Overcoming the Obstacles
Churches Inc in Kosovo
A small team recently visited Kosovo on a Churches inc
outreach to encourage local churches to overcome the
obstacles disabled people face in belonging and
contributing to church life.
The trip culminated in a special Sunday morning service
where the team were given a very warm welcome. Alison
gave a presentation on “Do disabled people matter to
God?” which led very well into Mike’s sermon focussed on
the “Through the Roof” story. Mike’s blind friend Gezim,
from Pristina, joined the team and read Scripture from his
Braille Bible. The fellowship really took hold of the message
and the Pastor committed to make his church an inclusive
place. The church administrator also promised that the
upcoming refurbishment of the church building would
definitely include a lift—handy, as they meet on the first
floor! The team felt that it just needed one church to catch
the vision of inclusion, and then hopefully the message
would spread to other churches.
The team found many challenges and obstacles to
inclusion, including a lack of funding for services; poverty;
and poor roads; all creating an environment that was very
difficult for disabled people and any services that might
seek to support them. They met with families and
organisations who are doing remarkable work despite the
tough conditions, including a Christian physiotherapist who
treats Christians for free; the only special needs school in
Kosovo; and Handikos, who work with many disabled
people in the area. People are taking steps to create their
own networks where the government has let them down,
The Kosovo team meeting up with local friends
Sharing Bible stories with accessible Parachute games
many of which are doing an amazing job. Another positive
of the week-long trip is that the message our team shared
with people clearly touched the heart of the team’s
translator, Granita. She has decided she wants to work in
the area of disability and additional needs.
There’s more from the trip in Mike’s article earlier in the
newsletter, and you can find out more about joining a
Churches Inc trip by contacting [email protected]
or calling 01372 724495.
Get on Board
We’re delighted to welcome two new Trustees to the
Through the Roof Board, to further strengthen the charity’s
capability of meeting its governance and oversight
responsibilities.
Simon Dennis is a businessman, who is Founder and
Chairman of Flowstore Systems Ltd. His Christian faith has
hugely influenced how he conducts his business which has
had a very positive effect on his staff team. The company
has grown significantly over its 30 years and generously
contributes a proportion of its profits to our Wheels for the
World programme. We hope Simon’s ‘compassionate
commercialism’ will help TTR be even more efficient and
effective in doing the Father’s business.
Rob Dalton is a qualified A & E nurse with a passion for
mission and evangelism and brings medical knowledge
and expertise from working both in the UK and developing
countries. Despite his youthfulness (he recently turned 30)
www.throughtheroof.org
Rob (r) on the Wheels Kenya trip
Rob has had experience of leading several Wheels teams to
Africa and could help translate best practice from the
front-line to the policies and procedures of the organisation
to maintain its good health. Please do pray for Simon and
Rob in their new role, along with all our Trustees, as they
discern God’s leading for the charity.