HOPE

I wrote this and never posted it...

Our first team left Albania this morning. 

They spent Sunday night across the lake in Macedonia for what we call "Team Debrief." 

It is a day for them to reflect on and share with each other what the Lord has done in the last week. It is also a time of rest before they get back on the plane for the long trip home. 

Since it is only an hour away, Cory and I (and the babies) went to join them for dinner on Sunday night. 

At dinner, Cory asked them to share something about their week and how it had impacted them. 

This was one of our youngest teams and most of them had never been on a missions trip before or been around the lack of basic Biblical knowledge that is present here. 

Almost every one of them were impacted by the same thing. 

They were impacted by the same thing because all of the Albanian kids they shared the gospel with were impacted by the same thing. 

And that is the HOPE that comes through faith in Christ. 

Many of the Albanians they shared with come from Islamic backgrounds.

They said, "I don't have that kind of hope." "We don't have that kind of hope." 

"I want that hope." 

The hope that salvation brings. 
The hope of Heaven. 
The hope of Eternal life with Christ.

And I was thankful to be reminded of how this hope truly transforms lives. 

And we are constantly watching this reality...

20 Jr.High boys from Pogradec were also at that camp (it was made up of kids mostly from Korca). The week after they attended camp, our older boys from the Project met with them 3 days in a row just to build a relationship with them. They did a devotion with them from the book of Genesis. 

And this was so touching to Cory and I. 

Sometimes it can feel like we are simply spinning our wheels. 

There are SO many kids. 
There are so many PEOPLE. 
There is so much pain and brokenness. 
There is so much hopelessness. 

We want desperately to reach this place for Christ but there are times when we kinda look at each other (Erion, Melodie, Cory and I) and laugh at how "outnumbered" we are. 

But the beauty of true discipleship is that actually does reproduce and bear fruit. 

The boys that were in Cory's bible study all year are now doing devotions with and ministering to the new, younger boys. 

And this is biblically how we SHOULD grow. Not 4 of us doing everything, but raising up disciples that raise up disciples. 

Since writing that we have done another camp in Korca with a church from Chicago. There were a ton of new kids, many of whom have never heard the gospel before.

Today our 3rd camp begins right in Pogradec. 

This camp is the most exciting to us because it is right in our city. 

It is kids that we will personally follow up with all year. The ones who will become a part of our bible studies and youth group and ministries. 

Many of the kids from the summer project are also helping translate and lead this camp. 

It's incredible to see kids that were saved last year at camp now inviting their friends, sharing the truth with them and becoming a part of the ministry that will take place this week. 

Thank you for your continued prayers! 

Please pray for the kids who have been coming to youth group and bible studies but have not yet decided to follow Christ. 

Please pray for the kids who have never heard the gospel before. 

Please pray that in all of this Christ would be honored and His name would be proclaimed. 

Lots of Food

In order for there to be food at this camp in the mountains that we have created, it has to be cooked in the church kitchen 20 minutes away and then brought to camp. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After each meal, the dishes are washed in an outdoor faucet thing by some of the leaders in the church youth group. 

About an hour later, they set up for the next meal. 

Feeding 110 people in the mountains of Albania is no joke. 

Such a blast. 

And this is just a small part of the work that goes into this week. 

And it's so worth it because of stories like these: 

Last year Cory walked up to a guy at camp who was sitting at a picnic table bent over the Bible. 

He asked him what he was reading and they began to talk about the Bible. 

They talked about evolution, creation, the story of the Prodigal son, the gospel message and  Cory answered many questions this boy had. 

This boy began to listen to MacArthur sermons and and search the scripture for answers. He had many deep, thought out, complicated questions. 

He said he knew that if he accepted Christ, it would mean his entire life would have to change. 

And a few months later, God saved Him. 

Since then, he has gone through Romans and Jude in Cory's bible study, he has taught in youth group, he has translated for Cory when he preaches and he is going through Fundamentals of the Faith with the Summer Project. 

He also invited his cousin to youth group. God also saved his cousin. His cousin has gone through Romans and Jude in Cory's bible study, has become a leader in the youth group and is also going through Fundamentals of the Faith with the Summer Project. 

Now this cousin is at camp this week to serve alongside the American team. 

Yesterday Cory challenged him to share the gospel one on one with kids at camp. 

Today he told Cory, that since yesterday he has shared the gospel with 3 kids. 

When Cory and I talk about the work that goes into camp, the time it takes, the money put into it, and the hearts that are unchanged, we remind each other of boys like these. 

It is such a beautiful, clear picture of how God is working here.

It is amazing example of true, saving faith that bears fruit.

It is encouraging to us as we attempt to plant this church in Pogradec. 

And it is affirming to us as we continually evaluate the ministry taking place here. 

And it's incredible to see how the salvation of 1 can impact so many more. 

Please continue to pray that this would take place in Albania. 

And pray for the salvation of the lost, the growth of the saved, and the endurance of the leaders this week at camp. 

Ready, Set, Go!

