Hello all! Well, we finally rolled into the church parking lot around 5pm on Monday. It was a long, exhausting, but blessed trip and all we can do is praise the LORD for the good things He has done...It was sad saying goodbye to everyone at the church, bittersweet for we are glad to be home to see our loved ones, but after experiencing what we did together it is very hard to see that come to an end. Here are some thoughts on the last day together:
1) Sunday we had church and Pastor Eddie asked me to share. The Lord was with me and though I felt tired and weak, was able to share from Is 55 and the Spirit truly moved in me as I spoke. It may have been the most intense time I ever had teaching from the Word. Truly not just head knowledge but I felt a demonstration of the Spirit's power. I can only just thank God...THere were some at church from the street evangelism times and I pled with them to be reconciled to God while I taught. I believe God moved in their hearts!
2) Sunday afternoon was filled with packing and cleaning...but in between that time we spent a sweet time to thank/encourage one another. It was a tear-filled but joyous occasion spent thanking, remembering, exhorting one another. These times are always memorable.
3) Drove to Tirana, got on the plane. Saying goodbye to Tim and Jamie was hard for me. I love those guys. The about a 3 hr journey to London, a bus ride to Heathrow, and then a 9 hr layover in Heathrow!!! Many of us slept, I did not. I stayed up all night talking to a Swedish guy and was able to share Jesus with him. It was cool...but I was tired. I slept about half of the 9 hr flight to Miami and we landed approx. 2:20 in Miami. We got through customs, met Jeff our bus driver, and settled in for the ride home....
Praise God for the things He has done! I want to thank all of our supporters in prayer and financially for enabling us to go. Be assured...God's kingdom was advanced and strengthened during this trip, I know this first hand...and that treasure will last forever. I hope to be able to say hi to you sometime soon. ALSO, be aware that there will be a dinner/presentation on the trip at Grace Fellowship on the last Sunday of this month at approx 6:30pm. We'll post details soon. I love you all!!!
--STEVE
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, sunday, sunday!!!!!
Well guys, I am really pleased to say that, well I am not really please but a bit sad that we are...(well Cisco just handed me the computer...now it is Kasey writing, but he asked me to write like him, so I will try my best). So like we are a bit sad because we have to leave the amazing people we met while being here, but also we feel so blessed to have experienced God's protection, peace, and faithfulness.
Today, we went to church and Steve preached a God inspired message on really understanding the word and not taking it for granted. It was a message on being thirsty for God from Isaiah 55...God really used him as a vessel of truth for believers and non-believers. Several people attended church that we invited from street evangelism the previous night. So praise God for that! We pray even more people will come that we met while on the streets.
Awwh man! We have to actually get packed now and get ready to leave for America. We are excited to be returning, for we really have missed you all! Please pray for our safety and for opportunities to talk to others about Christ on the way home.
God bless and see you soon!
Kasey & The Team
Today, we went to church and Steve preached a God inspired message on really understanding the word and not taking it for granted. It was a message on being thirsty for God from Isaiah 55...God really used him as a vessel of truth for believers and non-believers. Several people attended church that we invited from street evangelism the previous night. So praise God for that! We pray even more people will come that we met while on the streets.
Awwh man! We have to actually get packed now and get ready to leave for America. We are excited to be returning, for we really have missed you all! Please pray for our safety and for opportunities to talk to others about Christ on the way home.
God bless and see you soon!
Kasey & The Team
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Last Call to Dushk & Luna Park
The team visited the Village of Dushk for the last time this afternoon. I was able to give my bible to Yona (a young Albanian girl who speaks English--also a new believer in Christ) and I've never seen someone be so appreciative towards receiving a bible. She is very excited to share the love of Christ to others and I'm glad she has a bible to help her understand God's word. I pray God continues to fill her with His Holy Spirit, as she is still confused, but appears to be seeking the truth. Steve, Louis, Annette, Cisco, and Julie also met up with a few of their Dushk friends and we all said our goodbyes, but we know we will see them in heaven b/c God has a grip on their hearts!
This evening was our last evangelism outreach in Lushnje at Luna Park. We saw a lot of the same faces from two nights ago. We are praying that the drama, the testimonies, and preaching sunk into their hearts and that they continue seeking truth. It is extremely hard to think of leaving these people, but Jamie and Tim and the rest of the OM organization will be here to continue inviting the city of Lushnje to church. The people have been in the dark for so long, it is hard to think that we made even a dint....but God can and will make a difference....God will not let His words be void. It only takes one light to create a path in a dark place. God could instantly stir up hearts and this city of darkness could become a city of God's lights. We must be faithful in our prayers in praying for them.
