State Side

We are both back together after about four weeks of being apart. Gretchen came back to the states on December 30th and Justin arrived in Chicago on January 29th. Gretchen had the chance to spend the first two weeks in Virginia with her folks, it was a very enjoyable and relaxing time of fellowship with them.

Since we have been reunited we had the opportunity to give an update at our home church’s Mission Conference. We had an Albanian meal that was catered by an Albanian himself. It was a great time of fellowship and the basement of the church was packed out for the lunch. We were so thankful for the opportunity to share all that the Lord has done in our first short year in Albania.

Now we are state side for a few months awaiting the arrival of our son, Samuel Scott! Gretchen looks as if she has stuffed a basketball underneath her shirt as little Samuel continues to grow. We are thankful to be home amongst family and friends and we are thankful for all the great fellowship that we continue to share with so many out here.

As we are away from our group in Albania, our team is helping along with some fellow Albanians in filling the void that we leave behind. Each week there is a different speaker in our group on random issues. We also have some who are helping out leading both our girls and guys Bible Studies. Please pray for this group while we are gone, pray that they would continue to be hungry for the word of God and that even while we are away that there passion for Christ would be ever increasing. We look forward to a very full summer and fall. We are praying that we will be back in Albania in mid-May if everything goes well.

Below are some recent pictures…
The pictures of my parents are when they surprised my Dad at the luncheon and gave him a gift and thanked him and God for his faithful service as an elder. He went on to thank my mom for her faithfulness throughout those years of being an Elder, as it is a unit that not an individual effort.

Ray introducing the lunch:


Dad not knowing that he will be presented with gift from the elders:


Jeff presenting the gift:




The room is full, we almost didn't have enough food:


Justin giving the update of the last year in ministry:


Justin & Gretchen met with Dave Patty about a potential networking and partnership: