At the airport we were met my Mandi holding a sign saying "Dave Vinall". He will be driving us around this week. Genti couldn't meet us because someone in his church died earlier today in hospital. He was busy sorting out the funeral arrangements.
We were bought to the village where we'll be staying - Vlashaj. We're staying in a large house that has the feel of an alpine chalet. The downstairs is a classroom and meeting place (we haven't seen inside it yet). Upstairs are two bedrooms with bunk-beds and a kitchen diner. There's one bathroom. There's also an attic room with a couple of sofas. We've all settled in and drawn straws for bedrooms.
Tomorrow we travel to a town 2 hours north from here. We will be going to the service of the church where the pastor was murdered a week or so ago. I have to do the sermon and after we visit his widow and children. Unfortunately Genti and Shpresa will be in Tirana at the funeral of the guy who died today. They were our cultural safety net - it's scary dealing with death, suffering and the hard questions of life when there are also cultural differences to consider. I would be horrified if my sermon was inappropriate or insensitive.
Today our group's reading was from James 1:19-27. Not only did it give a group of guys travelling together some very practical and wise advice: Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. But it also says that true religion is to look after the widows and orphans in their distress. Remarkably poignant considering our time tomorrow.
Anyway - I'm writing this not even knowing if I'll be able to upload it - but we will appreciate your prayers, and now I'll see if I can get a data signal. Goodnight.
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Hey many thanks for the updates and so glad you all arrived safely. We will be praying for you especially for tomorrow and that it will be a wonderful time despite the circumstances. With love from Canada Andy, Diana, Mike, Phil & Charlotte xx
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