The Church in Fier, Albania

January, 2008

Dear friends,

2008 has begun with great promise for the Lord's church in Albania! Bonds of fellowship are being fortified. Mutual prayers for guidance, courage and strength are being delivered to God throne from throughout the Albanian brotherhood. Encouragement and vision are being shared. Unity of spirit and purpose is being sought and developed. Christians are being challenged by circumstances and one another to aspire to practical, spiritual leadership. And as foreigners who have been welcomed into this dynamic situation, Ruth and I are thrilled to observe as well as be a part of it.

Preacher's Get-Together

Left to right -- Skender Kola (Durrës), Deborah Stamatis (Durrës), Steve Stamatis (Durrës), Harilla Mandro (Kuçovë), Eduart Hoxha (Durrës), Steve Byrne (Fier), Kujtim
Mjftari (Poliçan), Shkelqim Kafexhiu (Durrës). Picture by Ruth Byrne (Fier).

One evidence of this commendable spirit was the first monthly (or bi-monthly, we haven't decided yet) preacher's get-together. This event was the brainchild of Çimi Kafexhiu, who preaches in Durrës, and was held here in Fier. Preachers, church leaders, missionaries and wives, from Durrës, Kuçovë, Poliçan and Fier, attended, and we expect the number to grow as word gets around. We discussed our various challenges and dreams, praised God in song, prayed, studied the Word, and enjoyed lunch together afterwards. Lord willing, we meet again next month in Durrës.

Another positive portent of things to come is the new class of IBIA students! The preacher training school recently relocated from Tirana to Durrës and is about to begin with its second batch of students in their 2-3 year training program. Having witnessed the marvelous results achieved by Steve Stamatis and his faculty with the first class, we can only believe that the continuing work of this school bodes well for the church not only in Albania, but for this whole part of the world.

On a different but no less significant scale, good things are happening in the Elbasan congregation, with whom Ruth and I are blessed to gather each mid-week. Not only are they enjoying a rekindling of unity, the Christians in Elbasan are also rising to meet the challenges of service in the kingdom. One great example for them in this regard is Ilir Kura, who has been a Christian for just over a year. Ilir preached for the first time at short notice this past Sunday on the occasion of their regular preacher, Mondi Gjoni being under the weather with the flu. By all accounts, Ilir did a great job, and Mondi's health is improving.

Ilir and Vera Kura

The church here in Fier demonstrated the spirit of the season at the end of this year by making gift baskets to be distributed to members of the community. This is apparently not a typical practice here, and thus a welcome surprise to the recipients, who seemed to appreciate the thought and effort involved. Ruth and I also enjoyed visiting the homes of numerous church members and friends over the holidays, and we sampled enough delicious, sweet baklava and other delicacies to tide us over easily until the next holiday season.

WEI student Risilda with Keti, making gift baskets

This month we are pleased to feature two of Ruth's WEI students, Albana and Albi Bani. They are a mother and son from the nearby village of Xharrez. Albana runs a restaurant with her husband there, and Albi is in his first year of high school. They are both highly intelligent and motivated, and often attend worship with us. Ruth and I were privileged to spend an evening in their home recently, with the rest of their family. We were introduced to them through our sister-in-Christ, Keti Tanashi who teaches in the village, and who is one of the most persistent and effective members of the church when it comes to bringing in friends and acquaintances.

Albi, with his grandmother, father, Albana, Ruth and Keti

As you can see, there is much to be thankful for here as 2008 progresses. We are particularly thankful that you a part of this and so much more with us, through your prayers and support. May God bless you in every way in the coming year.

In His service,

Steve & Ruth Byrne

February, 2008

Dear friends,

February finds Ruth and me continuing to enjoy God's goodness here in Fier. He has surrounded us with first-rate, open-hearted brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, students and teachers. Thus, we have been enabled to not only be instruments of His kindness in this part of His world, but also to be recipients of His comfort and support as we persist in striving and growing in His grace.

