“If you are an Albanian in Macedonia, you are a second-class citizen. These children don’t get to attend the good schools ...” that these families have let their children go. It has become a symbol of hope for these people,” Gilbert said. “I’ve watched Habibe love people like I believe we’re supposed to love as Christians.” While Iseni and Earl provide critical academic preparation for public school, the two also spend their days outside the classroom ministering among students’ families. Earl provides mothers with an annual Mothers’ Day celebration, as well as the means to care for newborns. In addition, children living with illnesses such as leukemia or
Serve
(Above left) At the New Year’s Eve celebration, children receive hats and gloves donated by CBF partner churches. (Above right) Nutritious meals are provided to children who attend the kindergarten. (Below) Recreation is a part of the school day, along three hours of lessons.
muscular dystrophy receive benevolent funds to aid in their medical care. And as an annual parting gift, each student receives a backpack and school supplies to begin first grade. Earl spotlights the financial support of CBF, the Texas Christian Life Commission and countless partner churches in allowing this holistic ministry to continue. She says the kindergarten is only possible through these gifts. The Earls plan to retire as CBF field personnel in September, but their ministry will continue. CBF field personnel Jeff and Alicia Lee, who were commissioned in 2011, will be relocating 6,000 miles from their home in Abilene, Texas, to minister in Skopje. The couple first visited Skopje last year with the First Baptist Church of Abilene, where members performed medical checkups, taught characterbuilding curriculum and accompanied the students on their annual zoo trip. “It really began with a sense of purpose
to go and serve the most neglected and ‘the least of these,’” said Jeff. “There is so much need in Macedonia, and we feel that God has really given us the heart and the passion for Macedonia and the Albanian people as we go to live and work among them.” Earl says encounters with kindergarten graduates are commonplace, as past students constantly visit from the nearby high school to express their gratitude, relive memories and tell of their plans for university. “Children are hope,” Shelia said. “From the moment Habibe told us about her dream, I knew this partnership would work. The kindergarten not only gives kids a chance for one year but for every year after. That one year opens up doors of possibility that they would never have had otherwise and lets them know that they can do more than they ever dreamed.” By contributing writer Blake Tommey
If you are interested in serving alongside the Earls and Lees in Macedonia, contact CBF staff member Chris Boltin at engage@thefellowship.info. You can learn more about the ministry of these CBF field personnel at www.thefellowship.info/earl and www.thefellowship.info/lee. fellowship!
February/March 2012
|
23