Training in Albania, January 22-26

Travel to Albania

Our first training of a new couple in the new year was in Tirana, Albania where we met Elder and Sister Fotheringham who left Utah to live in Tirana and serve the people of Albania.

The humanitarian couples in the Europe Area of the Church serve in Greece, Sicily, Italy, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Cape Verde, an island nation off the west coast of Africa.

Getting to these countries involves small planes, transfers and a little walking on windy runways!

Sometimes we get dropped off right at the front door of the airport.

Elder and Sister Fotheringham are wonderful!  They love the people of Albania and have remarkable optimism, faith and willingness to drive on the crazy streets of Tirana.

We loved finding great Mexican food and Fanta Exotica in Tirana.  It makes all us gringos smile.

Beautiful Tirana with the Adriatic Sea in the background.  On this hill is a war memorial statue.

At the foot of the statue, which memorializes the courage to defend freedom, the land of Albania was  dedicated to the preaching of the gospel by Elder Dallin Oaks on April 23, 1993.

One of the highlights of training is when we meet partners who have worked with LDS Charities and share the same focus of  sustainability, encouraging people they serve to become self-reliant and work for what they receive.  Lucy is a young woman who is dedicating her life to helping the young people of Albania receive education.

 We had lunch at a cafe on the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

In Albania, 80% of the population is Muslim.  Walking through this recreation of an old Albanian market street on the road to the Kruja Castle brought back many memories of the markets in Egypt.

The Kruja Castle overlooks Tirana and memorializes the courageous patriotism of the Albanian people. It was the center of its struggle against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, led by national hero George Skanderbeg.

Entrance for the tour of the museum.

 Larger than life relief of the men and women who defended their nation.  It reminded us a little of Nephites!

Beautiful murals depicting the fight for freedom from the Ottoman Empire.

Elder and Sister Fotheringham after a day on the road visiting project partners.

Setting sun from the castle wall.  That is the Albanian flag. You can see the Adriatic Sea from here.

The castle view from the marketplace.

The town of Kruja

We had a great experience in Albania and know the people are in great hands with Elder and Sister Fotheringham.  Time to go home to Germany.