Journey of the Heart

Thursday February 5, 2009

2009-02-05T11:13:00.001-08:00

It is my last day in Albania. I am resting and getting packed. We planned it that way. The Albanian people are loving and kind. I have been treated with such respect and i am so grateful to them all. God was so evident in everything that we did together. I am so grateful for this life changing experience. I want to say thank you to World Vision for the opportunity as well.

I leave at 5am in the morning and will back in the states in the evening. Thank you to everyone for your love and support, for your prayers and for yours constant help.

The comment I want to leave with you is one that someone shared with us on the last day of training that penetrated my heart. He said "I believe what you have done in training us with this mentoring skill will change Albania and its people." Only God can do this.

Thank You all so much.

Wednesday February 4, 2009

2009-02-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

This is the last day of training here in Velore and for World Vision. We spent most of the day doing role plays and helping them improve the skill of mentoring. They did a wonderful job.

The role plays were real life situations, so it was hard for some of them, but they learned a great deal.

We left and went back to the same italian restaurant to have lunch. He made us what ever we wanted, the food was wonderful. We had lunch with the primary mentors. We made new friends with them both. They will always be in our hearts.

Our driver arrived and we began the trip back to Tirana. We want to thank Towland (i am sure that is not the correct spelling). He was responsible for the 3 of us while in Velore. He took good care of us and we found him to be such a sweet and kind man, so we say Thank You so Much.

Tuesday February 3, 2009

2009-02-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

This second day we began the day having them share things with us from the day before. We spent the day getting them ready to do as many role plays as we could. Christy and I would speak and Evis would translate. It worked so well. Evis is quite ready to do this training. She is amazing. We could have never done any of this without her.

We went to lunch to a different place. I can tell you that the wait staff in Albania treat you with such respect, it is wonderful.

We then spent the last few hours before dinner with the 2 primary mentors continuing their additional training. We then went out to do some shopping and then to get pizza. We had a great time.

As we got back to the hotel, we realized that the electricity was out in the hotel and for most of the block because of the wind. Well, when we got in the hotel, the desk had candles sitting lit for us to take to walk up the marble steps to our rooms. Well, you can imagine, we had some fun with that. Christy, Evis and I laughed and laughed and some day I will tell you a very funny story of what happened when the wind blew the candles out. The electricity was out all night and in the morning, so no showers or curling of hair. We just said, okay lets go. By the way this happens alot in this country.

Evis, Christy and I spent the rest of the evening in our room with the candles lit and made bookmarks sitting on the bed, talking and having a great time.

Monday February 2, 2009

2009-02-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

We left Tirana at 7:00am and traveled 3 hours to Velore Albania to do the final training for World Vision. This town is on the Adriatic Sea. This is a town many come for vacation. This training was for the Monitors who serve the families whose children are sponsored by people all over the world. The monitors mostly live in the villages where the sponsored children live so many of them know them from the community as well. What a incredible committed group of people. Their work is hard because they see so many difficult situations in the families they serve.

We met in a church for this training. We spent the first day getting to know them and helping them learn about themselves. This process is important so they can understand those they work with. Some of the stories are hard to hear. As we finished the first day, the pastor and his wife Darrell and Debbie came in to meet us. They are Americans who are from Wooster Ohio. Wonderful and great people.

For lunch we went to this restaurant run by this very fun italian gentlemen. He just says "what would you like, i will cook what you want". The food was awesome. And if you don't finish because you might be full, he almost offended, but fun as well.

After lunch we had met with the 2 primary mentors who were amazing young people. We both fell in love with these two.

In the evening we went to dinner with Darrell and Debbie and enjoyed getting to know them and how God brought them to Albania. It was good to see how God is using them in the community of Velore.

Friday January 30, 2009

2009-02-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

We had the opportunity to meet with World Vision Country Manager and the Christian Emphasis Manager to debrief our experience and training. This meeting helped us understand better how World Vision has made a new commitment to Personal Development of the people they serve. We discussed that the follow up for the training is key to moving the program forward. World Vision Albania has made the commitment to do all they can to make this be all it was meant to be for them. We received excellent evaluations from those that we trained. Jason the Country Manager told us that he has already seen how the training has impacted some of the managers. Yeah God!

Thursday January 29, 2009

2009-01-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

Christy and I went to the Stephens Center this morning to meet with some of the women we trained last July. We sat and just got caught up with a couple of them. It was so nice to see them again.

After that Evis, Christy and I spent an hour buying some gifts. It was fun.

We then left Tirana and went out to Bethora for a Farewell Celebration for Christy. Oh my goodness. The room was full with all of the women that Christy has ministered to the last year and a half. As soon as she entered the room, they all stood and applauded.

