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Dear Fr. Harry,
Preparing this update has been more challenging than normal. Each one of you who partner with us through prayer and financial support are vital members of our ministry team so keeping you informed about the work we are doing is very important. We are very grateful for you. At the same time because so much of our work is in close personal relationships with people it is not appropriate for us to share about these things publicly. We share about events and programs but we cannot tell people's personal stories because they belong to them and not to us. Doing this would objectify people making them appear as the objects of "ministry." Often support for ministries is garnered by appealing to people's emotions through stories and pictures. We are so grateful for all of you whose commitment to partnering with us in Albania is based on a much deeper level of commitment in obedience to Christ's command to make disciples of all nations. In this time of Covid 19 restrictions we are able to do fewer events and activities although in many ways we are working harder than ever seeking to find ways to minister effectively in this new context. It is thus harder for us to share what we are doing with you. Thank you for your prayers and your faithful financial support.
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Two life milestones in August.
After four years of work Nathan completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at St. Vladimir's seminary. The title of his final project was Fostering Local Eucharistic Communities in Albania and beyond. We are very grateful that Nathan had the opportunity to do this in-depth study on the subject. We are also grateful that he is finished and is able to dedicate all his time to the work of ministry again. In addition to all Nathan has learned through his studies, having this credential is a major asset in his work as a professor at Logos University. Thank you for your support through this process.
Our second major milestone was having Covid 19 together as a family. Nathan was the first to begin symptoms of the virus followed by Gabriela and Daniel. We are very grateful that we had relatively minor symptoms and have fully recovered. Each of us was sick in bed with a fever for a few days but we were able to gradually return to normal life after that. We experienced serious fatigue and brain fog for about a month. We are very grateful to have passed Covid with so little difficulty relatively speaking and we hope that this has given us at least some long-term immunity.
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Physically distant but spiritually close
organizing Sunday school with Covid 19 restrictions
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Though we used online platforms to continue Christian education in the spring and summer due to Covid 19 restrictions, nothing can replace genuine in person time. We were therefore eager to begin in person Sunday school this fall as restrictions were lifted and children were returning to school. Our challenge was to find a way to maintain physical distancing to meet government guidelines and still create an environment that would be attractive and fun for children where they could learn and grow together. We developed a plan to create individual spaces for each child with a foam mat, a pillow and a plastic container with everything they need for crafts and games during the Sunday school hour. Daniel (pictured above) was a big help in the process of developing this idea and doing the shopping for the necessary equipment. We are always grateful for our van that makes transportation of large amounts of materials and equipment easy.
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Knowing Jesus
Knowing Jesus is the theme that we have selected for the Central Children's Office during this academic year. We will seek to grow together in knowing Jesus throughout the year. One of the craft projects that the children will be doing is making this three dimensional map to help them understand the land where Jesus lived.
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