Success beyond statistics

Group of former students. Ermir, at extreme left, pastors a church between Tirana and Durres. At his left stands Ornela, an ABI office administrator and church leader, and who has recorded two Christian music albums in Albania. Xhevdet (pronounced "Jevdet"), 2nd from right, pastors a church near Tirana and at age 50, is the oldest, most respected pastor in Albania. At his right is his wife. Lindita is at the far right, and she leads a church in Burrel, a town in northern Albania.

Numbers do not tell the whole story of progress. Albanian believers sharing their faith in the Lord is the great indicator of progress. After 15 years we are beginning to see born-again believers working in various branches of the Albanian government. We look forward to the day when these will rise through the ranks and become cabinet members and parliamentarians. One day we could have a born-again prime minister. Wouldn't that be a great testimony? The "world's first atheistic state" having an evangelical prime minister guided by faith in the Lord would be quite the story, wouldn't it? We pray for that day.

A couple of cities have Christian policemen who are doing their jobs with honesty and fairness. One city has a group of policemen who meet regularly for Bible study and prayer. The citizens are shocked when these officers refuse to accept their bribes.

Three of our more popular singers are born-again Christians. They have used their positions of influence to tell people that they belong to Jesus. People notice that these girls have integrity that others in the music business don't have.

The national unemployment rate is quite high, but among many of our churches we are finding that almost everyone is employed. Why so much employment among church people? Don't nice guys come in last? Not always. Employers are finding that Christian employees are more dependable, more joyful, more honest. Some Christians are now going into business for themselves and trying to build up their country by staying instead of taking the easy road of emigration.

Planting, watering, waiting are all a part of the process of seeing a harvest among the Albanian people. Your partnership with missionaries and national church leaders makes this harvest a reality in God's timing.