The Salvation Army Chatham

With his friends at Blythswood Care, Mike Rowley has been on a visit to Kosova. Here are his thoughts and pictures.

Mike Rowley

This country is probably more widely known as Kosovo which is the area occupied by Serbians. Kosova is by far the larger area where ethnic Albanians live. The team consisted of ten people. The aim of the trip was to support the pastors of two churches as well as taking practical aid. The team worked out of Gkjove (pronounced Jagova) which is south east of the capital Prestina.  British Airways allowed each member to take two suit cases each, at maximum weight thus allowing twenty cases of aid to be taken plus six guitars!  Kosova is really, really poor. It is the urban and rural areas where poverty is widespread.  Independence from Serbia was granted in February 2008 but Serbia, together with Russia, has blocked any further progress to date. So there is much hardship for the people. The good news is that the Christian Church is thriving and multiplying. Efforts are being made to raise funds to acquire a bigger building for the church in  Gkjove .  The team led a number of church meetings as shown in the  accompanying  pictures.

Buying food for families

Children sorting rubbish on the tip

Children’s clothing

Distribution

I’ve got new glasses

Congregation at Gkjove church

Town of Gkjove