Sad news from Albania as Vera dies at 52

Some sad news has arrived from Lushnje, Albania, as Berti Dosti emailed me to say that that Vera Pirra, (pictured below), whose story is told in God’s Secret Listener, has died aged 52.

In his email Berti said: "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Vera, a deaconess at our church, passed away yesterday (Wednesday). About three days earlier she had had brain surgery, due to a malignant tumour that was detected only too late. 

“Vera, as many of you might remember, was one of the most faithful, and earliest, members of our congregation at the Way of Peace Church.

“Her dedication to Christ was absolute, even in the midst of her many economic and health issues down the years.

“To say that her life was difficult is to understate the case. Vera had to take care of a paralysed husband and had to make ends meet with her meagre salary as a cleaning lady at the hospital.

“On top of all that, her husband died only eight months ago, after a strong battle with his illness that had left him paralysed.

“She is survived by her son, Mikel, and her two daughters, Denisa and Greta. As you may remember, her youngest daughter, Greta, had major back surgery some years ago (thank you for your financial help with her surgery expenses and constant prayers).

“At present, Greta is in the third year of her university studies and will find it extremely difficult, financially, to complete her studies now that her mother is gone.

“We are organising a special commemorative service in Vera’s honour this coming Sunday at 11am at our church. 

“Please, pray for Vera's son and daughters as they face a future without the presence of their beloved mother.

“Also, pray for us, as a congregation; this is the third death among our church members within a month.

“Also, pray as we try to comfort Vera’s children, as well as ourselves, in the knowledge that God, our good Father, does not make mistakes.

“Now, Vera is with him, awaiting the resurrection of the believers, when we shall all meet again.”

I wrote to Berti to add my own tribute to say: “I was very impressed with Vera when I interviewed her for my book and she provided a moving testimony. Her story will live on in my book. Please pass on my condolences to Vera's family. We shall be thinking and praying for you all over the next few days.”

To read more of Vera’s stories in God’s Secret Listener email John@jbutterworth.plus.com