David Brown News Blog

OCT 9th 09

2009-10-09T17:53:00.001+01:00

Dear Friends,

Firstly, thank you to all of you who have sent emails of encouragement (which I’ll put together and send to David), direct letters of support to David -and shown a continuing commitment and loving willingness to stand firm with David. (That covers you all I reckon!)

Gjystina, David’s lawyer, and the British Consul were in touch with me yesterday. (Gjystina had been away for a much needed break.) David also phoned me last week and today.

David and I talked about the different possibilities /next steps but the phone line was not clear. It will be easier to understand when I go out and meet with people who may have some clarity about the way forward.

The information I have currently is this:

Gjystina and Agim have 30 days from the Appeal to submit a request/further appeal to be heard in the High Court of Albania (in Tirana). The previous Appeal was on the technicalities of the procedure of David’s trial. No new evidence was allowed to be part of this Appeal, contrary to what you may have heard or read.

The Appeal Court must produce the decision in writing and once this has been done then Gjystina and Agim can be clear about the points they are going to appeal at the High Court. I may be wrong but it sounded from David that the High Court would continue looking at the procedure that was followed in the trial and appeal and not look at new evidence.

Until this new ‘request/appeal’ is lodged it isn’t possible to have an idea of how long it might be before the case may come to the High Court. That will depend on the number of other cases waiting to be heard. However it is likely to be some months.

The British Consul has reiterated the fact that his function is to look after David’s welfare. However, he visited David again yesterday and amongst the usual welfare issues, they discussed David and his legal team’s next steps.

He is happy to speak with me about David’s case if David writes a letter authorising him to discuss details. (Data protection) This David will do.

(Grant is doing what he can for David within his permitted remit!)

David has put a request in that he be allowed to remain in this prison rather than be moved to another. The British Embassy will support that request in writing.

Apparently David can choose to stop further proceedings (to the High Court) and as I understand (from a poor phone line) an Independent lawyer can be appointed to examine the whole case. (That information may not be quite accurate but it is what I thought David said.) Also he may make a request to be returned to the UK (with his 20yr sentence) but with no recourse for his name to be cleared. However, his sentence would be likely to be much reduced once here.

There is a lot for David to think about and he needs to take time to digest the information he’s being given and to talk it over with knowledgable and wise people.

I am hoping to go to Tirana in about three weeks time. Apart from visiting David I hope to see various other people who have been so helpful to him and people who may have an insight into the best way forward. David and Gjystina will be key in all of this.

If any of you have suggestions, whatever that might be or however whacky it sounds!, or if you have contacts who you may feel could be useful etc, please get in touch so that I can plan thoughtfully.

I ask for your prayers that I may hear clearly what the Lord asks me to do whilst there.

Before going out I’ll visit his mum, Sylvia, and will see her again on my return.

David said that at the time of the decision being given at the Appeal he was filled with the strength and peace of the Holy Spirit which lasted five or so days!! Again David thanks you all for your lovely letters.

With love and hope,in Jesus

Allyson

David

2009-10-02T10:42:00.001+01:00

Dear Friends,

I have had a brief email from Gjystina. It is very sad news and one I'm sure no-one expected.

David’s sentence still stands. They have made no changes.

I can hardly believe it.

Ruth has now spoken to Sylvia, David's mum - a friend was with her to offer support when Ruth phoned with this devastating news.

Ruth has also been in touch with David's brother and sister.

Thank you all so much for your faithful prayer support.

I will be in touch again as I get further information.

With love in Christ,

Allyson

APPEAL 30th Sept

2009-09-30T14:55:00.001+01:00

Dear Friends,

David has appeared in court today and the prosecution have put forward their objections to the Appeal. However, the Judges have said that because it is such a complex case they need time to come to a decision and have called for the Court to meet this Friday at 9am (Tirana time) for that decision.

Unfortunately I didn’t hear the phone (I had taken things some things out to the garden) and got David’s message on my answer machine when I came in. He sounded understandably very flat/monotone – he must be exhausted. It’s been such a long harrowing experience.

At least the Judges are taking time to consider their decision and are not taking too long to let David know. I ask you to please keep praying -and that the Lord will lead the Judges to the truth and that the right decision will given on Friday.

I’ll let you know as soon as I know on Friday.

Thank you, dear supporters and friends of David!

In Jesus’ name,

Allyson

Update 26 Sept 09

2009-09-26T09:00:00.001+01:00

Good morning!