As always, Christy and I went around the room and greeted each women with the typical Albanian greeting; a kiss on each cheek. Immediately they began to shower her with words of gratitude. One women read a note of appreciation and of course Christy was quite moved. They than gave gifts to her and to me as well.
Christy spent some time telling them how much they have impacted her life and how they will always be with her. She finished by telling them how much she loves them and how much God loves them. Again, it was beautiful to watch and of course i was in tears as well. I was worried about her crying and I think i cried first. No surprise there for those of you that know me well.

Then the party began. They had tables full of food, everyone ate and then the dancing began. Oh my goodness, it was so much fun. Most of the time they had Christy out their dancing with them and i was filming the video. Then they got me out there and we had such a great time. They love our Christy so very much and each one of them wanted time with her. She of course was out there dancing and having a great time. A couple of young teen boys came in and did some break dancing. At the end of the dancing time, I told Christy lets do some swing dancing, she had never done that, so we did it and the women loved it. We got a standing ovation. We got pictures.

You cannot be part of an experience like that and not be changed. It is clear that Christy has made an impact on their hearts. She is amazing.

Wednesday January 28, 2009

2009-01-29T12:23:00.000-08:00

Our last day of training the managers for World Vision. We got started in role plays right away. We wanted them to have as much time as possible to practice. We discovered they were really good at this as well as the first group. It was great fun for us to work with people that were so willing to learn and grow.

It is clear that they will use these skills as soon as they can. We had some people report that they already used the Active Listening skill with their friends and they loved it.

We learned an African Acknowledgement of Appreciation (i cannot tell you the real name), so you will see a picture posted that shows them teaching us. It was funny.

We are so grateful to World Vision for this opportunity. Christy and I both have met some incredible people. At the end of this training, they presented us with a lead crystal paperweight as a gift from both groups. It is beautiful.

We of course want to thank them as well for they were all so engaging and treated us with such love and respect. To you all we say THANKS!

Tuesday January 27, 2009

2009-01-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

Second day of training for the second group of Managers for World Vision. We spent some time today reviewing their comments on their self discovery.
We got started on doing role plays, they really got into the exercises. We asked them to use a real life situation. Each manager was asked to be a mentor and a mentee. After each role play we discussed the process. Some of this group had personal mentors and had some understanding.

The second day of training, is most fun because it is starting to make sense and they are really starting to use the new skills they are using.

I tell them that the mentoring skills are really a life skill and they will find they can use these skills in the work place and in their personal lives as well.

It was a great day. Unfortunately, I am not feeling well, I have a respiratory thing going on and it was clear my voice was giving out. Please pray.

Monday January 26, 2009

2009-01-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

We began the second week of World Vision Manager training today. We spent the day giving them an overview of Mentoring and they spent time day taking Spiritual Gifts inventory and the DISC personality test. From the comments we received they were very excited about their own personal discoveries. They began to see how important it was for them to know themselves well before they could use the skills to mentor someone else. They wanted to take extra time to research the results more in detail, so we encouraged them to read the remaining information and come tomorrow with their comments.

Christy and I did role plays on different personality styles, showing them the wrong way and of course we had some fun with it as well. Then did the role play where the mentor respects the mentee's personality style and has learned how to manage her style so the mentee receives what they need while meeting. This role plays begins to show the importance of doing self discovering in order to be the best mentor you can be for the mentee.

We ended the day with an overview. It was a great day.

The Weekend

2009-01-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

We spent the weekend on the compound. Maddie had a fever and needed to stay home and get well. So, I finished "The Shack" a book i highly recommend. We rested and watched some movies. They have a limited number of television channels, so we have watched movies most evenings.

Matt and Christy are getting ready to leave Albania soon after I leave, so they are also busy doing last minute details. It is clear that they have made an incredible impact here, all you have to do is talk with the people that have know them. God has used them in a wonderful way.

Friday January 23, 2009 Visiting the Women's Prison

2009-01-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

We went to the women's prison in Tirana. This prison is right in the city of Tirana in the middle of a neighborhood. We were not allowed to take pictures of the facility on the inside except for the room we were in for our meeting with the women.

This was the first time for me to visit a prison, so it was an experience to go through the security and get padded down before entering. It was pouring down rain that day, and the umbrella we had been using broke. We met up with the women we trained last July who work for the prison ministry. In our group was a male pastor, a women from the church brought her guitar to lead worship. So their was 5 of us going in together.

