Are you superstitious?

I've always been fascinated by the superstitions found in different cultures, and Albania is as good a place as any to find some curious ones.  For instance, many people here still believe in the evil eye, so they hang windmill-type things on their houses or rear-view mirrors with drawings of a single, piercing eye, which is meant to ward off any bad spirits.  Also, many houses and buildings in Erseka have stuffed dolls or animals wired to their fronts.  Ruth said this is a common practice, especially during construction of a new home.  The bad spirits are apparently supposed to confuse the stuffed animal for the actual residents of the home, and so do their shenanigans on the poor, weather-beaten stuffed bear or monkey instead.  Here you'll see some examples just within a few blocks of our home.


Other superstitions and traditions here have to do with birth and death.  It's considered very bad luck here to hold a birthday party for someone before his or her birthday, because it might cause that person bad luck before the birthday actually arrives.  You also can't hold a baby shower before the baby is born, nor can you visit the family of a new baby until 40 days after the birth.  Yup, that's bad luck too.

When someone dies, many families believe the person's spirit wanders the earth for 40 days before being put to rest.  So they hold two ceremonies: one immediately after death and one 40 days later.  In between, you should not visit the family, lest you "catch" the bad luck of the family and spread death to your own.

Ruth said it's very hard to convince members of their church that God is bigger than these traditions, which seem quite obviously based on trying to control the uncontrollable in life.  Last Sunday, Mark actually preached a bit on this, albeit gently, talking about some of the superstitions and then pointing to scriptures where Jesus tells us "Do not be afraid" (Luke 12:32) and "I am the good shepherd" (John 10).  Mark's church is very young. Maybe the next generation will put their trust in the Lord, rather than in superstitions.  But it will take a lot of change.

About a year ago, a family in the Erseka church lost their 15-year-old daughter in a terrible accident.  The youth group was hiking in the nearby mountains when a large boulder dislodged and rolled into her, killing her.  When we recently asked Mark about the family, he said they no longer come to church, nor do they participate in community activities.  "It is considered disrespectful to celebrate or sing joyful music for at least a year after someone loses a close family member," Mark said. "They almost never leave the house, except to go to work."

Can you imagine this, being so ruled by tradition (or superstition) that you cannot even process your deepest grief with the help of your church and community?  Having to dwell in your misery, for years perhaps, and never taste all the beauty and joy life still has for the living?  I felt so very sad for that family, and resentful of the cultural mores that bind them.  I know it's important to respect everyone's right to his or her cultural practices.  But I can't help wishing for this community that hope will conquer fear and life will conquer death.  I believe that's the life God wants for us here and now, even when hardships strike.

This is the scripture I've been memorizing and meditating on during our time in Albania, trying to let it stick to all the corners of my mind that otherwise tend to spin around like my own evil-eye talisman of worry and dispair: "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 4:4)