Standing at my door was a neatly dressed, older Albanian gentleman. His bicycle leaned against a nearby wall. “He must have a good reason for riding up the muddy road to our door in this weather,” I thought.

With hopeful eyes, the stranger asked if I knew where he could find the American. “I am the American,” I grinned, shaking his hand. “What can I do for you?”

He smiled and introduced himself. “I am Kristaq. I have been asking around to find your home. After the communist dictatorship ended in the 90s, I learned about the Bible from some missionaries. They left Albania during the uprising of 1997, never to return. I believe in the message of the Bible, and I want to learn more. I read the Bible, and I have prayed for missionaries to come here again. I would like to study the Bible with you and help you however I can in your work here. I am retired, so I have time. My wife and I have been in Italy and Germany visiting our two sons, but now I am back, and I want to be of service to you.”

I was dumbfounded. It’s difficult to find older men here who are interested in Bible study since they have been so indoctrinated into atheism. I was humbled. God had sent this man to show me that He is at work here, and I can trust Him to carry the work forward.

Older men are respected in Albania, and they have a lot of influence. Please join us in praying that Kristaq will grow and become a light shining in the darkness. At our last meeting, he presented me with a hand-written note. On it was written in Albanian, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness” (Prov. 16:31). Brenda smiled. “May God bless you!”

Kristaq beamed as he spoke the only English words he knows: “Thank you!”

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