DAY 2 PART 2

 well, we returned to the hotel after our Bethel visit…full, hot, tired, but full of joy….and yes we sang kingdom songs all the way back to the hotel….time to shower and relax before the evening show and boy was it a show.

Yes we were met with this greeting:

She was just a kid the last time Kev and Bre were here.

In this welcome group, the mamas and the papas got to meet our children spiritual moms…tears were flowing…so much appreciation for someone else loving our children and taking care of our children like we would if they were back home with us… we’re just one big happy family.

This evening provided us with a taste of Albania’s/Kosovo’s culture and theocratic history.  Experiences of our loyal brothers and sisters were shared on how they maintained their integrity under harsh persecution and of dear friends who are serving faithfully during these critical times.

First things first: 

This is the original jacket worn by a prisoner in Communist Albania when they worked in the labor camp.

During the communist era in Albania from 1956 to 1985, the penal and forced labor system was extremely  repressive. Albanian became a totalitarian state, and the government used concentration and forced labor camps as a tool to eliminate any form of political, social, or religious opposition. They had three types of camps: Labor, Political, and Isolation camps.

As I was reading this information, I couldn’t help but think how I tend to think of the Nazis when it coms to concentration camps but our poor brothers where in these horrible camps as well.

The picture above are letters written and confiscated by the secret police and just recently became available.  The story was told to us that a sister was cleaning out storage and came across these letters and asked the brothers, “what should I do with them?”  I didn’t get a chance to read the letters but can you imagine not only the age of the letters but the information that had to have been written.  I thought that was so cool.

Now the program was about to start so we all went inside to get ready for this wonderful performance.

Of course,,,family selfie

Enjoy the pictures

Kevin remembered this kid when he was a young buck..Kevin was so proud of him

So many of these guys were so young when Kevin and Bre lived over here and they were so happy to see each other.  One of the kids said…”Breanna has known me since I was 5 yrs old”. What that means is that my children are getting old. 😂😂💕

There’s so much, much more to share…The Albanian dancing culture was amazing to me.  The dancing style was based on the location of that part of the country….Dardhe, Devolli, and Kosovo.

If you were to ask me if I had a favorite part….I would tell you that I loved it all!!! But there was one scene, I believe it was called “Dear Andrew” that was so touching. 

 Now imagine, we are under ban, so we have to be careful of getting our message to Andrew…now imagine couples dancing the waltz (women in white dresses and men in black tuxedo). As the couples are dancing, one dancer would pass the message (piece of paper) to the next dancer, and the next dancer…until the message reaches Andrew.  We know it was only thru God’s Holy Spirit that the message got to Andrew.

So many wonderful experiences shared. There is one saying that I will never forget.  One faithful Albanian brother said  “No decision comes without a cost.”  …that is so true….good decision/bad decision…comes with a cost…let’s keep making the right decisions cause when we do, we can handle the cost.

The Ending:

A song was written and song just for the delegates.  Allow me to share the lyrics.

The Title:  THE TRUTH NEVER DIES!!

1st Stanza:

In a land filled with eagles, where the mountains meet the sea. A spark of truth and light ignited, shining bright for all to see. …shining bright for all to see.  Despite the storms of opposition, that were raging from all sides, that little fire just kept on burning, like a beacon  in the night.

(CHORUS)

‘Cause our faith will not be shaken, and the truth will never die.  Jehovah gives us what we need, so we can hold our heads up high.  No, our faith will not be shaken, and the truth will never die. Jehovah holds his people close, like the apple of his eye.

2nd Stanza:

It’s a gift that keeps on giving. It’ a secret we all know.  It’s a seed of truth that’s planned, and Jehovah makes it grow.

Then the chorus again.  

Just imagine the emotions flowing on that song

Always rejoice.

Stay tuned my lovely followers😉

Ms Paula