Another chapter is closing as we are heading to New York for our 14 hr layover. It seems pretty crazy that our two months in Eastern Europe have now been added to the list of months lived. Albania and Montenegro were good to me. They are filled with deep hurt and history. They are filled with gracious portions of bread and chocolate. And they are filled with people who are warm and in search for something.
11 Highlights of Europe!
1. Meeting Silma and Silca: two gypsy boys who met us at a coffee shop. We played tic tac toe and took pictures and laughed through the lack of words to understand. Andrea and I were then treated by these two boys to Pepsi and chocolate.
2. Divine appointments consistently through our prayer walks in Montenegro: our ministry was to “go out and meet friends” God showed up every day as we went out, met new Montenegrins and see the entire city of Podgorica.
3. British church planters ministering to us: to our surprise the church we were partnered with had visitors halfway through the month. The four church planters poured into our lives and ministered to our “next 50 years of ministry.”
4. Hanging as the original HungyYoungys. While in Montenegro I got to rejoin the five squadmates I started the Race with. It was such a fun reunion and great way to rejoice in those friendships!
5. Hammock Ministry at the park. One day in Montenegro we set up our hammocks alongside the walking path and committed to saying hello to everyone who passed. Conversations that spurred from it were encouraging and funny too! Great day in the sun and laughter from a few rejections of the ‘hello.’
6. A trip to Athens Greece: within our first week of being in Albania our host encouraged us to head to Greece. So we jumped on a bus and headed to where Paul first preached to the Greeks.
7. Worship night with the youth group: we had a BBQ with the youth right in the middle of the neighborhood. After we were full of Albania burgers, Andi asked to pull out the guitar and soon enough we were worshiping in the middle of the street being a witness to police officers walking by.
8. Visiting the Roma Community: their faith was incredible as I witnessed the women jump for the opportunity to be prayed for. They live with faith and confidence in the Lord no matter how their tangible circumstances are not changing.
9. Coffee with the women outside our Princess palace: this past month Molly and I were heading back to the church after a prayer walk Andre the last minute the lady we always pass to go home invited us for coffee. We sat for 20ish minutes without being able to use any common language but through hand gestures and head nods we enjoyed the sweet coffee date.
10. Sanding the church: throughout the month the church in Albania was having a complete renovation done. From time to time we got to be involved with the work; the most fun: hand Sanding! We were got covered from head to toe and were snowmen by the time the walls were smooth.
11. LDW for LSquad: the last three days of this month was spent as a squad to learn from one another, grow in our new teams and hear the testimonies of this last month. God is incredibly faithful and it’s inspiration to see His goodness every time we are together as a squad. We also had Debrief between month 7 and 8; filled with great celebration of where we have come and the risks were going to step into knowing our potential!
Another great continent full of memories. Thanks for all the pastries, the experience of winter this year and the beauty!
Cheers to the beginning of our last three months in Central America. Hopefully my Spanish improves and We soak up every opportunity we have while still on the field. Starting off with Unsung Hero ministry just like Vietnam. If you have any contacts in Honduras, let me know!
Grace and peace,
Katie
