March 2025 Prayer Letter

News from Norman & Mary:

We have been busy traveling on furlough since arriving in America, and it has been a joy reconnecting with family, friends, churches, missionaries who once served in Albania, and even Albanians! We have a planned meeting with another young Albanian man in Southern California. Please pray that we can be a blessing to him.

It has been so refreshing to visit supporting churches, meet new pastors, and reacquaint ourselves with those we've met before.

Our furlough travels have taken us from Albania to Michigan, the San Francisco Bay area, and Southern California. We were also blessed to briefly visit our daughter Bethany in Chicago.

Mary and I had the chance to visit my aunt, who has been battling cancer and was recently placed on hospice care. We would deeply appreciate prayers for her spiritual needs and comfort during this difficult time.

My mother in San Francisco has been dealing with back pain from a broken rib, which has significantly limited her activities. This is a notable change for her, as she has always been very active. Please pray for her healing and renewed strength.

We also ask for prayers for National Pastor Fredi and others leading the preaching in Tirana while we are on furlough. I was thrilled to hear that Eli, one of our young Albanian men, preached this week. Please pray for the church’s growth and for the faithfulness of its believers.

Please keep Mary’s health in your prayers as we travel for the next two months to visit churches in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. We plan to return to San Francisco before heading back to Albania in June. While her Botox treatments have helped with her migraines, she has still experienced painful episodes that have left her weakened for days. Mondays and Tuesdays seem to be particularly challenging for her, and she would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Finally, we ask for prayers that the Lord will use us to minister to the remaining furlough churches we will be speaking at and for traveling mercies throughout our journey.