Love, Kasey & the Team
Here is a little line from Kiiiiiscoooooo! (Cisco)
Morave with the Kids!
So today the team traveled back to the village of Morave to fellowship with the local neighborhood kids. We got the party started with Cisco's dance moves...the kids like to laugh a lot at him. He is great with breaking the ice and also a fantastic dancer! As soon as we had the kids hooked with dancing, games, and fun songs, God intervened and helped quiet the group down for listening to the puppet show. The gospel was shared and as I stared into the kids' eyes it looked like the kids were actually listening. I pray that the seed that was scattered among the kids today stay buried in their hearts. Can you all pray against Satan's attacks to snatch their joy or choke their growth with the worries, stress, and pain of this world. So many of the kids have nothing good in their life. I pray that God would be their good thing. I pray God would become their only thing.
With love,
Kasey & the Team
With love,
Kasey & the Team
Friday, July 3, 2009
Hey everyone. Last night we had a fruitful outreach. We ministered in the small village of Gabijon. A pastor who serves in Lushnje has a Bible study and a clinic in this village. It was awesome to see the response when the call was given to pray. I had the opportunity to share with a group of six men, and they all said yes to receive Jesus. We also gave them Bibles and invited them to the Bible study. God is good!!!
Dave
Dave
Titus? God!
Well now, i don't have time, hahaha we have 4 minutes until we go or less time now i probably right stuff until we go in 4 minutes may 3, oh yeah we went to the place where Titus died in the Bible!! and last night we saw the Light shine really in a dark place. Cont. . later when we get back from marave. thanks!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The beach/park
Hey Cisco here!
And yeah, i kinda forgot to write something last night so i am doing it now. So yesterday we headed to the beach early in the morning with a bus load of children well about 35 children to about 50! so when we got there we started to settle down, the beach was pretty small, like a really small landing strip to if really small planes wants to randomly land on that part of the beach the can. Someone complained so we had to move, we walked on the private side, and walked and walked. We stopped about three times because it was "private beach". well on the third try the y were going to tell us to move again but when they found out we were american they said "oh please stay here don't move again, american good now!" Well then so we settled then and stated to play Futbal, which was. . . well let's just say i am a beast now! The children were amazing! They were great, some knew english a little, and knew a little spanish (surprising i know), so i kinda got by a little, but still they spoke well in albanian so i kept a translator close to me though that was good! some of the children asked me if i was coming back to albania, and i said "yes! why not, i love this place" The people are hurt spiritually here and God loves the people of Albania therefore I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF ALBANIA! Well back to the topic, so the time passed and the children stayed at the beach because they just wanted too. lol Us the team had to go because we had to some Street Evangelism.
Street Evangelism, The Set up was this, Cisco dance, then couple of worship song, then drama, then testimony, then another drama then the message. After that go out and talk to people and pass out tracks.
The Cisco Dance (tecktonik) was argh awesome! Well everyone said i did really good! So i guess i did good! I was nervous but to stop the nervousness i prayed "God calm my soul, and Glorify through me and through this team" and i stopped being nervous! Then i bust a move! a crowd developed it was amazing after that tim, steve and jaime started to play there songs. Then the Drama came around, the drama is called Fallen humanity and i this you saw some pictures already. but anyways that went well then david's testimony which was really deep and good, then the chair drama which was funny but with a huge message! Then Tim spoke the Gospel!!! and we had a lot of people listening, God was among the crowd that were listening! It was amazing! Well after we arrived at the OM (back at the place we are all saying at) and ate pizza.
When were here let's just say the girls had a surprise, A SURPRISE! So they had us sit down on the front steps and then out of nowhere water balloons appeared out of nowhere, i was the smart one and had the video camera and taped everything and i stood nice and dry! lol Everyone had a beast time! lol Well that was my side of that, by me Cisco lol
Well ttyl peace and God bless!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
This is Jessica...
Please pray for us..
- that we would be unified and show the love of Christ to one another.
-The next three nights we are doing street evangelism. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel. That we would have boldness, courage,and a burden for the lost people of Albania
-That we would find gifts or words to say to encourage each of the missionaries here who have hosted us.
-Also, thursday and saturday we will be working with kids. Pray that we would plant seeds in their lives.
We are so thankful to God for all of you who are praying !!!!!!! It is greatly appreciated and needed :)
Please pray for us..
