O God, O God we cry out your name!

We live in a world that cries out the name of God. In America we have In God We Trust on our money, but I think we are quickly becoming a country without God. I have heard people even Christians flippantly say "Oh my God" but do they understand what they are saying? Here in Albania they say "O Zoti i Madh" which means O Great God which even the Muslims say. 
Every day Arian and I pass professional beggars on the the street that say "O Zot, O Zot, Te Lutem" (O God, O God, Please). These beggars use the Lord's name to get money. Arian knows many of them and have invited them to Church but they have no interest in the Lord because their god is money. My mind always thinks of the Israelites who only cried out to God when they were in trouble. In Judges they forsook the Lord, did evil, served other gods, and provoked the Lord to anger. But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord always came to their rescue. God never forgot or forsook them!

While serving in Honduras, one morning I woke up to a donkey loudly braying in my window. It was the most awful sound I had ever heard. I believe that when our heart is not right with God our cries sound like that of a donkey braying. I want my cries to be with a pure heart. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 How will you cry out to Him today?

We have several believers who only come to the church when they are in need of something. They cry out to us for physical healing, food, money, or medicine. They do not realize what they need is Spiritual. We want them to come to the understanding that if you put Christ first He will help you with everything else by crying out with a pure heart to Him! Arian is also teaching a men's Bible study class on Friday encouraging the men to learn from men of the bible and be leaders of their family and in their spiritual lives. We pray for the growth of the men in the church. 

Member Spotlight:  
We would like to tell you a little about Ismail this week. Ismail is a newer member of the church. He has been coming about 8 months. He has been attending the Men's Bible study and asking many questions about God. We are very excited about his growth. Ismail is very happy and encouraging to all around him. He has four grandchildren with the latest one being born about a month ago. His wife attends another church in Durres with the grandchildren. We are very happy about Ismail being a positive example in the church.


Praises/ Prayers: 
* Continue to pray for the residents of old home during this cold winter.  
* Pray for continual spiritual growth in the church. 
* Continue to pray for Juli as he is in school, he will be going on a mission trip 
      to Turkey Feb. 15th.


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

New Year Renewal!

The New Year is a special time of the year where you can look back and see all of the blessings that God has done in the past year. It is also a time to refresh your mind and start anew. Lots of people make New Year resolutions that usually they break by the time the month of January is over. It is good to pray about the direction that God wants you to take this New Year. 

As a missionary, praying about God's direction for the ministry is even more difficult. Sometimes changes have to be made that people don't understand to further the kingdom of God. A change blessed by God promotes growth. Even Jesus said in Matthew 18:3- Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. As for us we have changed a few things for the New Year. All of the ministry of Kavaje will be done on Wednesday to spend less money on travel expenses and not tie up two days in Kavaje. Also, the home church of Kavaje will be moving into a building. A church in Kavaje has graciously allowed us to use their building on Wednesday for the church. Which is a blessing because we were getting rather cramped in Drita's house now more room for growth! Juli will also be getting out of school in May and we pray that he will be helping us full time in the ministry as well. We are continuing to pray for all God wants to direct us to do for the ministry. 

Turi and Arian

Arian & I at church

This New Year Arian and I spent time in Athens, Greece. We were able to go to church on Sunday with the believers there. Several believers there spoke Shqip and a few English. It was nice to meet some Albanians there. One believer Turi even sat with us and translated the message. It was quite funny Turi translated from Greek to Shqip and then Arian turned to me and translated in English. It is nice to know that no matter where you are and no matter what language we speak we are all worshiping the same God! 

We also spent time with Arian's sister Linda and her family in Greece. It was great to be with Linda and her family. We had not seen them since August. We got to celebrate the New Year there which was a lot different than how the celebrate in Albania, a lot less noise and fireworks. Arian also received a New Years kiss! We are praying for Linda's family to come to Christ. 

Member Spotlight:
The member of the church I want to focus on this week is Limani. He accepted Christ while he was living in Greece. He used to serve helping people on the street come to Christ with Albanian's for Jesus. He has two children a girl Elizabetha 9 years and a boy Alket 16. Limani's wife is currently very sick with Tuberculosis. Since Limani is currently out of work he has gone to Greece to find work so that he can help pay for his wife treatment. We are praying for Limani and his family and that God will provide for them. 

Praises/ Prayers: 
* Continue to pray for the residents of old home during this cold winter.
* Pray for Limani and his family. 
* Pray for new changes that are happening this year.
* Pray for continual spiritual growth in the church. 
* Pray for Stefanie's pregnancy now 5 months along baby David is growing fast!


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