Each of the women have block rooms with doors out into a courtyard. They dress in street clothes and are required to do all of their own laundry. The women who are in this prison are their for a range of issues. We went to a meeting room where they meet each week for worship and a lesson. I think there were around 15 women that came. Some of the women we met were in prison for reasons that was hard to understand. We saw how God had begun to restore these women and how difficult it must be for them. I shared with them Romans 8 where it states "that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ". I could see that God's word never returns void.

Christy had been going to the prison and meeting with these women and when we arrived they were so very happy to see her. The pastor read scripture, we worshiped in Albanian (I must say, not knowing the language in worship, never matters) it was wonderful. One of the women we trained last July did some one to one mentoring during the meeting in front of the group. As i stood there i was overcome, realizing how the training last July was being lived out in front of me in a prison and making an impact in the lives of these women who for some will be locked up for a very long time. I was amazed with what God is doing.

Then Christy spoke with them and she began to weep in saying goodbye. She wanted them all to know how much she loves them and how much God loves each of them. It was beautiful to watch.

As we were leaving, I was reflected on how these women love Jesus and had joy even though they are behind the walls of prison, where they are apart from their children; their families and their homes. Seeing that makes you take a good look at your own heart. The people we went with are amazing and serve these women with the love them like Jesus.

January 22 Primary Mentor Training

2009-01-29T11:22:00.000-08:00

Meeting with Primary Mentors at the World Vision Office

Christy and I spent the day presenting the primary mentor training for those chosen to be the lead mentors for World Vision. This training allowed us to go more in depth mentor training as well as give the primary mentors opportunity to work through their questions and do additional role plays. We had a great time working with them.

Great Day with World Vision Albania

2009-01-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

World Vision Managers Group #1

Today was the end of the first training for the managers of World Vision Albania. We had a great day together. Christy and I have been so blessed to work with such an incredible group of people. They have worked hard the last 3 days and have made a commitment to used the skills they have learned. Tomorrow we do additional training for the primary mentors chosen for the managers and staff of world vision. This training gives the primary mentors additional time with us to role play and understand the process at a much deeper level to start the mentoring program for World Vision Albania.

At the end of the day today they all wanted us to send their love to you all and to thank you for praying for them.

Blessings to you all, that is all for tonight.

January 20, 2009 2nd Day of Training

2009-01-20T10:25:00.000-08:00

Role Play

Evis and Christy role play

What a great day! We worked together in different role plays. We worked through the different phases of the mentoring process; the Matters of the Heart section and the "Journey to Hope" section based on Romans 5:3-5.

We had volunteers role play along with us and then at the end of our training we had the managers pair up and work through the process with their real life issues both as a mentor and mentee. We know that as they continue to use the skills that they have learn that it will provide a positive result for them in the workplace as well as with the people they serve in the country of Albania.

Just to let you all know in America, the people of Albania greet you by kissing you on both cheeks every time they greet you. I shared with the group today that when i came here for the first time, I wasn't sure which side to start with and there were times that i would bump someone head. They had a great laugh and come to think of it they have yet to tell me which side to begin. HA! It was great fun.

I understand for most of you in Ohio that the last week has been sub zero temperatures, i guess it was a good time for me to be gone. Here in the Tirana area it has been in the 50-60's during the day and down in the 40's at night. There have been some days it has been high 40's. So, for me there has been no need for a coat. YEAH!

We are so honored and blessed to be a part of this experience and are very grateful to God what He continues to do. Tomorrow is our last initial 3 day training for the first group of managers, it will be a very full day, training them to go from the initial meeting with a mentee to well into the process helping the mentee discover a new way of living into Hope.

God's blessings to you all,
Mary & Christy

World Vision Training Begins Monday January 19, 2009

2009-01-19T11:06:00.001-08:00

The group preparing to trust each other

Christy setting up the ice breaker questions

Today was the first day of the Mentor Training with World Vision. What a great day! We spent the day with the first set of 15 of their managers. We laid the foundation of the training and they took spiritual gifts inventory and the DISC profiles to help them discover for themselves how God created them. We introduced a section on "relating to others" and Christy and I role played how 2 different personalities work together in this process. If that wasn't funny. We did it so that we could show them the extremes. It worked. I then introduced the formal mentoring process and Evis and I role played the different sections to the process. What incredible work World Vision does here in Albania. These are very dedicated people.

The training with this group will last 3 days, so tomorrow we will begin the day with us introducing "Journey to Hope" process based on Romans 5. We believe it went very well and of course I had a great time.

Bethora January 16, 2009

2009-01-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Christy and I went to the home of Evis and spent the morning with the staff and volunteers of Global Care. These were the women we trained last July. It was as if time had stood still, we all greeted each other with such excitement. We used the time to allow them to talk about how they have used the training to work with the women in Bethora. They are amazing women.

