I'm writing this on Monday afternoon and soon Mark will arrive with the Hollywood Presbyterian team. The Stoscher kids and I slept in and then enjoyed a breakfast of french toast. The sun has been shining so the laundry dried, all the beds are made, and the house is ready for the new team. I even had the chance to wash my hair and actually dry it with a hair dryer! I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but believe me if you'd seen my curly frizzy hair (sans hair dryer) you'd understand what a big treat it was. Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy non-frizzy hair for a few days before I have to wash it again and let it dry naturally. With so many people sharing two bathrooms and the high cost of electricity hair dryers weren't to be used when Dundee was here. The same will hold true when the new team arrives so believe me, today was a special treat.
Tonight Hollywood Pres and I will eat dinner at camp and starting tomorrow the plan is that I'll be working with the camp kids. A new adventure awaits as I haven't had a chance yet to work at camp.
Join me as I travel and blog my way in Albania June 27 to July 18. I'll be part of Alongside Ministries International's Crossroads Christian Camp in Erseke. The camp introduces children to Christ in a country that has a 70% Muslim background. Communism collapsed in 1991 and Albania found its borders open after 40 years as the most isolated and closed country in the world. My hope is that this blog will allow you to experience Albania, its people,and their culture.
Travel with me to Albania
Where is Albania you ask? Officially known as The Republic of Albania, the nation is located in South Eastern Europe. The country sits across the Adriatic Sea from the heel of Italy with Greece as its south and southeastern neighbor. Albania is about the size of the state of Maryland with a population of 3.1 million people. Its per capita income is approximately $2,580 and more than a quarter of the population lives below the poverty level, making Albania one of the poorest countries in Europe. Often family members will work in neighboring Greece and send money home to provide for their families.
In 1967 the communist government created the world's first officially atheistic country when it outlawed all religions. It was ruled by the most repressive and isolated regime in Europe until 1991, when it became the last country to emerge from the communist regime. Since then the nation has struggled through years of political instability and ecomonic collapse. An outbreak of civil disorder erupted in 1997, followed by an influx of 460,000 Kosovar refugees in 1998. This increased the burden on the already deteriorating political, ecomonic, and social infrastructures. Today Albanians enjoy full religous freedom. and while the government is an "emerging democracy" maintaining infrastructure is extremely difficult, especially in rural areas.
Alongside Ministries International hosts the Crossroads Christian Camp in Erseke in southern Albania. The children and youth are introduced to Jesus Christ and loved on by Christians in a one-week camp enviroment that includes crafts, games, bible lessons, and a ropes course (don't we all love camp!). I feel very priviledged to be part of bringing Christ into the lives of these young people.
Excerpts borrowed from World Vision http://www.worldvision.org/
In 1967 the communist government created the world's first officially atheistic country when it outlawed all religions. It was ruled by the most repressive and isolated regime in Europe until 1991, when it became the last country to emerge from the communist regime. Since then the nation has struggled through years of political instability and ecomonic collapse. An outbreak of civil disorder erupted in 1997, followed by an influx of 460,000 Kosovar refugees in 1998. This increased the burden on the already deteriorating political, ecomonic, and social infrastructures. Today Albanians enjoy full religous freedom. and while the government is an "emerging democracy" maintaining infrastructure is extremely difficult, especially in rural areas.
Alongside Ministries International hosts the Crossroads Christian Camp in Erseke in southern Albania. The children and youth are introduced to Jesus Christ and loved on by Christians in a one-week camp enviroment that includes crafts, games, bible lessons, and a ropes course (don't we all love camp!). I feel very priviledged to be part of bringing Christ into the lives of these young people.
Excerpts borrowed from World Vision http://www.worldvision.org/
About Me
Country Statistics
Population: 3.1 million
Land Mass: 10,579 sq. miles
Life Expectancy: 77 years
Infant Mortality Rate: 16 / 1,000
Literacy Rate: 99%
School Enrollment: 52%
Access to Safe Water: 96%
Average Annual Income: US $2,580
Land Mass: 10,579 sq. miles
Life Expectancy: 77 years
Infant Mortality Rate: 16 / 1,000
Literacy Rate: 99%
School Enrollment: 52%
Access to Safe Water: 96%
Average Annual Income: US $2,580
Followers
Receive Email Notifications
If you'd like to receive email notifications whenever a post is made, subscribe to my group address.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2010
(26)
-
▼
July
(18)
- The Way to Home Sweet Home
- Last Day at Camp
- Maturant
- More Pictures From Camp
- A Day at Camp
- Monday, July 12
- Sunday - A Day of Rest?
- The Team's Last Day
- Dundee Presbyterian - My Group
- Bilisht Carnival
- 40 Days of Mourning Over
- A Walk to Camp
- Erseke Sights and Sounds
- Saturday in Erseke
- Pictures from Camp
- Update on Abby
- Please Pray for the Stoschers
- Campership Check Presented
-
▼
July
(18)
cathys albania blog
cathy's albania blog
cathy's albania blog
No comments:
Post a Comment