Hello Again,
July 4th was our first day of "official" business in Albania. Each of the campaigners, except Quinton, were scheduled to conduct English Bible studies. (Quinton's start in a week or two.) The two OC girls' students all showed up for their classes on the 4th. I was proud of our gals and how they conducted their studies. The OC boys' students were not quite so present. Actually, to this point, only one of the boys' students have shown up for classes; but at least she is consistent -- she has been present for both of her classes. We're praying for more students and better attendance! The OC students are excited about the work and are even looking for more opportunities to serve and teach.
The classes take place in the church building. The main room has space for up to 5 concurrent lessons. The office can handle 2 classes. The most classes we have planned at one time is 5. I have three students but not all of them come every day. I believe Jill has two regular students. The OCers have 3-4 students each. I had my first class yesterday with a 26 year old Muslim man. He is quite pleasant. He is an electrical engineer in Durres and is engaged to married in about a year. Later today I'm scheduled to study with a new Christian young man Tomorrow I'm scheduled for two studies with my Muslim friend and another man in his twenties who I have already met as he came by yesterday to explain why he couldn't be at his first class. Jill's first student was a married woman who attends the Church of Christ regularly and brings her two children. She is a determined student!
This morning I went out for my second run. This time I decided to run in the city instead of the shore. I don't think I have ever had to be more cautious during run! People, curbs, cars, uneven footing, and other obstacles were bountiful. I actually started the run wearing my contact lenses (yes, our final bag arrived; damaged but here). About two minutes into the run after I had turned to the east I caught a asteroid sized piece of dirt/dust in my left eye. Usually I can shake off these intruders but not this time...Albanian dirt is too powerful. I had to return to the apartment, take out my contacts, and begin the run again in my glasses.
At 9:00 each morning we have a devotional with Alfred, any Albanians who care to attend, and our group. We sing songs, share concerns and prayer requests, pray, and read a section of Romans to discuss. Sometime after this morning's devo. Jill brought our kids to the church building. Hallie, Amelia, and Jill taught Alfred's wife and an Albanian young girl how to play Uno - the card game. (We are looking for ways to engage the young Albanians in ways that do not require too much oral communication. We also broke out the jump ropes -- Quin got involved in this activity.) Jill even learned to count to 10 in Albanian by playing Uno today!
At 10:00 on Monday and Thursday Afred and his wife teach a children's English class. This morning there were about 10-12 students present. We hope to get Amelia and Hallie involved in this class. One of the girls in the class is actually a resident of our apartment building. I saw her yesterday and then met her at the class today.
Yesterday (sorry for having this post jump back and forth from yesterday and today) in the afternoon we had a chance to actaully get our feet wet in the Adriatic. Jill, Helen, and our kids sported their swimsuits (Quinton and I just wore our shorts and t-shirts). The beach and water were quite crowded. The water was warm. We found we could wade out about 50 yards and the water was still about knee-high. Actually, the depth of the water varied as we walked out into the sea. The sand would rise and dip beneath our feet so that at some points I was in deeper water than my children who were farther out into the sea. We were not too impressed with the clarity of the water but it wasn't so gross that Jill made us all get out of the pool. Quin had a lot of fun jumping the small waves. Quinton and Darin got a lot of stares as we wore our hats and t-shirts out into the water. I guess we need to show more skin next time to fit in.
Hallie feeling better. She has a hard time keeping down her medicine presrcibed by our Albanian doctor. She's tossed her medicine back up on two occasions. Yuck.
Just to give you an idea about the prices here, our family can eat a sit-down meal for about 15 dollars. (We've eaten meals ranging from $5.00 to $17.00.) Drinks are the killer as one cannot request free tap water. We have to drink the bottled stuff so we all have to order drinks with our meal. Most of the groceries are about USA prices...locally produced and grown items are cheaper. We are probably in the most expensive area in the country since Durres beach is a tourist hot spot.
Gotta run and get to my 5:00 pm study. Pray for tender hearts that will receive the gospel.
God bless,
Darin
The night of July 3 was our best night's sleep by far...it was almost normal!!!
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