BEATTY BULLETIN: summer trip to Albania

Raise Up Leaders Who Raise Up Others Especially in the Muslim Areas of Eastern Europe and Russia A SPECIAL REQUEST FOR ALBANIA BRINGS A SPECIAL ANSWER Bringing the Good News to Unreached Muslim Students in Albania

Two Albanian college students, Erjon and Adriano, listened attentively as I shared how Christ had changed my life. It had been awhile since since communicated this in Albanian, yet these new found friends understood the good news. I asked Erjon, “What do you think?” He responded, “Amazing… I have never heard anything like this before.” His friend Adriano, both from a Muslim background, also responded positively. This conversation came at the end of a week - long Evangelistic English Camp. Erjon and Adriano were part of a close knit group of college students all studying Physics. This group seemed aloof and not opened to the gospel early on and so became the focus of much prayer. As the camp progressed, walls began to fall and the first girl of this group, named Vivian

, gave her LIFE to Christ.

Another student , named Mirsad, not a part from the Physics group came across as a real “go getter,” one who naturally motivates others to action. On the occasion of the 100 year anniversary of the founding of Albania as a nation, Mirsad motivated several friends to commemorate this event by standing out in the winter rain for not just one hour, but for 24 hours! Crazy I know, but a real leader. Out of a desire for our boys Tosha and Evan to understand what Mommy and Dad do, I introduced Tosha and Evan to Mirsad

. We wanted Tosha and Evan to understand how we pray and talk to others about Jesus, how others can follow better Jesus, and how others can minister better for Jesus. Tosha especially took a liking to Mirsad, and he more than reciprocated! Early on during the camp, I had several quality conversations with Mirsad about the Lord. He had some good questions, but made it clear that he was a Muslim. He could not turn his back on the faith of his family. Again, we prayed for Mirsad, now called “Shoku Miri” (Friend Mirsad) by Tosha and Evan. The conversations continued, and when Tosha lost a special “treasure” (actually a small crab claw), Mirsad spent an hour combing the beach for a replacement. He found one, much to Tosha’s delight! He and Tosha were now bosom buddies. Now, on the last day of the camp and at the “fare well” meeting, I gave Mirsad his first Bible. On the first blank page, I wrote to Mirsad “A true/honorable man stands up for what is true. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,”” (John 14:6a) During the meeting, Mirsad stood up and shared from his heart before about thirty Muslim and Christian students, “As you know, I am a Muslim, but today I feel I have become part Christian.” Please join Tosha, Evan, Yulia, and I as we pray for “Shoku Miri,”… as we pray that he will become a “whole” Christian standing for what is true no matter what his Islamic background, or Muslim family may believe otherwise!