Ever since my Dad and Mom began planning to visit me in Albania, I have eagerly anticipated their visit. In total, I enjoyed two weeks with them. The first, they spent a week in the village with me where I live and work. Living in the village entrenches you quickly in the lives of the people living there. During the first week Mom and Dad had the opportunity to: join kids clubs in the village where I live as well as in a more remote village; go to the first Christian funeral in our village for Cydil's father David Waggoner; and visit the home of two families in the village I live in.

In front of Skanderbeg's Statue. 

During the second week Mom and I traveled to the Valbona where we hiked the ancient pass between Valbona and Thethi.

Mom and I at the pinnacle of the pass from Valbonë to Theth.

Ministry programs started back in early September, and I have two new things in my schedule. First, once a week I teach basketball through Coaching God's Way. Sports is an important part of the kids lives, so we are Coaching God's Way to teach how sports can glorify God. To make it more exciting and beneficial, we painted our rec. center's basketball court!

Preparing to paint the basketball court

Painted!

Second, I am teaching beginners and advanced English class at a center providing services to people with disabilities, called the Valdeta Trust. In Albania, people living with disabilities have little to no access to necessary services such as a basic education, physical therapy, and transportation.

A picture at Valdeta Trust from earlier this year.