The essential elements of the work here are continuing as usual. We carry on Bible studies with as many students as we can handle. Ruth and my Albanian language lessons are slowly beginning to pay dividends, even after only a few months. The churches in Fier and Elbasan are always a huge encouragement to us. A recent Sunday visit to worship with the Vlorë congregation was also an occasion for joyful fellowship for a number of us from Fier. We are plugging along by faith, confident that God's Spirit is moving in His quiet, invisible way, as seeds are planted and watered daily in numerous lives.

If we had to choose a theme for this past month, I suppose it might be "things we have missed and enjoyed" as a particular result of being missionaries here. Being far from "home" entails both sacrifices and privileges. The former category, for instance, includes the recent death of my mother's husband, William (Bill) Laird.

William (Bill) Laird 1931-2008

Bill and Mom (JoAnn) were married for 14 years. During that time it was evident that Bill brought a great deal of cheerfulness, humor and zest to Mom's life. Even as he struggled with multiple serious health problems over the past 4 years, Bill was always concerned for those around him, and would express the positive outlook whenever possible. They traveled the world together, including more than one visit to us in Alaska, and Bill probably would have wanted to come to Albania as well, had his health allowed it. When Bill passed away quickly in late January, circumstances were such that it was not possible for Ruth and me to be there physically with Mom in time for his funeral. Thankfully our son Tim was available, and Ruth and I were able to send him in our stead. Bill was a good man whom we came to love and respect. We are thankful for the time he shared with Mom. We will miss him. We are also thankful to those of you who have expressed your condolences to her and to us.

In the category of privileges, working in Albania this year has so far been stimulating on one level, due to events taking place in the region. As you are probably aware, Kosovo has just declared its independence this week. The population there is 95% ethnic Albanian, and there are many ties between these two countries. Ruth and I were invited to go there for this occasion by a businessman friend here in Fier who had hosted a large Kosovar refugee family during the crisis in 1999. Many things about our experience could be shared here, but suffice it to say that witnessing the birth of a nation is a remarkable thing. Also heartwarming to me was being recognized in a restaurant in Prizren by a woman who had been a refugee in Elbasan, Albania when I was there that year, helping Pete Hodge and the church to distribute food. Most important, Ruth and I were delighted to make some very good friends in our short visit to Kosovo, and we hope to have opportunities to develop those relationships for the cause of Christ in the future.

Friends at Albania - Kosovo Border

Awaiting the "declaration of independence" in Prizren, Kosovo

"NEWBORN" - The 1st day of independence, in Pristina, Kosovo (capital)

It would not be accurate to say that the novel experiences we enjoy here have compensated for the things that we miss. They are, each in their own way, simply missionary facts-of-life. We are thankful to be able to share about some of them briefly with you this month, so that you can have a taste of some of the incidental elements of the work here which have touched our hearts. Until next month, may God bless you richly!

In His service,

Steve & Ruth Byrne

March, 2008

Dear friends,

The month of March here in Fier saw a mother and son become brother and sister in Christ! Albana and Albi Bani were baptized into Christ on Sunday, March 16, just two days before the physical birthday they both share with Albi's grandmother. They live in the village of Xharrez just outside of Fier, and have been studying the WEI English and Bible courses with Ruth for several months. Skender and Vera Mejdiaj, leaders of the church in Orikum, about 50 kms south of us, kindly prepared the baptistery there for our use, as it is still a bit chilly here for using the sea. Albana and Albi had been reading ahead in their WEI lessons, and one day came to class expressing their desire to be baptized, long before the lessons on how to become a Christian were scheduled. After confirming their understanding and intentions, we were happy to comply with their desire. Our sister Keti Tanashi, who is a schoolteacher in Xharrez, was instrumental in bringing us in contact with the Bani family. We are also very thankful that Albana's husband, Bujar, is supportive of their decision. Like Albana, he also comes from a Muslim background, but speaks virtually no English. We pray that the influence of his wife and son will one day bring him to faith in Christ as well.

Albana and Albi's Confession that Jesus is the Son of God

Albi rises to a new life!

Ruth with her new brother and sister in Christ

March also witnessed the 2nd Church Leader's Fellowship, this time hosted by the church in Durres at the new IBIA campus. It was led by Çimi Kafexhiu. We were grateful to see a slightly larger number in attendance than at our first meeting in January. Our sincere hope is that this monthly-or-so occasion will continue to grow into an instrument for unity and encouragement for the Albanian brotherhood. Another reason for rejoicing this month was the return of Tom Bonner from an extended but well-deserved furlough. It's comforting to know we have this fine missionary just 30 kms north of us in Lushnje.

