Why Albania?

A question on the lips of many (including ourselves) as they have watched our two daughters marry Albanians engaged in God's work in that country. The natural explanation, that Ruth went to work there for six weeks in summer 2001 on children's camps, and returned one year later to a full time role, that involved camp work in the summers, and marriage to Maki, the camp commandant late 2005. And Miriam naturally followed her sister's lead in helping at those camps from summer 2005, met Besmir the camp "fixer", and Maki's right hand man, and recognised God's partner for her, leading to their marriage late 2008.

Unknown to both of them, there was another dynamic at work.

In November 1999, shortly after we had linked up with Cairns Road Baptist Church, the death was announced one Sunday morning of a young American missionary working in Tirana, Albania. He and his wife, an Albanian, were known to the church, tho' not to me, nor did I at the time have much clue about Albania. But something resonated that morning as I sat on the back row, hearing such news. The very principle of scripture that out of death comes resurrection, whether the death of a corn of wheat in Christ's parable, or His own death that has brought life to millions. And so I stood and prayed out, reminding God of His principles, reminding God of His promises, and asking that in this American's place, Albanian young men would step our to work for God's kingdom in their own land. None of the rest of the family was there to hear the prayer, and while prayed passionately at the time, it did not linger in my own thinking.

About a year ago, as Elaine reflected with me on the issue of a second daughter marrying an Albanian, I admitted to her for the first time the strength that I had in this regard, knowing that I was seeing an unexpected answer to a prayer of nine years previous.

I shared the story with the two families on Miriam's wedding day last November, and with some of our church members shortly thereafter. I am conscious of the words spoken of Mary, who having seen a heavenly vision "treasured these things in her heart". So forgive me if you feel that in going public I am overstepping. But if we are to talk of the power of one smooth stone, we need to remind ourselves that the God of David has not changed, and still is ready to act on behalf of those who step out naming His name.

We are not called to kill Goliath every day. And David was later to demonstrate that "acting in his name" was also about the care of Mephibosheth, the disabled grandson of one who had been his enemy. So if God calls you to mercy today then act. And if calls you to fight, He is the same God. Just choose your weapons carefully.

Medical update - still below par after two days of (dog)-tiredness, but mind and spirit in good shape. Due for CT scan this afternoon , to see effect of chemo to date. Results due next week.