I'm still on the other side of the big pond. However, I will begin my journey home Saturday night. It has been a wonderful time here in Albania. I have had the opportunity to travel around much of the country. So I suppose you could say I have seen more than the typical new first year teacher. My students have been amazing. They have learned much and taught me much as well. I know that two of my students will obey the gospel near the end of their lessons. Their parents have indicated that they also desire this. Then there is a possibility that four other students may. This is very encouraging. The Word of God is powerful when it is planted in hearts that are open to His Word. I hope to see you Wed. or next Sunday. Your brother in Christ,
Charles Dial
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Day 12 in Albania
One of my students could not come this morning so I am using the time to send another email which may be my last before I leave this weekend. Charles will continue to keep us informed if he can get away from his students long enough. He will be here another two weeks. He is happy since he got his lost bag on Sunday and his PIN.
Anna - please forward this email on the other elders and to John Harris who will forward to the ECHOS. I know a lot of prayers have been said for us and they are working. You might also put a note in the bulletin that everyone can read these Albania reports from us on the church web page blog. Thanks for posting them.
I forget to mention in my last email that there was a baptism here in Tirana on Sunday. Of course Charles, Gwen and I were in Lushnje visiting with Tom Bonner.
Paul. tell Jason about Tom Langley's foot (cracked heel at swimming pool). Jason knows Tom from his interview at Maryville. Pray that Tom makes it home OK this weekend on his crutches. He has an overnight in London that he is concerned about. He also fell on Sunday on a slick surface at the hotel and broke one of his crutches. But he is still teaching!
Tirana is a a very populated city. In the early evening between 7:00 and 9:00 I believe all million residents are on the street walking or in the parks or bars along the streets. I remarked to Gwen that walking down the street is like going to or from a UT football game or walking in New York during rush hours. The difference is the people are not in a hurry. They are all talking to each other, about what I do not know, but they certainly like to socialize with each other unlike most Americans.
The traffic in Triana continues to increase even more than last year, again like going to a UT football game but there is no game just people interacting with people. There is still much construction in process here, roads, streets, and buildings. The money changers on the streets have all been replaced with ATMs to Tirana is looking more like any big city in any developed country, but outside the city it's another story.
Our students are getting more and more interested in the Bible, and we are gradually trying to get them connected with some of the members of the church here so when we leave and the campaign is over they will have friends at church still here. Yesterday Gwen took one of her student to have coffee/tea with a member of the church here her age. When Gwen had to go meet with her next student, the two Albanians continued to talk making a good connection with each other.
I could say more, but I am going to stop while you are still interested. Ask me more when I get home.
Woody
Anna - please forward this email on the other elders and to John Harris who will forward to the ECHOS. I know a lot of prayers have been said for us and they are working. You might also put a note in the bulletin that everyone can read these Albania reports from us on the church web page blog. Thanks for posting them.
I forget to mention in my last email that there was a baptism here in Tirana on Sunday. Of course Charles, Gwen and I were in Lushnje visiting with Tom Bonner.
Paul. tell Jason about Tom Langley's foot (cracked heel at swimming pool). Jason knows Tom from his interview at Maryville. Pray that Tom makes it home OK this weekend on his crutches. He has an overnight in London that he is concerned about. He also fell on Sunday on a slick surface at the hotel and broke one of his crutches. But he is still teaching!
Tirana is a a very populated city. In the early evening between 7:00 and 9:00 I believe all million residents are on the street walking or in the parks or bars along the streets. I remarked to Gwen that walking down the street is like going to or from a UT football game or walking in New York during rush hours. The difference is the people are not in a hurry. They are all talking to each other, about what I do not know, but they certainly like to socialize with each other unlike most Americans.
The traffic in Triana continues to increase even more than last year, again like going to a UT football game but there is no game just people interacting with people. There is still much construction in process here, roads, streets, and buildings. The money changers on the streets have all been replaced with ATMs to Tirana is looking more like any big city in any developed country, but outside the city it's another story.
Our students are getting more and more interested in the Bible, and we are gradually trying to get them connected with some of the members of the church here so when we leave and the campaign is over they will have friends at church still here. Yesterday Gwen took one of her student to have coffee/tea with a member of the church here her age. When Gwen had to go meet with her next student, the two Albanians continued to talk making a good connection with each other.
I could say more, but I am going to stop while you are still interested. Ask me more when I get home.
Woody
Monday, July 14, 2008
Albania Teaching - 1st Week
Well, after the first week we know our students pretty well. I hope they are enjoying it as much as we are. Charles and Gwen are really excited about their students. Some of the students are a little concerned at first but really into it by now. Some are learning about God for the first time. Some do not believe yet, some are finding out that we did not come from monkeys as they have been taught in school. A few are in the class for English but are already getting very interested in the Bible.
We went to Lushnje yesterday and visited with Tom Bonner. We road the bus and it took three hours getting there just in time for the morning service. Tom brought us back to Tirana in his van. Work is slower there but Tom is doing well.
Electricity is staying on this year and the A/C units keep the church and school space very cool. Thanks to all who contributed to this fund last fall. Tom Langley got a cask on his foot this morning and plans to stick it out for the remainer of this week.
I must return to the church building now to meet with a student. Will write more later.
