Our time here in Albania has been amazing.
Our first week, we worked in a Roma community (The Roma people are more commonly known as Gypsies. We do not use this word because it is derogatory) in a village outside of Fier. We ran Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the children in the village. The community is close knit and after every session, the children would wait outside of our house for piggy back rides or to go on runs with us. The children were rowdy, but engaged. They enjoyed their time with us and vice versa. The community adopted us and we were sad when we had to leave.
We held VBS in a house that was under construction
Klea lived with us. She became our little sister.
For our second week, we headed to the capital, Tirana. We ran VBS in a village about 40 minutes outside of the city. The children were well behaved and welcoming. It was a great week of games, skits and crafts.
Our last week in Albania, we worked with another Roma community within Tirana. We were told that we would be running another week of VBS, however, this week was more laid back. Our first two days were beach days. Since many in the Roma community live in poverty, they often can’t afford to go to the beach. The organization that we were partnered with, every summer rents a bus to take the community to the beach. We got to play with the kids in the Adriatic Sea. They all had a blast. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as well. The third day we spent time talking with the women of the community. It was a time of sharing stories, testimonies and seeing that even from different parts of the world, we have similar struggles. Our aim was to encourage these women. For our team, it was one of our favorite days this month. Our last day will be more of a structured VBS day with the children of the community.
This month has been a good one; full of fun, rest and love.
