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The month of September is Ramadan (Ramazan in Albanian) in the Muslim faith.  It is a month of fasting for devout Muslims, who only eat after sundown each day.  During these 30 days, we have seen little change in our Albanian friends because none that we know personally are devout Muslims, though they would all call themselves Muslim as a part of their heritage.  Yesterday, however was a national holiday in Albania known as Bajram Ramazan (the end of Ramadan).  After sundown, families gather to eat a feast as a celebration of the end of the fast.  For many, it is just a family tradition to gather and eat.  Most families eat lamb, some slaughtering their own (maybe even in their bathtub!).  The slaughter of the lamb is symbolic of Abraham’s slaughter of the lamb that God provided to Abraham for his sacrifice instead of his son Ishmael (Christians believe it was Issac who was saved from slaughter). Our neighbor Bona shared this wonderful traditional dessert she made for her family with us yesterday.  Baklava!  Yummmm.

One of the things we have seen more of during the month of Ramadan is drummers and musicians in the street.  They are beggars who are appealing to Muslims who give alms to the poor as one of the pillars of their faith, one way they can earn their way to heaven.   I took a picture of these men just outside of our gate.  You could hear them coming for 5 mintues before they arrived. 

We continue to pray for our Muslim friends who don’t know Christ and His hope!  Please pray that we would have opportnities to share about the hope we have in Jesus and to speaky BOLDLY! You can read more about Albanian Muslims here.