2010 CATHY'S VISIT TO ALBANIA: More Pictures From Camp

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/

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

More Pictures From Camp

I spent another hot wonderful day at camp in the crafts area. The morning craft was the same as yesterday but a different group rotated through. This afternoon the free time activity was face painting - something I've never done before (I guess I live a sheltered life!). I had lots of fun painting faces although my perfectionist way was definitely challenged and I had to live with lines that just weren't straight. Just another one of those "outside my comfort zone" type of experiences.

The most requested face art was the German and Brazil flag (because of World Cup Soccer) so I got pretty good at those. Flowers were also popular. I thought you might enjoy some more pictures from camp.