Thursday, January 28, 2016

God's plan

I am a planner and I like to have a plan. Every night before I go to bed I talk with Arian about what our plans are for tomorrow. Usually I make a meal plan for the week so I know what to buy at the market. When I don't have a plan I  feel lost. When I look back at some of the plans that I had made in my life I saw that they didn't turn out the way I expected them too because God had another plan. If you would have told me 4 years ago that I would be married and serving as a missionary in Albania, I would have laughed. When God told Sarah at 90 years old she was going to have a baby, she laughed. I have seen first hand this week that even when you have a plan, sometimes God changes things and we want to ask God why. We just have to trust that God knows what is the best for us. 



Two weeks ago many plans of ours changed quickly. A dear brother in Christ, humble servant of the lord, and devoted husband died suddenly of a heart attack. Our brother Astrit went to be with the Lord. Astrit leaves behind his wife Drita, married son Ervini in Turkey, married daughter Ornela in Greece, and a 20 year old paralyzed daughter Ana at home. The day before Astrit passed the men of Kavaje shared time together drinking a coffee and sharing about the word of God. Astrit was not a evangelistic type but he was a quiet servant always in the background. He will be missed! We are spending time and trying to comfort his wife Drita during this time. It is a very difficult time for her but her Hope is in the Lord even though she doesn't understand why. Please join us in praying for this family. Arian and Juli did his funeral service. This was a first for Arian and Juli but they shared to all the truth of Christ. 

During this cold and rainy winter we are very grateful for several things. First is our new building in Kavaje. Since the weather has been bad, we have been meeting with the children inside. The children are getting used to coming to a new place as well. It is just right across the street from their neighborhood. 
Secondly we are grateful for shoes. We hate to see the children especially in the winter with sandals, no shoes, or holey shoes. We still have a few pairs of shoes left to give to the children who come needing them. We are very thankful to Mrs. Grimm who helped get them to us! 

Thirdly we are thankful for our staff! We don't know what we would do without them. They are ready to take over the reins while we will be in the States. We pray that while we are gone that the Lord with strengthen, unify, and bless them. We were able this week to go out with them to lunch to encourage them and break bread together. 

Praises and Prayer Requests:
*Praise! The Kosta family are all now healthy. It has been a hard winter with coughs and colds. 

*Stefanie is in her 28th week of pregnancy. It has been difficult but this weeks seems to be going a little better. 
*Pray for travel- we will be leaving February 1st with a complete travel time of 24 hours. Pray that David does well on the plane this time. 
*Pray for strength and unity in our staff and growth of the Kingdom of God here in Albania. 


Serving in His name,
Arian & Stefanie Kosta 

Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043
Durres, Albania
email:kkdurres@gmail.com
 

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Make check to McDonough Christian Church
McDonough Christian Church,
Attn: Lisa Thomas-Albania 
2000 Jonesboro Rd.
McDonough, Ga 30253