Greetings from Albania!
This month, my team has teamed up with team Galene (Drew, Deb, Peyton, Katelyn, Ralph, Esther, and Justin) to work at a kids’ recreation camp in Lezhe, Albania.
We have helped with camp all week, assisting with activities including rock climbing, archery, swimming, games, and sports. We have had a blast with the kids, and I have already grown to love the people of Lezhe.
The children come from the local community, which is mostly impoverished, so the camp allows for them to come and have fun in a safe environment while learning new skills. It’s also an amazing doorway for Lightforce International to build relationships with the community and to open up doors for future ministry opportunities.
The grounds also house a working farm to help fund the ministry, so we’ve been able to try our hand at being farmers while we are here. We’ve bottle-fed baby goats, and I was even able to be present for pig castrations. Yes, you read that right…pig castrations.
This week has shown me how fast you can get used to the smell of pig poop and communicating with people who don’t speak English. There are still a few things I haven’t gotten used to–like flies constantly attacking me–but I’m sure that those things will come with time.
I’m also not sure if I will ever get used to how breathtakingly beautiful the country of Albania is. On our off day, our ministry host took us to a fortress overlooking the city. As I sat on top of a crumbled wall, I marveled at how gorgeous the view was from every single angle.
Whenever I look out at the mountains from our ministry site, I can’t help but think how big God is, and I know he is going to do big things in this country. The mountains declare his glory so loudly, and I see his love in every sunset over the sea.
I can’t wait for the rest of our time in Albania. For more smiling faces. For more laughter. For more confused stares in the midst of mistranslation. Even for more goat poop.
One week down. Forty-six to go.
