If you were to be visiting Albania this week, you’d be sure to notice posters draping city buildings and dotting the sidewalks that advertise local elections to be held on May 8th.

Two campaign slogans have stood out to me:

• Slogan #1: “E vetmja rrugë për Tiranën, e vetmja rrugë për Shqipërinë.” Translation:
  “The only way for Tirana, the only way for Albania.”

• Slogan #2: “Ju jeni të parët. Tirana është e para.” Translation:
  “You are first. Tirana is first.”

Very bold declarations, don’t you think? Especially claiming to be “the only way” for Tirana.

And, it is a rare event in Albania to see Slogan #2 put into action. (“You are first, Tirana is first”).

In fact, if you ask most Albanians, they’d readily agree that politicians seem to have only one thing in mind—personal advancement resulting in material gain.

As Christians around the world reflect on the meaning of Easter this week, I too, remember the One who did not paint the city with gutsy campaign slogans or empty promises, but who demonstrated what it truly means to lead by serving and to love by sacrificing.

Jesus claimed in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Those are radical words. Even for Jesus. Many people today balk at that statement.

Yet Jesus bodily and painfully demonstrated that He put:

You,
Me,
Tirana,
Albania,
and the whole world

FIRST

when He died on the cross in our place,

taking our sins upon Himself,

experiencing the worst kind of death,

so that we could fellowship with the Father

and experience eternal life.

The Apostle Paul describes this radical kind of ‘putting others first’ in Philippians 2:3-8:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”

It wasn’t just a slogan for Jesus.

He embodied true humility, servanthood, unconditional love, & sacrifice. In doing so, Jesus became the only Way, the only Hope for our broken cities and our sin-marred lives.

Imagine thinking each day that this may truly be your last day on earth. Imagine kissing your wife and kids goodbye in the morning with a lurch in your stomach as you wonder if you’ll be alive to hold them again in the evening. Imagine looking over your shoulders and wondering if you are being followed as you go to the store, to church, or to pick up your kids from school. Imagine risking your life every time you dare venture outside your home, all because of another man’s actions, whether intentional or accidental, that left someone dead.

This was Pastor Dritan (Tani) Prroj’s daily reality, as he stepped outside of his home in order to preach the Gospel, shepherd his flock in the church he was pastoring and serve his fellow citizens in the northern city of Shkoder. He found himself in these circumstances not because of anything he himself had done, but due to a bar room brawl five years ago which resulted in his uncle killing a young man. The uncle’s actions automatically brought the 23 male members of his extended family, including Tani, into a ‘blood feud’, making them a target of reciprocation for the victim’s family.

The majority of those who are involved in a blood feud choose the route of isolation and self-imprisonment at home, the only safe place dictated by blood feud codes (Kanun) where a person cannot be harmed or hunted down. Women and children are also exempt from the blood feud, though they still fear for the lives of their beloved fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons over the age of 15 who are explicit targets should they leave the safety of their home, even for an errand like buying milk from the store. Dreams of a normal life are shattered for these families– many children are kept home from school regardless of the code and their childhoods are void of friends, social events, sports and normal activities that every child longs to take part in.

Yes, it is the 21st century and yet blood feuds are a tangible experience for hundreds of familiies throughout Albania. It is estimated that there are 1450 families literally captive in their own homes because they are caught in the middle of a blood feud and have no way to escape its grip until the score becomes even. But ultimately it is a vicious cycle, one that never ends because with each life taken there is more ‘blood’ to avenge and little chance of families ever becoming free.

Initially, Tani too remained in isolation the first few years when the blood feud enveloped him and all his male relatives, though he continued to minister to his congregation from home. Given an opportunity to serve as pastor in England, Tani moved his family there but as they started to settle in, Tani sensed God calling him to continue to minister in his hometown back in Albania. Though limiting his time in public where he was an open target, Tani was active in serving the community and this past winter he led the distribution of humanitarian aid provided when floods encompassed the villages near Shkoder,causing many to be without homes, food, or clothes.

Tragically, three weeks ago, on October 8th, Tani was gunned down in broad daylight in a populated market and cafe area after leaving the church office to pick up his children from school. His 9 and 7-year old were left waiting, not knowing that the morning hugs and kisses with their daddy were to be their last embrace from him, this side of heaven.

Tani had his Bible in one hand along with his briefcase, which inside contained a written plan with ideas on how to combat this blood feud Kanun that has ingrained the idea of ‘rightful’ revenge in many Albanian minds who believe that following the code somehow supercedes waiting for 21st century law to hand out justice. The code is so strong that there is pressure on young men to take revenge for a family member’s blood (death) even if they themselves don’t want to. It is all about a family’s honor.

