PEACE WINS OVER WAR 306 TO 239
(Editorial)
Before the television this evening, there is not much to be happy about. Not that the other evenings are much better, but today it seems to me that the world is running still faster towards its own destruction. The news of the war in Kosovo, with its thousands of refugees, its "ethnic cleansing", and its "smart" bombs, which only kill instead of using a dull-minded method, threaten to plunge me into a deep depression.
Furthermore, the anchor person who reads the televised news thinks it best to inform me that the war in Kosovo is only one of 137 other wars, which in this moment, are being fought on our unfortunate planet. I do not understand what there is that he is smiling about. The number of the dead, initially, horrified us all; now the number of the dead is just a statistic.
I turn off the television and go to bed. But before I fall asleep, there comes to my mind that passage in the book of the prophet: ". . . and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4). I go to sleep praying that all this may come about, beginning tomorrow. In the Gospel it is written of Jesus that He cried, but never is it written that He laughed.
In this moment, while I look at this world, I do not believe thatit has many reasons to smile. Then, however, its eyes are fixed upon those volunteers who offer something to eat to some refugees, upon those doctors who do their job without worrying about the bombs, upon those persons who are giving something in exchange for nothing more than a smile or a look of gratitude. Then, perhaps, our Lord will think that it was not all useless, that there are still in the world some persons who oppose the lucid foolishness of war, of all wars. Those persons who interpret and profoundly live the Christian message.
"The most terrible war is that which comes from egotism, and from natural hate towards others, no longer towards the foreigner, but towards the fellow citizen, towards one's companion" (G. Leopardi). A hate, let us add to the words of the greatest Italian poet, towards our brethren. It is not by chance that the Bible opens with a fratricide: that of Cain against Able. Violence is a seed always ready to bloom in man's heart. And from that seed of hate there are born all the wars, all the conflicts, all the fraticides, all the divisions. A seed of hatred which puts down its roots deeply, and that only God's love can eradicate.
While we are disturbed about the wars of the world, let us think about our "wars", those which we fight daily, which prevent us from living in peace with all men. "If it be possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men" (Romans 12:18). I can not cry and pray for peace in the world if, at the same time or a moment before, I have not prayed for peace with the brother who lives beside me, for peace with my parents, for peace with my wife or husband, for peace with my brethren. To work ourselves for peace must also say that I must be the first to lay down the weapons of those wars that, against my will, I find myself fighting.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be calledsons of God" (Matthew 5:9). To work ourselves for peace results not only because of a vague anti-militarism nor because of some goodness, but because I want to be recognized as a child of our Father.
I have a program in my computer which tells me how many times a word is used in the Bible. I made an experiment and I now recognize that the word "war" is used 239 times while the world "peace" occurs 306. Peace wins over war 306 to 239! That's a beautiful victory for ". . . to the counselors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20). We are not yet in Paradise, where all will be peace and every tear will be wiped away. But I do not want to wait for Paradise to begin being a "worker for peace", living in that peace which the Lord has promised us.
(Vittorio Vitalone)

FIFTEEN DAYS IN ALBANIA
The Lord permitted me to pass 15 days in Albania to carry the fruit of love of the congregation in Bologna to the churches of Valona a Tirana and to tell of their benevolent and evangelistic work towards hundreds of Kosovarian refugees. He blessed me by putting me along side of Bro. Stefano Spina, who together with Bro. Vito Ligorio, has worked for years in God's service in Albania. From them, I received the task of writing the following report.
The Lord has consolidated a new field for the sowing of the Word: the Kosovarians in Albania. Through the door of Illyricum (Romans 15:19), which God opened several years ago, Vito Ligorio, Stefano Spina, and other laborers entered into this mission field. Today the Albanian soil presents itself even more fertile than a few years ago because of the massive wave of Kosovarian refugees who have much thirst for Jesus. Our Albanian brethren have given proof of having big hearts thanks to the hospitality extended to many refugee families. There are around 300 refugees helped by the congregation at the Nursing School in Valona. The benevolent work of our Albanian brethren is worthy of consideration and praise to God, above all when you realize that several of our brethren hardly have enough to support themselves. Therefore, brethren, there is not a better moment for us to let them know who is the Doer and Inspirer of much compassion and love.
Brethren, we can do much to respond to the refugees' and Albanian people's needs, we can do much to alleviate their suffering, but above all we must mobilize ourselves to take them the Gospel of Christ. There is a need for laborers to carry forward God's plan in these beloved regions. We need mature laborers, i.e. servants of God who respect each other, have strong stomachs, and are merciful. If you have tasted how much the Lord is good, if you love to carry the Gospel of Jesus to him who does not know it, if God calls you to serve Him, then get into contact with the brethren who are already carrying on missionary activity in Albania and prepare yourself to leave. If you hear the call, do not think too long, respond!

ALBANIAN MISSION
Bro. Scott and Sis. Amanda Baine of the Viale Jonio Church of Christ in Rome left on May 31 for Albania to carry out missionary activity and humanitarian work. Scott and Amanda will remain in Albania for a period of about 10 days; they will help Bro. Stefano Spina and will be hosted in the house of the evangelist at Valona, Virgil Jackson.
Praise be to God that He has put into the hearts of these two young missionaries the desire to go to Albania to serve the Lord in the progress of His kingdom! The Viale Jonio congregation of Rome is particularly happy for this "small mission effort" because it has followed the lectureship at S. Severa this year which had as its very theme mission work. God willing, in the next few months, two other brothers of our congregation will leave for Albania to carry out evangelistic activities.
(Pippo Spina)

Pino Neglia of Lecce writes us asking for our prayers for the mission in Albania that he and other American brothers are about to do: "I am leaving for Albania with a load of 11 tons of shoes and clothes which several American churches have collected for the Kosovarian refugees."

