It is gut-wrenching to hear news stories of parents who have abandoned their babies or young children because they would rather not give the time and resources it takes to raise them. As parents, we can’t imagine what could go through their minds to move them to make that decision unless there was no alternative and the children could be placed in a better home. Aren’t parents supposed to be examples of self-sacrifice? Aren’t they supposed to be responsible to put the needs of their children ahead of their own? Shouldn’t parents love their child more than any other human being? If they survive, abandoned children often internalize a deep sense of rejection and wonder if they have any value at all. Feelings of worthlessness may follow them the rest of their lives. Trusting others may always be difficult for them.

Those who were hurt or abandoned by their parents often find it more difficult to trust God. Many have a wrong picture of God. They don’t know His character and sometimes wonder if He has abandoned them. For some, their view of what God is like is so horribly distorted that they cannot bear to believe He exists. It is less painful to be atheist than to believe in a god who doesn’t care about them.

When reviewing the history of Albania, it isn’t hard to see why Albanians have trust issues. As a nation, they have been trampled under the feet of foreign oppressors from ancient times to modern. It’s a wonder they survived as a nation. Their oppressors brought their religions along with them—first Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, then Islam. Some Albanians associated their affliction with the gods proclaimed by their tormenters.

When Albania was finally free from foreign domination, they became saddled with a communist dictator who was even more cruel and oppressive than the foreigners. The difference was that he was one of them—he was family.

This dictator, Enver Hoxha, wanted complete control, so he outlawed worship of anyone but himself. Albania was the first nation to officially embrace atheism. Each day, school children had to sing special songs to “Uncle Enver” whose picture hung on every classroom wall. Any mention of God, any sign of belief in God, would land people in the most horrible prison imaginable. Many were killed or died from torture or starvation. Enver Hoxha had spies everywhere and ruled through fear and intimidation. In order to survive, many people were induced to report their neighbors and even family members to the authorities for any infractions. Nobody was safe. Enver Hoxha even had those closest to him killed in order to eliminate any possible threat to his power.

These painful scars still mark Albania and affect everyday life. The only way Albanian people can find healing is to learn the truth about their heavenly Father. They need to come to understand the story of the Great Controversy so they can make sense of all the suffering. They need to know how infinitely valuable they are to God and how He gave everything for them. They need to know that He did not abandon them.

But just telling them the truth isn’t enough. Why should they believe us? Their hearts have been hardened like the trampled path in the parable of the sower and the seed. Before we sow the seed of the Gospel, their hearts must be prepared to receive it. Jesus gave the example of how to do this—by ministering to their felt needs. He befriended people, healed them, helped them and won their confidence. Then, after establishing deep trust, after preparing their hearts, he invited them to follow Him.

The example of Jesus is our blueprint in Albania. Though we have made mistakes along the way, God has blessed us. We have attempted to focus our efforts on helping Albanians and becoming true friends to them. One of their greatest needs is having a friend they can trust. You can learn a lot about the worldview of a people group by studying their language. The Albanian word for befriend also means help. Friendship evangelism is definitely the way to win hearts in this resistant people group. It is the plow that breaks through the hard topsoil. It is Christ’s method.

When our children were young, they were very dependent on us. Before we became parents, we committed to do whatever it took to nurture, protect and guide our children as best we could. When they were babies, they needed our physical presence almost constantly. As they grew older, they still needed us, but we gave them a little more space and allowed them to make decisions on small matters. Gradually, they took steps toward independence. Now, with one daughter married and the other at academy far away, we have learned that letting go is not easy, but there comes a time when it is necessary for continued growth.

The Albanians who worship with us are baby Christians. They still need a lot of nurture and guidance. Coming back to the States on furlough felt a bit like we were leaving our young children all alone. It went against our instincts. We have a sense of responsibility for them, we are concerned about them, and we are anxious to get back to them.

Three of our Albanian friends are awaiting our return so that they can be baptized. Others are just beginning to know Jesus. Then there are those we have worked with for years, patiently building trust and friendship, who have joyfully embraced the truth and have been baptized. They have been praying for a church building so they can invite their friends. They have been praying for our return. Now is neither the time nor the season for letting go. Now is the time for building their faith and teaching them to share with others.

We cannot abandon these new believers, but we need to raise more in monthly pledges before we can return to them. Will you help us reunite with these precious children of God?

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