since NATO has extended to them an invitation to join. Only now, they are in a mild panic because they realize they must clean up their "extralegal" affairs --where up to 90% of business and property assets are part of the black or gray economy.

Monday in Gerdec: location of explosion

2008-04-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

(Notice the temporary housing in the background)

Today we received an email attachment from Genti showing what a group of them did and experienced in Gerdec, the closest village to the explosion of three weeks ago. Genti mentioned that Mandi and his family, Olti and Anselmo (from Vlashi), and himself went to help distribute aid to the families that experienced complete devastation from the blast.

Distributions

2008-04-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today we found out that several families in Vlashi village have relatives that lived in the village that took the direct hit from the explosion. Their homes are completely gone and they are not going to be able to use their land because of the contamination. Genti and Shpresa took boxes of food to the families of Vlashi that now have the extra burden to house and to feed their relatives from Gerdec.

The other news is that the kindergarten in Vlashi will be moving into our ministry center on Monday. Their building was destroyed from the concussion. Next week hopefully we will have pictures to show you.

We talked with Mandi on the phone this week and he said that there was so much snow in the mountain pass that they were unable to go to Darshen this week. We guess spring hasn't completely come everywhere yet.

"Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day"

2008-03-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

(Shpresa, tour guide, tells the history of the amphitheatre.)
Eating our picnic lunch inside at the center.

This was a day to be full of photo ops, great insights, sharing past history lessons, and much conversation. We had scheduled to go to Durres to visit a 1st century amphitheatre and to go for a picnic on the Adriatic with several of the ladies of the village. But the rain detoured our great plans. With great optimistism we loaded up the two vehicles and headed for Durres, but upon arriving, the rain still had not subsided. Therefore we ended up running for shelter anytime we could inside the amphitheatre and thus our pictures are terrible. For several of the ladies this was their first exposure to this great site. (It is only 15 kilometers from where they live) What a privilege it was to share with the ladies that this site tells us that Albania was a Christian nation before it was Muslim. As Americans we owe a debt to the martyrs that gave their lives here for this was a prelude for the gospel being spread throughout Europe and thus to the west. It was so great to see the smiles that came on their faces when they realized that we appreciated their country for giving us our faith. A certain twist that they had never heard before. When we left, soaked and cold, we decided to stop for a hot coffee in a warm and cozy coffee bar to decide what our next strategy would be. It was concluded the rain had settled in for the day and we might as well take our picnic lunch inside back at the center in Vlashi. Even though we didn't get to enjoy Durres as we anticipated, it was worth it all just to share the day with the ladies and to let them know their country has played a part in our spiritual heritage.

Hair Salon

2008-03-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

Since the news of the explosion has taken precedence the last few blogs, we haven't gotten posted some of the last activities of the Florida team. On the last day in the village, Kayla, Kristi, and Joanetta had their hair done by Duska and Susha. These girls have been learning hair styling at the training center this past year. It was a great experience for interaction between the team and the girls in the village. Can you imagine how much a village girl would be impressed that a girl from America would let her do her hair?

just an update on repairs

2008-03-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is the village kindergarten with one side of the building gone.

We have received an email from Genti and from Mandi telling us that repairs have been underway this week. The ceiling that was completely destroyed has been replaced. The walls in Genti's house took a hit and from the pictures you will see some of the cracks. The painter has been contacted and will be patching the cracks and then repainting. They are working on getting the glass back in the windows and doors but many of the windows will need to be completely reordered and replaced. Mandi said it took a long time to get the second floor door opened. From the sounds of things they may have used a torch to get it opened. (Astrit, Mandi's welding friend opened it!) We haven't mentioned yet that in both 3rd floors of the ministry center and of Genti's home, the side storage doors were blown off and destroyed. It will take some time to make new ones since they were hand made. But, all in all, the center was cleaned up and classes were able to be held this week. One other interesting bit...after reviewing a video that David took the day after the explosion, he has on tape the soccer ball that was left in the yard. It looks like a smashed soda can. All the air was sucked out of it! Sorry that we don't have a still picture of it to show you.

Some Effects

2008-03-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

(click on images to enlarge)

I'm safely home (David) and I want to show you a few pictures of my last couple of days in Albania. We had just said goodbye to the team from FL and were regrouping the ministry for my departure. Most of you know, by now, of the experience we encountered in Vlashi on Saturday. I won't go over those details but would rather show you a few pictures. Mandi and I had just come from a house visit when the detonations started. The tall, white plume of smoke is directly following the mile high red fireball and concussion. You can see the damage to PSF's house where Genti, Shpresa, and their children live. I apologize for not having more pictures of the broken and twisted windows and doors in the ministry center. Many things were so strangely damaged....the wood stove doors were blown open and ashes blown out of the stove, doors taken right off their hinges and flung to the floor, doors jammed and twisted shut and are unable to be opened, and yet other rooms were left untouched. It will be awhile before we know completely what the extent of the damage will be. We have been overwhelmed by the concern of so many of you that have already offered to help in any way that is needed. At this moment prayer for recovery from all the trauma and shock is needed the most. Even I am finding it difficult to focus and stay on task.

