July 24, 2008 A Great Day

Christy, Magena and Mary at The French Bakery

This morning we had a meeting with Magena from World Vision.  She attended the training for the last 2 days.  At the end of the training yesterday, she asked if we would have coffee with her in the morning.   We discovered  that she wanted to discuss how we could partner together and possibly consider training additional staff of World Vision in Albania.  Christy and I began to see the incredible opportunity God is presenting.  We would ask you to pray about this along with us so as we further this relationship that the timing for all of this is what God would want.   We are humbled by how God is fulfilling his promises.  Thank you all for praying.  

Christy & I with Anila at her home

After our meeting with Magena we met Evis from Global Care and went out to Bathore to interview one of the women that meet in the center.  She welcomed Christy and I into her home.  You will see in the pictures that this family lives in one room.  A family of 4 children the mother and father.  We spent some time with Anila and interviewed her.  She gave us permission use video the experience.  This experience was life changing for me.  Anila is a woman of great strength in the midst of a very difficult life.  She loves Jesus with all of her heart.  Her typical day is filled with normal activities of caring for her 4 children who are all under the age of 5.  She cares for them still with no modern conveniences.  She works very hard all day in very unreasonable conditions.  She shared very heart breaking stories of her life, and still believes that God will take care of her. She has impacted my heart in a way that i cannot explain, at least today.  Anila has encountered many difficult things in her life and wants to share with other women how Jesus can forgive them and give them a new life in their heart.  I think for now i would like to share a number of pictures that will also tell part of the story.  

Anila & Mary

We also went back to the school in Bathore as I promised and you will see some of the pictures of the inside as well as the outside.  We also interviewed Evis of Global Care at the school so we can help them as our partner tell their story of how the children need so much more than they are getting at this time. Evis shared with us many of the needs of the system and what Global Care is trying to help accomplish for the children for their education in Bathore.  You will see pictures of 3 small building where around 4000 children attend classes in shifts.  Most of the classrooms house 40 kids.  You will see in the pictures the size of the rooms, you will understand the needs.  Please pray for Evis and her staff has they continue to serve the communities children and the women of Bathore.  They are doing amazing things.  

This is the school yard and their outside diseased toilets

The school yard in Bathore

A typical classroom

Just an example of the streets where kids hang out

Christy & Evis buying fruit juice at the neighborhood market

Today was very full.  After we returned home we began to discuss all that needs to be accomplished to continue to move forward in God's vision for Journey of 

 Heart.  Please pray for us as we discern it all.