Here is the team that went to Kosovo. Dave, Randy, Tim, Micah, Tom Grant, Ethan, EJ (All are pastors in Portland and Vancouver area)
A little fender bender. 50 Euros covered it.
Kosovo is a newly independent nation as of Feb 17th 2008 This small business owner wouldn't stop thanking us and giving us gifts saying, "if not for the US, my country wouldn't be here!"
Here is a flag that hangs around the city and was given to each of us pastors. It is a one-piece flag indicating the unity of Kosovo and the United States.
All throughout Kosovo you will see posters indicating the country's gratitude for the help of the US in '99 and '00.
The vision is to plant prevailing churches among the least reached where all the odds are stacked against it. Here we are praying for Ron and Jeff (L to R) the church planters in Gjilan
Picture of Gjilan- The vision for Kosovo is to see Albanian-speaking communities transformed by the Gospel through planting healthy churches and meeting the practical needs of people.
Here is a shot of the neighborhood from Ron and Lisa's balcony.
Some children who live next door to Ron and Lisa
The Ringjallja Center. It is the 'Resurrection' center in english. Here they offer: ESL, coffee, job training, photo copies, and occupational therapy. The only center of its kind in Gjilan
Here are students in an English class at the center. There is a growing need for people to come over and spend 3-12 months helping with classes.
Here are some of the young men coming to English classes that I got to spend an evening with
The center serves fantastic coffee! Real macchiato's for $.50
This is a room in the center where they have church. Here we are gathering for service.
There are only 3 churches in the city. There are about 50 believers in a city of 200,000.
The people that attend church represent less than .1% of the country
Naiim is an Albanian-speaking national who gave his life to Jesus and is now helping to pastor this small church.
Downtown Gjilan
The unemployment rate is near 70% You can find many people at coffee bars all day
Very congested city - crowded with cars and people
Relationships are so important in the Balkan culture. It is normal to spend two to three hours at one person’s house for a visit or in a café over a cup or coffee
Pictures of a local market where people pick up many of the goods they use throughout the week.
Importance of Family and Clans - It is very common to see two or three generations all living under the same roof in a Balkan home.
The religion of choice is Nationalism (Albanian heritage) with 95% of the population saying they are Muslim. In reality, it is nominal Islam mixed with European humanism.
The opportunity is beyond what the statistics indicate
Over 50% of the country is 25 and younger.
Youth on break between classes.
The country graduates over 30,000 youth a year, but only 3,000 finding any employment - That's roughly 1 out of 100 finding work.
The city and people are beautiful. The city has come to life since 2000.
There are three major secondary schools in town. All located next to each other. This is what happens when there is a break between classes!
A memorial for Albanians murdered by Serbians during the war in 1999.
Sitting with my coach, Randy, doing some strategizing
The next church plant will be in Kamenica. East of Gjilan, it has a population of 20,000 and no churches
Many buildings have been closed while the economy is in disrepair... Here in Kamenica and around the country.
Children of Kamencia
U.S. military cruising through Kamencia.
Here's Ron, the missionary we support, giving some history behind all the ruins. This area has had a very strong Christian beginning.
Ruins of a 2nd century church that was supposed to have been started by Paul
Romans 15:19 Paul talks about coming to this region with the gospel. It is a significant piece of scripture for the Kosovars. The see that the message of Jesus came directly to them from Paul himself.
An early orthodox church
Still some military presence. This young 'man' was guarding a national treasure
14 Century grave marker
Had to take the opportunity to climb the Minaret!
We were given the privilege to go inside a practicing Mosque.
In the ruins you see the influence of Christ. The hope is that Christ will continue to break through the ruins of war, poverty, and broken lives into the hearts of the Kosovo people.