David phoned me yesterday and Gjystina sent an email about the court hearing for Dino and Robin on the 22nd, where David was a witness for the prosecution.

Both Gjystina and david felt that the session for David went well. He answered clearly and consistently and David felt that again that the questioning was fair and reasonable and the Judge is known to be ‘sound’.

However, he did sound depressed which is not at all surprising. As he said, on Wed 30th he could be freed or his sentence could be left as it is –there is no indication of the possible outcome. David is obviously worried about his mum too as she bravely struggles with her health and this difficult time. He also has two new cell ‘mates’ who smoke constantly and have the fan on at night which David says makes the cell cold. It will be a long five days for him and Sylvia until the Appeal.

Each time I speak with him he asks that I apologise to everyone who has written to him or sent him books etc and explain that although he has not written to thank you all, he has been and is deeply moved by the love you have continued to show him. (He’s unable to put his thoughts to paper at this time as I’m sure you’ll understand.)

Gjystina has happily agreed to represent the young Roma man who is in prison and works at times with David. Thank you Gjystina!

As soon as I hear from Gjystina and maybe David, if he is back in time to use the phone on Wed (strict times of use although the warders are generous to David!) I’ll contact you all.

Thank you again for your constancy in praying (and fasting). I’ve sent Gjystina the encouraging emails you have sent to me. David should get them early next week.

With love in Christ Jesus, Allyson

Prayer required for tomorrow

2009-09-21T10:46:00.002+01:00

Dear Friends,

This is a request for specific prayer please for Tuesday 22nd (tomorrow). This is a very important hearing.

David is being called as a witness for the prosecution in Dino and Robin’s trial and on Tuesday they will be able to question him. Gjystina will be with him in court to offer legal guidance . Please pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through David as he answers the questions put to him. Pray that the truth will not be distorted in any way and that the truth will be evident to the judges.

However difficult, please also pray for Dino and Robin.

I spoke with David on Friday. He stands firm in his faith and believes that, in the Lord’s timing, he will be freed ‘soon’. He stressed again his deep felt thanks to all of you who have written to him, sent him verses and shared visions with him. He thanks you too for the books that are still arriving and feels that he is being truly supported by your love. David’s voice was full of love for you all and I can’t by email adequately express his deep, deep gratitude.

A friend of Flamur (from nine years ago) who David remembers, has been given a prison sentence for petty theft. He now works alongside David, cleaning. This young man has no family to support him and David is able to show him the love of Jesus as they work together. He calls David ‘Grampa’ (in Albanian!) so even as he waits for the outcome of the appeal God is using David in a powerful way.

David’s Appeal resumes on Wed, 30th Sept.

With love to you all

David’s Appeal postponed

2009-09-16T17:05:00.001+01:00

Dear Friends,

The prosecutor and one of the judges were not able to attend. David sat in handcuffs for three hours prior to being told.

It will now be heard on the 30th Sept at 1.30pm (.... after David has appeared, on the 24th I think, at the trial of Dino and Robin, where the two men will be able to question David.)

Please keep Sylvia, David’s mum, in your prayers this next couple of weeks, along with David - it’s such an emotional time –anticipating, preparing for different outcomes, the anxiety and the let-down.

However the system in Albania works, God is sovereign.

Thank you all for your continued prayer.

With love in Jesus

Allyson

The Appeal - Wed 9 Sept 09

2009-09-10T08:18:00.002+01:00

Dear Friends,

Today session one of the Appeal went ahead from 9.30am – 12.00 for David and his lawyers to put forward their argument -with the final session next week to allow the prosecution to speak and for the summing up and judgement on the Appeal. Thank you all so much for your steadfast prayers.

Gjystina emailed me as she had promised and David phoned me when he returned to the prison and filled me in with the details.

This is a summary of what I’ve been told.

The session lasted about three hours. There were two new judges.

Agim spoke first putting forward the argument that the doctor David had seen, regarding a medical examination pertinent to the case, was not an appropriate doctor. The prosecution did not agree and the judges have held over a decision about this until next week.

Gjystina then spoke to her 30page document for two and a half hours and Agim spoke again at the end of this to reinforce the main points of the argument.

David was questioned by the prosecution. He felt the questioning was searching but fair and he felt that he was able to answer clearly. David was then asked if he had anything he wanted to say. After such a long session for his lawyers, David found that almost everything he was going to say had been said but as he stood to speak he felt a real anointing from the Lord. He spoke from his heart and felt God leading him. When he stopped speaking he could see that everyone including the judges was moved by what he had said. He handed the letter from the boy who had accused him of abuse to the interpreter who read it out to the court. It was not accepted as evidence but was an important part of David’s plea and seemed to flow as a natural conclusion to David’s own testimony.

