The other night when we were entering the dorms to talk with first year students, the
women sitting at the check in desk became very angry and did not want to let us
enter. One of our hosts, Anila helped
translate the heated conversation between the dorm “mom” and another one of our
hosts, Juli. Apparently the upset dorm
mom said the “Americans” are confusing the girls and do not have permission to
enter.
I
couldn’t help but think about Thessalonians, the book of the bible my team is
studying, and how Paul’s preaching there in the metropolitan capital of
Macedonia upset the Jews.
“These men
who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”
Acts 17:6
In
my conversations with the female students, it seems like “turning their world
upside down” is exactly what they want and the reason they have come to the
University. These first year students
are flooded with emotions being away from their villages for the first time,
but open minded, hungry for knowledge, and desire more from life.
Along
side Campus Crusade, we are offering just what they want: a life better than
the life in their villages. Like Paul, we are turning their world upside down and
bringing God’s Kingdom here to earth in Korce, Albania.
“Your Kingdom
Come, Your Will Be Done, On Earth as it is in Heaven.”
Matthew 6:10
At
times this task isn’t easy, constantly being faced with apathy or insincere
interest in the “Good News”, but the Campus Crusade staff presses on day after
day knocking on dorm room doors, calling hundreds of girls and boys for coffee
dates, and saying countless prayers for open hearts. Their persistence reminds me of the church in
Thessalonica that experienced much persecution but endured, focusing on their
spiritual reality as children of God and heirs of eternal life, instead of the
physical reality of affliction. Like the
believers in Thessalonica, the CCC staff is joyful because of their hope in Christ, which
fuels their drive to reach each and every student with the gospel.
here in Albania, but his concern and love for the people there, continued years
later when he wrote the letters of encouragement we know as 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I know the people of Korce will be on my heart
and in my prayers after I leave and I
know a big part of my impact will come in the form of encouragement to the ones
God has already put in place here; the tireless and faithful servants who will
stay when we leave.
