Today's blog will be short and picture-less, for two reasons. One is that I left my camera in the car that brought me to where I am and I will not see it until tomorrow when Nancy joins me for five days. The other is where I am and will be for the next two weeks. That is at a Bible Camp in Erseke (also spelled Erseka--I finally figured out that Albanian places have two spellings--one to use when you are talking about a place and another when you are at that place). The town is small and has no high-speed internet access, so what I can offer will be limited...

My first day at the Bible Camp was spent in helping to repair seven old donated mountain bikes and then test-riding one, something that I did not plan on but that could prove to be a useful tent-making activity. One of the camp directors commented on how unusual it was to have a visiting professor do such a thing, and how positive an example it was--maybe there is something to be learned in that comment... But the formal reason for being here is that I will be giving a two week class on the Parables of Jesus to a small group of students who are studying the Bible and experiencing Christian fellowship and ministry at a Bible Camp that is run by an organization called Torchbearers. I am here at the invitation of the school, an invitation that came because the house-parents here are two very good friends from Nancy and my days in ministry in Fresno, from 1970-1973.

I do hope I can post some of the photos I took getting to this remote southern part of Albania, as the scenery is spectacular. Barren rugged hills with a touch of new-fallen snow, a large lake defining the border of Albania and Macedonia, some forest and very twisty uncrowded roads. The school is on the outskirts of the town, just off the main road, and occuppies a facility that used to be a grain storage during the communist days. Its existence is a miracle that I hope to share with you, and the people are particularly dedicated. It will be a joy to be here--a joy I hope I can communicate as I write.

A couple personal notes...
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the home of one of the embassy staff. They live in the "Compound", also called "The American Village", which is a bit of suburban America planted (behind guarded walls) in the outskirts of Tirana. Very kind people, a very nice home and a wonderful dinner--including pumpkin pies made with pumpkins brought back from Italy by one of the embassy staffers...
Nancy is teaching Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week, but this week can be with me as Albania celebrates its two Independence Days (one from Turkish domination in the early 1900s and the other from German occupation at the end of WWII). There is actually some controversy about the second, as the people most responsible for that freedom were the communists who themselves were ousted in 1992. People want to be grateful for those who brought them freedom but do not want to honor communists...A bit of a dilemma that the nation struggles with.
We have to leave the country for three days in December, to get our visas renewed, so will be going to Bologna. Then six days after we return to Tirana, on Christmas eve day, we will go to Rome, meet daughter JJ, and have a wonderful week with her for our Christmas holidays. A big change from Christmas at home, with all the decorations and events, but that is the plan. Meanwhile Emily, Steve and Colette will be in their new home in Greensboro for the holidays.

I will try sending this now as it can not be too large with this internet connection (did some of you hope for such a limit on my sermons??). But I should close with one thought, though, and that is how wonderful it is to have long-term friends with whom we have ministered and shared. Such are Bob and Linda here in Erseke, and such are many of you. We thank God for the body of Christ that is made flesh by such...