There were several supporters who were able to come in to the court part way through, during a brief break in proceedings. They were able to pray in the courtroom (silently!) and David felt a difference once they arrived.

The British Consul visited David yesterday or today- I’m not sure when - and David was much encouraged by him.

The other part of the news is that David did in fact appear in court, the day before his own court case, as a witness for the prosecution against Dino and Robin. He was questioned for two and a half hours. The three men had been taken in the same police van to the court and kept in the same cell for an hour before the court appearance

However, today when David returned to his cell, Robin was no longer there. So at the moment David is by himself. He has been called again to Dino and Robin’s hearing on the 22nd Sept when they will be allowed to cross examine David.

David has asked me again to please say to everyone how very grateful and thankful he is for your mighty prayer support. He sounded amazingly positive on the phone considering the gruelling time he has had over the last two days in particular.

Please hold these two dates in your prayers and thank you all again:

Wed 16th Sept 1pm (12noon UK time) The conclusion to David’s Appeal.

Tues 22nd Sept (unknown time) David’s appearance at Dino and Robin’s trial

NEWS UPDATE FOR DAVID -SEPTEMBER 7TH

2009-09-07T21:32:00.003+01:00

~ APPEAL DATE 9th SEPTEMBER ~

Very warm greetings to you all - I trust that you have had a good summer!

I would like, on behalf of David, to thank all of you for your constancy of prayer support for David and for his legal team. He knows and feels that, although separated by prison walls, the body of Christ is wrapped around him and is upholding him before the Lord.

He has asked me to convey how truly blessed he has been (and is) by the wonderful love which you have poured out on him. His apologies again for not being able to write to many of you who have continued to touch him over the last couple of months by sending ‘beautiful, prayerful blessings of letters and cards’ (David’s words) and the gifts of books, CD’s and food packages. David deeply treasures these reminders that we are still here and continuing in prayer for him.

The Appeal is this coming Wednesday, 9th Sept at 10a.m. with the court opening for the judges, advocates and translator at 9.30am. (This will be 9am and 8.30am our time)
I spoke to David on Friday and have had email contact with Gjystina. The main judge has been in touch personally with Gjystina, which she says is most unusual, to ensure there is an interpreter (paid for by David’s legal team, not the court) and to confirm the date and time etc. (The Appeal may not conclude in the one session but may run into a second session –presumably the following week.) Please pray for the judges – that they will understand and know the truth and act wisely and justly.

Gjystina has worked extremely hard, along with Agim, to refine and present a 30 page document to use as the basis of argument against David’s current sentence.
Please pray for her that she will have clarity in delivery and the calm strength, that is of the Lord, in her presentation and that she and Agim work powerfully as a team in the courtroom.

David has a ten minute slot to speak in his own defence. He will talk about the work he has done in the past and will be allowed to read out/ present a letter from one of the boys (who accused him of abuse) which says that he, the boy, is sorry for the lies he told. The boy was only 6 at the time and is now aged 10 and perhaps better able to understand the impact of what has happened.

Please pray that David will be at peace - and in the Lord’s strength, give a good account of himself. (It can be confusing and lacking in continuity in the courtroom when there is the need for an interpreter.) If I understand correctly, (and I may not!) David and his counsel will have to take constant pauses for the interpreter to interpret –a demanding job with the obvious need for complete accuracy. Please pray for the interpreter and his ability to fluently and accurately interpret and for the fluency of the argument not to be lost in this process.

David is also waiting to hear if he is going to be called as a prosecution witness against Dino and Robin on the 8th Sept –the day before his Appeal. There are just two boys left to be called, apart from David, as prosecution witnesses.

Naturally he is apprehensive as next week approaches but he is standing firm in faith. David reminds us that this is the month of Ramadan.

He continues to work 9hrs a day cleaning in the prison, much of that time being outside. This has helped his diabetes, which has greatly improved and has helped him physically and mentally – not being stuck in a cell for 23hrs a day!

He has had difficulty getting food over the summer but Gjystina has just brought him in chickens and fruit and veg etc which, not surprisingly, he sounded excited about !!- these he’ll keep in a fridge so they won’t need to be eaten the same day!!

Please pray for Sylvia as she too approaches the Appeal. Her health is frail but she is a strong and determined lady as she prepares again for her son’s homecoming. Please pray that she will be supported by friends/family on Wednesday. She lives alone.

