Having been blessed to return 3 times to Kosova, we see how the Lord has given us love for the Kosovar people. Without love for the people we could have no vision. Our greatest desire is to share the love of Christ with the people. To share God’s love has required a great investment of time in building relationships around the bond of friendship, and trust. We have been able to cry together, laugh together, work on the rebuilding of homes, give bread from the bakery to the needy of Krushe for 2 years following the war, to provide financial assistance for a variety of physical needs, purchase food, supplies, stoves, washing machines, farm tools and equipment and even a cow for one family. With the tractor we purchased we are able to help several families who have not yet been able to replace their own tractors. Currently we are providing free flour to 20 needy families in Krushe, and are helping the widows by making their handwork projects available in the USA.
We are beginning to see the emphasis of reaching the people change from the physical needs to the spiritual. Much of the work God has called us to is in the village, although through our church we help to reach the people of Gjakove. Continual contact with the people and recognizing the needs of the village seem critical to advancing God’s kingdom. We hope to continue much of what we have begun including teaching English, especially to the youth, and to minister to the youth by means of a centre with computers, and where the love of God can be shared with all who are open. We trust God for His timing and provision.
Unpredictability seems to be a key factor regarding life in Kosova! One day things may seem quite “normal” and the next day one is faced with no electricity, no water, no heat- many of the things we tend to grow accustomed to rather easily. Shopping is always an experience - don’t count on ever finding a favorite item two trips in a row! Driving can be a nightmare and should not be attempted without prayer, and lots of it! (We share the road with trucks, tractors, lawn-mower type motors pulling wagons, horses, sheep, goats and more.) Probably the thing we miss most about home in the USA is the wonderful foods available in the supermarkets and restaurants everywhere. It seems that no store in Kosova has tortilla chips, but they are available in Macedonia!
