 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
||
 |
The Lorings in Albania – Open Air CampaignersIan and Caralee Loring have been working in Albania for a number of years now, initially in Erseke and now in Korce. They have been involved in church planting, leadership training and pastoral care and support for many people. They have also played their full part in the relief of poverty and seeking to tackle some of the key problems and issues locally in Albanian society. They have, for example, set up a clinic (the Kennedy Clinic) to provide support for people with a number of health problems.
One of their important tasks has been help meet the needs amongst children and families. They have established a children’s day centre in Korce from which there is a “street kids” programme which runs for 4 days a week (this was started in 2003). On one day a week, the children’s homes are visited and there is much need. As the workers get to know the children better and build up trust with them, they hear shocking revelations of abuse.
They, and others, feel that there needs to be a residential children’s home in Korce which would house children in need and especially protect them from child trafficking. Some of the stories that come from the lips of children are heart-breaking. And there are lots of legal issues to overcome.
There are no child protection services, there is no system for removing children from homes into care as there is in the UK. Many of the “street kids” are gypsies who do not have the same status as others, who are looked on with disdain and treated harshly. At the time of writing there is an urgent search taking place to find such a building to house these needy children.
Please pray for Ian and Caralee, and also the children’s team as they seek to make a ifference for children in Albania and pray for the children, many of whom need emotional, spiritual andphysical healing. Pray too for the other work with children – the orphanage work which is going well and the home schooling for the disabled.
Pray also for the continuing evangelism amongst children, especially in the villages. At the time of writing, a large village summer evangelism initiative is being organised by Ian and Caralee based on Psalm 78: 6-7 “so that the next generation would know…..and they, in turn, would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God”. Teams of people are planned to go into the villages to share Jesus Christ amongst the children and families. Pray especially since there are rumours that a change in the law is being considered, making it illegal to evangelise children and young people under 18 years of age.
|