I pray that next week, or the next, we will be celebrating David’s release!! I’ll be phoning Gjystina after the court hearing and will let you know as soon as I can on the 9th what the outcome is.

Thank you all for your so important prayers.

God bless,
Allyson

New Appeal Date Set

2009-07-26T12:51:00.001+01:00

I am writing to tell you of David's new appeal date.

It has been set for WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER.

One new Judge [Rrahman Qinami] has been appointed so far - the other two will not be appointed until 2 weeks before David's appeal is heard. Whilst David has contented himself to wait he does ask that we continue fervently in prayer for justice to be done

David's other news is that the Prosecution for Dino and Robin have called David as a witness. The date set for this is the day before his appeal. However two additional witnesses are also expected at Dino and Robin's trial on this day so David tells me he may not be asked to testify until a later date. It is possible, because David's appeal is the following day, that his evidence will be heard first, but we will have to wait and see. Apart from this, although the Judge has approved it, before David can take the witness stand all of the official papers will have to be signed. As you know, the courts will be closed throughout the month of August, so, again, it will depend on whether or not this has been attended to before the 8th.

David's other news was that he had a "pleasant enough" birthday on 23rd. One of the prison guards brought some drinks and they held a party of sorts. This same guard told David that he would very willingly write a glowing character reference for David except for the fact that if he did he would lose his job. So many of the prison staff hold David in very high esteem.
David was needing a small refrigerator to keep his food fresh because his cell mate who owned the one they had been using was moved. Gjystina managed to buy one and had it delivered to the prison - so that was David's birthday present. The temperature in Tirana at the moment is over 40degrees!

That is all I have to tell you for now. There won't be much, if anything, happening before September, but if it does we will let you know.

Thank you so much again on David's behalf for your continued faithfulness in prayer.

God bless

Postponed

2009-07-15T18:10:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends & Supporters,

It is with deep disappointment that I cannot, as I had so much wanted to be able to, announce to you that David was released from prison today. So, so many of us were believing for this but instead what happened was almost unbelievable....

David, Gjystina and Agim arrived at the appeal court this morning only to be told that David's appeal was being postponed. The main Judge announced that since the other two Judges who had been appointed to preside over the appeal alongside him had previously been involved with David's case when Gjystina had lodged complaints against certain proceedings during David's trial they therefore, under Albanian law, could not now legally be permitted to judge his appeal. [I had better not write here what I thought of the Albanian so called legal system when I was told this!] The upshot is that two new Judges will now have to be appointed and another date for the appeal set.
David tells me that the main Judge was actually really very pleasant, apologised to him profusely and told him that he would see to it that the two new Judges are appointed as soon as possible. If the new date is not set as being before 25th July then David says his appeal will not now be heard until September. Unfortunately it does look more likely at this stage that things will be delayed until September because, even if two new Judges were appointed today, they usually request a couple of weeks to read through all the papers before going to court.

Two of David's older boys [Edi and Klajdi] were at the court to support him along with Austin McCaskill, an American lawyer friend of David's, and Toni from the AEP. After leaving the court room Gjystina spent time with Agim, Austin and Toni discussing the case. David himself, once he was returned to the prison and had made his phone calls to his Mum and I, got changed to go to do his job and keep himself occupied. He was naturally deeply disappointed but was coping remarkably well inspite of what had just taken place. He had spent a pretty sleepless night, followed by two hours of pain from being handcuffed - and then was told the above. He has certainly learnt to do according to Phil 2: 14 & 15 and never, to his great credit, murmers or complains.

So that's it. Our faith, patience and ability to endure is being greatly tested and tried but James 1 : 2-4 tells us this is good for us -we are being perfected! So we keep praying and believing. This is simply another hiccup on the way to seeing our dear David freed and so we now turn another page and forget those things which lie behind and reach forward to what lies ahead.

As soon as I hear the new date for David's appeal I will let you all know in turn.

Thank you so much for continuing with us in faith and prayer.

God Bless,

Tuesday 14th July - Last day before the appeal

2009-07-13T22:04:00.002+01:00

Things are looking promising for the appeal, however David really needs your prayers now for this final stage.

Without going into all the details, some of which for obvious reasons we cant at the moment, there is a lot to be encouraged about, and things look as positive as they can..

David has been flooded with your cards and letters and has been so deeply encouraged, uplifted and moved by your love. Until he is able to thank you himself in person, may I now, on his behalf, pass on his deepest gratitude to each and everyone of you who responded to Allyson's e-mail and have written to him.

