MADE IT TO ALBANIA! I love it here…The mountains, palm trees, how we are an hour walking distance to the beach, the cute little town down the street, the market place next door (that we visit everyday to get ice cream), etc! There’s lots of beauty here, that’s for sure! Living conditions are good…I have a roof over my head (even though there’s no AC), a mattress (even though there’s no covers), a bathroom (squatty potty), food (Same meal every day) and water! Its different but totally do-able!
I have been in the city of Lezhe for two weeks now. (Tomorrow we are leaving for the Capital, Tirana). The whole squad is here (all 53 of us) and we have been doing farm/outdoor work for this kids camp. Our host is George and he is somethin’ else!! He has no filter whatsoever lol…he’s fun to listen to. He’s so wise, has great stories, and has a sermon for us every morning! Everyday after he speaks, he has every team within the squad do a “chore” a day. So; I’ve white washed walls, worked in the garden, cut kiwi vines for 2 days straight, worked in the kitchen, cleaned bathrooms, cleaned up his backyard for 2 days straight and have watched over sheep! It’s been a busy two weeks that’s for sure.
While others have been stuck in the thought of “why am I here just to scrape pig poop or to white wash walls day after day”, I have found another perspective (although it took me awhile to put my finger on it). Yes, we have been doing manual labor work on a farm for while now. Yes, we have been getting our hands dirty and our foreheads sweaty. Yes, we have been inside a kids camp surrounded by just our teammates and yes, this is all okay. And yes, this IS pleasing to God. Maybe we aren’t witnessing day after day, but we are being the hands and feet of Jesus doing good works which he prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) In our free time I have been finding myself digging deep into my bible. (Which I never did before). But it’s almost been a craving for me these past two weeks. So digging deep, I have found a whole new perspective and have found lots of peace of what we are doing. Its been so nice to get away and just spend time praying and talking to God and just “being still”…without any distractions, social media, and just my phone in general. “Be still and know that I am God” is such a simple verse but speaks such truth.
I’m excited to see what’s next as we travel to Tirana. We are going to teach English at a school so I am super excited for that. We are in Tirana for two and a half weeks and then have a debrief in Montenegro. After Montenegro, we come back to Albania and spend 2 more months here working in the school!
PS: I decided to do a month “detox” without my phone or social media….to be in the moment and put all the distractions away. So sorry I haven’t been posting pictures or blogging! I get social media back on Septemeber 9th:)
PPS: I wrote this blog 3 days ago and just got in wifi to post it! I made it to Tirana and love it here!! For the past couple of days we have been exploring the area and starting on Monday, we will be teaching english at a school! Super pumped!
