LUSHNJE,  ALBANIA
   We were booked on Blu-Express on Panorama Blue.  Italian airlines...what can I say?  That bucket of bolts 737 was rough and noisy but we had good flights with no problems.
   We were visiting our good friend and fellow contender in the Faith, Tom Bonner, our Missionary from the Metro Church of Christ in Gresham,  Oregon.  Debby and I have known Tom since 1971.
   Upon landing at this small International Airport in Tirana and being bussed to the Terminal, we made our way through Customs and finally into the main area where we found Tom waiting for us.    With Tom was Olti and Sojana Mezini and Olti's brother, Gazmund. They are friends of Tom from the church in Lushnje.
   We left the airport , taking the highway, we caught a few brief views of the Adriatic Sea before heading inland.  We also stopped at a cafe to have some refreshments and chat.  It was a good time.   I had the smallest cup of coffee I had ever seen!  But it packed the punch of six cups!
   Dinner was Tom's choice...and a good one it was!  I cannot recall the name of this little cafe but the rest is easy to remember!  I had a Big Greek Salad for starters...so did Ron.  Tom had a different big salad.  I left only the green olives with seeds...not really a fan of those.
   The 18 inch platter of assorted grilled meats was amazing and much more than we could eat between the 5 of us!  It had an assortment of lamb,  sausages chicken and beef.   Very good!   In fact, we took the left overs home and had enough to make another meal!  All for aboutn $30.
   Sunday morning church was awesome!  We met so many people we were overcome!   All of them were friendly and genuine.  It was refreshing to see a group of people with so much joy in their hearts.
   Olti Mezini preached a great sermon while Alma circled us up in the back and interpreted for us.
   We met  so many, I can't recall the names.  Vjollca Cela  was a beautiful grandmother and one of Tom's English teachers.  We met a bunch of kids and teens.
   Following services, we met Ollie and Sojana for lunch at a beautiful restaurant, I think called the Royal Crown.  Not many people there to make it crowded.  The food was excellent.  We had some Greek salads, beef and chicken dishes.  It was a 3 hour experience.  Thank goodness they weren't busy!  Ha Ha!
   The next stop was to a shopping mall, a large variety store with groceries and everything.  It didn't take long for Ron, Olti, Tom and I to buy nothing, but it took the girls a while longer.
   Sunday evening we relaxed at Tom's place, snacking and talking.  Tom has a very nice house.  It has plenty of room for guests and an elegant sitting room.  His house has a nice veranda on the upper floor, an excellent place to sit with early morning coffee.  His front porch below the veranda is equally as comfortable where one can sit and enjoy seeing his 3 fruit trees loaded with oranges and lemons.  He has one tree grafted half with oranges and half with Mandarins.  
   They have been blessed with a very nice church building.  They have a large piece of the second floor in a high rise.  The white tiled floor and white painted interior reflects much light.  It was easy for me to be able to see inside this place!   The meeting room was rectangular with air conditioning and full length windows.  There were 4 or 5 other rooms where they could have storage and classrooms for the kids.
   Olti took a group photo of many who were in attendance while we were there.  Upwards of 50 people attend the church, although some seemed drawn to the beaches during these nice summer months and attendance was down today.
 Upon closing and following announcements, Tom got up and introduced us to the church.  Tom and I have a history of ribbing each other, so after he tossed a couple he gave me a chance to respond, by asking if I had any comments.   I stood up and announced that I had two.  The first was, "We need to find a wife for Tom."  Tom ducked as the crowd broke out into laughter.  "The second", I said, was, Tom needs a Smart Phone!".  Heads nodded in agreenent; giggles,  laughs and "yes he does" were heard.  Tom didn't let me say any more after that!
   I walked to the church building with Tom on Monday morning.  It was good to see him greet and be greeted by the local people out and about.  Tom seems to be acquainted with a lot of people and is well liked.  We rearranged the building's chairs and tables, even sweeping the floor, to prep for students coming in for English classes this week.
   Which reminds me.....I am going to see if I can be a part of raising money for this church to buy new chairs.  Their chairs are wearing out as chairs do.  They are also growing in numbe4 and need more.   I am thinking 100 chairs.  A comfortable, stacking chair can be had for less than  $50/each.  Anyone want a piece of this good work?
   When we got back, Debby and Nancy took off to go find postcards.  They were back in half an hour.  We all climbed into Tom's car and made  a stop a few blocks from his house to look at a monument remaining over from the communist days.
   We met Olti and Sojana for coffee and ice cream before Tom took us into Tirana to catch our 4 o'clock flight to Milan.
   It was hard saying goodbye to Tom.  We all wished we had planned for a longer stay.   We appreciated Tom's hospitality.  He is doing a good work and is well loved here.  I feel confidant that, even though the church is young,  that after Tom has left,  the seeds he has planted will mature and  his influence be long lasting.  God is in charge of the harvest.  Olti and Sojana are smart and seem to be strong in their young faith.  If they keep their eyes on Jesus, listen to Tom, and not be pulled away by the world, I believe they will make good leaders for this church.  Tom is working with Olti to stand firm in the Faith towards maturity.  So many people are pulling away, but Olti and Sojana appear to be strong and growing their faith.
   We wish the church in Lushnje, God speed!