January 28

Pray

• Sunday Small Group Meetings: pray we would learn about God and who He says He is, have soft hearts to hear from God what He wants us to d, and encourage one another. Pray that God would bring Albanian and Kosovar families to our group.

• Church-planting search/"get-the-ball-rolling" committee: 5 members on our team have been appointed to intentionally ask questions of one another and others to discern all that goes into a church plant. Pray that they will be unified in their discussion and have clarity in their steps of action by faith. Pray they would follow God's leading and be protected from the Devil's attack.

• The witness of KLA Christian staff to the Albanian teachers, janitors, guards that we interact with regularly at our school would reflect Christ accurately. (Many of them are un-devout Muslims.) Pray that their hearts would be softened to the truth of the Gospel, desperate for reconciliation to God and yearning to worship Jesus, the worthy King. Pray also for their families, that they all would come to know the Lord as a family unit. Pray that they would call on the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13 God promises that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

• ^^ Pray specifically for two of my good friends, Albana and Mimoza. Pray that I would represent Christ well and seek to understand the delicate balance of developing friendship and trust with offering them gospel truth and urging them to believe.

• Interactions with students at school. Especially in the wake of Kobe Bryant's passing, as conversations regarding the near-ness of death or the questions of 'what happens post-death' are prevalent. Pray that we would be ready and willing to engage them in conversation and offer them hope in Christ.

• As I experiment with new activities and developing structure and routine, pray that I would not be discouraged, but extend grace to myself and learn from the "growing pains" of being a new teacher. Pray that God would use His humbling of me to glorify Himself.

• In being challenged from an excerpt from Tim Keller's "The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness" book, pray that I would think of myself less and not be consumed with what others or myself think of me. Pray that God would strip me of pride in whatever ways necessary.

• Pray that we each would not only come to God with our needs and marvel at the way He continues to supply them -- pray also that we would praise Him, yearn to spend time with Him, and urge others to know Him, for He is WORTHY of it. And that is sufficient!

Praise

• Growing our small group with 2 additional Romanian and Albanian families from Mitrovicë. Praise God for answering that ongoing prayer of our group!

• Building great friendships and community here among both Americans and Albanians! Praise God for providing new rich friendships filled with warm hugs, sweet smiles, genuine laughter, honesty, and prayer!

• Praise God for the ability to explore and enjoy His creation in a new place, stay active, and have good conversation on several hikes!

• I have been encouraged by members of our team that I have been an encouragement in being here and bringing energy and freshness. Praise God for using me to encourage the Kingdom workers here!

• Praise be to God for His worthiness to be praised!