The job he is now doing in the prison has been a real blessing for him. Being occupied is keeping his mind off things and, because he is so tired at the end of the day, he is sleeping well. He is very scared but is being borne up by your love and prayers.

Just one last thing....would you all please remember David's dear Mum during this extremely difficult time for her. David told me that when he phoned her last Saturday that she didn't want him to go off the phone and that she burst into tears as his phone card began to run out - which, in turn, caused him too to burst into tears. Sylvia is so afraid that she won't see her son again. I have tried to console her but I would be so grateful if you would send your love and prayers her way - and thank you.

We also uphold Gjystina, Agim, the appeal Judge/s and of course David himself. To God be all the glory.

Until Wednesday..........

Blessings to each and everyone of you.

Appeal brought forward!

2009-07-05T18:18:00.001+01:00

Dear Friends & Supporters of David,

I know that some of you have already been informed by David's lawyer Gjystina that the date of David's upcoming appeal has been changed - but I am sure you won't mind being told again...?

THE DATE OF DAVID'S APPEAL HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD ONE WEEK AND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY THE 15TH OF JULY AT 11.00 A.M. C.E.T. [CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME - WHICH WILL BE 10.00 A.M. FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE U.K.] AND NOT ON THE 22ND JULY AS WE HAD BEEN EXPECTING.

This date is only two and a half weeks away. When David rang to tell me of this change he asked me to plead with you all to really be praying and interceding as the day approaches. He is very scared and apprehensive at the moment whilst desperately clinging on to God in complete trust. The thought of the appeal going against him is too much for him to contemplate and he is so depending on us all to pray and intercede on his behalf, as well as on behalf of his two lawyers Gjystina Golloshi and Agim Dishnica and the judges who will hear his appeal - Seit Xhoxha being the main judge, along with two others.

I know that we won't let him down - so a huge big thank you in advance.

In response to Allyson's request that we write to David to let him know that he is not forgotten about, David has been receiving some very encouraging cards and letters. He has asked me to send you all his sincere thanks as each and every one mean such a lot to him. Do keep them coming!

Just last week David took up a "job" in the prison, which he asked for. He is now cleaning out the 6 areas throughout the prison which are used as exercise yards. This means he is outside for 9 hours every day - from 7.00a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and again from 4.00p.m. - 7.00p.m. Having done no real physical exercise for over three years he found it very hard to begin with and was, as expected, all aches and pains as his body readjusted. He says he is fine now and is enjoying his work. It is giving him the opportunity to get to know all of the other prisoners and prison guards as well as the opportunity to witness to many of them. I have no doubt that this will stand him in really good stead and help prepare and make him ready for his release and for what the Lord has for his future.

So please, to all of us who love David, may we make praying for him a major priority in these coming days - David will be blessed and in return so will we!

Many, many thanks,

Bless you!

June 14th 09

2009-06-18T08:03:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends,

We at last have the Appeal date for David! It has been set for Wed July 22nd - just a couple of days before the courts close for the summer break! Thank you Lord and thank you to the British Embassy who, I understand, wrote to encourage the Appeal court to respond before the recess on the 25th and to encourage a fair Appeal.

I urge you all again to please pray earnestly into this. It is a critical time for David when he may receive a reduced sentence (with the possibility of being released), be given a re-trial, or have his current sentence upheld. This will be an extremely anxious time for him and his family (especially his mum, Sylvia) but I know he derives deep comfort from knowing that there is a large prayer network wrapped around him, interceding on his behalf. Please pray especially for Gjystina, Agim, the Judge as they approach the time of the Appeal and pray that they will all carry out their tasks and deliver with clarity, wisdom and integrity to ensure that there will indeed be a fair and just Appeal hearing.

David has been so thankful for all your letters and gifts – I can imagine on the days that David receives this evidence of your concern, love and support for him that his heart will be lighter and his day so much easier. He’s been delighted with the food parcels too and was saying that the cuppa soups are a real bonus since he gets hot water in the morning and can use these quite easily!

I was in touch with Gjystina, David’s lawyer, on Saturday and she has said that both she and Agim Dishnica, David’s second lawyer, will be in court on the 22nd along with David. Gjystina has a lengthy document to present which highlights, from the defence view, the anomalies/technical errors within the original trial procedures. Both lawyers think it would be a good idea if David speaks at the Appeal to give a history of his years of work with children in Scotland; what it was that brought him to Albania and then to emphasise how he could never harm a child. I’m unsure if this request has been accepted by the court or if, when David appears in court that request will be made. David is at the moment writing up what he will say if he’s given that opportunity. He is still apprehensive, yet excited, that the appeal date has now been set. He is remembering how last year he was in court on his birthday and received the worst possible birthday news. We pray against a repeat attack of the enemy this year and pray that David will receive the best birthday gift he’s ever had!

