New Children's Program in Tirana

The leaders of the children's program--Gabriela, Ana, Katerina, and Joana--are implementing programs for children in a new area of Tirana which incorporates several large grade schools.  After distributing fliers to the pupils from local schools, inviting them to attend a carnival, leaders and volunteers welcomed 180 children to the opening event, which, due to rain, was held indoors in cramped quarters. Our facilities were not adequate to hold such a mass of children, but despite this fact, 230 children showed up the second week for a program consisting of songs, Bible lessons, games, and crafts.

For the third week, Nathan asked the Archbishop if the program could expand into a nearby building. The Archbishop gave his blessing and now the program has been divided into two sessions.

The question now is, How do we organize this mass of energetic humanity into viable entities--small, closely-knit groups that will give the children the sense that they belong to a community. The second question is, How do we help them to understand that Jesus is someone who loves them and desires to have a personal relationship with each one of them?

The third issue is, How do we to provide a place of worship for the children and their families in this area, which is a 45-minute walk from the nearest church?

         Please pray for the children's ministries and for the many children that are now coming to the programs.  If we don't provide them with a sense of belonging to a caring, well-organized community, they will not continue to come.