The spiritual darkness here is agonizingly deep—a seemingly endless black hole of despair. When we dwell on it, we are tempted to yield to the hopelessness that is never far from people’s lives. It continually chases them, nipping at their heels like a hungry wolf, tearing at their dreams of something better.

But then we remember Whom we serve. We remember the purpose for our calling. We remember how our weakness is an opportunity to rely on His inexhaustible power. We remember we are at war, and we know which side has already won. Attempting to bring light into this vast darkness by human effort alone is like trying to light up the whole country with a dim flashlight during a violent storm—impossible. But we are encouraged knowing that, with the oil of the Holy Spirit and the lamp of God’s word, nothing is impossible.

For many years, Jeremiah and Zephaniah preached messages of warning throughout the land. God’s people had wandered far from Him and become very wicked. At least one young boy was listening. His own notoriously wicked father and grandfather had left him with a dark legacy of paganism. Yet, somehow, the boy’s heart turned toward God. By the time he was 16, he had consecrated himself fully to God’s service. By the age of 20, he had begun to purge Judah and Jerusalem of their images and pagan altars and everything to do with idolatry. When he was 26, this young man—King Josiah—had his workmen restore the house of the Lord. What they found there during the restoration deeply impacted Josiah’s life. The book of the law was found after generations of neglect. After having it read to him, Josiah tore his clothes in sorrow and repentance. He wholeheartedly devoted the rest of his life to loving obedience to the scriptures and to doing everything in his power to bring his people back to worshiping and serving the true God.

If the lamp of the word could create such a fire in a king’s heart during a time of deep spiritual darkness, it can also set hearts on fire today in Albania and around the world. This is our task. Yet, Jesus did not ask His disciples just to distribute scripture and leave the rest up to the Holy Spirit. The last words He said to them, His final instructions in the Great Commission, were to make disciples of all nations and to baptize and teach them. This takes human contact, and it takes time.

We now have three sets of materials written by Rob Wilcox, former AFM missionary to Albania, designed for the Albanian mindset. The first set aims to develop people’s hunger for God. The second leads them to the Bible to answer their heart questions and gives them an overview of the major biblical themes and stories. This foundation will prepare them for the third set, which will lead them to search the scriptures themselves and help them to live a Christian life. Rob has been working on this material fulltime for two years. We are praying for a mighty wind to fan the sparks of Bible truth in Albanian hearts so they burst into flame for Jesus.

First, we need to get the lessons into Albanian hands. However, our own hands are tied at the moment because we need funds for translating and publishing. The cost is estimated at $10,000. We have been waiting for this next stage of our project for some time, and we are champing at the bit to move forward into evangelism. We feel like race horses anxious for the starting gates to open so we can sprint forward. Several of our Albanian friends are ready to begin these lessons, and we believe there will be baptisms in the near future if we can move them forward.

We know about the economy. We also know Jesus wants to return soon. And we know that those of you who want to help spread the gospel to the ends of the earth have heavenly priorities. If you can help fund this project, please send your donations to AFM marked “Mays Albania Bible lessons.” Also, we are always in need of serious prayer warriors. If you want to be added to our list of prayer warriors, email us at maysalbania@yahoo.com.

May the fire in your own heart grow brighter as you help light the dark places of the world.

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