Assessment and Recovery

2008-03-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

The international media is reporting widespread devestation in the vicinity immediatly surrounding Gerdec. Contacted by phone today, David confirms that the worst of the disaster is certainly within the village of Gerdec itself.

"The entire village of Gerdec is a vacuum. There is nothing left."

He added however that the devestation was not limited to that one particular location. The succession of blasts was strong enough to shatter windows eight miles away. Vehicles travelling along the main highway between Durres and Tirana at the time of the blast had their windshields shattered. Shock tremors were felt in Tirane.

"Mandi and I were in the village (of Vlashi) inside one of the homes when we heard the first explosions. It sounded like gunfire. We knew it was something more significant because of the color of the smoke rising from the blast site. It was black, like buring diesel fuel. We thought a plane might have gone down."

David and Mandi moved out into the street for better vantage.

"Then I saw the color of fire burst into the air....a mile into the air. The immediacy of the blast and the following shockwave knocked us to the ground. It was nothing less than apocalyptic."

"We had no idea at the time what was happening....we just knew we had to get back to the city."

He described how Shpresa called out for Genti, who had been filming the explosion from their second floor, to join her outside of the house. After a brief assessment of their home, the Proseku family joined David and Mandi and the rest of the Bright Star team in the van.

"The Autostrata was jambed with traffic and had threatened to close because of its proximity to the blast site, so we had to take the old route back to Tirana."

David says that the scene in Vlashi was grim today. He and Mandi had toured the village with a local commissioner. The Vlashi ministry center and the Proseku home sustained damage to interior walls and ceilings as well as exterior door and window frames. Many other homes in the village were not as fortunate.

"There are people here who will not eat or sleep tonight. Some have lost everything- food shelter, peace, security. The blast yesterday took it all away."

David's greatest concern now is for the village community in general and for the people in particular.

"They've lost the will to eat, sleep, even speak. This singular occurance has yeilded a deep psycological scar. I witnessed it in face after face today."

David also commented on the physical injuries on a broader scale. He said that there are a great deal of wounded. The blast spared no one in its path and the stories of the horror are as grim as they are frightful. Most were wounded from flying shrapnel and broken glass. The hospitals in Tirana and Durres are teeming with injured persons. They have set up blood drives in many public locations and the response to this has been overwhelming.

"It's been really encouarging to see the human response to the tragedy, particularly in Tirana. There has even been a contingent from the Albanian govenment lining up to give blood." David says.

David noted that the Albanian government was stretched to its limit. Officials were doing all they could to dispel the fears of another explosion. It is unclear how many charged explosives
are left.

When asked what might be the greated prayer concerns, he says,

"Many people are hurting here now. Pray that we might have compassion on all who were affected here. There is a human need here now that was not here before. Pray that we might be used in the lives of all of those who live in the village. Pray for peace for this community."

2008-03-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Stephen Waggoner for finding this footage on YouTube. The footage below was shot by Genti Proseku the Pastor who works with Planters Seed foundation in Vlashi, Albania. It was shot from his house and at the end you can see the damage the explosion caused even from his distance. Please pray for PSF and the country as they respond to this crisis.

David is still in the country and is scheduled to fly out on Monday. He was in Vlashi when the explosion occurred and is OK but is understandable shaken. Sarah just flew back to the States on Wednesday. Pray for the vanOrmans as they are apart during this time. Their daughter Cydil Waggoner is trying to keep current information on http://waggoner.blogspot.com

First Full Day

2008-03-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

Saturday's are generally pretty busy let alone when they come on the date such as today, March 8. This is a special celebration for all women in Albania. This triumphs all other days because it is the only day that tradition is set aside and women actually get to "party" on their own and in their own way. Therefore, we decided for our newly arrived guests to experience "the culture" and attend the village women's day party at the local restaurant in true Albanian fashion. It was full of loud music, folk dancing, and more eating than one can possibly consume in a day.

While the girls were at the village women's party, the guys decided to have their own kind of "man" thing.....a hunting expedition up the village mountain trail. (Sounds rather cultural, doesn't it?) Let your imagination go and you will be able to read between the lines and also, what lies behind the photos.

All in all, it was a great day of learning and full of plenty of experiences.

New Team

2008-03-08T13:58:00.000-08:00

It's always fun to have company....especially company who comes to work and help. Friday afternoon a team from the Gainesville, Florida, Family Church arrived to encourage our Albanian team of workers, to develop relationships with the young girls in the village, and to be witnesses of Christ's love to the children through interaction of sports and games.