We then left for Bethora and spend a couple hours with the women of Bethora at the Center, just as we did last July. They greeted me again with such love and hospitiality. I felt so at home with them. We played games and laughed alot. Evis then explained that each of them were wonderfully made and created with great purpose. We talked and i could see that many of them didn't really understand what their purpose might be. We talked about the difference in what they believe about the men in the United States and the men in Bethora. We told them that they shouldn't believe everything they see on TV. HA!

These women there love our Christy so very much and are very sad that she is leaving soon. There will be a celebration in Bethora for Christy before I leave and I am grateful I get to see them show their gratitude to her. It was a great day. God continues to show us what is really important.

Thursday January 15, 2009 in Lezhe

2009-01-19T10:32:00.001-08:00

Christy, Evis and I went to Lezhe. World Vision (WV) has developed a project in this village to train women to loom. World Vision purchased looms and has trained these women and will continue to work with them for about 2 years to help them develop the trade and to learn to create a business to sustain themselves. The work they are doing is beautiful. Christy and I both had the chance to be taught how to loom. It is not easy work. You have to be able to do a number of things at the same time. I have great respect for their abilities. The colors they work with are very bold and beautiful. We then had the opportunity to have coffee with the group of 25 of the women. Christy had already been there and of course they all love her and were very excited to see her again.

The purpose of the visit was for us to review what they do and the products they make for us to consider helping them find a way for the women in the United States to have access to their products. We see great value in the products and will keep asking God what He would want us to do. They were all wonderful. We then went into the town and went to a shop where similar products were already made. Beautiful things! We had lunch at this little restaurant and had the best chicken noodle soup i have had in a long time. We had a great day

Back in Albania January 13, 2009

2009-01-19T10:13:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has taken so long for the first entry. I arrived in Albania on Tuesday January 13, 2009, the flights were great. As i stepped out to the crowd waiting, Maddie came running to me with a bouquet of flowers and a huge hug. It was great.
I arrived safely but unfortunately neither of by bags did. So, for the first night I wore a tshirt and basketball shorts. Thank goodness, no pictures were taken. HA! One of my bags arrived on Wednesday and the second arrived on Thursday. It is a unique experience wearing the same clothes 4 days in a row, washed of course.
Wednesday the 14th, we spent the day at the house allowing for me to deal with some serious jet lag. I wanted to sleep in the day and stay awake at night. It truly does take days to get adjusted.

July 30, 2008 My final day in Albania

2008-07-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

The Stephens Center

This morning Christy and I met with Alma from the prison ministry to look at necklaces that the women in prison hand make and sell to make some money. Alma is a volunteer and she works with them to help them develop some type of trade. We met at the Stephens Center where you can actually order american pancakes and french toast, so that is what we had for breakfast, it tasted so good.

Christy & Alma at the Stephens Center

After our breakfast meeting we met with Migena from the christian women's magazine Ilure. The interview went beyond what we could have imagined. We will be featured in two separate months with one article with the interview with me and with pictures, and then a separate article about Christy with her on the cover. In addition, they have agreed to allow us to write encouraging words from Journey of the Heart monthly in each addition. Which means we can reach over 8000 women in Albania with this opportunity. We will be writing encouraging words along with points of interest about mentoring and its value to women, their children and to the communities of Albania. This truly was out of the hand of God. Watch our website for complete details on the how and when for the articles will be in the magazine. We will get copies and Evis has agreed to translate each article into English so we can attach it to each addition.

Our next meeting today was at the American Embassy with Ambassador Withers. He was gracious and allowed us a few minutes today to talk about Journey of the Heart and what we are doing for women in Albania. He shared his experience here in Albania and imparted great wisdom about our approach. He was impressed and wants to talk with us further about this. then asked if he would mind a picture with me. Christy then took a picture of the Ambassador and me to share with all of you.

Ambassador Withers and Mary

I then had to go and say goodbye to my new dear friend Evis. She has impacted by heart in a very powerful way. It was hard for me to say goodbye, so we didn't say goodbye, we simply said I will see you tomorrow. As i walked away from her i cried. I have been changed by knowing her.

I want to thank all of you for praying. You have seen the results of your commitment and sacrifice on behalf myself, Christy, Journey of the Heart and everyone we have encountered. There are no words to express my heartfelt gratitude, but for now I give you thanks. God is rescueing women to bring hope and healing to their hearts.

I will finish the blog on Friday, but i must say goodnight, it is 10pm here and i must go to bed because i will need to get up at 3am to make my 5:35am flight home. Blessings to you all!

