I haven't posted in a while. Between head-colds and programs, seminars and summer weddings, time just keeps flying past me! Tonight I happened to have some alone time at home with our youngest daughter (age one and a half). At one point she walked over to me and asked for a piece of bread, then did a happy little dance when I gave her some. I immediately had one of those parenting moments of awe, where it's like, "Oh my gosh, I'm not just "at home with the baby," I'm at home with my little girl, she's growing up! Aahh!" Haha, yep, the time is speeding by!
Anyhow, here is a quick update on us and what is going on here in Kosovo!
1) Firstly, many of you know that about a month and a half ago our dear friend, fellow missionary, and pastor of the Church here in Malisheve went to be with the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly. I have tried more than once to write about this, but it's so hard. I have too many words and not enough words and it's just so confusing. Life here kept moving forward, slow and constant, but I kept wanting to go back to that moment, that phone call and have time stop there because it felt like I needed a few years just to wrap my brain around it all. I know that God did indeed bring us here for "a time such as this" and I am so glad that we were able to be here with the church when this happened. My heart aches for Randy's family, his wife and his children and grandchildren, all of whom I am blessed to have as friends. His daughter Rachael and son Calvin are also working here in Kosovo in ministry with their families and his daughter Chelsea along with her husband and daughter will be visiting this fall ( -they reside currently in CA, but have both also lived in and worked with the church in Kosovo.) Jeff Harry, Randy's son-in-law, will be taking over the responsibilities of lead pastor here in Malisheve.
We miss Randy so much, but we also know that he is in heaven with Christ now and have assurance that we will all be together again one day! Randy was taken to be buried in California and his wife, Lycia, will be returning to Kosovo in October. We miss her lots and are excited to have her back with us! The body of believers here are strong and faithful, if anything this has brought everyone closer and it is amazing to watch God working through all of this. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We have seen this displayed so clearly these last weeks and we praise him for it. God is good and he is true to His Word!
2) The discipleship program that was begun two weeks before Randy's passing was continued and brought to a close. All those who attended were able to finish and receive their certificates, praise the Lord! Hasan was blessed to teach one of the classes, The Attributes of God. About 12 young people attended this program which was held four days a week for four weeks and those who participated also received new Bibles at the completion of the course.
3) Only a few days ago we returned home after a week spent in Durres, Albania where Hasan participated in an inductive Bible Study seminar, taught by Jeff Harry. It was a great trip, despite me having a nasty head cold. Hasan learned a lot and we all got some much needed R&R and great family time during our down time there.
4) Just today we took our kids to a large park outside of the capitol city. While Hasan was helping one of our little ones in the bathroom a man approached me and began to ask questions about where I was from, why I would chose to live in Kosovo when I could be living in America, and so on and so forth. I shared the gospel with him very clearly and though he is a practicing Muslim, was very interested to talk with us (Hasan joined me after a bit) and then while I took the kids to play, he and Hasan had a great conversation. Please pray for this man, he could not accept that Jesus could be God, nor that God could have a son, but he was very open and interested in what we had to say and seeds were definitely planted. Pray that God will bring others into his life who will share the Truth with him, pray that God will water those seeds!
5) A few prayer requests~ Please pray for our health, I still haven't kicked this awful cold and the kids are feeling under the weather too now :( .
~Our days are busy with starting a new homeschool curriculum (Konos) and I would appreciate prayers for our schooling. The kids really like it so far and so do I. I love taking my children in my lap and teaching them, it is a wonderful feeling.
~Pray for Hasan, Urim, and Jeff, the leaders here in the church, as well as for all of the local believers as we continue through this transitional time.
~Lastly, I would like to share that an opportunity has opened up for Hasan to speak on the radio for 5 minutes each week on the Bible and Christianity. This is huge considering the large Muslim population here. The area that this will be broadcast to has around 54,000 people in it. Please pray for hearts to be touched!
Let us know how we can pray for YOU! We love you all! Your support and prayers bless and encourage us daily! We truly praise God for each and every one of you!
Love in Him,
The Bytyqi family
