by Richard L. Bowman
March 17,
2014
Sunsets and New Friends from Church and School
The windows in the living room of our apartment face west and north, so we get to see beautiful sunsets from four floors up. Recently we have had a string of beautiful ones. Here are just two examples. Take your pick--orange or pink.
An Orange-hued Sunset from Our Balcony (11-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
A Pink-tinged Sky at Sunset (8-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
Mirela, the cook at Lezha Academic Center and a friend at church, has been helping both Elsie and me to learn some Albanian. Elsie is a much better student than I am. Here Mirela and Elsie exchange hugs in the library at the school.
Mirela and Elsie Exchange Hugs (13-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
Norma Teles, a friend we have known for a number of years duirng her trips to the US and visiting at Mount Clinton Mennonite Church, is a missionary working with Roma children. She is also very active in the local church as a member of the church council. We particularly appreciated getting to know her better while she was at Eastern Mennonite Seminary during the fall of 2012 and we were all attending the course, "Perspectives on the World Christina Movement."
Elsie and Norma Teles in Church (9-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
Several new friends, some of whom attend the school, are singers for the worship group at church.
Three Girls Singers Lead Worship (9-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
And there are a number of other persons from the church whom we are getting to know and value. Dila serves on the church council and often leads sharing and prayer time.
Dila and a Grandson in Church (9-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
Before the children leave to go to their own activities, after a time of worship and sharing with the adults, there is a supportive prayer for them and their teachers.
Prayer of Blessing for the Children (9-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
While Rafael and Solange, missionaries assisting in pastoral and evangelism duties, are back in Brazil for the birth of their child, the church council (including Dini, who is pictured below) are responsible for worship planning and getting preachers for Sunday moring services. Merlin Miller, from the Tidewater area of Virginia, USA, has come to Lezhë to assist in the church and school as he can. Here he is shown being introduced before he preached on March 9.
Dini Introduces Merlin Miller before He Gives a Sermon (9-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
And I cannot complete this post without showing one of the beautiful flowers blooming on our balcony right now. But I do not know its name. Anyone have a suggestion?
An Unknown Flower Blooms on Our Balcony (8-Mar-14; © Richard L. Bowman)
Please pray for us as we way the invitation to extend our service in Lezhë for another month until May 20. We desire God's leading and the church's affirmation.
--©2014, Richard L. Bowman
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