Happy 100th Anniversary Albania!

This week has been a great week of celebrating Albania's independence. We started off on Sunday with a dreke (lunch) at the church. We had lots of great food and fellowship. We even had some new faces at the church this Sunday that stayed and ate with us. It is amazing to see the patriotism of Albania. The buildings and apartments are littered with Albanian flags! I wish that all Christians would have the same pride in their God as they do in their country.

Rudina and Laura

Arian, Shpresa, Vito and Vangjeli

Limani

We are asking for a special request. Every year for Christmas Arian buys food for the children and their families in Kavaje. This year it is especially hard for the children and their familes because the governement has moved them. They have had to leave their homes and start over from scratch. They are building their houses of whatever they can find cardboard, scrap wood, rocks, etc. They don't have electricity, water or bathroom. We are looking for $10 sponsors. $10 will give food for 10 people. All total we need to raise enough for 160 people ($160). Please consider helping a family have food for Christmas. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 If God has blessed you to help please email us. God bless!

Magdalena

Member Spotlight: This week I want to tell you about a member of our church. Magdalena is 91 years old and the oldest member of our church. She is still full of the joy and spirit of our Lord! Magdalena was one of the first teachers in Durres and she loves to read and teach people Italian. She tells Arian every Sunday that she will see him the next Sunday unless God takes her home. We are very glad that Magdalena is a part of our church because she is a blessing to us!



Prayer/Praises: 
* Continue to pray for Klara and her family as they wait for surgery.
* Praise: Juli is doing great in school. Continue to pray for him. 
* Pray for continued growth in the church more are asking about baptism. Praise the Lord! 
* Please be in prayer for Stefanie's mom, she will have surgery today on her throat. 

We would love to hear from you! God bless!
Serving in His name, 
Arian & Stefanie Kosta
kkdurres@gmail.com
Address: L3 Rr Skenderbej AP:1043 Durres, Albania

Sabina's Baptism!

Sunday was a blessing! One of our youth who has been growing in Christ was baptized. We were very excited that Sabina confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior! Sabina is such a cheerful girl and now she has the joy of our Lord. Arian baptized Sabina in the bathroom at church where all could see. The whole church rejoiced in this blessed event! Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Every Wednesday we go to the old home in Kavaje. I (Stefanie) enjoy this time very much. The old people are so sweet and loving. We get lots of kisses by the residents of the home. I have been adopted by a new grandmother. Now I have an Albanian "gjyshe" grandmother. She calls me her "besa" granddaughter. She always gets so happy when we come to visit her. She is in her 80's and she is always working on something that she is knitting to give to others in the old home. Sabina was able to go with us this week to the old home as well. She made some fast friends with the residents. Sometimes I am hard on myself because I don't speak the language very well even though I am learning. I know that a smile goes a long way and the joy of Jesus in my heart shows more than I could ever speak! 

Prayer Requests/Praises: 
* Praise: We heard from Klara and she is doing well and waiting for surgery the beginning of January. Continue to pray for her and her family.
* Pray for Juli while he is in school and support for him to join the ministry when he gets out of school in May. 
* Pray for continued growth in the church. 
* Praise: Stefanie went to the Doctor this week and all is going great with the pregnancy. Praise God! 

We would love to hear from you! God bless!
Serving in His name, 
Arian & Stefanie Kosta
kkdurres@gmail.com
Address: L3 Rr Skenderbej AP:1043 Durres, Albania

Bloom where you are planted!

When I (Stefanie) was a child my family moved around a lot because of my dad's job. It seemed as if every time I got comfortable with school and friends, we would move again. My mom would always tell me "bloom where you are planted". I very quickly learned that no matter the circumstances I had to make the best of it. Now we have a scripture above our bed that helps us to remember that God is with us no matter what we are going through. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Isn't it amazing that Paul didn't say give thanks in only good circumstances! I realize that the harder you work for God, the more Satan tries to destroy the work that you are doing. Be controlled and alert, your enemy, the Devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9. I know that we have a very strong prayer support here and around the world that helps us every day! Thank you! 

The Devil will not defeat us! Great things are happening here every day! 

Men's Bible Study

God placed it on Arian's heart to recently start a men's Bible study on Friday mornings. They have started studying about the faithful men of the Bible. For three weeks now 8-10 men have been coming. We are very glad to see Ismail a new man in the church who is from the muslim faith coming to Bible study and asking questions. We pray that God will help Ismail to grow and understand the word of God. 

Sabina, Shpresa, and Lina

Shpresa one of our faithful volunteers at the church has been mentoring two teen girls, Lina and Sabina. On Friday they have a Bible study and a time of fellowship. The girls are confiding in Shpresa and being open to the word of God. This week Sabina started asking about being baptized. If the Lord wills Sabina will be baptized next Sunday. Hallelujah for this blessing! 

Shpresa and Arian Praising God for the Car!

We are very excited about our new (used) car that God has blessed us with! After much praying and searching and with the help of Charlottesville Christian Church and McDonough Christian Church we were able to purchase a van for the ministry of Kavaje. Kavaje is about 25 minutes from Durres and lots of walking from the Nursing home to the children on Wednesday. Now we have a mini van to transport people and get back and forth from Kavaje in the rain and cold! Thank you for your support! It is a great blessing to us! 

We are also very thankful for a group of fourth grade girls lead by Mary Jane Fitzsimons from Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Flordia who sent hand written letters of encouragement for Klara. Thank you Kensey, Emily, Leighanna, Karley, Abigail, Lindsey, and Izabella! Klara will be excited to know that there are girls her age praying for her in the United States! 

Prayer Requests: 
*Continue to pray for Klara as she is getting treatment in Italy. 
*Pray for continued growth in the church. 
*Pray for Ismail to grow and believe in Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior. 
*Tani one of our believers who needs a job. 
*Baptism of Sabina. 
*Stefanie's pregnancy (due May 27th). 

Thank you in advance for your prayers! We are also in need of financial support for the ministry. If you or your church would like to support us please email us at kkdurres@gmail.com. 

Serving in His name, 
Arian & Stefanie Kosta