The Albanian Bible Institute

ABI's first day of school in 1996 brought a permanent place of light to Albania, with the hope and prayer of many opportunities to make a difference through the Gospel. Within these growing and changing walls, willing hearts continue to learn how they, too, can make a difference in their world with the power of the Gospel.

1996: ABI's First Day and Week of School First day of school, 1996. Institute and director's home next door on opening day, 1996. The use of mortared terra cotta blocks or bricks faced with stucco is prevelent in developing nations, as Albania was and continues to be. It is an economical, sturdy and versatile approach to building construction of all kinds. First week in the building, 1996. The property's outer wall remains under contruction. With little dependable civil infrastructure in place yet just a few years after Communist rule ended, every precaution possible to secure the safety of the occupants and property is taken, so the outer wall is an important feature of every building and residence.

1998: ABI's First Expansion ABI is blessed with the addition of student dormitories, 1998. Notice the water cistern on the roof and and satellite dish. The cistern on the roof supplies pressure for the water delivered and stored there until needed - no civil water infrastructure yet.

2003: Paint Facelift Brightens ABI's Presence ABI's new paint gives a bright, modern look to the institute, 2003. The cistern and dish are gone; civil infrastructure is improving. Notice the number of wires sprouting from the power pole. In developing countries it's common for people to tap in and run a line to their location "under the grid", so to speak. The outer wall has become more formidable topped with spiked wrought iron.

2007: ABI's Neighborhood Upgrades Civil infrastructure continues to improve with paved streets, sidewalks and curbs, and underground power, reducing the number of overhead wires. 2007's blessing of sunny new paint and maturing courtyard give ABI a friendly, here-to-stay presence. Frequent painting of the stucco finish helps preserve and maintain it, and helps minimize the damage of exposure to the elements over time.

2008: Adding a 3rd floor Throughout 2008, ABI students and staff were blessed with construction mess for the higher gain - desperately-needed housing space for married students and major operational improvements such as central heating. In October, 2008 the new structure's roof goes on.

2009: The ABI of today ABI stands ready for the final steps to finish, wrapped in scaffolding for the painting to begin May 31, 2009. This is a view of the back of the building. Just 8 days later, on June 8, 2009, the "new" ABI is revealed, a truly miraculous transformation. Improvements such as a sloped, tiled roof and the acquisition of solar power for the building are investments that will pay off in years of savings. This was a formidable project, requiring nearly $50,000 beyond normal expenses to accomplish. God blessed ABI by burdening the hearts of many people to prayer and support for this vision for the future. Praise God! An aerial view of ABI and environs in September, 2009, shows it to be part of a vital, growing neighborhood, city and country.