1st Summer Team from Grace Church of the Valley in Kingsburg! 

This morning 12 Americans raced around Pogradec in an attempt to win "The Amazing Race," Albanian style. 

They were stared at, probably laughed at, and definitely embarrassed themselves. 

Just a day in the life of the Cramers :) 

I would include the details of the race, but we have 3 more teams coming for this cultural experience so I have to keep it a secret. 

Here they are learning a little traditional Albanian dance. 

What was neat about this Amazing Race was that we had the Albanian kids in our Summer Project help out with it. 

These kids have committed to studying "Fundamentals of the Faith," and to helping with camps, teams and other ministry events this summer. Our goal is that when we begin a Sunday Service this fall, they are in many ways the "backbone" of the church. So we are preparing them this summer to serve in the church and learn what it means to be  part of the body of Christ. 

They had a blast today and it is neat to see them bond and work together. We are coming to know them and love them more and more. Especially as we learn their stories, their families and their hearts. 

This spiritual preparation has been so exciting to be a part of and their has also been a lot of "physical" preparation for camp.

Up until about 5 minutes ago, there was no water or electricity at our campground.... 

Yes that's right. 100+ people about to go to Camp on Monday with no electricity or water. 

The water pipe was broken but we didn't know where. 400 meters from the source to the camp site and no idea where the problem was. 

Cory went Rambo and tried to search for it with some guys covered from head to toe and wearing rubber boots. Swamp. Bees. What a stud. I wish I had a pic. 

The electricity was damaged in the winter and getting it fixed has been a huge ordeal. 

But, there will be showers and lights in the end! 

The kids from the summer project went to the campground this week to get it ready. 

They spent a lot of time picking up trash...

And we have definitely upgraded this year...

We have bathrooms! 

And a stage!

 And a tent!

And just to keep the main thing the main thing.

 Why do we do this? 

Why do we ask American churches to send teams? 

Why do we spend time and money and energy to camp in the forest? 

Why do we teach English and play Kijabe-Can-Can? 

Why do we spend our nights trying to swat the mosquitoes away?

Why do we spend the early hours of the morning sweating and trying to hide from the sun? 

Why do we eat bread all week? 

Why do we spend hours with kids who don't speak our language? 

Because God uses it. He truly does. 

The time away. 

The focus on His Word.

The hearts of the American teams to serve and give. 

It's not the ultimate culmination of ministry here in Albania for us. It's just the beginning. 

It's just the seed planting. Some of the seeds do fall on rocky soil. Some of the seeds are eaten by the birds. But some of the seeds do fall onto good soil and the roots do begin to grow. And we will spend the rest of the year, and the rest of our years watching and working to make the seeds grow. 

Please pray for this first camp next week. 

And pray for Cory as he teaches in youth group tonight from Matthew 6:19-21, 

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither most nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in an steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." 

And in the midst of all this, Shiloh just 'doo-doos' which is "draw" in Shiloh. 

Cut your Brain

We continue to plug away at Albanian. 

I have gone through many phases in my Albanian language learning. 

You know how they talk about pregnant brain? 

Well I don't care what anyone says, that is a true fact. 

The last few months of my pregnancy with Taliah my brain just would not work. Like there was no space in it for anything new. 

I could barely put my dishes away in the right place. 

Conjugating verbs? Ya right. 

I would sit in the lessons and just listen to Cory and our teacher. 

I zoned out, got angry or fell asleep. 

Now, my brain is coming back. 

I have seen Cory and Blerina look at me a couple times in shock like, "she's back!" 

I don't think I realized how bad it was. I knew there was a road block in my brain but I didn't know how obvious it was. 

I have probably learned more in the last month than I did in the 3 previous months combined. 

And I am really enjoying it. I don't feel discouraged anymore and even though I know this will take a long time, and a lot of hard work I feel excited about it, not hopeless. 

We are hearing so much. It's so weird to know what people are saying but not be able to answer them back. 

The other day I went on a visit to one of my bible study girls house. 

Her mom asked me how old I was when I got married. 

"3 years." I said with a smile...

Everyone exploded. 

I thought she said how long have you been married...

I know why they say you have to be willing to embarrass yourself...I do that all the time anyways so I'm glad it's not a new experience for me for people to laugh at me in my face. 

Another thing we have learned is that even though you may know all the words to say something, that's not necessarily how it is said. 

In fact, the Albanian language is very literal...

You do not catch a cold. A cold catches you. 

You do not make a decision. You cut your brain. 

You do not call someone on the phone. You take the phone. 

The word for young and new is the same. 

If you are in another room and you cannot hear the person talking to you you are supposed to "take your head out." 

Something does not smell good rather the air that is falling smells good. 

If you want to ask someone what they are doing you can say "how are you passing the time?" To which the answer is "Good." 

So, even as we learn words we realize that it is a whole different ball game to put those words together correctly. 

More and more we see the reality that you don't really literally translate things. You have to learn to say it as it is said in that language. More often than not there is no literal translation. 