(David’s birthday is the day after, on the 23rd)

Pastor Aleks has visited David regularly and recently visited with an English couple -they were given the solicitors room (still a cell but with table and chairs) and were able to speak for an hour. David felt very blessed by this visit.

Pastor Aleks has bought some summer clothes for David and Ruth has sent some shorts/ T-shirts for him which she’s hoping will fit him!! She has more to send if they are the right size!

The prison staff continue to be kind to David, obviously truly believing in his innocence - their relationship with him is relaxed and good humoured!

Thank you all so much for your practical support and your prayers. I know that a good number of you send this update on to other churches, groups and individuals so that the prayer base is expanding all the time. Thank you to each one of you for your faithfulness to David.

I shall not be in touch again before the Appeal unless there is particular news which we need to pray about. I do pray that the Lord will show mercy and overrule any injustice and that Jesus’ name will be lifted high in Albania as a result of a just outcome.

May God bless each of you!

Allyson

A little Background

2008-11-30T14:42:00.002Z

For those of you who don't know David Brown well- here is a little background to this case and an attempt to provide some insight into David.

At the outset it is important to establish that although the way in which the court case has been handled by the Albanian judicial system would not meet E.U. standards, they have reached their conclusions based on the balance of probability, the understanding they would have of David and his motives and the evidence of two children. Four children made statements against David; two of them have withdrawn their allegations.

The prosecutor is currently being prosecuted himself under the charge of bribery -which is a positive step forward for the Albanian judicial system although the judge himself infringed Albania's own judicial code and requests for him to be replaced were rejected.

I have known David for 25 years. We met at a Children's Panel training event when we both served on the Panel, which is the basis of Scotland's child care system.
I have seen David at work with children and their families over the intervening years. Without exception he was held in high regard by all who knew him and his work. I have seen him run the children's camps, which for many years was his main activity - my wife and I spent two weeks with him on one camp. At no time in my 25 years experience with him was there ever any hint of impropriety. Having spent many years in child care ourselves both my wife and I were very alert to the possibility.

On his move to Albania we continued to take a keen interest in his work. We would speak regularly on the telephone, when he would share the heartaches and the joys - and when back in Britain he would visit and show photographs of the condition of the children on the streets, always talking of his desire to get a house which could become a home for the homeless and unwanted children.
His motives were always of the purest kind.
Many people have asked why I can be so sure David has never abused a child and I can say, with absolute conviction, that it is because I know his heart. The idea of harming any child in any way is totally abhorrent to David.

For those reading this it is vital to understand the Christian conviction which drives David (and it is a faith that I share.) The overwhelming thing in David's life is his relationship with Jesus. David has lived his life for many years in total dependence on Jesus to meet his needs and he has taught many children to do the same. He has taught them that God is trustworthy and the children in turn have experienced the faithfulness of God. (There have been many emails from these children, who are now adults, expressing their love for David and disbelief at the accusation of abuse.
Perhaps this relationship with Jesus is difficult to understand for anyone who has no experience of it.
Above and beyond David's deep commitment to serve Jesus - and others- is the knowledge that one day he will stand before Jesus -(before God) as we all will, and have to give account. Anyone with an understanding of what that means, will appreciate that, the idea of ever abusing a child is totally unthinkable.
Sadly, there are some people calling themselves ‘Christians’ who do abuse children but I am absolutely and completely convinced that David isn’t one of them.

By looking on the 'His Children' web site and going to the section under the heading, 'What kind of man is David Brown?' you will gain insight into David's work in Albania but it is important to me to clarify, from first-hand experience, some of the more outlandish statements.