Steve, Skender, Keti, Albana, Albi, and Vera

Leader's Fellowship – Durres

The nation of Albania has been in the international headlines twice recently due to tragic circumstances. First, there were the recent drowning deaths of 16 members of a family in a lake near Tirana. Then there came the explosions on the 15th at a military base near the Rinas International Airport, currently considered accidental, but resulting in massive damage and undetermined casualties. Please keep Albania in your prayers, not only for the sake of our work here, but also for those here who see events such as these as confirmation of their pessimisms concerning Albania's prospects for the future. Albanians in general still do have many obstacles to overcome as they work to raise themselves to the standards of living to which they aspire. However, with time they also certainly have as much potential to rise above their current difficulties as any people Ruth and I have ever known. This is why we are thankful to be here among them, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. In the final analysis, the gospel is the only 100% effective antidote to the temptation to despair. We thank God and you for enabling us to be here with good news.

In His service,

Steve & Ruth Byrne

April, 2008

Dear friends,

April greetings from Fier! Over the past month, God has provided Ruth and me with numerous opportunities to witness and enjoy the blessings of being citizens of His kingdom as it is growing and developing here in Albania.

At the end of every school session, the International Bible Institute of Albania (IBIA) in Durres has an International Day, at which time they focus on the status of the church in another part of the world. Recently, attention was given to the Philippines, where Ruth was born and we formerly worked. The IBIA faculty and students were presented with an overview of the history and current situation of the Filipino church, followed by an afternoon banquet of Philippine delicacies that included shrimp pancit, pork adobo, chicken afritada, and spicy beef with fried rice. Ruth expertly guided the culinary preparations to the acclaim of all present. The next occasion will focus on the church in Malawi.

IBIA chefs on "Philippines International Day"

Another opportunity for feasting and fellowship came with the church leaders' meeting, which seems to be growing in popularity. This month it was hosted by the church in Elbasan. More than 20 leaders were in attendance, and a new standard of excellence was set in that rather than having a dutch-treat meal afterwards as has been our custom, the church hosted everyone in the home of brother and sister Remzi and Mereme Islami for a full meal of delicious, homemade Albanian cooking. The camaraderie was extremely upbeat and encouraging.

Church leaders in Elbasan

A further welcome development from Elbasan is the enrollment of one of its leaders, Ilir Kura, into IBIA. Ilir has been a vital part of the church there since his baptism about a year and a half ago, and is scheduled to begin his formal studies in May. This will certainly stand him in great stead for being equipped to edify the body in Elbasan in years to come. We know he would appreciate your prayers.

Happy IBIA diners

Albanian feast in Elbasan

It was also my privilege to participate briefly this month in a project to raise awareness among churches here of the problem of human trafficking in Albania. This involved a walk by concerned individuals from the north to the south end of the country. As I only found out about it shortly before it was to commence, I did not have time to get adequate footwear, and had to drop out due to foot problems after a couple of days of 25-30 kilometer walks. The walk itself is still underway, and I hope to be able to participate again to some degree when it passes through Fier and continues south.

Here in Fier, the church continues to be blessed. Albana and Albi Bani's enthusiastic presence as new Christians has provided a boost to all of us in the body of Christ. They have also provided a great positive example to a number of our other students and visitors. An additional cause for encouragement here this month was the presence this past Sunday of almost a dozen Christians from Durres, Tirana and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Alfred Dimçi from Tirana preached for us, and we appreciated the treat of having the Word proclaimed in Albanian without translation from English.

Oklahoma visitors to Fier: Art Henley, Bob Seat, Ann and Larry Johnson

The church throughout Albania has so much potential! In our time here, Ruth and I have found ourselves limited only by our imagination and endurance in terms of the existing opportunities for service. We constantly pray for wisdom, guidance and strength to do that which will result in the most glory for our Lord, wherever He allows us to go. We are thankful for you who beseech Him on our behalf as well.

In His service,

Steve & Ruth Byrne