Christmas is special all over the world but no more so than in Albania where the festival was banned for a whole generation by the country’s Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha.
In 1967 Hoxha declared Albania the world’s first atheistic state and prevented all Christian witness.
So it was a great joy 20 years ago when Albania became a free country again and people could once again celebrate Christ’s birth as they did, pictured below, at the Victory School in Lushnje.
However, fewer than 1% of Albanians truly know Jesus so that is why the European Christian Mission is working to bring the Christmas message to Albania through word and action.
One of those helping to do this is Berti Dosti, who pastors a church in Lushnje and also is the principal of the Victory School teaching 750 Albanian children English.
“We’ve brought Christianity to the people in a practical way,” say Berti.
“We’ve been able to help the disabled, the homeless, the poor, the widows and orphans and many more in Lushnje and the surrounding villages.
“We’ve shown that God cares for the helpless and that He does so through His own people, the church.”
Kent Anderson, British director of the European Christian Mission, said: “A particular need in Albania is care for disabled people.
“Albanian society tends to ignore disability and there’s little support for families caring for disabled relatives. Many disabled people never leave their homes.
“In Lushnje, at least, help is at hand with short-term teams from Ireland regularly running camps for children with learning disabilities. The effect has been remarkable.”
There’s more about how these Irish workers are having a profound effect in God’s Secret Listener, published by Lion/Hudson/Monarch. To buy a copy email John@jbutterworth.plus.com
One of the Irish team, Charis, said: “I was overwhelmed by how special these beautiful children are to God. The plight of their parents, often feeling isolated, overwhelmed, frustrated and worried for their children’s future touched my heart.,”
Tony, another team member, said: “To see the effect the work we were doing had on the children had to be the crowning joy of the whole experience.
“The church hall echoed continually with laughter and cheers. Here was a place for those on the margins of society to receive love."
Kent Anderson added: “The work in Lushnje is a start, but there so much more still to be done. A donation from you this Christmas will allow us to continue sharing Christ’s love in ways that meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people of Albania."
To find out more contact the European Christian Mission, 50 Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5DB or go to http://www.ecmbritain.org/.
An added bonus is that ECM will send a free copy of God’s Secret Listener to anyone who gives £50 or more.
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