Albania

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.

2006 CIA - World Factbook

YWAM in ALBANIA:
Challenged by Brother Andrew in the early 70's, to go to closed countries, Reona [Peterson] Joly began the initiative through prayer and going to Albania ("Tomorrow You Die"). When the country opened up in the early 90's YWAM with other missions groups formed the "Albania Encouragement Project".

A stadium campaign led to the founding of the first two evangelical churches and a DTS, and of a YWAM base led by Sandy Oestreich. 20,000 refugees fleeing Kosova for Albania in June 1998 increased the growth of YWAM Albania rapidly. Every ministry location in the country worked with churches and missionary organizations from around the world with practical needs and social support to deal with trauma. YWAM workers were responsible for food distribution, setting up a kids care programme and YWAM also led a social support program for Christian workers to equip them for listening, trauma relief and other immediately needed resources. In addition, individuals came to support the YWAM office and co-ordinate the work and teams. Two new works a church plant in Prizren, Kosova and an internet café in Prishtina reaching out to students, have emerged from this time of crisis, and with that many are coming to know the love of God through the practical way it was displayed in the recent months.

prayer needs:
-for resolution to continued tensions between both sides.
-that there would be unity and co-operation among Christian groups still working closely together in Albania
-that many more people would come to know the Lord.