It is hard to believe that my time here for now is over. It has felt like I just got here. I believe that all that God wanted done was accomplished and beyond. It would take me pages and pages to tell you all everything that we experienced. But for now I just want to say Praise God!

Tuesday July 29, 2008 final day of training in Berat

2008-07-29T13:40:00.001-07:00

A man and his horse in the center of Berat

We got up this morning to another beautiful day in Berat. The three of us went to breakfast. Our breakfast was included in with our room charge. As Evis ordered our breakfast i was waiting for a menu. But instead the waiter was preparing a typical Albanian breakfast, which he laid out for us to come and get what we wanted. It was warm slightly toasted bread, cut up tomatoes, cheese, apricot/cherry spread, cut up cucumbers and hard boiled eggs. I of course was looking for more a typical american spread of food. So, Christy and I has bread and a tall glass of the best Latte i have ever had. I wanted another, but the electricity was off. Oh, that is the other thing i have neglected to tell you, the electricity in Albania goes off and on. Sometimes it is off for a short time or can be off for a few hours.

So, after breakfast we went to the church for training and the electricity was still off, so we were unable to use our powerpoint. That was of course not a problem, God made a way for it all to happen as it should. Our training, went very well. We talked a great deal about the process and did a number of role playing. Each women got the chance to role play as a mentor and a mentee. We then had each of them talk about what went well and where the challenges were. We ended the day with a good follow up plan for them to meet with Christy and Evis to continue to develop their skills as mentors.

Role playing as Mentor and Mentee

Migena, the pastors wife, has a wonderful plan to be sure that each women trained to become a mentee first and then become a mentor. I truly believe this small church is going to be used by God in a powerful to reach the women in Berat. Which will also help the children, the family and of course the entire community. It was truly a honor to be with these women. I know that Christy and I both were truly blessed. We could not have done any of this without Evis. She has worked with Christy to organized and plan all of these trainings and come to the 2 trainings and did all of the translation for the entire time we trained. I know that I will miss her terribly. It was an amazing experience, training in 2 different languages. God has done a great thing in us all.

Christy & Klodi

Continuing to practice

We then loaded up the car and headed home. We had a great time debriefing with Evis and talking about what we believe God is telling us all that is next. WOW!!!!!

Tomorrow morning we are meeting with a Alma from the Prison Ministry, then with Ilure Magazine and then Christy and I have a meeting with the American Ambassador. Tomorrow night I will finish the Blog from Albania. So, after Wednesday you may not hear from me until Friday because I leave for home very very early Thursday morning. Be watching for the final pages after that.

Monday July 28, 2008 in Beret Albania

2008-07-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder of the old way of life in Albania

We were up and out the door by 6:15 am this morning and picked up Evis and headed out of Tirana to Beret. It takes almost 2 1/2 hours to get there. We traveled through the rural areas of Durres and beyond. We drove along the Adriatic. Sea on our way. It reminds me of Panama City Beach in Florida. You will see in the pictures, it looks very much like a Mediterranean City. It is beautiful with a blending of the past and some of the present. We stayed in a very European Hotel. The shower was interesting. It is open within the bathroom, so when you take a shower everything in the bathroom gets wet. Well, you can imagine that was fun.

We arrived in Beret and was met by a Pastor who was a friend of Evis. He then took us to his church. To get to the church we walked up a narrow alley street between two small market stores. The church meets in a small space, using folding chairs and used equipment. You will see the picture below of the front of the church space.

The women in Beret

The entrance to the church where we trained

We began our day with singing worship without instruments or recordings. It was so pure and beautiful, all i could do was listen to the beauty of their voices and the authentic true worship of their Lord. These women never heard of mentoring before Migena, the pastor's wife, asked them to come to this training. They began to see the value and said they wished they could have had this before. We trained 7 women who are all part of this church plant in Beret. The pastor and his wife, had a very successful business in Tirana and felt the call of God to leave and come to Beret and plant a church. They presently have around 50 people in attendance. They both see that the mentoring program will be a tool God will use to draw in many others from the community. I was amazed at the humility and gratitude for the opportunity to be trained. I have observed an attitude of great appreciation. They do not take anything for granted. The training went well and had them role play along with me. They were very nervous at first but could see right away the benefit of mentoring. They taught us as well further about the culture, so we could help them learn how to use the skills in their community.

The houses built into the side of the hill

After the training Evis, Christy and went to a restaurant to have a some lunch. I guess i have forgotten to tell you that the Albanians do not eat lunch until after 2pm. This has been an adjustment. We then traveled up the side of the mountain and went to the castle in Beret. Evis was a great tour guide. Please take a moment to look at the pictures, the castle is incredible and the view was speculator. We walked a great deal but it was worth it. I have much to show Terry, I know that he would have loved the history of it all. Some of the local people live in some of the areas of the castle and they sell their wares, some of which are hand made. Most of the people in Beret and in all of Albanian do not have a job, so many of them still sell the hand made wares. I found it very interesting that this historic landmark with great historical value, have people living in it.