We will be learning this language until we die. 

But it is beautiful and we love learning it together.

And we are thankful that even though we are kind of mute, at least we are not completely deaf anymore. 

In fact, we can hear when people are talking about us. And it happens more often than I realized. 

I hear people saying "Is she Albanian?" or "She doesn't speak Albanian." Or "Where are they from?" 

So sometimes I answer when I'm standing right there and people are trying to figure it out. 

"I'm American." And then they just smile, kind of embarrassed and kind of surprised that I am speaking Albanian. 

They are actually really encouraging about our language learning efforts. 

When we speak Albanian they will say "Oohhhh you are learning Albanian?? Very good!" 

And one of the phrases they have that we will use until the day we die is "Avash, avash," which is something like "little by little." 

Avash, avash we will learn this language and this culture and this country. 

And one day, our kids will be correcting us on everything thing we pronounce and say wrong. 

What a day that will be! 

And here is Shiloh with her "Mamby," who has become a part of the family. 

One year in Albania

On Sunday, we celebrated our one year anniversary in Albania. 

This afternoon Cory walked into the kitchen super excited and said "That was the first time since we've been here that I have been able to pay all three bills in one day!" 

There is no online payment plan. There is no mailing system for bills. 

You go directly to the office, wait in a line that goes out the door, and try to pay your bills. 

Ours have been messed up since January. Sometimes Cory would be gone for hours and come back, the bills still unpaid. 

He had to go to a different office, or talk to the landlord, or didn't understand what they were saying. The line was too long, or we had been charged the wrong amount, or the office was closed. 

We've had our electricity shut off, our water shut off and our internet has stopped working. 

But today, the bills were paid in less than a half hour! 

A year ago, on June 6, Cory, 5 month old Shiloh and I left America with a one way ticket to Albania. 

First family pic in Albania, One year ago

And the fact that we are celebrating paying the bills, illustrates what has been "difficult" in this last year. 

Simple life kind of stuff.  

The cold winter. 
New food.
Health care. 
Learning to shop each day. 

Sometimes I wanted to just be baking in Malibu. 
Sometimes I wanted Ezekiel bread really bad. 
Sometimes I wanted to just go to the doctor. 
Sometimes I wanted to drive to Costco and get 8 carts worth of food. 

But yesterday I was talking to one of the girls in my bible study. I asked her what her parents thought of her being involved in church. 

"Oh they like it," she said. "My mom and dad have been reading the Bible and they think it is good." 

"Your mom and dad read the Bible?" 

"Yes the Bible you gave me. I took it home and my parents have been reading it." 

"What are they reading in the Bible?" 

"They started at the beginning. I have told them everything I have learned about God and about His son Jesus and how He has died for us and given us life." 

"And your parents are reading the Bible?" 

"Yes they read it together." 

6 months ago this girl wasn't even part of the church. She got involved through the Christmas play. 

Now she is telling her parents everything she has learned and they are reading the Bible together!?!

And this is the nature of our first year in Albania. There are so many stories like this. 

A boy who's Dad is broken by reading the story of the prodigal son. 

A woman who says "the seeds have been planted deep in my heart and I believe in Jesus." 

A woman who says, "I don't know what has happened to my sons. They have changed." 

 A girl who says, "My whole life has changed because of Jesus. Everything about me is different." 

What is long lines for the bills when you are watching Christ transform people? 

In all reality, this year has been so much more amazing, rewarding, and "easy" than I anticipated. 

I was bracing myself to struggle more often than not. 

BUT it really is true that watching Christ work SO clearly brings incredible joy. 

It makes everything else truly seem less important. 

And I knew this was true but I am kind of amazed at how I have seen this happen in our lives. 

Not intentionally. 
Not because we have worked hard to make it that way. 
But because it actually, naturally happens. 

And we feel privileged. 

We feel privileged to be in a place where the harvest truly is plentiful. 

There are extremely hungry hearts. 

It's like we've spiritually struck gold. 

Life has hard things no matter where you are or what you do. 

So, rather than feeling like we are "sacrificing" we feel incredibly blessed. Like its not fair to everyone else that we get to be here and watch God work in this way. 

And I understand that He is working all over the world. Obviously. 

But there is something pretty impactful about seeing him work in a country that just over 20 years ago was an Atheist nation. 

Many spiritual minds are blank slates. 

We feel humbled to be able to watch what God is doing here. 

On Sunday as we were singing in church I was thinking about the past year. 

And as we sang the songs in Albanian, I realized I understood almost all the words in every song. 

"Jesus is King."

"He is alive." 

"Jesus has defeated death." 

And hundreds of voices filled the sanctuary worshipping God in Albanian. 

We are so far from family. We are so far from what we know. We are so far from the culture of America. We are so far from comfortable. 

But, God is here and He is working. 

And more than anything this year we have seen that. We have been impacted by that. 

And when we think of this year we think of all the things we have seen God do. 

And we are thrilled for all the years we will spend here.