Albania Mission: June 19 - July 16, 2005

On June 19th, myself and my friend Tomas will be driving 7 people to Albania. Round trip from Vienna this is about 3,280 km or 44 hours travel. We will first stop in Medjugorje before traveling on through the rest of Bosnia, Montenegro, and through Albania. There we will meet up with about 13 other people who are flying to this mission. Working with the humanitarian aid organization HopeXchange and the Missionaries of Charity, we will work toward the integral development of people and the fostering of charity and justice in the world. We are committed to the advancement of marginalized people, to reduce poverty, and empower the weak and oppressed to become agents of change by:

• Building a road 7km long to the mountain villagers about 2 hours from Tirana city. The existing road is long, winding, muddy, and full of pot holes. It is dangerous to travel on and nearly impossible to take by car. Villagers often travel by donkey or on foot for hours a day.
• Distributing clothes, medication, and food items like corn, sugar, oil, flour, etc. to various villages.
• Doing evangelistic work for the youth. There is an elementary school which needs painting,english lessons, etc. As well as host a free health clinic.

Please pray for us! Pray that we will truly bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people we meet. Pray for our safety while driving through these East European countries and for good health for the team. Thank you everyone who has so generously given to help make this mission possible! More to come when we arrive back in Austria.