Living in Albania--Richard L. Bowman

May 4, 2015

Worshipping, Enjoying Nature, and Having Good Conversation

Today, I'd like to feature some of the people who help Guri i Themalit church in its worship. Dini Shahini is one of the elders on the church council and one of the several persons who welcomes persons to the church service.

Dini opens the worship time on Sunday, April 26

Dini Shahini Opens the Sunday Morning Worship Time (26-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The music team often includes Fabi and Evianda (vocal), new mission worker Francis Marques (drums), Pastor Rafael Tartari (guitar), and a teacher at Lezha Academic Center, Justin Rittenhouse (violin).

Fabi and Evianda form the vocal group

Fabi and Evianda, Two of the Regular Vocalists (26-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Francis plays the drums

Francis on the Drum (26-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Rafael plays the guitar

Rafael on the Guitar (26-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Justin puts his heart into the violin

Justin on the Violin (26-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

During the week I continue to enjoy noticing living wildlife around us. Birds are usually pigeons and sparrows with all kinds of planted blooming flowers.

a pigeon on a wire outsisde of our apartment

A Pigon Hanging Near Our Apartment (30-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

a mauve dianthus at LAC

A Dianthus Blooming at LAC (30-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

On Thursday afternoon, the American Mennonite mission staff in Lezhë, headed to Durres for a three day retreat with other Mennonite mission workers in the Mediterranean. Durres is just west of Tirana (the Albanian capital) and right along the Adriatic Sea.

passing a gas station on the way to missionary retreat

Gas Station on the Way to Durres (30-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

A year ago, we first learned to know Klodi (a young man from a village near Lushnjë whom Allen has mentored). For some reason he seems to have a sense of humor similar to mine, or else he is too kind not to laugh at my jokes! It was good to meet him again and to see that he and Anton (from Lezhë) were committed to spending time with the children when the adults were in sessions.

Klopdi shows me th4 sign saying don't park here

Klodi Points Out the No Parking Here Sign (30-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

The oldest boy at the retreat, Sid, enjoyed exploring slight-of-hand card tricks and other analytical feats. Math teacher Justin Rittenhouse was a very willing audience for such things.

Sid shows Justin his the card trricks he has mastered

Drinking coffee together was a way to get acquainted with new people in a low-key setting.

Laura and Elsie enjoy coffee and conversation

a table full of mission workers share over cxoffee

(L to R) Janet Blosser, Lynn Suter, Klementina Shahini, Dini Shahini, Floyd Blosser, and Giovanni Greco
(30-Apr-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Thursday evening before our first session together, we got a preview of what we would notice each evening--the Sun setting over the Adriatic Sea. It was a wonderful delight.

the Sun sets over the Adriatic Sea as our first session begins

Thanks to all 46 participants including children and workers, we had challenging input, some deep discussions, ans lots of fun times. In my blog later this week, I'll show more photos and information from the retreat. "Thank you, God, for new friends and old and for your Spirit living among us!"

Response Form