Christ and the Kalashnikov

by Ian Loring

The social anarchy that erupted following the collapse of Albania in 1997 led to chaos. In Erseke, townspeople stormed the military barracks for arms in the name of self-protection while rival gangs battled each other. The hospital was raided, the police station burnt down, schools were ransacked, the church came under attack and hundreds were killed.

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2001

Reviews

[Paul Alkazraji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southern Albania.

They said...

A trip out of the comfort zone

'This book is a well written, inspirational account detailing what God can do through the lives of a man and a woman who are totally committed to him.

It tells the story of how, after initial aid work among illegal Albanian refugees in the railway yards of Thessaloniki in Greece, Ian Loring and his Californian wife, Caralee, are led by God's Spirit to take the gospel into Albania, following the collapse of the Communist regime in April 1991.

The book catalogues God's bountiful provision for those who are willing, as Ian says, 'to step out of their comfort zones and go to the edge, trusting that God will be there to meet them too'. On many occasions in the ten years of pioneering mission work covered in this story, Ian and Caralee find themselves 'on the edge' in their service for him.

Following under-cover forays into the country in 1991, they eventually move to Korce in 1992 and establish a church in the town. From there the work expands to the town of Erseke in October 1994 and, after much opposition, a new church is born there. In 1997 anarchy strikes the nation, but the couple (with their unborn child) continue their ministry in spite of gun battles and death threats. Through all these events, they prove God's faithfulness as he meets them 'on the edge' physically, mentally and spiritually, so when they are faced with the massive burden of caring for 6,000 Kosovan refugees in 1999, and the sheer logistics again bring Ian to his knees 'on the edge' before God, he not only answers but provides Albanian Christian helpers to aid the rehabilitation of the refugees!

Read this book! It's a must, but it will challenge your paltry 'comfort zone' Christianity!!'

Graham Laywood. EN.

---

Inspirational reading

'This is a great book, an inspirational autobiography. It is the ordinary background of the author, a relatively new convert, and his simple obedience which is so striking, as it leads to such transformation in an entire nation at a time of real anarchy.

It paints no rosy picture and is clear about opposition and set-backs, but his discipleship will challenge you and God's work in that land will encourage you.

A really insightful insider’s perspective on Albania and Kosova in the context of change in Eastern Europe.

If you like this book I'd also recommend "Miracle in Mostar", which is a similar story about Bosnia during the break-up of Yugoslavia - equally inspiring.'

By Pete Husky on Amazon.co.uk

---

'read in one day... exhilarated'

'Ian Loring was a young man from Bristol, bent on getting rich quick with no concern for others and certainly no acknowledgement that there was a God. Then everything went wrong in his business life and while soaking in a bath, the Lord spoke clearly to him and changed his life. He set out to find what the Lord wanted him to do, which is a story in itself. He came to Albania as an Evangelist in 1991, as communism was crumbling, long before the anarchy that erupted in 1997 that was reported in our newspapers. With others, including Caralee, an American evangelist who became his wife, they brought many to Christ and when social disaster struck, the local church, with outside financial help, was able to do great things. Then came the influx of ethnic Albanian refugees driven out of Kosovo and help was given to them in Albania and in Kosovo as they returned home. I read this in one day, going from one emotion to another, and finished exhausted and exhilarated.'

Reviewer: Mary Bartholomew for 'goodbookstall'

New by Paul Alkazraji:

[Curt Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most amazing stories showing God's love and power that I have ever read.