Greetings from Albania! Team SC is here in Pogradec Albania for the month after surviving another long & interesting travel days plus recovering from jet lag, and we are LOVING it here! I am also amazed that I am actually in Eastern Europe as it really hasn’t sunk in yet.
“The greatest among you will be your servant.”-Matt. 23:11
If you read any of my Cambodia blogs, you would come to realize that Cambodia was a straight up sucky month for me on so many levels, (minus the one about the Killing Fields as that is actually my favorite blog and one of my highlights from the month) but there is nothing like a change of scenery to lift one’s spirits, and that is what being in Albania has done for me this month.
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.”– 2 Chronicles 15:7
This verse couldn’t be more true as God has given not only me, but Team SC much favor this month by means of a total 180 in the way of not only a new country, and a whole new continent, but also a major change in the weather as instead of always being hot & sweaty 24/7 (I’m not complaining that much about that given what the weather was like back at my home last month, but this gal does have her limits), it is so much cooler here with temps in the 50s during the day, and lower then that at night. I am now in more spring like temperatures, and I am also excited that I will actually get to enjoy a spring for once (Michigan joke).
Besides the weather, another huge blessing to us after a hard month is the awesomeness of our living quarters. As we are living in the dorms of the Bible college, we have our “own” rooms (as we sleep 3 to a room) with bunks beds that have a soft matteress & pillow/comforter is provided, a bathroom that won’t flood the bedroom, hot water, water that we can actually drink straight from the tap and not have to worry about getting a parasite, washer/dryer, AC/heat, fast wifi, a rooftop terrence, & variety of meals provided for us (meaning its not the same 3 things for every meal), and an incredible views of the mountains. Not to mention the hospitality of our awesome hosts, and the students here at the school.
So yeah life is good once again for me even if it is now 5/6 months of my race that I have spent living and serving within the same complex.
As I’ve mention before my team and I are serving in partnership with the Christ For the Nations Bible School. Our main tasks to serve this month is to help out with the day to day routine at the school as well as be a part of, and even lead some of the ministries here at the school and their partner church. This first week as been mostly orientation and observation of life here at the bible school, and then we will be taking part in things such as morning prayer/worship, women’s/children’s & youth ministry, bible studies & even the weekly sports ministry, so I am looking forward to it all as I feel like I am finally getting to use my spiritual gifts this month of leadership & preaching.
A Day in the Life at CFN
Monday-Friday
6am: Wake up/get ready for the day
7am: Morning Prayer
7:20am-8am: Breakfast & dishes/clean up
8am-9:10am: quiet time for us
9:10am-10am: Worship
10am-1pm: (Students have class) Practical work (20 min coffee break at 11am)
1pm-2pm: Lunch/clean up
2pm-5pm: Various ministries (depending on day)
5pm-7pm: free time/ team time
7pm: Dinner/clean up
8pm: Free time (except Thursday nights as it’s women’s family bible study)
9pm-6am: Lights out/sleep
Saturday & Sunday: Rest days & Church Sunday morning
So yeah that’s a look into my ministry this month & a glance at my daily life as well. I am totally thriving here in Albania, and I am so blessed to be a part of such an awesome team & getting to serve with such an awesome ministry host.
We also had our first adventure day as a team, and we ended up going skiing for the day. It was quite the experience for me as I never really have been on snow skis before as I have been more of a snowboarder, and I surprising had fun even if I am still a little sore, but it was so worth it as that was another one of those experiences that I’ll never forget.
Fun fact: I absolutely love Albanian rap music as there is just something interesting about listening to rap music in another language along with some English thrown into the songs as well. Also from where the school is located in town I am literally a 10 minute walk from the North Macedonian border.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”- Romans 12:11
Til next time your fellow sister in Christ,
Bonnie
Team SC
P Squad
Psalms 18:2
YOLO
