it’s a rainy thursday evening in tirana, albania and the sun has just begun to set. as i sit in the library we call our bedroom i become covered with a blanket of peace.
 
because of each of your generous hearts i was able to raise FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS to go on this mission.
 
to my people back in the the quon. my unfailing family. my friends. my church. my parents John and Leslie. to my teachers, youth ministers, coaches, co-workers, orchard highland families, childhood friends, youthworks friends, worldracers, and everyone else in between. thank you. I have no other words.
 
thank you for allowing me to love on child refugees in colombia, teach students english in ecuador and thailand, play games and give company to trauma patients in cambodia, get my hands dirty on a pig farm in albania, dance with the roma people on the streets of tirana. everything. all of the souls i walked past, smiled at, prayed for, listened to. each and every encounter i owe to you. thank you for not only supporting me financially but spiritually as well. the prayers, phone calls, and conversations i’ve had with so many of you warm my heart. its been an entire eight months since i said goodbye to everyone and everything. yet now i am leaving the people i grew with, laughed with, cried with, did EVERYTHING with in a few short weeks. holding onto the love i have today. we are all in His hands. with blessings and so much gratitude, clare murphy