Will of God

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:38-40

I (Stefanie) have been thinking a lot about the will of God lately. What is his plan and am I on the right road. In May my dad wasn't doing so well. He had to have emergency gallbladder surgery upon other things and Arian and I decided that it was the plan of God for me to go home for three weeks. So I packed up and left my husband and children behind in Albania and went to see about dad. I am 100% sure that the will of God for me is to be in Albania but circumstances occur that put you on a different road and for now it was to go home. So in my mind of thinking God was sending me home to see about dad. When we have a narrow view of God's will we miss out on other things that He is doing. While I was home I was able to serve in VBS with Hickory Valley Christian Church and also serve one day at the Next Door Chattanooga that helps women in prison. Bloom where you are planted comes to mind. To me it just means that where ever you are let God use you. You don't have to go around the country to serve. Just open your eyes and be flexible to what God is doing and Follow! 

 

We are very excited to announce to you a new brother in Christ! Tani was baptized by Arian in April. He lives in Tirana but comes to help Arian in Kavaje about once a month. We excited to see how God is using him! This past Wednesday he was even going around praying with the old home residents! Thank you for having such a kind heart Tani! 

At the end of April we were also able to go visit our sister church in Athens, Greece. Grandfather Spiro is 94 years old! It was lovely to worship with them. Even though we didn't know the Greek language we could feel the spirit and their hearts!  

 

We are very excited about a couple of youth Petriti and Dorian (left side) that are growing in Christ in the church in Kavaje. They are very faithful to be at all church services because they are hungry for the word of God. Pray that God will continue to use them and grow the church in Kavaje! We are also praying for Denisi (right side next to Arian) to join us serving full time in the ministry. 

My first Sunday back to Albania from visiting my dad the church of Kavaje had prepared a banquet for me. I was very surprised! All the guys in the church had prepared it all! I felt very blessed! What a great day and time of worship together we had! 





 
Prayer needs:
* Pray for Stefanie's dad to continue to heal and get the catheter out soon! 
*We are still praying for help in Albania. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few! 
* Pray for Denisi to join us on staff in Kavaje. 
* Pray for new youth to come to the church in Durres. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support! We appreciate you and thank God for you all!

Serving in His name,

Arian & Stefanie Kosta

Stateside address: 148 Wolfe St.  Cohutta, Ga 30710

Albanian Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043 Durres, Albania

email:kkdurres@gmail.com

 

Old and New

 Then they (older women) can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.    Titus 2: 4-5

In a world that is constantly changing and modernizing it is hard to hold on to the "old". We live and serve in Durres, Albania. It is the second largest city in Albania and getting bigger by the day. The city is filled with 7-12 story apartment buildings, traffic and new development. In under all that hustle and bustle are the remains of something so old and beautiful. Walking around the city you can find old Roman ruins and architecture from hundreds of years ago. 

I (Stefanie) teach women's Bible study every Thursday morning and I am the youngest one there. We have 6-7 faithful older women in their 60's-80's who come and listen to the word of God. I love taking this time to teach them but also listen to them to teach me from their years of wisdom. I think we all should respect our elders and spend time learning from them. Let us not assume that they have nothing left to give! God's not finished with them yet! 

 

Arian also spends every Wednesday morning doing a Bible study with the orphaned in the old home. Their faces light up like children when he comes to visit. The residents have been complaining a lot lately about their care and the quality of the food. We pray that the director will listen to their complaints and do better. In the picture is Drita and Muli. 

 

We have had a very hard winter and are praising God that it has finally gotten a little warmer. For a month our household fought some nasty sickness. The motor also blew in the car and after 4 mechanics and 7 weeks we finally got the motor replaced. We are very thankful that God provides and helps when we need it most! 

 

We had a blessed Easter! We took members from the church in Durres and Kavaje to join with Mondi Gjoni and his church in Elbasan. We had a great service and time of fellowship. Thank you Mondi for inviting us!

Thank you for your prayers please keep them coming! 

Prayer needs: 

*Pray that in 2018 the ministry will grow and lives will be changed. Albanian people act like they don't need God, so for God to change their hearts. 

