Before he died in 1985, Enver Hoxha, the Albanian communist dictator, undertook an extremely brutal campaign against religion of all kinds. Many clergy and believers in Albania were tried, tortured, and executed.

It all began in 1949 less than three years after the adoption of the first communist constitution, which had guaranteed religious freedom. Over 95 percent of all churches and religious institutions were destroyed, and a few were turned into cultural centers or sports arenas. Even the names of towns and individuals were changed if they were deemed Christian. Hoxha had created the first officially atheist nation in history.

Seventh-day Adventist missionaries, Daniel and Flora Lewis, were imprisoned for their faith. Flora lived to tell of her husband’s heroism in faith. He was beaten and tortured every Sabbath because of his conviction to keep all of God’s Ten Commandments, and he died before his sentence was up. In next month’s article, I will share the story of how his life touched others and lit them up for Christ.

We are eternally grateful to those of you who allowed God to use you to help us reach our launching goal and for those who have been praying for us.

If your heart is broken by the things that break God’s heart and you want to be a part of bringing the light of the gospel to Albania, please consider becoming a monthly supporter and prayer team member. Let your light shine for Albania!

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