Wednesday, May 27, 2015

We all face the same trials all over the world




Resist him [Devil], standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:9 

It brings comfort to me to know that we are all facing the same battles and trials in our lives all over the world. Things that you think would never happen to you happen. The past few days have been very trying for us. Thankfully it has brought us closer to God personally and as a staff. Our church was broken into and money was stolen. Now we are puzzled and baffled as to who would do such a thing to a church. I was once given some very Godly advice by Pastor Paul Leslie, he said,  "we are to love, the Holy Spirit is to convict, and God is to judge." As much as we want to see justice in this situation it is our duty to show love, grace and mercy.

God has really been working and we are excited to be a part of what is going on here. On May 10th we had a baptism service at the beach. We were able to baptize four new believers. What a joyous time we had singing and praising the Lord for these new babes in Christ. We also had 40 in attendance that Sunday! Please pray for these new believers, Artur, Manuel, Fatmira, and Petriti as they start their walk as Children of God! 

Another Praise, Stefanie has been doing private English lessons with a girl named Seri who is Muslim by tradition. Through these lessons Stefanie has been sharing with her the gospel. This past Sunday Seri came to church with her son. Pray that Seri continues to come to church and will open her heart to Christ. 

We were blessed by a wonderful concert from a Master's college a Christian college in California. The 70 person choir and their director came and gave a free concert to all the churches here in Durres. They were traveling to other cities in Albania as well on their tour. It was nice that they sacrificed time and money to come to Albania. Most of their songs were in English (hymns etc.) but they did surprise us by singing a couple of songs in Albanian.  

We try very hard to remember the birthdays of people in the church. On May 3rd our dear brother in Christ Pandi turned 81! He was so excited and honored. We greeted him at the door telling him happy birthday. He said that he had actually forgotten it was his birthday and thanked us for remembering. 



We are happy to announce the newest member of the church. Alan was born on May 19th to Genti and Alda. He is a healthy baby boy. His family has just started coming to the church. We were excited to do a home visit so we could see this new baby boy! May Alan grow to be a strong man of God! 


Praises/ Prayers:         


*Funding of a new Church home for us.
*Pray that more will come to Christ here in Albania.
*Pray for Arian's parents to come to Christ! They are still attending church!
*Praise- David turned two years today!


Serving in His name,
Arian & Stefanie Kosta
kkdurres@gmail.com
Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043 Durres, Albania


Follow us on Facebook: Kisha Kristiane Albania 


Donation address (tax deductable): 
Make check to McDonough Christian Church
McDonough Christian Church, 
Attn: Lisa Thomas-Albania building Fund, 
2000 Jonesboro Rd. 
McDonough, Ga 30253