Brad's back in Peje

I have arrived in Peje.  Relaxing at a friend's enjoying the balmy evening and a local drink.  As I sit here the gentle hum of generators can be heard in the distance.  There is a smattering of lit windows in the city.  The power has been out since I arrived at 5:30pm, its now 10:30pm.  The Italian Village, as the NATO Base is called, is let up like a little city on the edge of town and a swank revolving restaurant on top of an apartment building are all that shines to show that life is going on.

As I look over the city and see the few windows warmly glowing by the flickering of candles, I am reminded that even in the darkness the weakest of flames can shed great light.  The darkness will never overcome the light.  Are we not commanded to be that same sort of spiritual light in the darkness that surrounds us in this fallen world?  I am also encouraged to think that in this city dark and oppressed by false gods, the One True God has his lights, however weak, perhaps just  few sparks, that shine like brilliant lights by his power.  

How about you?  Are you shining in the darkness that surrounds you?  Take heart.  Shine brightly you are not alone!

(written on 7/11/08 posted only 7/14/08 due to technical difficulties)

Independence or Treason; Nostalgia or Time Travel?

On the eve of the anniversary of the birth of America, better known in this fair land as Independence Day we enjoyed the fun at the Drive–in-Movie. What is this you might ask? Well if you remember any of those great old 1950’s movies where all the teenagers were parking and “watching a movie” in their cars, well a place like that still exists today in a little town about 20 miles north of us. What a great time we had. We backed our mini-van/people carrier in, opened the tailgate/boot and got comfortable with snacks and sleeping bags to watch the film. The movie starts when the man who owns the venue likes. He aims for dusk but it seems to be a movable feast really. So until the movie starts the kids can enjoy free rides on the carousel and in our case we practiced our baseball skills. It’s a great family atmosphere and all had a good time, even if some of our flock weren’t able to fend off the sand man before the end of the movie.
The following day was the 4th of July, the day our forefathers committed high treason against my wife’s much older and more established nation of Great Britain. This day too was spent in merry making. We started by heading to a traditional small town parade with tractors, old cars, fire engines and floats. The hands of time turned back to days gone by when folks enjoyed simpler pleasures. And it was a pleasure for me to see my kids to enjoying an event that I fondly remember from my childhood. After the parade the kids enjoyed old fashion games and face painting. We went with some neighbors and had a great time. Following the parade we had more neighbors and my parents over for a BBQ, followed by another late night watching a fireworks display at our local park. It was a good day! Very small town and very nostalgic in the best possible way.

On the Road Again...

My life seems to feel a bit like the line from an old Willie Nelson song, " on the road again, I just can't wait to get back on the road again..."  Don't know if the just can't wait part is true but I am back in that same faux Viennese cafe waiting for me next flight on the next leg of my journey to the UK this time.  My flight leaves in about 2 hours so I am killing time, writing to all of you and keeping you in the loop.  It hopefully will help you understand my work, better and better.  

Thank you to those of you who prayed for my time in Kosova.  2 positive outcomes of my trip were: 1) meeting with the assistant to the mayor of Peje, Lirim Kurtaj.  He seems to be a "can do" kind of guy and is very interested in keeping our plans for a business incubator alive in Peje.  He seems to understand an investment mentality and is looking beyond donations.  Lirim said all the right things over a lovely machiato (a mini latte) along the river on Saturday.  Now lets see if he can deliver the Mayor and the city council like he intimates.  2) was getting Aferdita Kastrati, a woman we have given a loan to in the past to become an agent for the real estate company we have set up in Peje.  She is a real fire ball and doing quite well with the shop we lent her money to start.  The shop is going so well, she is board now and needs a new challenge.  Well, I offered her one over the weekend.  Already she has loads of ideas and plans so I am hoping and praying she will breath new life into that venture.  The investors have set an autumn deadline for viability.  Join me in praying we see a some major sales in this  3 month period.  

I am off to the UK staying with supporters and Radstock meetings tomorrow.  Hope those of you all enjoy your holiday today.  Brad

A good day so far

Today has been a good day, weather not withstanding. I have enjoyed the company of friends old and new here in the relaxed cafe culture of Kosova. The day has been a mix of business and pleasure as I had the chance to meet with an official from the city government regarding our longstanding plans for investment here in Peje. The discussion was positive and the language encouraging. Now its up the Lord to bring it to fruition. I also met with Aferdita, some of you may know her from her jewelery business. She is very successful in it and today I invited her to consider becoming a sales agent for the real estate company we have started. She immediately offered ideas, contacts and energy to the position. Following these meetings I had the pleasure of meeting with a new friend and discussing the religious and political history of the Albanian and pre-Albanian people; the Illirians. Paul mentions them in Acts. I still have a few visits to make today and tomorrow but all in all a good day and a very profitable visit to Kosova so far. Thank you for your prayers and support that allows me to be here and see the gospel going further and further. Until next time...

Meeting a client

Part of my day yesterday was spent interviewing a perspective client for the micro finance company I sit on the board for. In the adjoining photo I am meeting with a client and the loan officer for the deal. The man to my left in the photo owns the restaurant we are sitting in and is asking for a loan to complete an upper floor of his building to be able to rent it for additional income. The man to my right is the loan office. I am the one in the middle looking decidedly grumpy. Actually I am just trying to get my head around speaking Albanian again and keep up with the conversation.