This was written last week before coming to Serbia:
I have been in my 6th month, 3rd continent, and 6th country: Albania. Wow! It was so beautiful! We were staying in the city of Vlorë where we were surrounded by mountains, and we were next to the Adriatic and Ionian seas: The Mediterranean Sea. 
The weather in Vlorë, Albania during March has been around late 40-60 degrees fahrenheit. It was cold compared to the hot weather in Central America and Asia that we have been experiencing the same past 5 months of the race, but the chilly weather and warm sunshine has been so nice. Walking or taking a bus to your destination is the most common form of commuting, which has been great exercise! For those who do drive, they drive very nice cars. Construction on the streets to get ready for the summer in Vlorë was heavy this month. New walkways and new trees were planted on the main roads. The summer is known for many tourists coming into town. The sight almost reminded me of Miami, Florida with the palm trees, yet like California because of the mountains on the outskirts. It is so beautiful!
Since we were so close to Italy and Greece, there were many restaurants that make Italian and Greek food. Therefore, many pastas, breads, gyros, seafood, crepes, and sandwiches are popular in Vlorë. My favorite foods here have been Suflacque (gyros but made with pork with french fries in the pita along with different sauces) and Byreck (a soft breaded pie with stuffed meats or spinach and cheese – there are different ways to make this dish). Going out for walks along the shore or boardwalk and going out for coffee is the best form of entertainment for not just teenagers but for also grown men. I see many men going out for walks in twos or threes and sitting down for coffee. Everyone is in designer jeans, track suits, Adidas or Nike shoes, and men always have the cleanest haircuts. Women look like they are walking out of a celebrity magazine with their heels and makeup down the boardwalk. I will lie if I said everyone was not good looking. It may appear that everyone has their life together from the outside, but behind the makeup and leather jackets, I have learned that there is a heart seeking for something more than what they try to keep up with on the daily.
Talking with locals, the youth of Vlorë, and learning about the history of Albania has taught me a lot about Vlorë. Here’s a little history: Albania has received their independence as a country back in 1912, but with all the world wars, it never felt like independence. They were a communist country for the longest time between from 1914 to early 1990’s. When the power of communism ran the country, it got rid of all religion and tore down any kind of religious buildings. They then forced everyone to believe in the values and beliefs of the communist party which is its own religion. Eventually Islam was introduced to the country, but nowadays, majority of families say they are Muslim, but they don’t practice any parts of the religion or do not know much about the religion. This is very similar to majority of people in the states who say they are Catholic, but they never go to church, pray to God or practice any of the main foundations of the religion. It’s just a cultural/traditional statement.
Yet even still, corruption has a huge influence over the country. There is a history of politicians stealing money from banks with those same politicians passing money down from generation to generation. Human and drug trafficking occurred the most in the late 80s. The country tried to start all over, but corruption still exists today – including the trafficking (mainly hidden). After someone explaining it to me, I see it differently than how corruption was in India. In India, corruption was very exposed with little children begging for money on the street. Whereas, here in Vlore, it is hidden. Materialistic wealth is a result to the corruption.
Now imagine trying to be a teenager in the midst of all this confusion. Being a teenager, in general, is hard. You’re not a child anymore, but you’re not an adult. You’re trying to find your identity, but it feels like it’s never good enough. You try to be enough for a boy or a girl, but you screw up or that person screws up. It’s hard. It’s hard in the states, and what I’m learning is, it’s hard everywhere around the world – including Albania. Humans are the same. We only have cultures and languages that makes us different. Deep down, we share similar feelings of insecurities, rejection, seeking love, purpose, dreams, and authentic friendships/relationships.
I too struggled hard as a teenager, but I knew there had to be a bigger meaning to this world than the experiences I had, but I didn’t know how to understand it. College changed my life because of the organized, intentional programs the leaders formed. That’s exactly what the organization we have been partnering with this month, Cru, is doing for students in Vlorë, Albania. They outreach to college and high school students. They provide a safe place to help them explore their identity, their worth, their faith, their purpose, and their definition of love. There’s something more to life than keeping up with the Kardashians and showing off how many material items we own. It’s been so exciting to help host events 3-4 times a week after school. We held an American night, dance night, vulnerable night through a game called Solarium, a night of making our own “Life Map” to share our life stories with each other and many other different events. In between, we had coffee dates with students to get to know them more, introduce them to the leaders of Cru, and invite them to the events so that they understand this organization is here for them all year round.
The students are so kind, respectful, and just want to be heard. During our coffee dates, we give them a space for them to share whatever they want. Stories of youth saying “I am a failure.” “I am afraid for my family.” “I don’t know what my future holds. I feel like there is nothing.” “If I just get a lot of money, then it can solve my problems.” Those are only some of the words I heard different youth share with me. I am grateful to be an outsider who shares the truth that: you are worthy, high school is a temporary season in your life, you are more than your mistakes, there is hope for your family, there is more to life than money, and with God you can find your purpose. We also had opportunities to share the Gospel when the time felt right. During these coffee dates, I got to share my testimony, my story on who I was before I knew God and how I allowed God to change my life. Many of these students were surprised at how honest and vulnerable I was about my past which resulted in many deep impactful conversations; including students who wanted to know God more and two who accepted Jesus. It was a great experience! Month 6, Albania, was a month of planting seeds of hope, a new perspective, and a new introduction to potential profound connection with the organization Cru. I am so grateful for the experiences I had this month.
On top of all that, I got FULLY FUNDED in Albania!!!! It was such a beautiful memory. For those reading, and who was unable to give during my season of fundraising, my teammates are not yet fully funded. Feel free to consider donating to them if you were unable to donate toward mine. We are a family, and I would love to have them continue the race with me. Their blogs and places to give to them are to the left: Brittany Lara, Praise Jorgenson, and Rocky Esquibiel.
Thank you so much for reading!!! I have arrived in Serbia! Stay tuned for what’s next! 🙂