- that we would be unified and show the love of Christ to one another.
-The next three nights we are doing street evangelism. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel. That we would have boldness, courage,and a burden for the lost people of Albania
-That we would find gifts or words to say to encourage each of the missionaries here who have hosted us.
-Also, thursday and saturday we will be working with kids. Pray that we would plant seeds in their lives.
We are so thankful to God for all of you who are praying !!!!!!! It is greatly appreciated and needed :)
The Past 3 Days...by JD
Hey, JD here. Well, I'm sorry we haven't put anything new up, but hopefully we can make up for it. Here it goes...
Saturday we went to the Emanuel Center, it's a place for gypsy kids to come and learn about God. I reminded me a lot of the Belle Glade ministry back home. We played some games and taught them the gospel through a skit that Kasey wrote herself and edited by the team. It went well. Meanwhile, Cisco was picking up our 11th member David in Tirane with one of our translators Ilir (which we found out means Freedom in Shquip/Albanian). That night we had an awesome night of prayer and worship as God was showing His Glory and Power through a mighty rain and thunderstorm. I really felt the Holy Spirit with us that night.
Sunday we went to church here at the OM (Operation Mobilization) house and later an Albanian bbq. I helped Ilir with the meat and man did I get a workout cooking. They fan the fire to cook the meat quicker but we had to fan it manually. It was a good time though. Different but none the less fun.
Monady we packed early and headed out to the beach southwest of us. It was amazing. we saw some mountain goats. Which we have pics of and a video of. When we had finally arrived after a 4 hr journey. It was one of the most amazing places I'd ever seen. It's one of those places you think you can only see on the Travel Channel.
We jumped off the dock which was cool and I got to share the gospel with this Albanian kid named Nestor who lived in Greece. By the way, the beach itself wasn't sand it was more like gravel, but that didn't matter due to the view and the nice cool water, not like home.
That night we had a worship night on the beach it was so cool. We saw a 1/2 moon and it's light coming off the ocean and the stars are amazing too. I took the gravel in my hands and started shaking it like an egg shaker to the beat of the worship music. Tim and Steve thought that was creative, but hey ya'll know me give me something long enough and I'll find a good use for it.
Tuesday we went to the beach had lunch and stopped in Vlor which is a touristy town and that is where our friends Yulie and Ella stay. We met them in the Gatwick airport on our here. They are so nice. I was so glad to see them I had bugged Steve and Tim about hooking up with them. Anyways, it's a cool town. I'd love to live there but it's expensive. It kinda reminded me of Palm Beach.
So here we are finally back home...
Take care and God bless,
JD
Saturday we went to the Emanuel Center, it's a place for gypsy kids to come and learn about God. I reminded me a lot of the Belle Glade ministry back home. We played some games and taught them the gospel through a skit that Kasey wrote herself and edited by the team. It went well. Meanwhile, Cisco was picking up our 11th member David in Tirane with one of our translators Ilir (which we found out means Freedom in Shquip/Albanian). That night we had an awesome night of prayer and worship as God was showing His Glory and Power through a mighty rain and thunderstorm. I really felt the Holy Spirit with us that night.
Sunday we went to church here at the OM (Operation Mobilization) house and later an Albanian bbq. I helped Ilir with the meat and man did I get a workout cooking. They fan the fire to cook the meat quicker but we had to fan it manually. It was a good time though. Different but none the less fun.
Monady we packed early and headed out to the beach southwest of us. It was amazing. we saw some mountain goats. Which we have pics of and a video of. When we had finally arrived after a 4 hr journey. It was one of the most amazing places I'd ever seen. It's one of those places you think you can only see on the Travel Channel.
We jumped off the dock which was cool and I got to share the gospel with this Albanian kid named Nestor who lived in Greece. By the way, the beach itself wasn't sand it was more like gravel, but that didn't matter due to the view and the nice cool water, not like home.
That night we had a worship night on the beach it was so cool. We saw a 1/2 moon and it's light coming off the ocean and the stars are amazing too. I took the gravel in my hands and started shaking it like an egg shaker to the beat of the worship music. Tim and Steve thought that was creative, but hey ya'll know me give me something long enough and I'll find a good use for it.
Tuesday we went to the beach had lunch and stopped in Vlor which is a touristy town and that is where our friends Yulie and Ella stay. We met them in the Gatwick airport on our here. They are so nice. I was so glad to see them I had bugged Steve and Tim about hooking up with them. Anyways, it's a cool town. I'd love to live there but it's expensive. It kinda reminded me of Palm Beach.
