The World Race is not my first trip overseas. I have done the whole “international travel” thing four times already. I know the things that should always get done and the things never to do.
Never put your passport with your wallet, in case you lose them.
Bring toilet paper, always.
Be patient at the airport.
Sleeping on the plane is critical.
Always keep track of your items.
I never thought that I would be the first person on my team or maybe even squad to have a major issue once we arrived in our first country. I figured my previous experience made me a pro at traveling.
When R squad arrived in Albania, we were exhausted. We flew from Atlanta to Chicago, where we had a layover for a few hours. We then boarded an eleven hour flight to Turkey. Our layover in Turkey was about twelve hours long. We spent the night in the airport; the time difference wreaked havoc on all of our bodies. In the morning, we boarded a quick flight to Tirana, Albania. My team would be staying in Tirana; Our drive to the ministry site was only about half an hour long. Taking naps was one of our first priorities upon arrival.
My squad leader wanted to get some food from the local bakery after we woke up. I walked to my bag to grab my wallet, but could not find my it. I looked everywhere where it could have been, multiple times. I started to freak out. My loving teammates prayed for me and helped me look again for my wallet.
It was nowhere to be found.
I had no way of knowing it in the moment, but as a team, we were stepping into a series of divine appointments. Albanian culture places high value on hospitality and relationships.
The rest of our evening brought out the best of Albanian culture in those around us. We were blessed with free internet and sodas, new friendships everywhere we walked, an Albanian worship and prayer service, and a delicious Albanian dinner on the town with some of our new friends. My heart was filled with increasing joy and amazement as the night wore on. I kept asking my squad leader, “Is this real life?!” My first day in our first country felt like a fairytale coming to life.
It has been a few days since we arrived in Albania. My wallet is still lost. I have not had any personal money to spend. I have had to rely on God and my loving teammates to provide for me. I am not lacking anything, only blessed beyond measure. I will be getting a new debit card sent to me next month. Losing your wallet is an inconvenience, but it is not the end of the world. It can actually be the pathway to a night full of life and joy, a night that otherwise would have been boring and filled with comfort.
How have you seen God change an unfortunate and stressful situation into a situation of favor, blessing and joy?