Christy and Mary at the Castle

That is Mary & Evis walking up the hill

After the castle we went back into town and met Migena and Noku for pizza. As the evening began in town the streets were filled with people walking. This is there social life. They all walk down to the main streets and meet in side walk cafes and walk the town. Cars can no longer drive on the main streets because of the mass of people. We were walking at 7pm and after dinner it was after 9:30 and people were still everywhere. It was a great day and i felt like i had experienced the past in Beret.

Sunday July 27, 2008

2008-07-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

We spent the early part of the day resting and sleeping in. We all then went to Evis home for dinner. We had a wonderful time meeting her husband Colie and her three beautiful children. We had a wonderful time and ate true Albanian dinner. Thank you Evis and Colie.

You will not hear from me until Tuesday evening. We are going to Beret tomorrow and will not be back until Tuesday around dinner time. Blessings to all.

Saturday July 26, 2008

2008-07-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

We took the day off and went to Kruja Albania. It is a town up on the side of the mountain. It was beautiful. We shopped at the open air market shops, where of course they spoke Albanian. Matt did all of the translating for us. It was a great experience. Christy and Matt bought this beautiful hand painted trunk. Enjoy some of the pictures below.

Roma (gypsy) shacks in the streets Tirana

Women hand making a wool rug

Open air shops

Free Range Chicken

July 25, 2008 Friday

2008-07-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

This morning we held our Tea for the mission organizations we invited. We spent time listening to who they were and also wanted to continue to share with them our global mission. We met with 2 other people from World Vision Idlur and Katie. They both wanted to see how we could partner with all of the sectors of Albania that World Vision were present. So, we have committed to partner and will be working out all of the details on how they will happen. We felt that the Tea was very successful because we continued to build relationships with these amazing people here who are working so hard to help the people of Albania. Idlur who is the gentlemen in one of the pictures, actually graduated from Purdue University and just got back from a visit back to Indiana to visit his friends.

Idlur & Katie from World Vision chatting with Christy

After our tea Evis and Christy and I went back to Bathore to first have our follow up meeting with the staff we trained last week to be Hope Partner Mentors. We had the opportunity to work on some additional skills and to continue to equip and encourage them all. Christy will continue to meet with them.

After our follow up meeting we met with the women's group that we met with last week. We began with Christy showing them how to care for each other in giving hand and feet massages. Some to them were not to sure about this in the beginning but eventually they all had the chance. I even got my hands and feet massaged. Anila came over and said she wanted to massage my hands to say thank you for me coming to her home. I have learned so much humility from these women. I am forever changed.

Two of the older women, which at first were not sure about this, they loved it.

These girls loved this experience

Anila massaging my hands, it was great.

I then talked to them about the love of God and how it is possible for me to love them with the love of God even if I don't even know them. Christy then talked to them about the importance of celebrating who they are and how we celebrate them as well. She gave each of them our purple celebrate journal.

I brought each of them hand made bracelets that Kay Woitha, Glenda Simons, Cassandra Michel and myself made before I left. We laid them out on the table and allowed each of them to choose the one bracelet they wanted. They were very excited about the gifts. I explained that there were women in the United States that hand made the bracelets and wanted them to give them to each of them as a gift made with love. They then said they would like to send something back someday that they hand made. They were very grateful. We had a wonderful time. Saying goodbye was difficult. They will be in my heart for sometime.

Anila with her new bracelet

We then spent time with Evis and recorded an interview to explain more in detail Global Care Mission and the reasons we have committed to partner. I asked Evis why she felt that our training was so important for her organization as she works with these women. She said "I believe this training that we have had will save these women's lives". I was overwhelmed.

Two of the children at the Center of Global Care

Global Care Center in Bathore

On the way out of the Bathore, Christy stopped the car and did a UTurn in the middle of the road with people waiting behind us, just so we could get the picture below. She said I have to get this picture for my Uncle Terry, he would want to know that this still happens today. This was literally at the street.

Cow being gutted right out on the side of the street

July 24, 2008 A Great Day

2008-07-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Christy, Magena and Mary at The French Bakery

This morning we had a meeting with Magena from World Vision. She attended the training for the last 2 days. At the end of the training yesterday, she asked if we would have coffee with her in the morning. We discovered that she wanted to discuss how we could partner together and possibly consider training additional staff of World Vision in Albania. Christy and I began to see the incredible opportunity God is presenting. We would ask you to pray about this along with us so as we further this relationship that the timing for all of this is what God would want. We are humbled by how God is fulfilling his promises. Thank you all for praying.

