It seems like just last week we were packing our bags, boarding our planes, arriving in a brand-new country, lost as a ball in high weeds, and searching for our minds as we wondered why we were choosing to do this trip. It feels like just yesterday we were running out of water, getting lost in the streets, meeting the kids in the neighborhood, painting new murals on the wall of the kindergarten, and having the whole town stare at us, saying “Americano” as we walked past them. // Now, we only have a day left in Albania, we are starting to clean up the little place we have been staying in, repacking our bags, and saying goodbye to the sweet friends we’ve made. // So, here is what the month has looked like for us (safe to say, we haven’t had many more “what had happened was” moments, so you can basically say we have adapted the Albanian culture, lol).
Buildings Structures around Tirana
Fútbol with the local boys!
Girls are normally enrolled in dance classes, they don't play soccer.
We painted a new kindergarten, these are just a few of paintings.
Tilly the turtle and Bella the blue bird,
Thumper looking at a butterfly,
Honey Bunny ready for a hug and a cute bumble bee.
Yes, we named most of the animals we painted.
We spent so much time and hard work on them, so we needed to give them all names.
More paintings.
We did much more, as I said, these are just a couple of the MANY paintings.
Huge shout out to my teammate, Jenn!
She free handed many of these drawings, and we just painted in the lines!
God blessed her with an artist hand, and we are all so thankful!
This month we were the Art team and we have all developed our art skills a little more!
We drank more coffee and ate more crapes than we ever though possible.
A building, a lake, and a stream we found when we went exploring in the big city!
We climbed a pyramid and some random structure.
Clenton (guy in the picture), showed us around the city center.
He is a member of the church we have been staying at.
We took an adventure day to Duress!
Sarah and I enjoyed looking at the water, it was so blue!
We attempted taking "artsy" pictures in the Adriatic Sea.
Still amazed I get to do this for a whole year.
We took cable cars to the top of Mount Dajti!
Quick story: As we searched for the cable car place, we saw these two dudes, Franc & Reese.
Jenn had a gut feeling they were searching for the same place.
We finally worked up the nerve to ask them if they were going to Mount Dajti.
They told us they were, and one of them was a local Albanian, that had never been.
So Franc (local), was able to to a lot of translating and searching to get us in the right place.
These two guys ended up spending the entire day with us, and showing us a cool place to eat dinner.
Long story short, we learned a lot about each other, and told them about The World Race.
One of the guys messaged my teammate and told her he was looking more into The World Race.
She informed him about the Fusion Route, which is a route that allows international people do come on the race.
We didn't even realize it, but just by talking and telling people about us, we are planting seed for the Lord.
Adventure day is ministry as well!
We learned a whole lot about community living, and how many girls we can fit on one twin size mattress.
Also: This is my team!
Left to right: Talya, me, Sarah H., Jenn, Sarah S., & Kristine
There are so many stray dogs around, and they just want some love!
I always seem to find myself providing that love to them, but who is shocked?
Don't worry Wasabi, I don't plan on bringing any home! (But it's only month 1. Just kidding, kind of)
We slept on a roof one night, and we got to watch the sun rise the next morning!
We have had a very successful VBS this week.
We get to spend our last 3 days here, ministering to children.
This is Alvie. We have danced many calories away this week!
Lastly, I got my keychain from month 1!
Getting a keychain from every country is the only souvenir I wanted.
I am still in shock that this month has gone by so fast. It’s amazing how comfortable we have become in just one month. The people here have been so nice and hospitable. My heart is so full after only a couple of weeks spent here. I am so excited to continue this journey and see what else the Lord has in store for us!
Thank you so everyone for all the support!
Prayer Request:
- We are leaving Thursday morning to travel to debrief. We will be in Serbia for a couple days then off to Romania. Pray for safe travels!
- Continue to pray for my team! We have made a lot of progress in our bonding and I can feel your prayers working, please continue to pray for us!
- All of the children and people that we will be saying goodbye to. That the Lord will continue to bless them and they will connect with the next World Race group as they did with us!
- That I work through abandoning some things at home so I can completely surrender myself to this trip and everything God has for me.
