| Albania |
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| Fast Facts of Albania |
Population: 3.6 million Languages: Albanian, Greek Major religions: Islam, Orthodox, Roman Catholic
Date entered by WorldVenture: 1993 Number of WorldVenture workers: 3
Location of WorldVenture work: Korçe district |
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| The Land and the People of Albania |
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Albania is a mountainous country located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Greece, Macedonia, and the Yugoslavian republics of Montenegro and Serbia border the country. The climate of Albania is moderate even in the mountains; along the Adriatic coast, temperatures are mild, with hot, dry summers and rainy winters. Albanians are descended primarily from Illyrians, an ancient people group mentioned in the New Testament (Rom. 15:19). Through the centuries, the Romans, the Slavs, and finally, the Turks-who introduced Islam into the region-conquered the country. Several distinct ethnic groups live in modern-day Albania, including Romanians, gypsies, Macedonians and Greeks. The majority of marriages in Albania are arranged, and on the whole, there is a low incidence of divorce. However, recent influences from the West are having a negative impact on dating, courtship, marriage and family life. Albania became an independent republic in 1920, but fell under Communist rule following the end of World War II. By the late 1960s, the government had banned all religious expression. In 1990 Albania ended more than four decades of Communist control and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult. The Albanian government is dealing with severe unemployment, the collapse of a nationwide investment scheme, widespread organized crime and the influx of multitudes of refugees from war in neighboring Kosovo. Yet with all the hardships Albania has experienced, the people continue to be highly literate, hospitable, friendly and loyal.
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Albania Map | Satellite
Click and drag the map. Use the zoom tool on the right to zoom down on a city or area. Click the Hybrid view to see both map and satellite imagery; click the Satellite view to see satellite imagery. |
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| WorldVenture's Work in Albania |
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The focus of WorldVenture’s team in Albania is evangelism, pioneer church planting, mentoring, discipleship and ministry education. WorldVenture personnel partner with co-workers from various cultural backgrounds to provide training, mentoring and equipping to Albanian nationals who come from primarily (but not exclusively) Islamic backgrounds, as well as to Christians from Central and Eastern Europe. WorldVenture workers have also recently been on the front lines of Kosovar refugee work, along with international partners from Italy, Brazil and other churches. List ministry opportunities in Albania
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| Goals and Future Direction of the Work |
| WorldVenture workers in Albania are hopeful that the future will bring significant breakthroughs in the areas of unity, responsiveness, spiritual understanding and the raising up of indigenous leadership. It is hoped recent that cross-cultural networking among mission workers will yield a bountiful spiritual harvest. |