*Pray for us to get some help. We are seeking long term, short term, interns and small groups to come and help us. 
*Pray for Salvation for Arian's parents. They are doing a little better but still need help. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support! We appreciate you and thank God for you all! 

Serving in His name,

Arian & Stefanie Kosta

Stateside address: 148 Wolfe St.  Cohutta, Ga 30710

Albanian Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043 Durres, Albania

email:kkdurres@gmail.com

Clear Vision

I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Not to long ago on a trip to Elbasan, Albania we encountered a bad storm. Normally this isn't too big of a problem but that day it was. As Arian was driving the car through the storm, the windshield wipers broke. That is when you realize the true value of a part of the car that you don't use daily. Looking through the rain filled window was quite blurry and very difficult to see. What a difference it makes when your vision is clear! I think this is true in our Christian walk as well. We allow things of life to blur our vision. We really need to stop and focus on our Lord Jesus Christ! This year I want to take more time looking to him and less time focusing on problems that this life brings! 

This past year has been very difficult for us but we are looking forward to the blessings that God is going to provide in 2018. 

Mac Preaching in Kavaje

Right before we were ready to come home for furlough we lost Shpresa, Romi, and Juli on our staff. We were amazed that several people stepped up in the church and also Mac and Diane McClintock were able to come to Albania for a couple weeks as we were serving in America. We appreciate all of this extra help while we were visiting churches. 

October 2- December 6 we had a roller coaster ride visiting churches! We covered 4 states and 8 churches in 8 weeks! We were so grateful to be with each church sharing with them all. We felt the outpouring of encouragement and prayers. Thank you McDonough Christan Church, Hickory Valley Christian Church, First Christian Dalton, First Christian Keswick, Crosspoint Christian church, Colonial Heights Church of Christ, Horsepasture Christian Church,  and Live Oak Church of Christ. We are also very thankful for all of you who invited us to spend time with you in your home, for a meal, or a coffee!

Another praise is that Arian's parents are doing better. They spent time in Athens, Greece with Arian's sister Linda while we were in the states. We pray for continued good health for them in 2018!

Since we have been home we have hit the ground running getting ready for Christmas!  We were blessed by Mission without borders again with food boxes for everyone in the church. We have been giving those out as well as Christmas boxes from Team Hope in Holland for the kids. We were also able to have a lunch together with the ladies of the Women's Bible study in Durres. 

On Christmas Eve we combined the churches from Durres, Kavaje and Mondi Gjoni's church in Elbasan and had a great church and fellowship time with over 50 people! There wasn't much room but we had a wonderful time. Thank you so much Mondi for bringing your church all the way from Elbasan. We hope to cooperate more with Mondi and the church in Elbasan.

On Wednesday before Christmas Arian visited the old home and gave them all thick socks for Christmas. They are always happy when we remember them even if it's only a pair of socks. 

Arian and I went to Kavaje for the day of home visits and to the old home as well. On the way to the old home we kept seeing lots of police. We wondered what was going on. During our visit to the old home came the Albanian president Ilir Meta. We were able to see him. They didn't let us stay for long but we were able to visit some ladies there. We are sad to say that

one of our favorite old home residents died last week Nene Bedria. I (Stefanie) was very sad that I didn't get to see her before she died. She had been very sick and Arian had spent some time with her the week before. We are glad she isn't sick anymore and hope to meet her in Heaven! 

We need your prayers! Please commit to praying for us in 2018! 
Prayer needs: 
*Pray that in 2018 the ministry will grow and lives will be changed. Albanian people act like they don't need God, so for God to change their hearts. 
*Pray for us to get some help. We are seeking long term, short term, interns and small groups to come and help us.
*Pray for David. He has been sick for over a year and needs to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. Even though that is a simple procedure it isn't so simple here in Albania. 


Thank you for all your prayers and support! We appreciate you and thank God for you all! 

Serving in His name,
Arian & Stefanie Kosta
Stateside address: 148 Wolfe St.  Cohutta, Ga 30710

Albanian Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043 

Durres, Albania
email:kkdurres@gmail.com