Woody
We went to Lushnje yesterday and visited with Tom Bonner. We road the bus and it took three hours getting there just in time for the morning service. Tom brought us back to Tirana in his van. Work is slower there but Tom is doing well.
Electricity is staying on this year and the A/C units keep the church and school space very cool. Thanks to all who contributed to this fund last fall. Tom Langley got a cask on his foot this morning and plans to stick it out for the remainer of this week.
I must return to the church building now to meet with a student. Will write more later.
Woody
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Day 3 - Teaching in Albania
Day 3 - 7:45 p.m.
Tired and drained physically, but fulfilled spiritually - that's the way we feel now. Ecomonists, Radio Engineer, Banker, Accountant, Pizza Factory Worker, Teacher, High School Senior, High School Freshman, University Law Student, Health Worker, Financial Analysis, Travel Agent, --- Those are some of the students we have this year. Most believe in God but profess no religion and know very little about the bible. Questions such as "Why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden?" are asked. Most of my students are first time students this year. I only have one that is in the Advanced Lessons from last year. Gwen and Charles have a few more advanced students this year.
One mishap last night. Tom Langley from Maryville went swimming with some of the students last night and cracked a bone in his foot. He is not sure he will be able to finish his two weeks here, but is planning to resume teaching tomorrow and see how it goes. Please pray that he heals quickly. Otherwise I will have to preach Sunday. For the sake of the Tiranans, I are not sure that would be a good thing.
I must close for now. Air conditioners are working well here and the electricity has not gone off a single time so far this year so all is cool, inside that is.
Later,
Woody
Tired and drained physically, but fulfilled spiritually - that's the way we feel now. Ecomonists, Radio Engineer, Banker, Accountant, Pizza Factory Worker, Teacher, High School Senior, High School Freshman, University Law Student, Health Worker, Financial Analysis, Travel Agent, --- Those are some of the students we have this year. Most believe in God but profess no religion and know very little about the bible. Questions such as "Why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden?" are asked. Most of my students are first time students this year. I only have one that is in the Advanced Lessons from last year. Gwen and Charles have a few more advanced students this year.
One mishap last night. Tom Langley from Maryville went swimming with some of the students last night and cracked a bone in his foot. He is not sure he will be able to finish his two weeks here, but is planning to resume teaching tomorrow and see how it goes. Please pray that he heals quickly. Otherwise I will have to preach Sunday. For the sake of the Tiranans, I are not sure that would be a good thing.
I must close for now. Air conditioners are working well here and the electricity has not gone off a single time so far this year so all is cool, inside that is.
Later,
Woody
Monday, July 07, 2008
Teaching in Albania
Monday, July 7, 2008
Farragut Brothers and Sisters,
Well, the Tirana teaching campaign began today. Charles, Gwen, and I each have seven students with very different backgrounds, ages, and levels of understanding. That's what makes teaching the bible interesting and challenging. It is warm here again this summer, but the facility and accomodations are better than ever. They also have 50 more students on the waiting list so if more teachers can come they will have students. One of my students did not show or call today so the WEI secretary dropped him and told me I would have another student to take his place tomorrow.
Besides the three of us from Farragut there are teachers here form California, Organ, Arkansas, and Maryville. Charles made visits to several of the churches in Albania last week, but his suitcase from his trip over here has not showed up yet so he is now going out to buy some clothes.
More later..............
Woody
Farragut Brothers and Sisters,
Well, the Tirana teaching campaign began today. Charles, Gwen, and I each have seven students with very different backgrounds, ages, and levels of understanding. That's what makes teaching the bible interesting and challenging. It is warm here again this summer, but the facility and accomodations are better than ever. They also have 50 more students on the waiting list so if more teachers can come they will have students. One of my students did not show or call today so the WEI secretary dropped him and told me I would have another student to take his place tomorrow.
Besides the three of us from Farragut there are teachers here form California, Organ, Arkansas, and Maryville. Charles made visits to several of the churches in Albania last week, but his suitcase from his trip over here has not showed up yet so he is now going out to buy some clothes.
More later..............
Woody
Arrival In Tirana,Albania
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
Gwen and I arrived in Tirana, Albania today (Saturday afternoon) after a short visit to Athens, Greece at the Acropolis where the apostle Paul made his speech describing our God. We also toured some of the other Greek islands and had a wonderful visit there. Artan and Reomia met us at the airport, and we checked in our hotel with no surprises. Looking forward to church tomorrow to see my friends from previous visits here.
Charles Dial has been here all week visiting other churches throughout Albania including Tom Bonner at Lysthusia. He has made some video of several areas and will have documented work on each congregation visited.
The WEI teaching starts Monday so we will have more to report next week. Until then thanks for your continued prayers and thoughts of us.
Later,
Woody
Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
Gwen and I arrived in Tirana, Albania today (Saturday afternoon) after a short visit to Athens, Greece at the Acropolis where the apostle Paul made his speech describing our God. We also toured some of the other Greek islands and had a wonderful visit there. Artan and Reomia met us at the airport, and we checked in our hotel with no surprises. Looking forward to church tomorrow to see my friends from previous visits here.
Charles Dial has been here all week visiting other churches throughout Albania including Tom Bonner at Lysthusia. He has made some video of several areas and will have documented work on each congregation visited.
The WEI teaching starts Monday so we will have more to report next week. Until then thanks for your continued prayers and thoughts of us.
Later,
Woody
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