We often take furgons (vans) when we travel around Albania. Its an interesting experience sitting in a van with 10 to 14 strangers traveling the bumpy roads of Albania. The music also gives you a kind of out of body experience. Some times I feel like a stranger in a strange land. Hope you all enjoy the ride.

At the beginning of this week, April 14, 2009, I took a one hour furgon ride to the city of Kruja. Mom stayed home and  I took Mirgen Hoxha with me. Kruja was the center of Albanian resistance to the Ottoman (Turk) invasion in the 15th century. This resistance was lead by Albania's national hero Skanderbeg. From the Kruja castle Skanderbeg was able to hold off the Turks for nearly 25 years. Picture is looking toward old part of city.
Part of the old town of Kruja. Cobbled streets with wood built shops and long roof eaves were all rebuilt in the 1960's. There is a gutter in the middle of the street which allowed for wet snow and rain run off.
In side the castle with a local vendor. I think he thought I could use a new hat.
This photograph, also taken from inside the castle shows a portion of the castle wall (right hand center of photo). White buildings on left are residences built inside the castle walls and still lived in today. The tallest building (center left in photo) is a Bektashi temple called a teqe in Albanian. Bektashism is a mystic sect of Islam, founded in the 13th century and introduced to Albania in the wake of the Ottoman conquest. It became very widespread in Albania in the 19th century and today Albania is the world headquarters of the sect. This tege was built in 1789 and is the oldest in the country.
Saturday, April 18, 2009, we had a YSA "piknik" at the Mother of Albania statute. Sixteen years ago (April 23, 1993) Dallin H. Oaks, an Apostle in the Church, offered at this site the dedicatory prayer to open Albania to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The day had started with rain and I was worried that we would not be able to hold the picnic. Even as we walked up to the memorial it was beginning to sprinkle again, but the rain held off. We sang "I am a Child of God and read the dedicatory prayer after which we had a wonderful picnic lunch.

Monday, April 13, 2009, was a National holiday. "Catholic Easter". Next Monday is another holiday, "Orthodox Easter." About 10% of Albanians are Orthodox Christians and another 10% are Catholics.  They celebrate Easter on different Sundays so the Monday following Easter Sunday there is a holiday. The 2nd Branch held a small Easter celebration on Monday. Photo of Mom with friends at the Easter party.
There was a water relay for everyone to run. The emphasis was on the water.
The Easter celebration was to be held at the Tirana Lake Park, but we awoke to rain on Monday and the party was moved to the church. The above photo is taken just before all the youth are released to find the Easter eggs which had been hidden all over the church building. 
Photo of Mom with young friends all dressed up Easter morning at Church.
This past week 5 missionaries finished their missions and left for their respective homes. We took 3 of them out to lunch the day before their departure. From left to right: Elder Cradic, Utah, Elder Kramer, Washington, Elder Smith, northern California. These were three very fine hard working elders. We will miss them.

Albania joins NATO! It was a pretty good fireworks display on April 4, 2009 as Mom and I were walking home after viewing General Conference. Lots of people in the city center "Qendor" and a very festive feeling.

We often walk home from church with some of the sisters in the Branch. From left to right, Palvina, Majlinda, Yonada, Mom, Ema and Ergina. Ema leaves this Thursday for her 18-month mission to Leeds, England.  Mom made a great comment on Sunday as the congregation was singing "God Be With You Till Me Meet Again". With some tears in her eyes Mom said, "I knew I would be sad leaving here after 18 months, but I never thought about these young Albanian missionaries leaving on their missions." A little later while giving Ema a teary hug good-bye, Mom said, "At least you don't have to leave grandchildren." We will really miss this wonderful young Albanian sister. I hope we meet again...
Albania joined NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) this past weekend. We were going home after watching a session of General Conference at the mission home and walked right into the big celebration at the Qendor (town center). The above picture shows some of the fireworks, opera house and minaret of mosque taken April 5, 2009.
The sign says, "Albania in NATO" But the real miracle of freedom in Albania is the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, comes the truth which will set us free. 
There was a wonderful feeling in Tirana this past weekend. Spring is finally here and the festivities surrounding the joining of NATO added some color downtown.
Sunday we had a baptism of this young adult, Marsida Korita. She joins her mother and younger sister as a member of the Church.  

Wednesday night April 1st, the 4th Branch had a Hawaiian party. In the foreground is Sister Hansi one of our favorite sisters in the Branch. We even wore handmade leis.
We even did a little limbo. That's Besmir the eventual mens winner going under the bar.
The hit of the night may have been the cracker eating contest. We came close to a major disruption when some of the crackers just didn't want to stay down.
My favorite part of the evening was the fruit sculpturing contest. Jule with banana girl.
We had a great turn out with many of our English class students coming to the party. 

Last Sunday March 29, 2009 we had a wonderful baptism. Elida Çuçi was baptized by her son Edi. We first met Edie when we arrived here in Tirana last October. I think he felt sorry for us so he hardly left our side for the first week.  We got to know his mother, father Nardi and brother Visi. We've really enjoyed their company and have had numerous social events with them. Edi is just now putting his papers in for a mission call.