OVER the last 12 months, the structure of our ministry in Albania has been undergoing significant change. All the legal paperwork has finally been completed and our new Director, Hervin Fushekati, is now officially ‘in post’.

Hervin is Albanian and runs an International Bible School in the capital, Tirana, as well as taking on responsibility for Adopt-A-Child Albania. He has valuable experience and contacts which will be a great asset to our work going forward. Although things are somewhat ‘on hold’ at the moment, Hervin is excited about plans for the future of the ministry in Albania.

Just before the current lockdown, he wrote:

‘There have been some significant additions and changes to the ministry in Albania. We are both encouraged and overjoyed to see God’s hand so evident as the work continues in many villages. Some have been small changes to the days and times of our programmes, but they have shown multiplied successes and increased attendance. We are thankful for the creativity, wisdom, and flexibility of our staff and volunteers, always keeping the vision and the mission of the Gospel at the forefront as we reach and disciple children and families. 

‘In the village of Katjel, we changed the church service day from mid-week to Saturday and as a result, we have seen the numbers multiply each week. We are overjoyed to see many more attending the weekly Bible studies, prayer meetings and discipleship meetings for the children and youth. Our feeding programme is continuing to go well, with the children able to enjoy more time with our staff before returning to their homes. We have also been able to renovate the main parts of the building (the church, eating areas, and kitchen) and soon we will begin the second phase with the classrooms.

‘In the nearby village of Kotodesh, our leadership team is working to increase our impact in the community and identify committed people who they can encourage and equip for ministry.

‘Good news for the city of Pogradec, where our ministry base is located! We have planted a new church which meets in our centre on Sundays and we are working to establish weekly Bible studies and discipleship meetings. We are also praying for an opportunity to have a sponsorship programme through this church.

‘In the remote mountain villages of Upper Mokra, we continue to pray that our impact will grow. We want to be able to establish stronger connections with the communities there and have a better strategy to disciple and follow up on the work that is done as the Gospel continues to be shared there. We continue to work towards a sponsorship programme in these villages, that are truly the poorest and most forgotten areas within our reach.

‘The past few months have been very encouraging for us. Our attendances have increased within the various programmes and villages and there is a marked growth in discipleship, as well as motivation and excitement among the staff and volunteers. We are very excited to see what God will bring in this new season of ministry.’

We are thankful that we are still able to deliver food parcels and gifts to the children and families at this time and look forward to getting our programmes and churches up and running again in the future.

Visit our website at www.livingwateradoptachild.org