Open Air Campaigners
Publications
OACI Update 1999

Albania: Another Door Opens

Little did Ian and Caralee Loring realize in 1991, when they entered Albania to pioneer the ministry of OAC, that 8 years later their ministry would extend to Kosovo (or Kosova, the traditional Albanian name for the region). The Communist regime imposed on Albania in 1945 crumbled in 1991, soon after Enver Hoxha's death. And the dictator's boast of achieving an atheistic state, in which no churches existed crumbled with him. Within 18 months of his death, several missions, including OAC, had entered the country to evangelize, and over 1,000 believers were meeting in churches and home groups. Partnering with other missions, OAC has been mostly involved in evangelism and church planting in and around the town of Erseke. When Albanians were driven from Kosovo through 'ethnic cleansing', hundreds poured into Erseke, and our staff found themselves in charge of their welfare. Many of the church members helped by working long and sacrificial hours to feed, care for, and house these refugees. Teams also came from England, USA and Greece to help meet the refugees' needs. Many gave financial help.

Up to 50 refugees at a time attended the church services in Erseke, and an equal number came to the Bible studies. One young man, who had been seeking God, said he had found what he was looking for, and decided to attend all the meetings. Only God knows how many of these Muslims secretly accepted Christ as Savior, but two did make public professions of faith, and began walking with the Lord under difficult circumstances. When the time came to return to Kosovo, over 50 people from the church went with them to help rebuild their damaged homes, especially the homes of the newly widowed. One young boy, who had often helped out at the church, found that the Serbs had shot his father, uncle and grandfather in their home. Their bodies were found in the well, next to the burned house. About 55% of the homes had been destroyed, and 90% were looted. The task ahead for rebuilding before winter is enormous. A small house church is now being formed in Kosovo under the care of a leader from the Erseke church. Perhaps now is the time for God to visit Kosovo in the same way that he visited Albania in 1991.