Answering "why" in Albania and Kosovo

Words of Hope has ministered in Albania for two decades and, today, the team there is entirely indigenised.

Words of Hope helps to proclaim the Gospel through radio and literature.

They already have established Bible study programming aired 5 days a week and a devotional program that is aired 2 minutes a day, every day of the year.

The Albanian team had a new idea for a radio program that deals with contemporary issues and daily life. They include a drama about the issue and then speak on that issue from a Biblical worldview.

After producing over 100 of the 2-minute programs, tragedy struck Albania which simultaneously opened up doors.

In March - just before the first program was ready to be launched - an underground ammunitions depot exploded near the country's capital city. Many people died, and hundreds were made homeless.

"Because there are many such depots buried in various places in the country, there is deep concern that this could happen in the future as well without much warning. So there's a great deal of anxiety," said Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope.

"It was a perfect opportunity to begin to air some of the programs that really speak to the questions of 'why.' That's the title of this short form topical program, and it helped people to grapple with the questions that this kind of tragedy raises," he said.

Albania has Christian radio stations and their signals can be heard beyond the borders of the country. Kosovo has no Christian stations and also has a stronger Islamic influence.

Although much of the influence of both Islam and Christianity was neutralised during the communist regime, there remains some nominal identification with Islam. However, there are some radio stations in Kosovo willing to air Word of Hope's 2-minute Christian programs.

DeYoung said, "We're very excited about this open door for missionary radio, or Christian radio, to be heard inside of Kosovo, and we hope, now that they are enjoying their independence, that there will also be a new dawning spiritually."