Albania has been my favorite month of the race thus far. I know, I know, it’s only month 3 but there is something special that happens when you put all the guys on a squad together and have them do ministry as men, or as we call it, MANISTRY. 10 guys doing the very thing God has called us to do is such an awesome experience.
The Lord has already walked me through so much here in Albania. I realized for a short period of time that I wasn’t getting anything out of my quiet times. Every morning I would go to the local coffee shop and pull out my bible and.. Nothing. I was asking God what I was doing wrong, so he decided to show me. I was holding on to a lot of bitterness that I’ve had for a while. I became really good at shoving feelings down and putting them away because I’m am thousands of miles away from any problems that might come up right? Wrong. God knows the heart. In fact He looks at the heart and not the outward appearance.
With the help of others I began to process everything that was going on and give it all to God. My heart and mind changed. I realized that God was trying to show me that He is a loving God and if I am to be just like Him, like I hope to be, I am to love people the way He loves.
After walking through that, I started to walk in things that I haven’t walked into before. My personal time with the Lord took off and I got asked to teach at a bible study for the local youth. I prayed and asked God what to say because I had to write my own lesson plan and I’ve never done that before. I prayed and I prayed that the words that I would say would impact one person. As soon as we finished, someone approached me and told me that was exactly what they needed to hear!! What an awesome God moment!
This months ministry has been pretty relaxed. Some of us have been building benches while others have been helping with the children with their homework at the church we are partnering with. Some have taught English and went to get coffee with locals. I have been playing soccer with the kids and walking around doing whatever and wherever God is calling me. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like I’m not doing much but at the same time whatever I do in Jesus name is not a waste but rather doing whatever He calls me too.
I do have a BIG announcement about next month. The original plan was to go to Kosovo and do ministry there but now we have been chosen to go to Greece and help with the refugees!! I know there are a lot of mixed emotions back at home about what is going on however here right now they need help and I am HONORED to be apart in being the hands and feet of Jesus. We are super excited to take part in this and at the same time extremely humbled at the opportunity. Prayer for next month is always appreciated.
Right now it’s all about staying 100% present in the place that I’m in. The people of Albania need Jesus just like they will all throughout the rest of the race. After all if I have the mindset of looking forward, I’ll be coming home before I know it. God has way to big of plans for me to rush right through it.
