Author Archives: Robert

Wrap your mind around this profound theological conversation I had with Tyler and Austin last week after their soccer game.

Me: Hey guys! How was the game?
Tyler: Great, Dad! MY team won!
Austin: Nuh-uh
Tyler: Uh-huh
Austin: Nuh-uh. The Bible says that the first will be last and the last will be first, so MY team won!
Tyler: (with rolling eyes) Austin…everyone knows that’s only in HEAVEN!
Austin: Oh yeah…I forgot! (both quickly run off to play with friends)

So, which is it? What do you think?

Today, Jenny and I drove to Kruja, a smaller town about a hour outside of Tirana, located on the side of the mountain. We went to do a little gift shopping. It is hard to imagine that the bumpy two lane road will lead you to one of the best tourist spots in Albania. And the road has improved greatly since my first trip there in 2002!

On the way home, we passed several individuals and groups waiting on the side of the narrow roads for furgons (small vans) that transport people from town to town. You can usually take a furgon from Tirana to Kruja for about 200 lek (a little over $2). But really, it’s like organized hitchhiking. Really just about anyone who might want to earn a little cash and has room for you might stop and offer you a ride! There is a certain amount of organization to the furgons passing by, but really no guarantees… as far as we know, there are no offices that set up furgon schedules or sellfurgon tickets or any specific furgon stops. It’s all old style, word of mouth and common understanding. As you drive along you see people gathered on the road, every one to two kilometers, waiting with their luggage, for the furgon they need to take them to the place they want to go.  Like I said, organized hitchhiking. You just have to hope that you are not the last one aboard who ends up sardined between two guys who haven’t showered for a week and don’t own deodorant.

That’s what I call her when I answer the phone. That’s what I feel about her in my heart. That’s what her eyes communicate. But ,most importantly, that’s how God views her! Today, my beautiful wife turns 36! So, I thought I would take a moment to tell you all what she means to me.

We have been married for 13 years this August and we have known each other for 20 years now!!! When we were in high school, I told her that I didn’t believe in love so young. I said that people were too immature and foolish to fully understand what “love” really is! But, you know what, she LOVED ME anyway! And she taught me (thru her life) what love could be…the kind that can only come from Jesus.

I’ll never forget how intimidated I was by her when we first met…she had a presence about her, a light, a confidence that filled a room. The joy and love in her eyes spoke volumes of her soul. She was always quick to point out the positives in others. She was always willing to cry with a friend who needed her. She always stood up for what she believed in. She was a person of quiet integrity. She deeply cared about others. She had an inner strength and conviction that commanded an audience. She had a voice that poured beautiful songs from the depths of her heart.

This was the girl I fell in love with way back then…and this is the woman I’m MORE in love with today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE YOU LIKE JESUS!

I stumbled onto this interesting article today. Last summer, there were known to be 13 Greek New Testament manuscripts in the National Archives here in Albania. Despite many attempts over several decades, Western scholars had not been able to gain access to the documents for study and documentation. When a team arrived to photograph and archive the documents this last summer, they found that the Albania National Archive Catalog actually listed 47 Greek New Testament documents, at least 17 of which were previously unknown to scholars. WOW! Read more here.

It is amazing to think about the history that comes LONG before us and how God is STILL weaving His story together in this land of Albania. We continue to pray that God will again redeem this land and His people in Albania! Pray with us that this nation that called it self the first Atheist State would become again a Christian nation!