I am so in love with Europe!!!
Our traveling began with a 14 hour overnight layover in Rome, Italy. I was in awe as I gazed upon lush greenery, clean cobblestone streets, and intricate architechture. I visited the Colosseum, threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and indulged in some real Italian pizza and gelato.
When we arrived in Albania I was blown away once again by the beauty that my soul was thirsty to drink in. Mountains, colorful buildings, coffee shops every few feet, flower pots, smells of freshly baked bread, and lovely people walking the streets made me feel like I had walked straight into a scene from a movie.
This month our team is located in the capitol city of Tirana with another co-ed team on our squad. The 16 of us are living in a building we call Disney Manor. Just across the alley is the church our host pastors. At any given time of day there are likely to be friendly children running around banging on our door to play or see what we are up to.
Ministry will include: painting a building that will serve as a Kindergarten in the fall, running a VBS (vacation bible school) for kids, having a young adult night on Saturdays, teaching English, sharing testimonies at church, and doing evangelism. I am so excited for the variety of ways we get to serve this month!
A few notable things about Albania…It is primarily Muslim and the youth here are being targeted heavily. Our host explained to us this is because it is a gateway country into the rest of Europe. Smoking and drinking are everywhere and people are very relational. In fact, as I type this I am in a restaurant eating a krepe drenched in nutella as women around me sip espresso and smoke. They have all inquired of me and invited me to share about why I’m here. It is a very social place and many people know a little English! Sadly, walking down the streets I often notice people’s faces, especially the men, looking weary and worn like they are carrying a heavy burden. I pray that the refreshing, life giving power of God’s Spirit will touch them. I desire to be a part of that in any way, even simply through a smile.
In my own personal walk the Lord is teaching me once again to rely on His strength as my body has been affected by what I believe is a parasite I brought with me from Asia. There is also the inevitable lice going around on our team. My new favorite place to spend time is a lake about 2 miles away that I run to. It opens up into a breathtaking expanse of mountains and the lake reminds me of my childhood (shout out to Cedar Lake). Me and God have been having some good talks there and I am grateful for a peaceful place to get away. Please pray for the church we are working at and for the relationships that will develop between us and the people of Albania. I can’t wait for the adventures that will unfold this summer and the ways God will move.
xoxo
-Jenna