Last week on a TV program highlighting this archaic phenomenon, a local pastor involved in prison ministry told of a young man who was serving a prison sentence for having avenged the blood of his brother. When asked how he could kill someone at such a young age, his answer was shocking and heartbreaking. “For all these years, every single day my mother would curse me while eating, saying that I was having a homemade meal while my bother was ‘eating’ dust in the ground. Though in prison, somehow I feel I am more free.”

Pastor Tani’s death has been a wake-up call for the church in Albania and everyday citizens to stand up and bring attention to this code that still dominates the land and leaves hundreds of individuals cut off from society and fearing for their lives.

Last Saturday hundreds of evangelical Christians gathered at Mother Teresa Square on the main boulevard of town to peacefully rally on behalf of those who are entrapped in this violent cycle of revenge. In a solemn service several pastors spoke beseeching the government to open its eyes to this crisis and take action. Prayers were offered and 2 hymns were sung—the Albanian national anthem and the best-known Christian hymn, Amazing Grace.

Especially powerful and heartwrenching were the words of Tani’s wife, Elona, who spoke eloquently and passionately, emboldened by God’s grace and strength to implore all those listening to put an end to the tragedy of blood feuds through forgiveness. “True revenge…is in forgiving.”

Those words signify that with Tani’s death, this particular blood feud has come to an end, bringing release for the other male members of Tani’s family that were in hiding. Forgiveness is the only way to break the cycle of revenge.

Philip Yancey states in his book, What’s So Amazing About Grace: “The strongest argument for forgiveness is the alternative, a permanent state of unforgiveness.”

For Albania’s blood feud crisis – that quote could read—“The strongest argument for forgiveness is the alternative, a permanent state of blood feuds and vendettas, leaving lives shattered & broken and people hurting, hiding, fearing… not truly living.”

In one sense, Tani’s death is reflective of the Savior he loved and lived for, because in death, he set the male members in his family free from the blood fued cycle so that they can now live in the open. Similarly, Jesus’ death sets us free from the cycle of sin and isolation from God, and we no longer fear death, but rather experience true life in Him.

May God bring many stories of redemption through Tani’s example in both life and death, and may thousands of Albanians experience the freedom that he had found through a personal relationship with Jesus.

For a better understanding of Blood Feuds from Tani’s perspective in an article published just before his death, click here.

One of the distinguishing sights you’ll see on your first visit to Albania are the numerous concrete bunkers or pillboxes dotting the landscape. During Communism over 750,000 of these bunkers were built to provide protection from potential enemy invasion.

As an American living in Albania I’m continually fascinated by these bunkers. Whenever I travel to different cities, I’m enraptured as I gaze on them, sometimes surprised by their placement, high up on mountains tops, or their arrangement, seeing several in a row just a few feet apart. I’ve seen the creativity of Albanians who have put them to good use– building a garden around a bunker or with the very large ones constructing a coffee shop, restaurant or night club.

I asked TCLH how he viewed the bunkers when he was growing up and he said they were a “child’s playground” in which he and his friends forged their childhood memories.

For the older generation, these bunkers at one time symbolized strength, protection, refuge, indestructibility…

But with the passing of Communism, they serve only to remind Albanians of a past era ruled by a dictator who sought to keep them isolated from the outside world and fearful of imperialistic enemies.

When I reflect on a true refuge and source of protection in today’s world of conflict, war and natural disasters, verses from Psalm 46:1-2 bring comfort and encouragement to my heart:

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”

Unlike the bunkers of Albania that lie in waste scattered across the country, God is an ever-present fortress and sanctuary for us… He is eternal, His power is awesome, His promises are true. He invites us daily to take shelter in His presence and receive grace and strength for all of our needs.

“O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Ps. 62:8)

Today, October 19, is a national holiday in Albania, celebrating the life of one famous Albanian whose impact has been felt by every nation around the world.

• her actions
• her words
• her kindness
• her humility
• her boldness
• her courage
• her passion
• her mercy
• and her compassion for all humankind…especially the beaten, the poor, the downtrodden, the untouchables.

All these things and so much more make her one of the most memorable leaders in the past century.

Though you might not recognize her by her given birth name, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, you would certainly recognize this famous Albanian by the name she used upon taking her religious vows at the age of 21, Teresa, aka, Mother Teresa.

Hers is a life worth remembering, worth celebrating, and worth emulating. She followed in her Creator’s steps– serving sacrificially, giving up her life for others, touching the unwanted and broken, challenging political leaders to put words into actions to shower compassion on the forgotten, neglected, yet precious ones of our day.

What an amazing life, one well-lived, full of love and compassion. Mother Teresa believed we shouldn’t be paralyzed into non-action, so overwhelmed by the incredible needs throughout the world that we don’t lift a finger to respond, but rather, as stated in her words:

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

“What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”

Are you doing that which only you can do and doing it with great love to make a difference in this world?

Do you see the power of teamwork in combining all of our unique, God-given talents to do something wonderful and truly lasting?