When David first went to Albania he had nowhere to live and relied for a while on the Christian community. His decision to move there was the result of an opportunity to accompany a relief lorry going to Kosovo at the time of the conflict in the 1990's. The lorry travelled down through Italy and crossed from Bari to Durres in Albania before turning north to Kosovo. As they passed through Albania David saw the plight of the children and felt he had to do something to help. On his return to Britain he put his few affairs in order and moved to Tirana. At this time he knew no one, did not speak the language, did not understand the culture and had virtually no money, Yet such was his conviction that he took such a bold step.
In the first months and years he prayed fervently for the situation in Albania, for the children and for a place of refuge for them.
Eventually he was able to rent a house, which was not necessarily ideal, but it was close to the centre of Tirana and the gypsy and Roma people could reach it easily. It was also just around the corner from a Christian run health clinic. At first numbers were small in the house, which was as well as there was much work to be done. David rewired the house and re-plumbed it, as well as replacing windows and doors. He adapted it to meet the needs of a growing family of children and staff. Much of the work was done at night by David when the children had gone to bed. Daytimes were far too busy.
As word of the home spread people around the world became aware of it. Many volunteers and visitors from many nations came and aid was provided by a number of donor organisations.
Apart from looking after children, clothing and food were given to the gypsy people, who led a very poor life in the aftermath of the communist regime,(sometimes living under plastic rubbish on the side of the road.) Having been a visitor to the home on several occasions I have seen all this work being done.

The life stories of many of the children David took in are awful. In their young lives they had seen such abuse, trauma and suffering and yet every child was delighted to be in the home. Some of the older boys who had spent years on the streets found it hard to adapt to life in the home and would come and go as suited themselves, others stayed and found love and acceptance in the home. The one quality that every visitor to the home witnessed was a sense of love and caring. David would be the first to admit that at times things were chaotic but messed up lives are messy and the organisation and logistical problems were many. Eventually most of the children were enrolled in the nearby schools and they proved to be very able pupils. To many Albanians it came as quite a shock to realise that these gypsy children were both polite and intelligent.

It is difficult to understand what a transformation in thinking happened to some Albanians because of the home David opened. A number of local Albanians supported the work and gave of their time helping the children with homework, teaching one to one, cooking and general chores around the house.

There have been reports that the home was ramshackle and chaotic. Well it certainly was chaotic at times but the forty or so children lived in conditions which were better than many of the homes in Tirana at that time. It was always warm, there was always water available, (quite something in Tirana !) and a generator for when the power went off ( as it did, often several times a day ). With industrial washing machines to keep on top of the laundry it meant the children could be kept clean and well-clothed.
There was always food on the table. Every child’s birthday was celebrated with a big cake that David cooked and special birthday food for everyone. Everyone looked forward to birthdays!

Every child was taken to the clinic, dentist and optician as required.

There were regular trips out to the parks or up the mountain. Every Sunday signalled a mass exodus to church and every Friday and Saturday night were film nights when everyone would gather in a room that was somewhat too small in order to watch a video. In this crowded room the small ones would fall asleep contentedly on the laps of the older ones. There was always great demand to be able to sit on David's knee or sit close to ‘Davidi’ as the children called him.

Sleeping arrangements were as organised as they could be. The girls slept upstairs in one large room; the younger boys also slept upstairs in a large room and the older boys slept downstairs. Because the need outstripped resources there were often more children than there could possibly be beds for and some boys would bed down on mattresses in the sitting room while the younger children upstairs would sleep one at each end of the bunk bed.

It is also important to recognise the place some of these children were coming from, not only physically from a life sleeping in extremely crowded shanty dwellings or on the street, but also emotionally. Many had suffered traumatic experiences. One nine year old girl had seen her parents gunned down with Kalashnikovs and killed in a family feud. She held her mother while she died and then had to care for her two younger siblings each of these children had their own bed but at night you would find them all snuggled down together in one. On another occasion, when David had rented extra accommodation and bought new beds, I witnessed a young boy who had his own brand new bed moving his belongings to his friend’s side of the room because they wanted to sleep together. We must be careful not to be judgemental and not to lose sight of a child’s need for companionship.

One of the volunteers that came to help in the home was Dino Christodoulou. Dino worked at the home for an extended period over years rather than weeks. On two occasions during that time Robin Arnold also visited.
In October 2004 Dino and an Albanian member of staff seriously physically assaulted one of the boys. Both were dismissed; Dino returning to Britain.
I was in regular touch by phone with David and he told me of the events. It was some days later whilst talking with the boy that David sensed there was more to it and enquired further. It was then that word of the alleged sexual abuse by Dino started to be disclosed.It seemed that, until the boys were convinced that Dino would not be returning, they did not feel safe to` say anything. Now the floodgates opened and several of the boys reported things that had happened.
David conducted the interviews with the boys in a very responsible way, involving two female members of staff to act as witnesses and interpreters. Knowing his background on the Children's Panel back in Scotland I would certainly have expected him to be very sensitive.