Remember:
MOMENTI SUL MONTE 1999 (Moments on the Mountain Bible camp 1999) August 22-28
At Meschia near Roccafluvione (AP)

VALONA (Albania)
There are six souls who, during the month of April, were joined to God's kingdom being baptized for the remission of their sins; the names of these new brethren are: Aleksandra Gega, Erjona Gega, Migena Baho, Desdemona Korafile, Ardit Lisi and Bruna (baptized in May). Thanks to God, the names of these new brothers and sisters are now written in heaven in the Book of Life. To see many souls obey Christ gives us a great joy and is a recompense for the difficulties that we endure in Albania. All this encourages us and gives us the strength to continue to collaborate with our Albanian brethren. May God bless them!
(Stefano Spina)

FLORENCE
Dearest Brethren, with the present writing we want to announce to you that after "the pause for reflection" of last year, we will host again next August, from the 25th to the 29th, at Scandicci in the building of Harding University, our lectureship at the end of the summer for our churches.
The theme of the lectureship will be: REFLECTIONS OF 1 CORINTHIANS -"For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."
We will send you later more details regarding the speakers, the program, and the cost. For the moment, everyone can consider themselves invited for next August 25-29.
(from a circular letter of the congregation in Florence)

VICENZA
The program of the Bible school of the congregation in Vicenza continues to grow from its beginning in September 1995 until today. Thanks to God!
At the present time we enjoy the presence of more than 20 children, from those just born to those who are about 9 years old. The Bible school is divided into 3 classes taken care of by good teachers. We have created two series of lessons for the teaching of children and want to make them available to the congregations which may need them and will request them.  For information or other things, you can call to the Church of Christ at Vicenza - Tel. 0444-54.24.38 or to Suzanne Reed - Tel. 0444-58.07.03.
(Dan Reed)

ROME - V.le Jonio Congregation
Also this year, thanks to God, the lectureship at S. Severa saw the participation of numerous brothers and sisters coming from various Italian congregations, from Sicily in the south to Lombardia in the north. The theme, particularly interesting -- MISSIONARIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY -- not only excited the attention of those present but also stimulated and caused to be born several missionary initiatives, and for this result we can not but give glory to our God. On this occasion, the Sunday collection which was taken was all designated the the mission work in Albania, a tangible sign of how the Italian churches are, thanks to God, always having more consciousness of the need which there is to preach the Gospel of Christ in Italy and throughout the world. Our prayer to God is that before 2000 we can send other Italian missionaries in various mission fields. We take this occasion also to remind you that next year there will be a great opportunity to preach Christ to the millions of pilgrims who will come to Rome for the Jubilee of 2000. May the Lord give us a vision of the work we will have to do!
(Pippo Spina)

A study on the first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew is available. Whoever wants a copy can ask for it from Paolo Di Luca or from Paolo Mirabelli by sending a contribution for the expenses of 5000 lire ($2.75).

ALBANIAN APPEAL
Dear Brethren, God's grace and peace be with you all. Convinced of the concern which resides in your hearts for the tragedy of Kosovo and the difficult situation in which Albania finds itself, because of the emergency of the refugees, I thought of making known to you my impressions, after staying there for the past two weeks in Albania in the company of Bro. Stefano Spina.
The situation at Valona is troublesome in regards to the refugees who continue to arrive from Kosovo. The city already lives for itself a paradoxical situation where on the one hand the people lament of their poverty while on the other the only cars which circulate have many cylinders. The reality is surely between these two opposites. Undoubtedly the country's economy has a very short breath; thus, there are many people who live in poverty. The easy profits of the criminals have little authority in comparison to the general conditions. In this "unique" situation (this is the way Valona has been described by many Albanians with whom I spoke), the aspect worthy to emphasize is the enormous goodness demonstrated by many Albanian families who have in their homes around 10 Kosovarians. The majority of these families succeed with difficulty to arrive at the end of the month, but their hearts are greater than whatever economic consideration. This action caused me to value even more this people than what I had before coming to their country. In fact someone told me that the Albanians helped the Italian soldiers to hide themselves from the German troops during the Second World War. But the truly singular twist is that the Italian soldiers were in Albania before the Germans because they wanted to occupy it, but when the cards changed on the table and the Italian army found itself in difficulty because of the German occupation, then the Albanian people had pity on these young men in uniform who wandered through their country and hid them in their homes. This is really showing mercy!
The Church of Christ in Valona went into action immediately at the beginning of the emergency of the refugees to help hundreds of Kosovarians who found themselves in the city. In a particular way, attention was turned to the refugee families who resided in two gymnasiums of a school for nurses, more than 280 refugees, the major part of them children. Thus began the distribution of milk every day, personal hygiene products, detergents, medicines, and underwear. Furthermore, there have been registered about 10 families who are guests in houses which the Albanians put at their service. These families have been provided that which has been necessary to reduce the weight of the load on their shoulders as hosts. Other works of a humanitarian nature are being carried forward by missionaries and by Albanian brethren. The organization "World Vision" is dedicating itself to several building projects, such as redoing the roofing of the gymnasium where the refugees reside.
What is needed? Above all "human material". Bros. Vito Ligorio and Stefano Spina from the beginning of the refugee emergency have intensified their presence in Albania. Now however there is an urgent need for someone to substitute for them who will carry God's love with actions.
My prayer is that soon the Lord will send other laborers in His vineyard in Albania, in particular to the cities of Valona e Fier (where there is another very active congregation).
Thanks for your attention and may the Lord bless our efforts to His glory and praise.
(Maurizio Pezzanera)