So here we are finally back home...
Take care and God bless,
JD
3 day Summary by Steve
Hey everyone! It's been awhile...hope you haven't missed us to much...well we have missed you for sure! We were without internet for awhile in a Southern part of Albania that took us 4 hrs to get to. That was two days...then yesterday the internet was down and no blogging was happening. Anyways, here we are...wednesday evening. There is too much from the last three days for me to talk about, but I'll write a few things, others will write some later, and I believe Cisco will be loading some pictures later tonight if possible.
Saturday night, we had a late night prayer/worship time, interceding for the gypsy children, who sometimes get sold into sexual slavery...as we prayed a giant thunder storm began to rage around us and God's power was manifest in a very real way!! It was cool.
Sunday was church and we fellow shipped with the people from church with a worship/bbq night later on. Great albanian bbq with shishkababs, sausages, all kinds of meat type thingys. Mgeper! (I ate a lot!). Then came Monday....
We went to a southern small beach location where we had to drive through breathtaking mtns and valley's. ALbania is beautiful!!! Pictures later... The beach was great, turquoise water, rocks to jump off, wonderful landscape/olive trees/wildlife...great stuff. Ate at a restaurant where we at whole BBQ'ed fish. Cisco at the eyes and tried the head, but couldn't finish it. The rocks to jump off ranged from 10 to 30 feet. Most people jumped the high one...i did not because I'm to cool for that. But seriously, I have broken toes so I couldn't climb the cliff (from soccer). We met a greek boy who we shared the gospel with and gave him a Bible. He was a nice kid. (Name = Nestor). We also got to share with our Muslim bus driver. He was an awesome man and thanked us much for clearing up his view of Christ and helping him understand the Gospel. He said he would think about Christ and I told him I would pray for him. We bought wild honey from roadside vendors, and the honeycomb is still in it! Good stuff! Besides that, it was just a great time. Think Meditteranean climate, beautiful! White stone houses on cliffs near the sea, and majestic mtns that rise straight up into the sky. It was one night/2days there to relax and prepare for the final 3-4 days of the trip.
Today the women did an outreach in a village that they can blog about, although I will say that they were able to counsel and pray with many women, and at least one woman prayed to follow Christ, and the next 2-3 days we will be doing street outreach evangelism as well as VBS for gypsy kids. We also saw a castle near the village today called Berat. Awesome! Pictures to come! Then...we come home. Can't wait to see everyone..specifically..Allie and Judah. Love you guys! Talk to ya later...Steve
Saturday night, we had a late night prayer/worship time, interceding for the gypsy children, who sometimes get sold into sexual slavery...as we prayed a giant thunder storm began to rage around us and God's power was manifest in a very real way!! It was cool.
Sunday was church and we fellow shipped with the people from church with a worship/bbq night later on. Great albanian bbq with shishkababs, sausages, all kinds of meat type thingys. Mgeper! (I ate a lot!). Then came Monday....
We went to a southern small beach location where we had to drive through breathtaking mtns and valley's. ALbania is beautiful!!! Pictures later... The beach was great, turquoise water, rocks to jump off, wonderful landscape/olive trees/wildlife...great stuff. Ate at a restaurant where we at whole BBQ'ed fish. Cisco at the eyes and tried the head, but couldn't finish it. The rocks to jump off ranged from 10 to 30 feet. Most people jumped the high one...i did not because I'm to cool for that. But seriously, I have broken toes so I couldn't climb the cliff (from soccer). We met a greek boy who we shared the gospel with and gave him a Bible. He was a nice kid. (Name = Nestor). We also got to share with our Muslim bus driver. He was an awesome man and thanked us much for clearing up his view of Christ and helping him understand the Gospel. He said he would think about Christ and I told him I would pray for him. We bought wild honey from roadside vendors, and the honeycomb is still in it! Good stuff! Besides that, it was just a great time. Think Meditteranean climate, beautiful! White stone houses on cliffs near the sea, and majestic mtns that rise straight up into the sky. It was one night/2days there to relax and prepare for the final 3-4 days of the trip.
Today the women did an outreach in a village that they can blog about, although I will say that they were able to counsel and pray with many women, and at least one woman prayed to follow Christ, and the next 2-3 days we will be doing street outreach evangelism as well as VBS for gypsy kids. We also saw a castle near the village today called Berat. Awesome! Pictures to come! Then...we come home. Can't wait to see everyone..specifically..Allie and Judah. Love you guys! Talk to ya later...Steve
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