2020

Our tailoring project is complete!  In addition to their skill,  they were encouraged  with the real hope that comes from God. Some of them were from Muslim background, some Catholic and one a Christian. All expressed deep gratitude for this opportunity. All of them feel much more confident and happy with their skill to sew clothes for their children, things for their houses, products to sell, or find a paid work in a factory. Their children say they can see differences in their mothers.  ‘They are more calm, smile more often and are more patient with us, less shouting in our families.’

Aleksandra’s son suffers from epilepsy and needs medication.  Her skill helps her with these expenses and she can work from home.  Tereza brought her two children, ages 7 and 4, to the class for safety reasons.  They enjoyed playing, drawing. and coloring.

I share these two women’s experience because the benefits of what we do extend far beyond the women gaining a skill.  Children watch, hear, are impacted.  Some learn tailoring too.  Women of different faiths learn together, and know that God loves them.

Sadly, I have not been able to travel there for the graduation. When these disruptive days of the pandemic have passed, I’ll be back it Shkoder and celebrate with them.  Enjoy the pictures.

 

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How God changes one’s heart.  Bob and I visited a shattered Albania in 1999. Gun turrets near the airport, crumbling sidewalks, if they existed, and a few Christians struggling to find their voice.  Under communist rule, the word “grace” was removed from their vocabulary.  No radio partnership was established.  Buckled in to leave, an attempted hijacking delayed our departure, ended with the perpetrator escorted off at gun point. Wheels up applause erupted.! We were glad to leave this sad state.

God’s plan unfolds.  Bob in Heaven, a radio entrepreneur contacted me to help their widows. I fell in love with Leda’s ministry, Radio 7, her heart, the widows I met, their stories, their courage through trauma, even murder, and blood feud.  Albania is rising again!

Widow Connection now has two completed projects there, training women with little hope to be self sufficient.  And we’re back!  Shkoder, 10 students, hungering to learn and be self sufficient.  They will learn more of God’s great love for them, spiritual support, as well as a new skill.