Revitalising the Dervishi family
The Dervishi family come from Albania. Life is tough. They struggled to make ends meet and withdrew from others in their village.
Then a Mission Without Borders co-ordinator visited this family of five. It was obvious that they were in need of a great deal of help, both financially and spiritually.
Receiving care
The co-ordinator encouraged them to enrol in the Family to Family programme. Since joining, the Dervishis want to step forward and change things for themselves. First the youngest boy, Sidorel, then his brother and his parents, have experienced a change for the better. ‘MWB has shown us so much care. The pastor of the church often drops by to see how we are doing’, says Mr Dervishi.
Now, they read the Bible together. Before, they didn’t even know what the Bible was, or who God was. The children are much more active than they used to be, and they have much higher self-esteem. They’ve made new friends.
Sidorel also goes to the children’s club at the local church. ‘I have a lot of friends there and I enjoy my time at the club, where we play and read the Bible. Every time I read another story, I learn something new from the Bible. I remember everything I read and I always read carefully to help me remember’, he said.
More and more change for the better
Each visit by the coordinator brings more surprises and news of success. Mr Dervishi now works as a bricklayer, and his wife looks after the home and is now more committed to her family. ‘When I have time,’ she said ‘I read a small passage from the Bible I received at the ladies’ meeting. I prefer to read the Psalms, because they are short passages and they encourage me.’ Their eldest son works out in the fields.
Over the two years since the Dervishis first joined Family to Family, they have become a communicative, supportive and loving family. They have found faith in Christ and they have grown in self respect.
Mrs Dervishi told us ‘I am really blessed when you visit us. And through your love and blessings you have brought us hope’.