Christy & I with Anila at her home

After our meeting with Magena we met Evis from Global Care and went out to Bathore to interview one of the women that meet in the center. She welcomed Christy and I into her home. You will see in the pictures that this family lives in one room. A family of 4 children the mother and father. We spent some time with Anila and interviewed her. She gave us permission use video the experience. This experience was life changing for me. Anila is a woman of great strength in the midst of a very difficult life. She loves Jesus with all of her heart. Her typical day is filled with normal activities of caring for her 4 children who are all under the age of 5. She cares for them still with no modern conveniences. She works very hard all day in very unreasonable conditions. She shared very heart breaking stories of her life, and still believes that God will take care of her. She has impacted my heart in a way that i cannot explain, at least today. Anila has encountered many difficult things in her life and wants to share with other women how Jesus can forgive them and give them a new life in their heart. I think for now i would like to share a number of pictures that will also tell part of the story.

Anila & Mary

We also went back to the school in Bathore as I promised and you will see some of the pictures of the inside as well as the outside. We also interviewed Evis of Global Care at the school so we can help them as our partner tell their story of how the children need so much more than they are getting at this time. Evis shared with us many of the needs of the system and what Global Care is trying to help accomplish for the children for their education in Bathore. You will see pictures of 3 small building where around 4000 children attend classes in shifts. Most of the classrooms house 40 kids. You will see in the pictures the size of the rooms, you will understand the needs. Please pray for Evis and her staff has they continue to serve the communities children and the women of Bathore. They are doing amazing things.

This is the school yard and their outside diseased toilets

The school yard in Bathore

A typical classroom

Just an example of the streets where kids hang out

Christy & Evis buying fruit juice at the neighborhood market

Today was very full. After we returned home we began to discuss all that needs to be accomplished to continue to move forward in God's vision for Journey of

Heart. Please pray for us as we discern it all.

July 23, 2008 Our final day of training at the Stephens Center

2008-07-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

Our day started out leaving on time to go and have breakfast at the Stephens Center restaurant to have good all american pancakes. On our way we encounter a slight problem. Christy and I got in an auto accident. We are just fine and all is well. This man pulled around us to the left and cut us off in front of us. The interesting part of this is that this happened right outside the American Embassy back gate. Well you can imagine the Albanian authorities and the Embassy got involved. There is hardly any damage to Christy's car, but the other gentlemen was charged, because it was his fault. Well with this happening we of course did not get our pancakes, but were still able to get to the Stephens Center and set up in time for the training to start. Sorry we don't have pictures, we thought it was not a good idea to take any at the time. Of course now we are sorry that we didn't take any. The memory is one for the journal.

Christy and the Praise Team that led us in beautiful Worship.

Helping one another

Our training went very well. We agreed that the group will set up follow up time meeting with Christy to continue to learn and grow together as Hope Partner Mentors. They are very excited about how these new skills will help them serve the women in their communities of Albania. We learned a great deal from these women about the culture and the issues that the Albanian women face.

2nd Hope Partner Training at the Stephens Center

2008-07-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

What an wonderful day. We began our 2nd Hope Partner Training at the Stephens Center in Tirana. We had 17 women attend from 8 different churches or missionary organizations. Each of these women love the Lord and have a heart to serve other women.

Christy welcoming the women

The women in this picture are from Chili, Brazil and Albania

We are having a great time

Getting to know each other

We started our day in worship, with a young Albanian women leading us in song along with a young man who played guitar. It was beautiful pure worship. I listened to them sing in Albanian and it was if I could understand. We will attempt to post a small video shot to let you see how beautiful it was.

The women spent time taking the Spiritual Gifts Profile and seeing how God uniquely made them. For many of them it was confirmation and them in what they are already to for God. Tomorrow we will begin to role play the mentoring process together. Christy and I felt blessed to be with these women.

I thought you might want to see what Christy and Matt look at out their back door every day. The mountains behind their house are beautiful.

Day 4 - Last Day of training for Global Care

2008-07-19T15:11:00.001-07:00

We spent most of time together role playing the process of mentoring. We had such fun. The women were a little nervous to begin, but the more we did the more relaxed they were. At the end of the training I presented each of them with a certificate of completion and Christy presented them with a beautiful journal as a gift from us.

Presenting the Certificate

Christy presenting the journal gift

So, as of this afternoon we now have 5 trained Hope Partner Mentors Bethore Albanian. We are so very proud of each of them. They worked very hard to over come the language barrier.