They seem to be a hardy bunch and are of a great determined purpose. They remind me of an Aesop fable that says, "In all armies (mission's trips) it is unity of will and purpose which assures victory over the enemy." We are enjoying them mightly.

Busy, busy, busy

2008-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

Today was a scurry of activity all up and down the main street in Vlashi. Joe had tons of fun in the tractor leveling out the new gravel for the street. He did a great job and no one can recognize it as the old street in front of the ministry center. I captured a picture or two of other little busy helpers doing their special contribution for today's work. I am also including some pictures of Hannah. She had a big birthday yesterday and also she has had fun handing out special treats to the children. Tomorrow will be our last day since we are leaving early on Sunday morning. I am so amazed how fast time flies over here.

Visiting

2008-01-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

Hands down, home visits are the favorite activity of our guests. It has been our privilege to go on many home visits during the past several days. Today we were in Darshen and it was a bit chilly but yet a beautiful sunny day for a January visit. The pictures taken were a mix of activities with a rare scene of one set of sisters making the raki (Albanian moonshine) for their family. We checked on the local livestock (David standing alongside the cow shed) and also I included a picture of today's children meeting time with Xhina telling the story of Abraham and Isaac. The last picture is of Genti and Shpresa modeling a traditional wedding costume. One of the ladies in Vlashi is starting a business of selling the traditonal costumes to brides of today that wish to celebrate their hertiage with a newly handmade wedding dress. (By the way, just the wedding dress sells for 350 Euros) It takes the seamstress about 2 weeks to make just the dress. If anyone is interested in buying one she is taking orders!

2008-01-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

It's great to be back and visiting the work here in Albania. Since arriving on Thursday afternoon, we have been making arrangements to get some work projects in order. Hopefully, Monday we will begin work in Vlashi to reconstruct a drainage ditch to re-route the rain water that comes down from the hills behind the village. Joe and Judy Bachman from Roanoke, Illinois are visiting with us and Joe will oversee the construct that will take place. Today, Joe and Judy visited the English and computer classes. The weather has been great with the sun shining and temperatures in the mid 60's. Let's hope this continues still the project is completed.

Last Post from Tirana

2007-12-22T07:26:00.001-08:00

This will be my last post from Tirana for awhile. I will be going home in order to celebrate Christmas with family. Lindsey and I will leave on the early morning flights and so will probably not go to bed tonight.
It has been a great time these past days that have been filled full of many activities. We have been so blessed to have the workers that we do and at this time of year we are so grateful for this wonderful blessing from God to know that things are going well and that the ministry goes forth on a daily and weekly basis from village to village. Please keep these devoted workers in your prayers. They face a spiritual battle continually.
Bye for now.

A Little Bit of Everything

2007-12-22T06:16:00.000-08:00

I was not able to get anything posted yesterday because the internet server was acting up and it was not available. So I am going to include some photos of last night's service in the village and also a picture of a home visit that we made to one of the girls from the training center who is getting married tomorrow. Some of our guests that were here last March may remember Viktoria, the young lady who had 24 hours to make a decision whether or not to marry the guy that her parents had picked out for her. After saying yes, he has been in Italy for several years and at our visit, last March with her, she was having grave doubts about their relationship and future. Well, yesterday I heard she indeed was marrying this weekend and would now have the wedding ceremony and then he would be off again to Italy and she will be now living with her new in-laws. What does one say to all of this? In the picture she is showing us her gifts to her new family. I really enjoy learning all about such different customs when it comes to marriage.

This morning was the annual Christmas program with the children. It was vintage with the drama, puppet show, special music and reception time. I included a picture of the team. Some of you will notice some new faces. One girl in the middle is Arjan's wife and she is a professional musician and was helping out today and the girl on the right is new and is taking the place of Klara for several months while she is taking some time off.

Kasalle visit

2007-12-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in Kasalle this afternoon. The children were very excited knowing that Christmas celebrating was in the air. We had a drama illustrating the story of the "Three Trees" and a recitation by three little ones. There also were refreshments and gifts! The last picture is of one of the latest constructed homes in the village.

Mountain Events

2007-12-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

"Off to the mountain we will go...." was our motto for the day. It included spending time with a special visitor, Marinela who is in town comg back from her new home in South Africa, doing the children's meeting in the village and having a great home visit with some special ladies. As planned, we also, passed out the gifts bags to the children. The children enjoyed making a treat by decorating a graham cracker and loading it with candies. I didn't know that Marinela was going to come to the village with us and so when she joined us, we spent all the trip up the mountain catching up on her latest events including her new status as "Mommy to be". She worked with us for several years and now is teaching flute to students and also playing professional flute for symphony performances. Lindsey had quite a day seeing all the sights and experiencing village life in the mountains. She told me that she took 104 pictures today. (I apologize for these thoughts sounding so random.)