This week I have been trying to settle into some of the new responsibilities of the AEP job. I have spent a fair amount of time over at the office, and it has been quite interesting. Next week is the annual conference of the AEP and this year it is being held in Corfu, Greece. That means that all sorts of logistical issues need to be dealt with, among which is the need for all of the Albanians to get a Greek visa. This is much easier said than done for a variety of political issues as well as some ethnic bias. We apparently have just found out that all of the Albanians have been denied their visas, which opens up a whole host of problems. Next year we will go somewhere that does not require visas... (or ferries).
Today was also the first day of a 3 day conference for the Albanian Church Planter's Mission - a movement being started in our church here, to mobilize Albanian missionaries for service overseas. My trip to Bosnia earlier this year was through the auspices of this missions movement. It is pretty exciting for me to think about how far the church here in Albania has come. 15 years ago a church was born in one of the last places on earth that people expected the Gospel to be heard. Now, they are sending out missionaries into the countries around them. Gregor, one of those missionaries, in a reference to Acts 1:8 said tonight,"The time for going out only into Jerusalem is past. It is now time to move out beyond Jerusalem!" I don't know about you, but that makes this missionary's heart beat a whole lot faster! I am continually humbled by the fact that we get to be here, that we get to serve alongside folks like this. What an honor - what a joy!
On a different note... For those of you who wonder if we are safe over here, I would refer you to the news from the US this week. 3 different school shootings in one week - none in major metropolitan areas - all fatal. There is no safer place than in God's will, whether that is in a combat zone, or an Amish schoolhouse, or Tirana, Albania. We feel absolutely safe here, as long as this is where God has us!
Next week I will be in Corfu. Unfortunately, due to our support level being so low, Cindy and the kids will be staying in Tirana. Hopefully next year they will all be able to come to the conference and enjoy a bit of a break.
2 comments:
Matt - I'm so thankful you have made this public - it gives me a much better way to keep up with your life there.
Take care.
edith
wow, you really are busy!!! wow... hope your family has a nice time while you are gone, maybe they can do something cool together that doesn't cost too much? you are a meanie, going off to "have fun" and leaving them behind!! j/k... we've been really busy too, moving and all... we are settling in nicely and absolutely LOVE it here!!!
Post a Comment