Hope Partner Mentors in Bethore Albanian

Each of them were excited about getting started with the women in Bethore. We will be going back to Bethore next week to meet with them again to debrief their first few experiences of mentoring.

The Women were so grateful that you prayed that they wanted to say a special thank you to you all. On the poster each women signed it in Albanian and Christy then drew a heart around each name to remind them that we are all now connected in our hearts.

At the end of the day, Christy and I stopped to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables. They have many open air markets along all of the streets in the city and also in the rural areas. The picture below is Christy bartering for food. The young man is someone that she knows well and he tells her when the food is not good. She likes to go to him because he treats her well. She really can hold her own with the people here.

Day 3 - Day 2 of Training for Global Care

2008-07-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

It is Friday and we are have completed our second day of training. The women are having a great time. Our time together goes so quickly and they want to continue. I am learning a great deal about the cultural differences, but am reminded again that women's needs and wants are the same. Christy and I want to thank you all who are praying for us and for the women. The women were very moved by knowing you were praying for them. Thank you!

After our day of training, Evis drove us to Radio 7 a christian station in Tirana. This station was up on the side of the hills and we had to take a hill road to get to it. I was interviewed and Evis translated. They pre-recorded the interview and will play it a number times while I am. This station is doing wonderful things in the area. Enkelejda performed the interview, she is doing wonderful things for women on this station . Evis and Christy have agreed to continue to meet with her and see how they can partner together to help women. This is only something that God could have done. WOW!!!

Mary at Radio 7 station

Christy, Enkelejda and Mary at Radio 7

The roads here are rocky at best, so Evis has this vehicle that would go over anything. To get to the station, we had to go on some very narrow and rocky roads. Coming back after the interview, we met this man on his donkey. He was very accommodating in getting his picture taken. This is the old way and it still exists.

Evis and Mary in the Safari Truck

Day 2 - Training Day 1 for Global Care

2008-07-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

They were learning about their giftedness

Christy helping understand the gift inventory

Wow! what a great day. We held the first day of Hope Partner Training at the home of Evis. To begin today Christy and I showed them a first time mentoring meeting, so they could see how to begin. We then spent a number of hours together today working on our spiritual gifts. The material we are using is in English. The Albanian women all can read English, some can understand it when spoken, others can read, speak and understand English. So, as we went through this material, it was amazing to watch the commitment level of these women to understand. I would give instructions in English and Evis then would give them in Albanian. It was wonderful.

Evis is helping understand the English

We then moved on to the first part of training them in the mentoring process, by this time, we got pretty good at working together. The women are wonderful and they have a heart to help other women. I am getting to know them and love them all. After the training today, Evis, Christy and I had time to talk. We have all become sisters. I had a wonderful time today. The language is not an issue. Tomorrow we will we get right into learning the process of mentoring. It will be a great day. The issues for women here in Albanian are similar to the women in the US but not the same because of the cultural differences. This training will help them very much.

Beginning to work through the Training Manual

We came back to Christy's, had great chinese food and then made homemade ice cream, my favorite.

I neglected to tell you yesterday that everyone has been commenting on how wonderful the weather is since i have arrived. Before i got here it was very very hot. So, i am so very grateful to God for the cold front that has left wonderful weather and a cool breeze. People here tell me this is not normal. YEAH!

Day 1 in Albania - Getting to know everyone

2008-07-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

Christy, Evis and Mary

We began today getting to know the women volunteers and staff from Global Care that will be trained this week. We met in the beautiful home of Evis who is the Country Manager for Global Care. We had a wonderful time just being women and sharing who were are and why we do what we do.

Our get to known tea...

Studying the word in Albania...

We then went to Bethore and Evis took Christy and I to the home of an Albania single mother. What a wonderful and humbling experience as we were treated with such respect and care in her home. We gave the children gifts and they were so much fun to be with.

An Albanian family in their home

Evis also took us to the school buildings in Bethore where 4000 students attend. We will be going back in a few days, watch the blog for more details and pictures then.

We then went to Global Community Center in Bethora where we were greeted by the women who meet at the center. You should have seen how they love our Christy. They were very excited about us coming and meeting them. We talked about family and the differences. We then played games together. Can you believe it, I was jumping and running in tag games. It was amazing. Being with them reminded me that it is just a matter of geography, women have the same needs and wants regardless of where they live. They treated me with just joy and love even though they did not know me. I am forever changed by meeting them.

Just laughing and having fun

Christy and some of the boys at the Global Care Center

Mary arrives in Albania 15 July!

2008-07-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Check back in on the 15th of July to read about the exciting experiences that Mary will encounter on her trip to Albania!