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Rick & Patti Roberts - Missionaries to Albania

Missions Anyone?


We are occasionally asked, “How do you like Albania?” Well, that’s an interesting question. Since November we have had long bouts without water, electricity, internet, and phone lines. Then the water pipes started freezing. Two of our three portable gas heaters that we use broke down, and our inverter that is supposed to kick in when the power goes off hasn’t had enough electricity to keep it powered up. Our street was dug up for a month and we had to park at the church and walk half a mile every time we went to and from the car. Plus we had to cross 4 foot craters on boards to get inside our gate, and the mud was piled up four feet along our fence and ended up in the house. Every night cars would slide into the craters and the revving of engines and yelling kept us awake. The houses here are cold because they are constructed of cement and tile without heating systems and no insulation. It takes 1-1/4 hour to wash a load of laundry and about three days for it to dry on the line, so we hope we have enough electricity for the portable electric radiator to dry clothes in the kitchen. In addition, there is corruption in government and business, traffic that would make you scream, and scores of other inconveniences. (Does it sound like we’re complaining? Read 2 Corinthians 12.)



So, do we like Albania? No! We love Albania! There are more than 3 million souls here who need to hear the gospel. There are churches struggling to survive and in great need of leadership. There are young believers who desperately need to be discipled. There is an urgent need for prayer “on location”. We are here because we are needed here – because God sent us here. Do we like it? Well, I don’t know how to answer that. It’s a nice, polite question, but there is a more important question.



Consider this! We are here by choice, but 3 million Albanians are here because this is home. They have to live with whatever life throws their way. They have to live with whatever problems history has dealt them. But they don’t have to live without the gospel! I could always go back to America, but what can they do?



Sometimes I look around and I see problems so deeply imbedded into the culture that I am tempted to think there is no hope. It will take longer than my lifetime to straighten out the problems. It will take longer than that to win the whole nation to Jesus. Sometimes I feel that if I just didn’t know about these problems, then it couldn’t hurt so bad, and I wouldn’t have to deal with it or do anything about it. But isn’t that what most of the world does?



We, the Church of Jesus Christ, have an obligation. “So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well…” 2 Corinthians 12:15



Evangelism Explosion


We have just completed our first Evangelism Explosion Clinic with 18 students learning to share their faith with others. The gospel was clearly shared with 40 people and we saw 19 professions of faith. Still others promised to visit the church and think about it. We believe that these students will influence others as we continue to train soul-winners.




Looking forward:

The dollar has really taken a beating and support has been weak, but we must continue to look forward. In the near future there are two training seminars that we should attend, but the finances are lacking. We are also looking toward some improvements and expansion on our church facility. We are trusting God for wisdom and provision. Pray for these needs.



HIS CHILDREN

We are privileged to have His Children in our congregation. This is a Christian home that provides shelter and food for 40 street-kids from the ages of six months to 16. We have become "aunt" and "uncle" to these children and are involved in their lives. After Christmas we noticed that seven of the children needed shoes and the Lord laid it on our hearts to take them shopping. We paired the children up in sets of big-child with small-child, said a prayer, and headed out to the busy, crowded Pazaar! I was filled with joy as I helped fit the children with shoes they liked and I deemed practical. Fatima had no shoes at all and had borrowed someone else's big shoes to shop in. (Uncle Rick ended up carrying that one.) Two of the children were getting their first ever NEW pair of shoes, and it was the first time for most of them to make their own selection! It was a happy day for all of us. Later I realized that happy experience had been my best Christmas gift this year!

Thank you for your sponsorship! Please send all support checks to:

AGWM, 1445 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802, Acct. # 217334

Personal mail to: Rick & Patti Roberts, K.P. 1552, Tirana, ALBANIA

Komentet dhe dhurimet tuaja jane shume te mikpritura.
Ilda