Albania, is a beautiful country. It took us 21 hours to get to Tirana the capital city. We left Romania bright and early Tuesday July 1 st around 5 am. As we drove through the country side we passed out of Romania, into Bulgaria, then into Serbia, then to Macedonia where we winded between and through the mountains that cover the country to finally enter Albania, where we continued through mountains for a couple hours.
We finally reached the capital city of Tirana at 2:30 am. 2 am where our drivers stop to ask a police officer how to get our hostel and got a personal escort by that cop to our hostel for the night.
As we peer out the windows and begin to disembark from the bus we look around and listen. Listen to the fact that the city seems so quiet, not many really seem to be out. We take the next morning to recover and get some rest, then we begin to explore the city.
We find that over all its such a calm city, A city that is surrounded by mountains.
Albania is a young country, I mean it has centuries and centuries of history but they are young. Young in being open to the rest of the world the past 20 years, young as in its still trying to find its stride and develop, young in being out of communism and mandatory Muslim religion. It is growing economically, spiritually and in openness to what the world has to offer.
Breaking free of the pervious molds that once contained it. Learning and grabbing hold with all they have, in some parts coming together and networking among churches for a more united front.
This month my team has had the privilege of doing unsung. We spent the month meeting with people doing amazing work for the kingdom. People called by God to work within the Roma communities befriending, fulfilling basic needs such as doctor runs, medicine pick ups, cleaning houses, making meals.
To others running churches, empowering and supporting the youth of Albania. Those going into the prisons and bringing worship and God with them.
We got the chance to encourage some ladies at a local women’s prison with testimony, prayer, smiles and worship. To go support a youth retreat up by the Macedonia boarder. To share our testimonies, answer questions and encourage them as they walk through there struggles.
We got to travel to the South and the North from the sea, through the mountains. Time to process and watch sunrises and sunsets, to soak up the final moments that will all to soon be blips in our life.
We saw God show up in our last two days when we were feeling tired and not wanting to push through, but through keeping our promise to show up, to share and let him guide us.
In 5 short days I will be back on US soil. Closing a chapter or a book perhaps known as the world race. Transitioning back to America and getting to see many of you for the first time. I am looking forward to catching up with you. For those of you who do not yet know
I will be giving the sermon at First Lutheran of Kennewick on August 24.
Talking about my trip and how I saw God move and how he has called all of us to live with purpose for him.
I would Love to see you there!
*Tirana City Center. Photo Cred; Jen H.
