Albania
Month 6 of the World Race and Month 1 of Europe. This was also my first month as Team Leader of “Still Relentless.” Being Team Leader for this group has been amazing and rewarding! We were the first team to ever minister in the village of Gorre, Albania. We spent our time serving with a church in a village of about 2,000 people. The church building was originally used as a kitchen/dining hall for the entire community during the communism era. It was later turned into a church during the 1990’s. We were in complete culture shock after spending 5 months in Asia. Everyone we now encountered is white and lives an agriculture lifestyle. Yet they looked like they should be on the cast of “Jersey Shore.”
We spent time with the youth of the community forming relationships and breaking down the walls of legalism and a work-based faith. We also worked around the church, cleaning and organizing. We held a youth service each Friday and took turns sharing on Sundays. We spent a few hours everyday at the local high school sharing the love of Christ and just hanging out. God really pulled a lot out of me and I grew exponentially this month.
Serbia
Month 7 of the World Race and Month 2 of Europe. We were the only team in Serbia while the rest of our squad was in Bulgaria. The city of Sombor, our home for the month, is located in the northern part of the country between Croatia and Hungary. Although close in proximity, Serbia and Albania are extreme opposite and are probably the two biggest foes in all of Eastern Europe. So it was very interesting to get incite to both sides of their feud. By the way, Serbians speak better English than most Americans. Again we were the first team to serve in this city. (This seems to happen often to my team.) We lived in the church and conducted an English club three days a week in our coffee shop. We shared testimonies/preached on Sundays. We conducted numerous house visits and yard work. We also worked with the “Royal Rangers” of the church (program much like Boys’ Scouts) and built great relationships with the youth.
Romania
Month 8 of the World Race. Our entire squad was serving together in the southern part of Romania in a town called Dragonesti-Olt. We were partnered with Hope Church and performed much outreach in the local community. My team served by painting/building beehives and green houses. We also cleaned out houses for people and conducted many kids clubs. The town we served in has the highest unemployment rate in Romania and an entire generation suffers from HIV. In a place that seems to have lost all hope, Christ is moving and hearts are changing. My parents traveled to Romania for the Parent Vision Trip and served alongside me in ministry for one week. During a home visit my parents and I had the awesome honor of leading a devout Orthodox to Christ!
Ukraine
Month 9 of the World Race. The day before we traveled to Ukraine 2 helicopters were shot down and 12 people were killed. Ukraine was, and still is, in the middle of controversy with Russia. We worked with the Blessing family. They are from Houston, Texas and have been serving in the Ukraine for 20 years. Their daughter, Bria, was competing on “The Voice: Ukraine” while we were there. We haven’t had much exposure to television so watching her perform was great. Even the News seemed interesting Ha. While serving we painted their house and worked in the garden. We led a youth service once a week and shared testimonies on Sundays. We also helped expand the sanctuary of their church by taking down a wall and remodeling. In the midst of chaos, fear, and worry The Love of Christ is overflowing in Ukraine through people like the Blessings. Knowing that you are in the Father’s Perfect Will reassures you that His Hand is always upon you. While the world around you seems to be crumbling, His guidance and protection will prevail. You can walk in Perfect Peace.