That night I spoke to David and he was so angry that this could have happened in the home. It was a betrayal of everything he and the home stood for. David was distraught and over the next few nights we spoke often as more and more horrific stories were revealed. In the following days and weeks David had each child examined for abuse and tested for disease at the Christian clinic.
David was quick to seek advice from church leaders and trusted friends. As one of those friends I was aware that what worked in Britain did not necessarily translate into Albanian culture.
With the disclosure of the alleged abuse committed by Dino and Robin anyone with connections with the home came under suspicion. Innocent people, who had sincerely tried to help and befriend the children became very nervous about their association with the home. In the months to come this widespread suspicion would prove to be ill-founded but at the time the unthinkable had happened.

David spoke at length to his church pastor and to a senior British police officer who was working in Albania. This officer knew the home and the children. He was also a Christian. The primary concern was for the children. As far as I understand it, the agreed decision was not to report the abuse to the Albanian authorities, since that would probably result in the closure of the home and many of the children were likely to end up back on the streets. Instead the police officer said he would ensure that the two men were flagged up on the sex offenders register as being of serious concern and would be reported through Interpol.
In considering this course of action one should try to step outside British or western culture to realise the resentment/prejudice that existed in Albania towards the gypsy and Roma people at that time and the apparent lack of care provision for Roma children. In the short time since then Albania has done much to change its approach.

The reactions of David to knowledge of the abuse was profound. He was devastated. Not only that but he was in unchartered waters and struggling with the idea that it had happened -while at the same time taking every step he could to help the children and still run as normal a home as possible. The workload at that time was immense with few staff to share it with and a deep sense of betrayal of everything that the home stood for. The remaining staff worked incredibly long hours amid an atmosphere of numbed disbelief.
And so things continued for the next 18 months or so. There were many good times like the time we went up the mountain in the old minibuses and on the return journey the 35 ice creams that cost just under £4!
There was much, much work to be done as David rented extra accommodation which, of course, needed to be rewired- but things slowly returned to normal in the home - until the social work department and the police arrived in May 2006.
The assumption was that since David had not reported the abuse he must be part of the abuse himself. Yet every action of the children on that day in May says otherwise. The children were inconsolable at the arrest of David. They put up a sign for the benefit of the television and press saying, "Give us back our Davidi, we love our Davidi, he is the best Dad ever". They cried for his return for he was the centre of their world.
No child would react in such a way towards an abuser.

David is the first to admit he has made many mistakes. Yet he has attempted to do something few of us would even contemplate much less achieve. Everything he has done he has done with a sincere heart. He would be the first to admit that he has been unwise at times. Indeed there were many aspects of the home which could have been run better; there were times when he was stubborn when he should have listened to others but in all things he did it with a sincere heart.

David has been accused of having children sleep in his bed -and he did but it is important to clarify a few matters.
David strived in everything to run a home for the children that reflected a normal family life. An almost impossible task in a home which held upwards of forty children but that was nevertheless his aim. David saw himself as a father to all the children and knew that in the Albanian culture it was normal for children to sleep with the parents. Given his medical condition, perhaps he couldn’t see the problem.
After all, it was he who had shown them care and love and rescued them from appalling situations. He was their father as far as many of the children were concerned.
David now admits that he was perhaps naive and unwise and that people were bound to read things into it but at the time it was the most natural thing to do as a caring and loving father.

Allegations of abuse by David of two of the children need to be viewed with caution in my view- not to undermine their testimony or their integrity – but to look at other evidence.
Two of the four children who accused David of abuse withdrew their accusations in court.
We are aware that a young child was bribed by the police to make allegations. Younger children will be unaware of the implications of things they say.
Another, an older boy, signed a statement while being threatened with a gun and intimidated by the police.
However when he eventually stood up in court he explained this, spoke against the police and withdrew his allegations. He confirmed that David had never acted in any abusive way toward him.
I am suggesting that the facts of the case and the investigation would not have stood up to scrutiny in a British court.

David has been accused of beating the boys. In my extensive knowledge of David I can honestly say that such an allegation is completely at odds with anything I know of David. He is in fact the most unflappable and laid back person I have ever met when it comes to children, even when chaos rules. People who worked in the home have said they can’t believe David would beat any child. There was no evidence of that whilst working there. It makes the whole allegation sit uneasily. I refer again to the fact that David's greatest defence are the words of the children he cared for.

On the basis of what I have seen over 25 years this verdict is a miscarriage of justice and David needs our commitment to see it overturned.