Day 3 - Day 2 of Training for Global Care

It is Friday and we are have completed our second day of training.  The women are having a great time.  Our time together goes so quickly and they want to continue.  I am learning a great deal about the cultural differences, but am reminded again that women's needs and wants are the same.  Christy and I want to thank you all who are praying for us and for the women.  The women were very moved by knowing you were praying for them.  Thank you!

After our day of training, Evis drove us to Radio 7 a christian station in Tirana.  This station was up on the side of the hills and we had to take a hill road to get to it.  I was interviewed and Evis translated.  They pre-recorded the interview and will play it a number times while I am.  This station is doing wonderful things in the area.   Enkelejda performed the interview, she is doing wonderful things for women on this station .   Evis and Christy have agreed to continue to meet with her and see how they can partner together to help women.  This is only something that God could have done.  WOW!!!

Mary at Radio 7 station

Christy, Enkelejda and Mary at Radio 7

The roads here are rocky at best, so Evis has this vehicle that would go over anything.  To get to the station, we had to go on some very narrow and rocky roads.  Coming back after the interview, we met this man on his donkey.  He was very accommodating in getting his picture taken.  This is the old way and it still exists.  

Evis and Mary in the Safari Truck

Day 2 - Training Day 1 for Global Care

They were learning about their giftedness

Christy helping understand the gift inventory

Wow! what a great day. We held the first day of Hope Partner Training at the home of Evis. To begin today Christy and I showed them a first time mentoring meeting, so they could see how to begin. We then spent a number of hours together today working on our spiritual gifts. The material we are using is in English. The Albanian women all can read English, some can understand it when spoken, others can read, speak and understand English. So, as we went through this material, it was amazing to watch the commitment level of these women to understand. I would give instructions in English and Evis then would give them in Albanian. It was wonderful.

Evis is helping understand the English

We then moved on to the first part of training them in the mentoring process, by this time, we got pretty good at working together. The women are wonderful and they have a heart to help other women. I am getting to know them and love them all. After the training today, Evis, Christy and I had time to talk. We have all become sisters. I had a wonderful time today. The language is not an issue. Tomorrow we will we get right into learning the process of mentoring. It will be a great day. The issues for women here in Albanian are similar to the women in the US but not the same because of the cultural differences. This training will help them very much.

Beginning to work through the Training Manual

We came back to Christy's, had great chinese food and then made homemade ice cream, my favorite.

I neglected to tell you yesterday that everyone has been commenting on how wonderful the weather is since i have arrived. Before i got here it was very very hot. So, i am so very grateful to God for the cold front that has left wonderful weather and a cool breeze. People here tell me this is not normal. YEAH!

Day 1 in Albania - Getting to know everyone

Christy, Evis and Mary

We began today getting to know the women volunteers and staff from Global Care that will be trained this week. We met in the beautiful home of Evis who is the Country Manager for Global Care. We had a wonderful time just being women and sharing who were are and why we do what we do.

Our get to known tea...

Studying the word in Albania...

We then went to Bethore and Evis took Christy and I to the home of an Albania single mother. What a wonderful and humbling experience as we were treated with such respect and care in her home. We gave the children gifts and they were so much fun to be with. 

An Albanian family in their home

Evis also took us to the school buildings in Bethore where 4000 students attend. We will be going back in a few days, watch the blog for more details and pictures then.

We then went to Global Community Center in Bethora where we were greeted by the women who meet at the center. You should have seen how they love our Christy. They were very excited about us coming and meeting them. We talked about family and the differences. We then played games together. Can you believe it, I was jumping and running in tag games. It was amazing. Being with them reminded me that it is just a matter of geography, women have the same needs and wants regardless of where they live. They treated me with just joy and love even though they did not know me. I am forever changed by meeting them.

Just laughing and having fun

Christy and some of the boys at the Global Care Center

Mary arrives in Albania 15 July!

Check back in on the 15th of July to read about the exciting experiences that Mary will encounter on her trip to Albania!