Who We Are

My name is Vladimir Dervishi, I am born and raised in Albania, this tiny and very ancient country in South-East Europe. After graduating from Tirana Univer-sity, I worked for almost 15 years in the Institute of Linguistics and Literature in Tirana, Albania, where I got my Ph.D. in Albanian language studies. In 1991 I moved to California, hired by the Center for Research in Language at University of California, San Diego working on the most comprehensive Albanian-English dictionary compiled so far.

After I was saved in 1992 I came to the realization that the only solution to the current problems my people are going through is the Word of God. The Albanian leaders cannot run the country properly unless they think godly, the Albanian people cannot overcome the painful sentiments of the bitter past unless their forgiveness is based on the Bible. This prompted us to embark on this challenge: the translation of the Word of God in Albanian language.
During 1993-1995 I was completely devoted to the study of the Word and the biblical languages. I studied koinè Greek and Bible in Christian Heritage College, and Biblical Hebrew in Westminster Theological Seminary. During that time, I started the Bible translation work, which went on for several years. Now the Albanian New Testament (a translation from koinè Greek) is available and is being distributed all over Albania. At the moment we are working on the very first concordance and Study Bible notes in Albanian language, which is scheduled to finish by the end of summer. In September 2002 we embarked on a new challenge: the translation of the Old Testament from Biblical Hebrew into Albanian language.
I am married to my wife Mimoza, born and raised in Albania. She has been a tremendous blessing in this ministry. God used her powerfully to bring this Bible translation project to a successful end. We have two sons: Andi and Kevin. Andi is nineteen and is now in college. . Kevin is nine years old and is in the fourth grade..