Marti Denham of Lift Kosova writes…
Once again, greetings from Kosova; wintery Kosova with snow and lots of ice.
This all started around the 7th of January while we were staying in Gjakova with Jacque’s 5 Kosovar kids. Since this was really the first significant snowfall, the kids of Kosova have been jubilant. Out came the sleds. Watching the kids has been great fun, (we’ll share a few pictures with you). Here in Krushë we have not seen any “store bought” sleds, rather homemade versions made from plastic pipe, concrete re-inforcing iron, any scrap lumber that escaped the wood stove and even 50 gallon plastic oil barrels, twine and wire! These kids are tough. We’ve seen some pretty bad spills on one rather wicked hill in Krushë but these kids survive to come back the next day and do it again.
We had scheduled a clothes distribution for Tuesday and Wednesday of last week for the widows and families in Krushë. Our friend Michael Long from Greece, had us well-supplied with a variety of used but good clothing. Our ladies arrived together and within a few hours the clothes were gone - all in one day! We were blessed that the ladies came; the first time we opened the clothes room a few months ago (actually the old bakery) only 2 families came. The tradition in the village prevented them from coming- they asked us to bring the clothes to their houses as it was “shameful” for the widows to come. Well, most of the families showed up this time at almost the same time. It reminded me of a big bargain sale at someplace like Macy’s - except that we didn’t have electricity or heat so shopping was not really done leisurely. Still the people were happy to receive the clothing and we began thinking about the next time and how we can turn this into a time of witnessing.
Please remember Kosova in your prayers. More of the Christian groups that have labored here since the war are leaving - indeed the harvest is ripe but the laborers are few. Many sheep are scattered and many more have never heard the Gospel. We are in need of laborers to join with us, short-term missions as well as long-term commitments to serve the Muslim people here. We have several programs in the planning for the spring and summer including teaching English, Vacation Bible School, and children’s camps plus the ongoing projects with the widows and people in the village of Krushë. Some of these programs will not take place unless we can depend on getting some help. Again we ask you to pray about these needs. Perhaps the Lord would have you come to Kosova?????
Zoti ju bekoftë,
Don and Marti Denham
