December 2025 Prayer Letter
News from Norman:
This January marks the 25th anniversary of Mary and me living in Albania. So much has changed since we first arrived. What was once a place many tourists avoided has become the fastest-growing tourist destination in Europe.
The country’s infrastructure has been completely transformed as well. Often, as Mary and I drive through different neighborhoods, we barely recognize them anymore. Demographics have shifted significantly; while most Albanians lived in rural areas in 2001, today urban residents outnumber rural residents. As of 2025, approximately 70% of the population lives in cities—and that certainly feels true when I sometimes spend more time trying to exit the freeway than I do driving on it!
Despite all these visible changes to the Albanian landscape, the greatest transformation we have witnessed is Christ changing hearts. That is a change truly worth witnessing!
Fall Festival
In November, we were blessed to host a Fall Festival at the church—a special evening of food, fellowship, and reflection. I had the privilege of speaking on the importance of cultivating a spiritual harvest. It was especially meaningful to see several family members attend who don’t normally come to church.
One of the decorations that evening was a large pumpkin where people were invited to write something they were thankful for with a permanent marker. Mary wrote, “Our church family.” Reading that made me reflect on how different the lives of those we minister to might be if they had never encountered Christ. I wouldn’t be able to call them my brothers and sisters in Christ—and that would be tragic.
It is a humbling reminder of what a privilege it is to be called children of God, and how grateful we should be that we can gather together to celebrate our Heavenly Father, from whom all blessings flow.
News from Mary:
Thank you for continuing to pray for and support the work here. I wanted to share an update on how God has been moving over the past few months and to invite you to pray with us.
Ladies Crafting Group
After returning from camp in mid-September, the Ladies Crafting Group truly took off. We now meet weekly for a short devotion followed by time spent knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, and visiting together. The fellowship has been sweet, and many of the ladies have expressed deep gratitude for this group and the encouragement it brings.
One unexpected blessing is that this group has opened the door for a daily Bible study among the women. We have a designated chat group for daily readings and discussion questions, which allows us to interact throughout the week. During our weekly craft meetings, we then share what God has been teaching us. We have welcomed a few new ladies, and since Christmas, two more have expressed interest. Please pray that they will be able to attend regularly, as work schedules can make consistency difficult.
Invited Family
On a personal note, I am praying for a family of four we recently met. They have two young daughters, and the parents are friendly and open. They currently do not have a church home, as their previous church closed during COVID. Please pray that they would visit our church and truly feel the love of God there.
Thank you as well for your prayers for my healing ankle. I am now out of the boot and walking normally. I attended physical therapy for several weeks, which helped tremendously. I am also thankful that my migraines were much lighter during November and December. I will have my routine injections in Greece on February 6, and I appreciate your continued prayers.
Outreach Activities
We have also been hosting monthly outreach activities as opportunities to share the Gospel. One month, I worked myself to exhaustion trying to make everything perfect—decorations, food, music, games, and a message from God’s Word. Although the evening went well, I left completely drained. God gently showed me that I had been striving in my own strength instead of allowing Him to work.
The following month, I intentionally did less—less decorating, less cooking, less worrying, and less striving. I stepped aside and gave God room to work. Wow. That evening, we had our largest attendance yet: many unsaved guests, some returning members, and our faithful regulars. I left with a light heart, once again reminded that the work is truly His.
Please pray that God will continue to water these seeds, small as they may seem, and that hearts would be open to His truth.
Thank you again for standing with us in prayer. We are so grateful.
Prayer Requests:
Monthly outreach activities
Serxho (he has returned after being away—please pray for his spiritual needs)
Men’s Group Bible studies and discipleship
Ladies Crafting Group
Young family invited to church
Praise: Mary’s ankle is healed
